What are you doing today? Thread

[El Camexican]

I'm always amazed at those ice road truckers. I mean all that weight going across the lake....... I'm sure Canada's Department of Transportation ensures it's safe...however they do it. I guess ice is strong enough because it sank the Titanic but to me it would be weird to walk on.

There are very few regulations out on the ice. It’s pretty much every man for himself.

About 10 years ago, a bunch of drunken natives drove head on into my buddy coming around the curve. The driver was killed almost instantly. My friend said that the stench of alcohol coming off of his blood was incredibly strong. Now just imagine a white boy standing out there with nothing but natives coming and going for I don’t know how many hours until the law showed up. He’s a big boy and he can handle his own against just about anybody in a fair fight, but he was dropping bricks, waiting for the RCMP to get there.

I wanted to make a run with him last winter, but it didn’t work out. I’m not sure if he’s got another year left in him, but if he does, I sure would like to make that trip. The photos he sends me of the northern lights and some of the wildlife are incredible.

[ATC King]

Attachment 271074

Dealing with delaminated brakes, for the umpteenth time over the years.

[coolpool]

Attachment 271074

Dealing with delaminated brakes, for the umpteenth time over the years.

Did it lock up the wheels at the worst possible time, lol. Wonder if the older practice of riveted shoes was better? I still think they are that way on large trucks?

[coolpool]

The last couple of days have been chilly to say the least. I work in a heavy oil extraction plant and all outdoor non-essential work was shut down for the right reasons. I converted our Celsius scale on the pics so Friday morning was -38F with -61F wind chill and today it's -42F and luckily no wind. I was very impressed that my work truck (2020 F-150) started yesterday without being plugged in. The tires were square for a bit and the power steering barely worked but it went along just the same, lol.

I'm blessed to have a warm shop at home to tinker in. Currently working on a 2005 18.5' car hauler that I bought in September along with the 84 XR80 I have a thread on in "Bikersville". The trailer has been rode hard and not maintained as unfortunately a lot of trailers are. 3 of the 4 brake wires were rubbed through by the rotating hubs at some point due to poor wire routing on the magnet arm. The PO put 4 new tires on it at least and the deck is decent. I made sure I took advantage of the warm December weather and buffed the frame, rims, ramps and fenders down outside to save on a mess in the shop. I'm going to mount a spare tire on it too.

[ATC King]

Did it lock up the wheels at the worst possible time, lol. Wonder if the older practice of riveted shoes was better? I still think they are that way on large trucks?

They didn't lock up, but I've had that happen before.

Last time I rode it I had to loosen the brakes and they were still dragging, so I figured that's what happened.

I think it's just the aluminum shoes and humidity here that doesn't get along, especially in these 'sealed' brakes. Those were OE shoes. I've yet to have it happen to a front brake, but it does happen there too, I've seen the results.

I've seldom seen it happen on automobiles, but from what I understand, part of the issue will the glued material is if the manufacturer blast/tumbles the new shoes instead of acid washing them before lining. The slag on the steel would be washed off, but if they're blasted, it's impregnated into the steel material, which causes friction material binding issues. You can probably guess which process is less expensive to do.

I think the manufacturer choosing to paint instead of plating the shoes has an impact too. If painted, the steel is lined raw, and it will rust under the lining, starting from the edge once the paint is compromised. If plated before lined, it would take much, much longer for that to happen. When most people walk up to a parts counter and ask for brakes, they want the cheapest ones, so that's what we're all getting now, unless going out of our way to find the actual good stuff or NOS.









Yes, 18 wheelers still use riveted friction material and the old shoes go back for a core, to get relined. One difference here is continually running around with too thin of truck/trailer brakes (besides the obvious) is eventually going to earn an award from DOT and get your truck shut down. That's a ticket, tow/repair bill, missed income, and paperwork to turn in to show it was repaired before returning to service. Brakes normally get replaced before they're actually worn out. Too bad it isn't like that for cars and pickups.

