March/April '09 Wrenching Event (1 Viewer)

[Miescha]

I figured a new thread was appropriate to schedule this 'event' and keep the Introductions thread from getting too crowded (maybe our ever-diligent moderator can somehow move the posts over here or just delete them out of the main thread and keep that one to introductions). Regardless, I'm trying to get my travel/work schedule figured out and set a date for using the lifts/shop.

For those who haven't joined us in the past, the shop has 6-8 lifts (I forget) but only 4 that can accomodate our heavy vehicles (but if someone brings along a 40 or jeep or something, the other lifts would probably be fine for that).

There are two large compressors at the shop and a few hoses (bring your own air tools though), the entire space is heated (probably not an issue any more though), plenty of space to work inside when not on the lifts (for vehicles not needing the lifts but wanting to stay dry should it rain). There are basic bathroom facilities (no reading material), a slop sink (someone usually brings the orange/pumice soap). There is a gas/convenience store next door (only ~100ft door-to-door but MoJ insisted on driving last time ).

With some advance notice, I can have pretty much any tools we need be available, from air tools to floor jacks, to transmission jacks and oil drain catch bucket things (technical term). However, this shop is not in daily use so nothing is there tool-wise (BYOS - Bring Your Own "Stuff").

What is in the shop frequently (all the time when we are not using it) are several sold but not delivered high-end vehicles that the dealership doesn't want sitting out in the weather, so there is a ton of trust they we will keep clear of those vehicles.

Really, the biggest benefit of the facility is the lifts followed by having the space available for all of us to meet and work together out of the weather - having a few other people who know your truck is a big benefit, even if no one knows the exact answer, it is nice to have several opinions before tearing something apart based on a hunch.

So . . . . with all that in mind, I'll start posting up some dates that I can make work and everyone can post up which works best for them.

 

[Miescha]

From a PM with Malottki

I'll be at the BMW dealer tomorrow night. The building we use has several lifts but only 4 can hold the weight of our heavy trucks.

Worse lately, car sales are slow so they typically have several million bucks of high-end vehicles stored in this shop for protection from the weather and vandals. I can have them empty the place any time, but I try not to do that too often or we may wear out our welcome. I know we will have two lifts available and maybe all 4.

Either way, even if we can't attack your axle during this event, you should plan on at least stopping by to watch and get an idea of the process - it will make it a lot easier when you do eventually get yours done.

I'm a 1/4 mechanic, but I fought my way through this job and a lot harder ones - you really just need the guts to dive in and 'git er done'

I'll post up when we have an exact date.

Welcome to the group! (you'll regret you ever met us)

Just recieved my front axle kit.. I am excited. let me know when the in party going to be.. Take it easy...

Bob

 

[Miescha]

Sorry for the triple posting, but one more to add.

Kevin (commercial insurance broker friend of mine who has joined us on one outing to Flat Nasty and made an appearance at the last wrenching event) also plans to join us for the wrenching party.

His '97 Anniversary Edition needs a new valve cover gasket, along with the two vent hoses, pcv, and various other hoses (all are original). He really should change the plugs, plug sleeves, wires, dist cap & rotor, and clean the TB while he is at it, but he seems nervous about the whole thing (I did tell him that WFD just did this exact job at the last get-together).

His truck would also benefit from a new intake hose (hard as a rock) and new accelerator cable (no plastic/rubber cover left on his) but I don't know if he'll get around to this stuff. Most of that is $150 from CDAN (double if he adds the air intake hose).

 

[wfd175]

This coming Sat. I'm busy from 8-4. Other than that I'm open.

Miescha do you have the still have the consumables list for the front axle. After consulting with Moj, I'm due. Also, what about parts washing. Is there something available?

I didn't think the valve cover was too bad, with Moj's guidance. I did order the firewall hoses after the fact. Not realizing that 2 of them were simple straight hoses that I could have cut from 5/8" bulk. That was a 12.00 mistake.

I also have a new front "along the axle" brake line to install on the 40. I may tow it down there to have a extra foot to help bleed it.

 

[malottki]

The weekend of april 4 would be great for me. That would give me time to find someone to watch my daughter if my wife works.

Can't wait to meet you guys and learn how to do some of this repair stuff on my truck.

 

[x factor]

I could be there for the 4th of April to give a hand.

 

[MoJ]

Sorry I haven't paid much attention lately...been on the run for the last month or so.

I'll check dates when Mrs MoJ gets home from yoga. I'd be happy to help with valve cover gaskets/throttle body/birfs/etc. (Miescha tell your friend it's no big deal.) I'd like to get my 80 on the lift and see if I can find the exhaust rattle that happens around 2k rpms (thanks Wa$hita).

 

[stlcruiser]

I'm good for April 4th also. Throttle body cleaning and new throttle cable (thanks to William for pointing it out when he drove my rig today) is on tap for me. The rest of the time I can help where needed.

Sandwich run to the "Hill" will also be in order.

Steve

 

[toyminator]

Sorry I haven't paid much attention lately...been on the run for the last month or so.

What did you do....Rob a bank or something?

 

[wfd175]

He was out searching for Landscaping hacks with H2's w/rental bobcats.

 

[malottki]

I am ready..

