To think I wouldve been late for work! Cant wait for the report. Heres to the guys that did the birfs! 
Local wrenching expert
- Thread starter mkfour
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To think I wouldve been late for work! Cant wait for the report. Heres to the guys that did the birfs! - Thread starter
- #62
I can't thank enough Boyd, Mo, Ian and Brent for their help. Especially Boyd for hosting this wrench-a-thon. I owe you one.
I didn't realize how much work and time goes into doing this and the amount of knowledge and experience those guys have on 80's and automobiles in general is incredible.
Mike.
I didn't realize how much work and time goes into doing this and the amount of knowledge and experience those guys have on 80's and automobiles in general is incredible.
Mike.
Woah, what time did you guys start? I thought the birfs were a 3 hr each side jobber.
Boyd - you ARE THE MAN. I can't thank you and Mo enough for your time, expertise, and for Boyd, your backyard and time until 1:00 in the morning. Whenever you need help, just ask.
We started around 9-9:30 and didnt stop until we were done. Mike (mkfour) did his birfs and I did my birfs (rotated sides also), rotors and upgraded to 100 series pads. Wow, what a difference those pads make!
To Boyd's gracious and wonderful S.O. Cindy - Thanks for loaning us Boyd for a very long day.
Guess Mike and I have now done our rights of passage into cruiserdom now having done a birf job.
Here's to never having to do another one!
I'm too flipping old to be getting up and down off the ground for 15 straight hours. I am one sore 50 year old today. 
To those of you that do this job every 60,000 miles...respectively, you are NUTS. That is one time consuming job. As we were told, nothing too difficult, just long.
Again, Boyd - THANK YOU!!!
We started around 9-9:30 and didnt stop until we were done. Mike (mkfour) did his birfs and I did my birfs (rotated sides also), rotors and upgraded to 100 series pads. Wow, what a difference those pads make!
To Boyd's gracious and wonderful S.O. Cindy - Thanks for loaning us Boyd for a very long day.
Guess Mike and I have now done our rights of passage into cruiserdom now having done a birf job.
Here's to never having to do another one!
I'm too flipping old to be getting up and down off the ground for 15 straight hours. I am one sore 50 year old today. To those of you that do this job every 60,000 miles...respectively, you are NUTS. That is one time consuming job. As we were told, nothing too difficult, just long.Again, Boyd - THANK YOU!!!
mechanic that's never done that much in his life mechanically.
Holy Crap Boyd! What happened to take up that much time? Glad all got it done but I feel bad for the 3 of you, that is a long day. I was a loser and had to leave at 2 for a wedding. I did drink a few extra Jack and cokes for you Boyd. 
I have to say a special thanks to Boyd as well. He is the epitomy of a great host: Had a big box of Starbucks to go, a huge plate of bagels and cream cheese, sodas, and he copied all of the applicable pages of the FSM and stapled them into packets for all to use so the FSM's would not get all greasy, and he ran to the store at the drop of a hat to get a suitable pipe to take the birfs off of the axleshaft so Brent and Mike could keep wrenching. He even left his IPOR t-case skid/crossmember on the bench to be available immediately to help when needed. Boyd you rock brother.
IMHO, I think that is a bit low of an estimate, there is so much cleaning and details to take care of that just slow you down. I am super anal and I take longer than most but in general I would add at least 2-4 hours total depending on tools and accomodations. My .02
Dang, now I really don't want to do it.......
LOL! I'd highly suggest finding a friend with a lift. Standing to do this job would have been much, much easier.
That being said, it was worth doing for the confidence of knowing you can do it in an emergency.
That also being said, I'm still sore as hell today!
I am one sore 50 year old today.
Aw, c'mon guys; it wasn't that bad!
I've gotta give Mark and Brent credit:
The each did all the work on thier respective vehicles; both were first timers! (Mo and I just helped when needed.)
Mentally, Brent was in way over his head - he had all the skills, just not all the confidence. A little (OK-a lot) handholding was all he needed.
Both replaced thier wheel bearings and races, both swapped sides on the birfs. Brent replaced his rotors and pads - all the little steps add up!
They were working on a patch of dirt and grass while entertaining 4 different dogs.