Many parts on big trucks still get rebuilt, including the tires (for those who don't know). Most engine rebuilds are done in-frame. Rebuilt third members are even kept in stock. Blow one out and it goes back as a core, then slap the rebuilt one in. Log trucks go through some rear ends. Cars and pickups used to have more rebuildable components, now most things are disposable and end up in a landfill.


As for the temps y'all have, you're compensated with snowmobiles and Bullwinkles. We get flat bottoms and alligators. You may not be able to swim because it's too cold, but that's better than being eaten. I believe we're all cursed with mosquitoes.

[coolpool]

All good points ATC on the brake lining issues. And I can almost guarantee that the cost of brake shoes for a semi-trailer is cheaper than OEM from an ATV dealer!

So here's a blast of reality. The neighbors and me and the Mrs walked down to the local Legion yesterday afternoon to grab a pint. We were very surprised when a Province wide emergency alert rang in at 6:45 PM on everyone's phone and on the TV's. We figured it was an "Amber Alert" (missing child) which is the usual alerts we see. Not so this time, it was a warning that the Alberta electrical grid was in jeopardy due to the cold temps and super high demands. Now.....aren't electrical vehicles being pushed as the solution to climate change as of late?

[ATC King]

And I can almost guarantee that the cost of brake shoes for a semi-trailer is cheaper than OEM from an ATV dealer!e?

And I can almost guarantee that the cost of brake shoes for a semi-trailer is cheaper than OEM from an ATV dealer!

That's probably not too far from truth.

A friend just bought four new aluminum wheels for his big truck. I think they were ~$350 each. Nothing special, just the the typical ones with round holes. They may be forged, I didn't look, but the ones on the trailer are forged. All aluminum truck wheels may be forged, I don't know. Even some 20" cast wheels for a pickup would cost about that much or more, and they're super heavy. One good curb strike may crack them too. Forget about even comparing the price of forged aluminum car/pickup wheels, they're astronomical.


EV's? Maybe that's a whole other thread.

It's a money grab by inside trading politicians and part of the NWO fifteen minute cities.

There's a lithium mine opening in southern Arkansas, Exxon Mobile. Same ol' song and dance. They'll take what they want then leave a mess and quickly downward spiraling local economy. Boom bust towns, Arkansas is full of them, but it's more romantic to call them ghost towns. That's a NIMBY perspective, but a lot, if not the majority of Americans have ever been to an operational mine or any type. There's a reason why just about any mining operating wants to have a large water source nearby. EV fanatics ignore the actual environmental destruction. I guess it depends on if someone likes their herring red or gilded.

There's a place for EVs, just like there is for golf carts, fork lifts, trolling motors, mobility scooters, and Power Wheel Jeeps. Short trips and homeowner's garages (check that house fire insurance). The overwhelming majority of apartment dwellers have nowhere to charge overnight, and daily rural commutes can bump up against range limitations with a new battery. Once that battery is a few years old, range is even worse. A 40yo fuel powered car goes the same distance on the original fuel tank.

EV sales are tanking because those who wanted one, already made that purchase. The free market has spoken but the corrupt and ignorant politicians want the last word.

If I had use for one and it actually saved money over the lifetime of the vehicle, I'd have one. The concept isn't unworkable, the legislation is. Even electric motorcycles aren't a total win when there's a use for them. For one, they're much heavier than a comparable ICE bike. For short, in town trips, that's just too awkward. It's like using a Goldwing for city bike instead of 300cc one. That weight is a real issue in city traffic.

Even an electric bicycle would be a PITA for apartment living, especially without an elevator. I always took my bikes up to the balcony and no way I'd want to carry a 70lb bicycle up stairs. Besides, many apartments won't let tenants keep electric bikes inside now. I think NYC banned them outright after the last fire burned a building down and killed some people because the ground floor shop was overnight charging some. I think electric bikes are pretty polular in some SA countries. Maybe it's Brazil or Argentina that's had a lot of EV fires, enough that the threat is undeniable.

