What Did You Do In The Garage Today?

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Groupon puts deals out all the time around here. But, most of the time they’re not really a deal...so be careful.

I called a place near me and got a quote. They said $80 for the front two . And then $45 for the windshield strip. Once I was there and they were working on it, he mentioned the lack of heat control with the factory privacy glass on the rear two windows. I asked how much more and he said $60 for those two.

They charged me $180 instead of $185. Could’ve been whatever darkness I wanted, same price. Didn’t have to worry about the back window because I have a camper shell. Those windows are tinted as well from the factory, and I did a DIY job on the side ones over the top of factory tint.

Even 35% makes a world of difference. If you’ve never had tinted windows before, you won’t ever go back to plain glass.

Make sure you have a windshield sunshade (I like the thicker ones that fold up accordion style). Put it up 24/7 when parked, no matter about the sun, and it’s makes it harder to see inside. Crack the windows just a hair (I have the visors around all four windows, whatever they’re called) so rain isn’t an issue, and it makes a world of difference with heat inside...not to mention UV damage.


Thank you
 
New brakes on my 08 Civic SI with all larger brake components off of an acura TSX

Brembo rotors
Powerstop calipers
EBC Yellowstuff pads
Russel stainless lines
Flushed the whole system.

Rear brakes happen soon.
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Did you have to pull the transmission?
No, has a two piece rear main. Dropped starter, right side motor mount and the pan fell out. Just pulled the rear cap, used a brass drift to knock the upper half of the seal out, installed new seal and re torqued all the mains.
 
Didn’t do this in the garage, but it counts. :D

Not sure what other makes/models do this, but my Dodge Ram has lug nuts that have a chrome-like cover on them. The problem is the gorillas at Goodyear tend to destroy them. When I did my brakes a couple weeks ago I had to beat the lug wrench onto a couple of them with a mini-sledge.

Here’s what they look like destroyed:

11E3DA55-D92E-423A-8D71-2E0BCF63110F.jpeg

So after I did the brakes I checked around at AutoZone, Advance, and NAPA...and found that NAPA makes a replacement lug that’s one solid piece. Grabbed two of them out of necessity on the spot. Waited for a coupon/code of some kind and saw 20% off. Ordered 20 of them yesterday.

Hardest part was trying to choose whether I wanted the free shipping...or pay them almost $74 to deliver them one day later. :eek:

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Didn’t do this in the garage, but it counts. :D

Not sure what other makes/models do this, but my Dodge Ram has lug nuts that have a chrome-like cover on them. The problem is the gorillas at Goodyear tend to destroy them. When I did my brakes a couple weeks ago I had to beat the lug wrench onto a couple of them with a mini-sledge.

Here’s what they look like destroyed:

View attachment 155356

So after I did the brakes I checked around at AutoZone, Advance, and NAPA...and found that NAPA makes a replacement lug that’s one solid piece. Grabbed two of them out of necessity on the spot. Waited for a coupon/code of some kind and saw 20% off. Ordered 20 of them yesterday.

Hardest part was trying to choose whether I wanted the free shipping...or pay them almost $74 to deliver them one day later. :eek:

View attachment 155357
FYI, amazon has a good selection of lug nuts. I bought a set for my Jeep CJ and a set of Black lugs for my sons Tacoma and they are only $25-30 for Qty of 20-24. Reviews are good and quality seemed pretty good also.
 
Didn’t do this in the garage, but it counts. :D

Not sure what other makes/models do this, but my Dodge Ram has lug nuts that have a chrome-like cover on them. The problem is the gorillas at Goodyear tend to destroy them. When I did my brakes a couple weeks ago I had to beat the lug wrench onto a couple of them with a mini-sledge.

Here’s what they look like destroyed:

View attachment 155356

So after I did the brakes I checked around at AutoZone, Advance, and NAPA...and found that NAPA makes a replacement lug that’s one solid piece. Grabbed two of them out of necessity on the spot. Waited for a coupon/code of some kind and saw 20% off. Ordered 20 of them yesterday.

Hardest part was trying to choose whether I wanted the free shipping...or pay them almost $74 to deliver them one day later. :eek:

View attachment 155357
Finally got around to swapping these out. Turns out a few of them had been replaced at some point...so I can return 5.

D14D0A5C-AAF8-4D8A-AC0F-9D677B02504C.jpeg


Also had an easy fix I took care of. I need to tow a camper in a couple weeks, but haven’t ever used the factory wiring connector. Using a multimeter, it appeared the right turn signal prong wasn’t working. Pulled the plug off the back and didn’t have power there either. A little internet research and figured out there are separate fuses for truck turn signals and trailer turn signals. Sure enough, the right one was blown. Couldn’t find a spare, but the adjustable pedal fuse was the same amps...and considering I’ve never had the need to move my pedals, I borrowed that one until I can swing by and buy a pack of fuses.
 
I need some for my car as well. Thanks for the heads up on lug nuts

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I know you said Dodge, but my F150 (and several other Ford models) has lug nuts with the chrome cap over them. Over time they swell up and just spin around when you try taking them off. Last visit to the Ford dealership for an oil change and tire rotation that is what happened to mine. Got a call from the Service Department informing me of this. Service Department manager said they had seen "A lot of vehicles with this problem. We don't sell the OEM lug nuts because it will just happen again. We sell aftermarket ones that don't have the cap on them." I asked why Ford has not recalled them and he said "Not enough people have complained." A google search reveals many instances of this problem and even a lawsuit against Ford that was dismissed. OEM lug nuts are close to $200. The aftermarket ones were $84 with tax.
As for what I have done in the garage. Changed the shocks on my sons 2003 Silverado. Next up is the steering wheel column bearing and intermediate steering shaft. These Chevy/GMC GMT800 body styles are infamous for the steering wheel clunk. Not looking forward to playing contortionist under the dash.
 