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, , , , , , !!!


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I am ready to get greasy. I am starting to get antsy. I started last weekend by taking my running boards off.. I also tried the o-ring on the intake to calm the high idle at cold start and worked the first time but after I checked on the second cold start it was high again. I will look into this further at another time. Hopefully some time this week I will be able to replace my o-ring for my speedo gear on the TC., it has been leaking for a while now and needs to be replaced.

Still look forward to meeting you guys, hope to hear from yall soon..

 

[dries001]

What time does it all start-end? I have to work that day but will try to stop by sometime.

 

[REKCUT]

Sorry I haven't paid much attention lately...been on the run for the last month or so.

I'll check dates when Mrs MoJ gets home from yoga. I'd be happy to help with valve cover gaskets/throttle body/birfs/etc. (Miescha tell your friend it's no big deal.) I'd like to get my 80 on the lift and see if I can find the exhaust rattle that happens around 2k rpms (thanks Wa$hita).

Heat shield on the cats. Need to tac it with a weld

 

[Miescha]

OK, I got (more) busy and didn't check on dates. But, based on everyone being available for Saturday April 4th, I've got a tentative "go" for my schedule and for the shop/lifts.

For those who haven't joined us before, I'll dig out some directions to the shop, but basically it is off Hanley road just north of hwy 44 and just south of Manchester road.

The earliest we can easily start is 8am b/c some poor low-ranking employee will be forced to show up about an hour before us and move the fancy-smancy cars out of the way on a day that he would normally not be required to drive to work at all - so I feel bad asking to start earlier than 8am. But we have met before for coffee/breakfast around 7am.

I'll see if I can find the list of consumables for the front axle - I probably posted it somewhere here on mud, but I'll start looking.

I'll also have a welder available, but it probably won't be my Miller Trailblazer b/c the thing is just too damn heavy to load up and haul over (we probably don't need engine driven anyway).

As usual, everything else is pretty much "bring whatever you will need" but there will be an air hose or two and plenty of compressor power, lights, heat, etc. . . .

So the summary is April 4th, 2009 at 8:00am on Jaguar Trail (Hanley to West on Bartold, to North on Jaguar Trail). I've got an evening event that day, so I'll need to be gone (and lock up on the way out so "you don't have to go home but you have to get the hell out of the garage") by 4:00pm or earlier - but that gives us a solid 8 hours to completely screw up someone's truck.

 

[malottki]

ok ... cool .. I have a couple questions.

A. Is 8 hrs enough time to do a axle job?
B. being that I think that 8hrs is tight on time would anyone be interested helping out a newbie by teaming up and getting two sides done in half the time.. I will buy lunch and we can grab a couple of beers afterwards to celebrate.


main reason for wanting to get my birfs done is so I can head out with you all on the 18th and 19th so any help would be great


If this isnt enough time I guess I will give a hand with anything else. I have an o-ring to change out on my spedo gear and could use a tac on my heat shield.

Thanks Miescha for setting this up for us..

 

[REKCUT]

In a perfect world, 8 hours is enough to do and axle job. The addition time depends on how many things go wrong. It looks like you will have enough supervisors to keep you moving forward and on schedule

 

[Miescha]

Sorry - I should have added that we also have all day on Sunday for any loose ends that need to be tied off. I'll also inquire about starting even earlier on Saturday or, if there is interest from the group, getting a start Friday afternoon/evening (this is tougher for my schedule, but I think I can make it work).

Sorry I wasn't more clear.

But for what its worth, I think we can knock out a couple of axle jobs in 8 hours. I think WFD has first dibbs on axle help as he started the wrenching party, but if you read up on the directions found here on mud and also the FSM, with help from the rest of the group I'm sure we can get you done. The key in my very limited experience is having everything you need. At least four hours of my 16-hour ordeal was running to the parts store for stuff (mostly brake cleaner and paper towels).

Get more paper towels, gloves, and brake cleaner than you think you can ever use (buy from Walmart if you like - then return what you don't use). Buy an extra tube of moly and non-moly and plenty of gear oil. Make sure you have the crush washers for the diffs (all three if you are changing all your diff fluids to keep them timed together).

If you plan to leave your rig overnight on Friday or Saturday, make sure you have a ride home - the metro link station is within walking distance, but it stops running around midnight or earlier (ask me how I know ).

See you all next weekend (I hope).

 

[dries001]

I'm not sure that I will be wrenching on mine but I will give a hand to those who need it. I have some air tools if needed that I can bring. I can also get some gloves from the medics for those who would like them, just let me know.

I just picked up Max Early's and Chilton LC books which I can bring too.

 

[wfd175]

Does anyone have any suggestions for parts cleaning? The parts washer has been moved out of the shop. I was thinking large tub with degreaser, brushes and brake cleaner. I'll check with MSD but I think we can dumb bio degradeable degreaser down the sanitary sewer. I've also considered purchasing a portable pump unit with a capped drum, putting it on a trailer and hauling it back and forth, then properly disposing it via rapid oxidation.

 

[REKCUT]

They are cheap at Harbor freight. $44. It will save you that much in paper towels. They have a bigger one for $99. I would suggest going in on it or one of you just get it. Makes an axle job much easier.

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices