What did you do with your truck/shop today

[Jsdirt]

This is getting friggin ridiculous ...  

 

[Chevyguy85]

Neighbor and I did the pinion seal.  Dealer wanted $383 or about there.  We did it for under $70 for the seal, 4 quarts of fluid, and the socket.  Harbor freight and the non chain auto parts store didn't have a 36mm, O'Reillys surprisingly did though.  I wonder how if he'll volunteer to help fix whatever goes wrong next time.  It's great having neighbors who know what they're doing and willing to help out.

[Jsdirt]

That's exactly how I learned, only it was my dad and grandpa helping me.

 

Neighbors back in my old 'hood didn't do much but call the cops on my loud bikes, cars, friends, and parties ...  

 

 

Speaking of big sockets, I ran into the same situation trying to remove a front axle from a '04 Ram 2500. Of all the places, Tractor Supply had not only the 3/4" drive, 1-11/16" socket, but a 3/4" drive breaker bar, and adaptors down from 3/4" to 1/2", and vice-versa. Auto parts stores were all a big FAIL on that one. 

 

As I'm typing this ... yep ... it's SNOWING again .... 

[Colossus]

Today I mowed the lawn and put down some rabbit repellent.  Dang things are killing my lawn.  I can't shoot em where I live.  Doesn't mean I won't try though if they keep it up.   Starting to browse around for a 99, 00, 01, 02, or 03 Sierra 1500 with under 150,000 miles.  5.3L 4X4/Z71 extended cab.  We'll see.  Looking to keep it under $8000 if I can. 

[Jsdirt]

Subsonic .22's - works for my dad in the heart of communism (urban central MA).

[waumo1]

Pellet gun.  But how are rabbits killing your lawn?  If they would kill my lawn (5 acres+ to mow) I would import some.

[Jsdirt]

 I hear that, Jim! I was thinking of getting some goats. Should've done that before I spent $5 LARGE on a damn mower ...

[Ravenkeeper]

12 hours ago, Jsdirt said:

This is getting friggin ridiculous ...  

 

Welcome to the 109th day of January.

[Jsdirt]

 

 

Indeed! 

[Chevyguy85]

7 hours ago, Jsdirt said:

That's exactly how I learned, only it was my dad and grandpa helping me.

 

Neighbors back in my old 'hood didn't do much but call the cops on my loud bikes, cars, friends, and parties ...  

 

 

Speaking of big sockets, I ran into the same situation trying to remove a front axle from a '04 Ram 2500. Of all the places, Tractor Supply had not only the 3/4" drive, 1-11/16" socket, but a 3/4" drive breaker bar, and adaptors down from 3/4" to 1/2", and vice-versa. Auto parts stores were all a big FAIL on that one. 

 

As I'm typing this ... yep ... it's SNOWING again .... 

My grandfather and dad taught me some things when they were alive.  Sadly I've most likely forgotten most of what my grandfather taught me and he probably forgot more than my dad ever knew.  Even my grandmother was pretty mechanically inclined.  I guess when you race Maseratis, Ducatis, and own a mechanics shop you can't help but know some stuff.  Plus apparently way back then in Italy she had to disassemble an engine and put it back together as part of her drivers license test.  Dad helped that neighbor out all the time on his Willy's build, didn't get to see this iteration completed though.

[Daryl Z71]

Changed the oil. Couldn't get the filter off so I had to resort to punching a screw driver through it. I think it was tight because last time I changed the oil the trucks engine was full temperature, and this time it was cold. First time I've ever had to get one off that way.

[Jsdirt]

GM doesn't help things there, by surrounding it with the oil pan and bellhousing.  

 

After my 1st oil change on the Silverado back in '07, I bought a kit similar to this one. Made it 100x easier. https://www.amazon.com/XtremepowerUS-30Pcs-Filter-Wrench-Socket/dp/B015WTI0TQ/ref=sr_1_13?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1524225408&sr=1-13&keywords=oil+filter+socket+set 

 

Of course, that first oil change required 300 ft./lbs. of torque to remove the factory-installed OE filter ...  

 

Just did an oil change on a '03 2500HD with the 6.0 & 4L80E. On that one, GM routed the exhaust literally 3" away from the drain plug ... so not only can you not get a socket on it, but the stream of oil hits the exhaust and fans out everywhere, making a huge mess!  Some engineering these days, I'll tell ya ... 

[Daryl Z71]

5 hours ago, Jsdirt said:

GM doesn't help things there, by surrounding it with the oil pan and bellhousing.  

 

After my 1st oil change on the Silverado back in '07, I bought a kit similar to this one. Made it 100x easier. https://www.amazon.com/XtremepowerUS-30Pcs-Filter-Wrench-Socket/dp/B015WTI0TQ/ref=sr_1_13?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1524225408&sr=1-13&keywords=oil+filter+socket+set 

 

Of course, that first oil change required 300 ft./lbs. of torque to remove the factory-installed OE filter ...  

 

Just did an oil change on a '03 2500HD with the 6.0 & 4L80E. On that one, GM routed the exhaust literally 3" away from the drain plug ... so not only can you not get a socket on it, but the stream of oil hits the exhaust and fans out everywhere, making a huge mess!  Some engineering these days, I'll tell ya ... 

 

 

Yea the oil pan design definitely didn't help me out any. Does that kit work pretty well? The one I have from Advance Auto is a joke.

[Jsdirt]

I think the one I have is made by Astro. I'll have to look & get the p/n & get back to you on that. But, yeah - well worth the money in aggravation saved. Most new vehicles have ridiculously inaccessible oil filters, except for a handful of them.

[Ravenkeeper]

8.1 miles from 50K, maybe I'll hit it when I go to lunch tonight, or I'll have to take pictures of it in the dark, on the way home.  We'll see.

Edited April 25, 2018 by Ravenkeeper
11:30pm Friday 4-20-2018