Nobody tried to rush the process, they were both methodical and thorough.
About 1/3 of the process was done after dark with minimal lighting (I have to give Mark the birf by braille award;p).
One drop light, a headlamp, a flashlight and an old Coleman lantern was all the lighting we had for both trucks. (imagine trying to find a bolt you dropped into grass in the dark
)I'm amazed at thier patience and persistence. Way to stick it out!
I'll try to post up some pictures tonight.
Lack of confidence - hey I resemble that remark.
Let's see - damn near busted my DS parking brake trying to get my first rear rotor off until I learned where to back it off.
Busted one of the two knock sensors replacing the PHH.
Busted the light dimmer switch taking the dash off to install the CB under the Eclipse radio.
...you get the idea. None of the others were really life threatening if I f'ed up.
Too tired when it came to the second spindle and Boyd jumped in to help a tired old man!
Can't say enough good about Boyd and his hospitality Saturday!
Let's see - damn near busted my DS parking brake trying to get my first rear rotor off until I learned where to back it off.
Busted one of the two knock sensors replacing the PHH.
Busted the light dimmer switch taking the dash off to install the CB under the Eclipse radio.
...you get the idea. None of the others were really life threatening if I f'ed up.
Too tired when it came to the second spindle and Boyd jumped in to help a tired old man!
Can't say enough good about Boyd and his hospitality Saturday!
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Photos! - - - Finally
As promised, my feeble attempt at photojournalism. This is not a "how to;" just some shots of the action. . . . . . .
Brent is the first one with tires off.
Here is the begining of the lineup. Who knew that every 80 to show up would be white!
I apologize to SoCal80's for Ian's 4Runner squeezing into the shot. He was specifically told to park all the way in the back
If you look closely, you might notice Mo installing another antenna on his truck.
The rumor that Mo was too busy installing another antenna to help with the birfs is not (entirely) true.
As promised, my feeble attempt at photojournalism. This is not a "how to;" just some shots of the action. . . . . . .
Brent is the first one with tires off.
Here is the begining of the lineup. Who knew that every 80 to show up would be white!
I apologize to SoCal80's for Ian's 4Runner squeezing into the shot. He was specifically told to park all the way in the back
If you look closely, you might notice Mo installing another antenna on his truck.
The rumor that Mo was too busy installing another antenna to help with the birfs is not (entirely) true.
More photos. . .
Here is proof that Mark really did all the work himself:
(I couldn't find any shots of Brent;p)
Here Mark works on the races with the infamous "brass drift"
Notice the addition of a sledge; Mark just attacked those races!
The races weren't the only thing Mark attacked.
(I hope you threw those clothes away!)
Here is proof that Mark really did all the work himself:
(I couldn't find any shots of Brent;p)
Here Mark works on the races with the infamous "brass drift"
Notice the addition of a sledge; Mark just attacked those races!
The races weren't the only thing Mark attacked.
(I hope you threw those clothes away!)
Brent really did work!
O.K. I managed to find some shots of Brent. . . .
After donning his glasses, Brent correctly identifies this part as his front hub.
A little dab 'l do ya!
Brent shows off his shine.
Anyone see a resemblence?
He's happy that it is still daylight!
O.K. I managed to find some shots of Brent. . . .
After donning his glasses, Brent correctly identifies this part as his front hub.
A little dab 'l do ya!
Brent shows off his shine.
Anyone see a resemblence?
He's happy that it is still daylight!
Last round.
Here's what you don't want to see on the side of the trail!
Brent and Mark took so long even the dogs were bored!
Finally; proof that they worked well into the wee hours.
Sorry there weren't any pictures of Ian. He changed out the rotors and calipers of his 4Runner too fast!
It was a long day, but everyone drove home under thier own power!!
Thanks for coming over and all the praise!
Here's what you don't want to see on the side of the trail!
Brent and Mark took so long even the dogs were bored!
Finally; proof that they worked well into the wee hours.
Sorry there weren't any pictures of Ian. He changed out the rotors and calipers of his 4Runner too fast!
It was a long day, but everyone drove home under thier own power!!
Thanks for coming over and all the praise!