Stans 02 Avalanche maintenance

[KARNUT]

I’m not happy. My truck is in the shop for repairs. I don’t know exactly what the problem is. I first believe the front brake was sticking causing a vibration on the drivers side. The last truck that had the problem it didn’t vibrate, the brake got hot. The last time I drove it felt like a bad shock, more of a bounce. This morning going to the shop it eventually felt like a vibration still no heat. So I told the guy all that and handed him the keys. If I was able to do it myself I would just change everything. Brakes, rubber hoses and calipers. Shocks too. I’ve done all that kind of stuff before  lunch. One weekend I took a 454 out of my impala put it in my nova. Then put in a 350 in the impala. Took the 373 gear out of the nova put in the impala. Put the 273 in the nova. My brother did help. Those were the days. I can do it in my head. The body says go ahead, you’ll pay. I’ll probably tell him to change everything when he calls me with the estimate. 

[garagerog]

I feel your pain Stan. 75 years of age and osteoarthritis have relegated my DIY to days of yore and a distant memory. Numbness in my thumbs and fingers has me worrying more about being able to button my shirt than pick up that dropped washer off the garage floor. It was hard letting go of something I considered more a hobby than a necessity, must of have been the old farm boy in me. Anyhow I am thankful to still be around, more than I can say for some of my old classmates and friends.

[KARNUT]

5 minutes ago, garagerog said:

I feel your pain Stan. 75 years of age and osteoarthritis have relegated my DIY to days of yore and a distant memory. Numbness in my thumbs and fingers has me worrying more about being able to button my shirt than pick up that dropped washer off the garage floor. It was hard letting go of something I considered more a hobby than a necessity, must of have been the old farm boy in me. Anyhow I am thankful to still be around, more than I can say for some of my old classmates and friends.

I’m at 68 in the beginning stages of let someone else do it. 

[KARNUT]

Bad caliper. Will be done today. Yea

[KARNUT]

Man it’s a small world. And yes I live in a bubble. Turns out the owner of the shop that worked on the avalanche is a family friend. He was actually at my shop 40 years ago when I put the 454 in my nova. He started his shop shortly thereafter. Additionally he eventually owned one of my impalas, a 66 396 SS. I only met him that one time when working on the nova. Picking up the avalanche he was there standing in front of a 94 dodge dualy diesel. I said as I was walking past, boy that brings back memories. He says you don’t remember me do you? I answered I haven’t a clue. We talked awhile and I got a friend and family discount. It just pays to be nice all the time.  He says hang out anytime. I believe I will.

[KARNUT]

I have this bad habit of neglecting my personal vehicle. If it moves I make do. It got worse because it’s harder for me to do it myself. My wife’s car and the trip vehicle no expense is spared. I like most prefer a truck. Probably from spending most of my life in one. Over the years making trucks into cars has angered me. They made them very expensive. Lucky the old good ones last. When my avalanche became un drivable it was either get another or fix it. I got it fixed. Front brakes, one caliper and hose. Plus the AC tune up. All for less than one new truck payment. It’s funny how we value our vehicles. It’s not what it’s worth to someone else. It’s what it’s worth to you. I found a good new shop. Only the best of care from now on. 

[Grumpy Bear]

3 hours ago, KARNUT said:

It’s not what it’s worth to someone else. It’s what it’s worth to you. I found a good new shop. Only the best of care from now on. 

 Perfect.  

[KARNUT]

A little update on the avalanche after 4 years. The paint looks the same after being outside all this time. Everything still works as designed. Even the light under the hood. The leaks never came back. I park nose up in its spot. It’s job for the most part as my personal vehicle is taking me to one of three walking parks in the morning. The farthest is ten miles away. Sometimes I take it to my mother’s a 30 minute drive when we visit every two weeks. I just have to pull out the ladder so my wife can get in. In the time I’ve had it I put 18K miles on it. The maintenance has been very low. I found out by accident the two water tanks have leaks. I park it in the grass. The window washer tank only if you fill it to the top. The radiator overflow-holding tank under pressure. I never fill the washer tank. That’s filled during oil changes. The radiator tank 3 times a year when the light comes on. Yes that’s where the water has been going all this time. I would have noticed right away if I ever had parked it in the garage. The body cladding takes about 15 minutes 3 times a year to treat. So I like those. I’ll eventually get an extension applicator to treat the bed cover when I get tired of climbing. I still keep my eyes open for a replacement deal if one comes along. It’s just my nature. I have a couple in mind if I was to see them . I wouldn’t have a problem if this was the last one. 