To make matters worse, the fires cannot be extinguished by conventional methods. Special training and equipment is needed. They burn so hot that it's much more likely to spread. Then there's the environmental impact, but I'll mention that one last.

A lot of the hype is put on EV performance because they're mostly a premium product. I don't need a car with 500hp, regardless of the power source. Nor a motorcycle with 100+. They're fun, but not practical for daily, years long transportation. If they'd knock the power down some, leave out the heated, cooled, back massaging seats and make them more of a utilitarian type of low cost vehicle, which would improve the range from lower power consumption and reduced weight, they'd be a more attractive transportation option instead of a status symbol.

I'm not their target customer though and maybe I'm a bit of a Luddite, a bit but selective. I've drove my '79 F150 all over the US. No AC, power steering, power seats, locks, windows, and no cruise control (which is the worst part), but I've got satellite radio, a decent stereo system, USB charge ports, digital gauges, wide band gauge, CDI, LED lighting, and an eight foot bed that doesn't have to be made. Not a single cup holder anywhere, coffee goes between the legs while shifting and into the hand once going. Do I like riding in new trucks, kind of. They're more comfortable than many peoples home furniture and all the creature comforts are within arm's reach, but there's too much going on inside to relax and focus. Too many lights and noises. It's like riding in a pinball machine.

I'm more of the Chevy W/T driver. Vinyl floor mat, manual everything, minimal parts, minimal maintenance and repair. With all this 'safety' and anti-theft tech now, that's pretty much not happening anymore. Even budget price vehicles are loaded with it and having to pay extra for a manual transmission is a little ridiculous compared to how they used to be standard and the auto cost more. Why do I like a manual so much? Probably the same reason I'd appreciate regenerative braking on an EV, it saves the brakes, less maintenance. It's also easier to regulate speed, weighs less, and is more efficient*.


Late mentioning, but I did get to ride one of those Victory electric motorcycles before Polaris canned the brand. Expensive and was actually badge engineered, but fun and plenty capable of interstate speeds. It had a manual transmission, which is a bit odd, but maybe it helped with in-town range if used correctly. There certainly wasn't a need to use it, pick a gear and go, but the lower gears do increase acceleration. I don't remember how many speeds that was, but two would be enough, kind of like the old Hondamatics. Low for town and high/drive for the road.

I'm tired of everything being politicized and promoted by fanatic lemmings. If they'd ensure the people had options then let that sort itself out, everything would work better. ICE is far from being perfected but has made progress in leaps and bounds. The knowledge, industry, and infrastructure is already there, built over the last hundred years. Get rid of that and we'll never have it again. Multiple energy sources is also national security. Depriving an enemy of resources is a military tactic and clearly evident during WWII, which is why the Germans started making synthetic fuel and oil out of what they had. The ICE is an incredibly flexible and adaptable power source that can be made to operate and just about any flammable fluid or gas, including engineered fuels, which can be made from renewable resources and with enough chemistry, likely to even clean the air. Just imagine if instead of treating human waste then dumping it back into rivers and streams we used it for energy. Maybe don't imagine the potential smell, but that may have a bonus of decreasing tailgating drivers. It probably wouldn't be a good idea so siphon it, not that it's a good idea with gasoline either.


If you read all of that, I'm sorry. I feel better though.

[ATC King]

I've been a bit bored lately because the weather has prevented me from doing much outside or in the shop. It's been freezing weather or pouring down rain. The humidity is what has been keeping me out of the shop. When everything is covered in moisture it's not a good time to open an engine or work with any bare metal that'll sit for a while. Quite actually, everything in the shop has water dripping from it when the humidity is that high and the floor is completely wet, enough to squeegee water out the door. Forget about even looking at electronics.

I could run the wood heater to keep it dry, but I'm not feeding a fire all day in a structure I don't live in unless it's absolutely necessary. Besides, I've been holding onto our little stash of wood in case power goes out, so I have it for the house.

My boredom has manifested into absurdly long posts on here that keep walking off topic. So here I am, going to post some images for the people who like pictures in their books. The most read book in the world didn't get that way by only having words...

The humidity has finally gone down and the temp came up. Now I'm tackling a couple oil leaks on a bike of mine.

Attachment 271183

The offending gasket, which was a new OEM gasket. I'm going to reuse it after getting all the original sealer off.

Attachment 271184

I'm replacing the decompression shaft seal also. A good bit of work for a couple oil leaks.

Here's a bit of a search, to find the part that doesn't belong.

Attachment 271185

I forgot I even done it and I must have been in a mad scramble to get the engine back together, so I grabbed whatever I found that was the size I needed. Have a laugh, it's a goober fix, but it's been in there for thousands of mile and I've had this bike about twenty years. It's safe to say this bike won't leave my ownership in running condition. Nobody but me will own it and it'll be worn down to only usable parts at some point. About the only things still stock are the frame and suspension, and the frame has already been welded on, forks rebuilt, and shock bushings replaced.

I've done the modification in the picture before, but used a more proper part. Maybe what's in there now can be called an oil redistribution device (oil slinger ).

Someone who spots it probably knows why it's there and why the stock mechanism is gone, which mine was getting ready to potentially wipe the engine out because of the hours and miles had it worn past safe tolerances.



One last little bit is a ratchet I bought for a specific use that has become a favorite of mine. I bought it for removing GM differential pins because the one I was working on at the time wouldn't come out with a wrench and nothing else I had would fit in the space.

It's a compact head, 3/8. I needed a 3/8 because a 1/4 would have sheared off with the force needed to remove the bolt. The head in narrower than a 7/16 Gearwrench. The socket on it in the picture is 8mm. Another inexpensive parts store tool that's exceeded my expectations. Duralast, the best a man can get...maybe that's the wrong catchphrase. Oh, that's right, AutoZone hasn't been dumb enough to alienate their customer base because of identity politics.

Attachment 271186Attachment 271187



I don't have any cool rebuild projects happening like some of you, but maybe I will this year after getting caught up on other repairs and maintenance.

Stay free, keep it three.

[Shep1970]

Hello all, I'm just gonna vent for a minute or two.....So a few days ago i drove my wifes jeep (2016) for a couple miles (i barely ever drive it) and mentioned to her the steering felt loose- she had a vehicle alignment 3-weeks ago and had another shop check the front end on thursday last week after i said somethings felt wrong. It checked out ok only one ball joint was starting go but no big emergency to get it done(wait til spring) Went to visit my son this wkend in NY, the wife drove.about 200 miles each way While there i drove it justa few miles to conclude there was still something wrong, i felt there was still lots of play in the steering wheel left to right. Wife got mad and said enough its just how jeeps are......So kept my mouth shut about it.

So we drove home sunday (highway) avg speed 80mph, then got off the exit ramp just a couple miles from home and we went to pull into a sub shop crossing another highway type road taking a left across traffic. Wife says in a panic its not turning!!! it steered just enough before it broke to turn into oncoming cars (red light) against a sidewalk.

I almost always work/check on our own vehicles but its been so cold/wet/snowy i didnt. Learned a big lesson we would have been seriously harmed or even killed if we lost all steering on the highway a few mins earlier.

I cant stop thinking about what "could have happened"
What failed was the link to the steering gear

so ya kinda scary-
theres pictures "if" they load





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ATC King]

Holy hell, that's scary. I'm so glad y'all made it out of that without injury and you were able to vent here. It's not really venting though, it's therapy, and you need it after an event like that.

I feel you on the personal repair/inspection aspect. Some shops are textbook thorough, and some aren't. Sometimes it's just a lack of experienced techs, other times it's the overloaded ones who aren't able to do jobs properly. I can't make that call on the shops you've used. The whole auto mechanic industry is a real mess anymore because of low pay and inexperienced, administrative managers/supervisors who've never turned a wrench in their life but have a business degree.

Technical trades need people who've worked their way up and were peer reviewed, not self-assessed or have a paper. I can't stress that enough.

I worked nights as a jailer when I went to automotive school. Left the jail in the morning, got breakfast, then went to school. I competed in state automotive tech competitions, won those, then went national a couple times. I've worked in state and federal shops. There was a lot of corruption at the national level competitions by schools who wanted the exposure/revenue. I've seen good and bad, and it's getting worse.

Being able and willing to work on your own vehicles can't be understated. Even without a lift, a couple ramps, some good lighting and pry bars will expose bad chassis parts.

[knappyfeet]

Geez...I'm glad you guys are ok.

I've seen this 35 years ago in Vegas. Passenger side broke and was at a 90° angle while drivers side still straight on a freeway off-ramp. Just hit the curb but a long skid.

That's gotta be scary

[Shep1970]

Well $150 shop bill and a $170 tow bill (AAA will refund tow bill) jeep is all fixed. Funny thing now as i drive my own truck i question my own steering but i know for a fact its in great shape. My head is playing mind games w/me i guess.
Very scary what coulda happened...... Back to somewhat normal life now i guess... Now just need a very early spring to get the honda grom out!!!!

shep

[ATC King]

Funny thing now as i drive my own truck i question my own steering but i know for a fact its in great shape.

It's not a straight front axle 4x4 Dodge or Ford is it? If you haven't experienced the death wobble or know someone who has, it's pretty dang terrifying and certainly capable of causing the pickup to veer into oncoming traffic or the ditch/guardrail. Some Jeeps are also known to do it. Not just lifted or altered vehicle either. All stock and it can still happen.

I've known several people who had it happen and I'm certain at some point I mentioned to a friend who hadn't had it happen yet, but finally did, while on the interstate. Right after that he bought the twin Fox stabilizer kit. Band-Aid or not, it's at least a little preventive insurance.

A friend of his recently bought a similar Ford F-350 and we've mentioned that he aught to install one before it happens.I don't think he understands how violent the event can be, because he hasn't installed anything or at least had the front end thoroughly inspected. He did just have to replace nearly the entire exhaust though, because of the cat and filter, so that was a bit of $$. It had already started derating itself at only 100,000 miles. He did remove the exhaust and tried to clean it out, which is a bit of a job because all that junk is heavy and he's in his 70's. I think that left a bad taste in his mouth and he just want's to drive it for a while without wrenching.

I big truck I drove had a similar issue, but not as violent and it only happened at a certain speed, which I could drive out of the shake. The owner spent a good bit of money having parts replace and a 'professional' alignment, none of which alleviated the issue. Some damage happened to one of the front hubs and it got replaced, which turned out to be the issue, but there wasn't anything visually wrong with the hub other than a couple wheel studs were dinged up on the ends from a previous driver rubbing it against a tall curb. Money spent at shops and the down time didn't fix it, just a random repair he done, did. He'd already given up on it.


Good thing you had AAA. Some insurance companies make towing available now, but AAA has been around for a while. That repair bill was less than a cart of groceries. Crying over spilled milk is a real thing now.

The weather here has been very warm the past couple days, and I'm looking forward to getting a bike out too, just have to finish putting it together first. Only needed one hole thread repaired, although some others were iffy, but that part is back together and there weren't any more threads pulled out. Next time though, several holes are going to need some attention and it'll probably be ready for a rebuild anyway. I just rolled the dice this time, hoping it'd hold together until that point, when the engine is out and easier to work on.

[90nut]

Winter work in the dirt moving business. Sandblasting painting, PM equipment, oil changes for days. At least I'm not out wading in the muck.

[El Camexican]

Jezzus Shep! Glad to hear no one got hurt.