[KARNUT]

Last night my grandkids were visiting. They’re leaving and come back. Your lights are flashing. I check nothing. I hit the fob everything seems fine. Today I get it washed oil changed head home cruise control is on, then turns off. I get home brake lights are off. Hummm. I sit on the front porch and watch. A little time passes on comes the brake lights. Then off. I’ve seen lots of strange stuff with vehicles. This is new. Brake light switch? Battery is disconnected. 

[Grumpy Bear]

4 hours ago, KARNUT said:

Last night my grandkids were visiting. They’re leaving and come back. Your lights are flashing. I check nothing. I hit the fob everything seems fine. Today I get it washed oil changed head home cruise control is on, then turns off. I get home brake lights are off. Hummm. I sit on the front porch and watch. A little time passes on comes the brake lights. Then off. I’ve seen lots of strange stuff with vehicles. This is new. Brake light switch? Battery is disconnected. 

 

Sounds about right. 

[KARNUT]

Brake light switch replaced by me. Oil change by valvoline quick lube. Car wash by blue wave in the past week. 185K. The oil in the truck never gets dirty. The oil change dude showed me the dipstick and says it’s clean. Maybe go another 1K miles? Really I’m not kidding. I was just 100 miles away from their sticker miles on my windshield. I pointed it out to the guy. He says you know you can go longer on the oil you’re using. OMG. Dude I’m in the bay drop the oil. Geez! Then he says sir, I see you may need transmission service as well as rear end, power steering and antifreeze. I said there’s no record because I did it myself. I appreciate the concern. My goodness.

[Grumpy Bear]

5 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

Brake light switch replaced by me. Oil change by valvoline quick lube. Car wash by blue wave in the past week. 185K. The oil in the truck never gets dirty. The oil change dude showed me the dipstick and says it’s clean. Maybe go another 1K miles? Really I’m not kidding. I was just 100 miles away from their sticker miles on my windshield. I pointed it out to the guy. He says you know you can go longer on the oil you’re using. OMG. Dude I’m in the bay drop the oil. Geez! Then he says sir, I see you may need transmission service as well as rear end, power steering and antifreeze. I said there’s no record because I did it myself. I appreciate the concern. My goodness.

 

Don't ya jus love em to death. 

[KARNUT]

I did something that was totally out of character for me. I was thinking of upgrading to about 10 years old instead of the 20 year old avalanche. I’m looking I’m always looking. My avalanche is almost pristine. I found an 2011 Ford F-150 5.0 XLT Lariat pristine and loaded. My truck is my personal vehicle, I barely put 6K miles on it a year. I was right up to the edge. This avalanche is the second longest vehicle I’ve owned. My 92 was longer, 12 years. With 4 vehicles the avalanche would have to go. I couldn’t do it. It’s worth way more to me than on paper. It would probably have to get unsafe for me to part with it. It’s the same mindset that keeps me in my house instead of a retirement village. For the fees they charge I could have a maid come by and hire a lawn service. Plus have meals delivered. Upgrading to the 10 year old truck I could replace the engine rebuild the transmission etc. I do hate being practical sometimes. But I can’t give away my avalanche.

[KARNUT]

Ok I need someone to explain this to me. I was changing the brake switch on my avalanche. I did look it up on YouTube first. I always do now just to get a picture or a refresher when I do things anymore. Older guys like me only have a limited time in the position it takes to do that job. The potential for cramps and limited light and all that. How does it turn on the brake lights?  It hooks directly to the pedal. The old ones had a button. They hooked to a bracket. The last one it did the button fell off the brake pedal. I just wrapped tape around the pedal. All the years I’ve only had to do two. I could look around and figure it out. But I’m in recovery mode from replacing the brake switch. Quit laughing you’ll get old someday. 

[Grumpy Bear]

1 hour ago, KARNUT said:

Ok I need someone to explain this to me. I was changing the brake switch on my avalanche. I did look it up on YouTube first. I always do now just to get a picture or a refresher when I do things anymore. Older guys like me only have a limited time in the position it takes to do that job. The potential for cramps and limited light and all that. How does it turn on the brake lights?  It hooks directly to the pedal. The old ones had a button. They hooked to a bracket. The last one it did the button fell off the brake pedal. I just wrapped tape around the pedal. All the years I’ve only had to do two. I could look around and figure it out. But I’m in recovery mode from replacing the brake switch. Quit laughing you’ll get old someday. 

 

I can't answer your question but I laugh with you, not at you. Replaced the cabin filter in Pepper a short while ago and bruise me silly. Sore for a few days as well. Mouse nest made it take longer and remove more than normal.