Nothing mechanical but I finally insulated the outside walls and just got my delivery of plywood, so I will be sheathing the walls this weekend and painting all the walls/ceiling next weekend
 
Over the last couple of days: Change the engine oil/filter in the tractor. This was easy.

Some background on the harder work...

Back in July I was on a job and I heard a ticking sound from the engine. When I slowed the rpm down a bit it went away but 5 minutes later the engine tone changed. Seems the rubber exhaust pipe shock mount at the frame deteriorated and the vibration of the tail pipe broke at the muffler.

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Not a big deal, common known issue. Still under warranty so off to the dealer for a week to do 2 hrs of work on it. Got it back with a new updated muffler assembly. Cool!

Then I got to thinking... (yeah, be afraid, very afraid). I took a real close look at the new upgraded muffler last week. Upon close inspection they used a smaller muffler body with a thicker tail pipe wall. The tail pipe went from 1" to 1.5" OD and it was rigidly mounted to the frame. How long do you think the new 'upgraded design' will last when one end is mounted to a engine on rubber mounts and the other end is bolted to a non-moving frame? Probably about 5 years, just out of warranty.

I cut a 8" section out and replaced it with a 10" stainless flex exhaust pipe and 2 hose clamps (The hose clamps will be replaced with band clamps). It now has wiggle room, no leaks!

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Use this replacement. Best in the business.
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During my research I read where some suggested this one. Overall good reviews but some negative ones. Most people on the Chevy and GM forums went with the Dorman stating both the ISS and the steering column bearing were better than factory. Bought them last night and just finished installing them. About 1 hour 20 minutes time with me taking my time and not rushing. The thing I thought would be the worst to do (fully seating the steering column bearing) was not as bad as I thought it would be with the 15/16 wrench trick. Reinstalling the ISS to the lower shaft was more of a pain. Luckily I saw a video where someone used vice grips to help. Worked out good with no curse words uttered. Took it for a test drive and the clunking is gone.
 
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Didn’t do this in the garage, but it counts. :D

Not sure what other makes/models do this, but my Dodge Ram has lug nuts that have a chrome-like cover on them. The problem is the gorillas at Goodyear tend to destroy them. When I did my brakes a couple weeks ago I had to beat the lug wrench onto a couple of them with a mini-sledge.

Here’s what they look like destroyed:

View attachment 155356

So after I did the brakes I checked around at AutoZone, Advance, and NAPA...and found that NAPA makes a replacement lug that’s one solid piece. Grabbed two of them out of necessity on the spot. Waited for a coupon/code of some kind and saw 20% off. Ordered 20 of them yesterday.

Hardest part was trying to choose whether I wanted the free shipping...or pay them almost $74 to deliver them one day later. :eek:

View attachment 155357

had two piece on my expedition as well. Bout laughed to death when the guy at sams club told me i had swollen (lug) nuts, but he was right.
 
Replacing the six year old water pump (NIB) in my '99 Sable, lifetime warranty at Autozone.
Changing the tensioner, second pulley, serp belt and new thermostat.
Better in the driveway then on the highway. :)
 
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Put some new front brake rotors and pads on my step son's 21 y.o. G/F's Pontiac Vibe. I could hear her way before I could see the car. Pad was wore completely through the pad material, and a good bit into the actual metal. Even the squealer bar was completely gone/broke off. I asked her, sarcastically, "I guess it just started making this noise huh", in which she said, no, it had been squealing for a long time, and for some reason it just started that grinding noise real bad. Trying to tell them, that when it starts squealing, that's when you need to start making a plan to get it looked at/fixed. I get, Oh, I just haven't had time. Jeeeez
 
Bad motor? Project car? Coyote swap?
LS swap??

DS


The guy is having me pull the engine and put another in to it. So not my car lol

Was told it was had a spun bearing and blown headgasket. I'm not sure, but I do know, that when I pull the engine, I get to bring it home with me. Once I get an engine stand, imma tear it apart and see how bad things are. All else fails, if the heads are good, I can sell those.

If and only if, it is salvageable, I am gonna do a build on it and then my girlfriend has already told me that we can get a 818 Factory Five kit to put it in.

But I did just find a company to swap a V8 in to a subie. It would be nice to do a 5.3 twin turbo build in to one lol.
 
Looked at my car randomly.
Measured random things like how much the headlights sloped down from front to rear.
Wished I had more time.

Ordered some more things.

Soccer is about over, I'll be able to actually spend quality time in garage soon.
 
Used my VW New Beetle to hunt deer several weeks ago. Collected nice heavy doe. Now replacing front bumper cover, drivers fender, seat belts, air bag module. Reset rollover protection and knocked out drivers door.
Just have to figure out how to get to all of the hidden screws and bolts.:mad:
 
Used my VW New Beetle to hunt deer several weeks ago. Collected nice heavy doe. Now replacing front bumper cover, drivers fender, seat belts, air bag module. Reset rollover protection and knocked out drivers door.
Just have to figure out how to get to all of the hidden screws and bolts.:mad:

What did you do, hit the deer going 50mph?!? ;)
 
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I picked up a 2007 Xterra last week. Something to use out on our property and not worry about getting dirty or scratched. I've been doing some maintenance on it this weekend. Front and rear pads and rotors, installed a Curt receiver hitch, had some new tires put on it, installed a backup camera, and replaced the positive connector on the battery. I'm going to do an oil change on it tomorrow. I have a replacement fuel pump to put in this week sometime too. I'm really having fun getting greasy and dirty with this thing!

CHRIS
 
Had a leaky garagedoor, so installed an aluminum threshold yesterday. And today i put some LED headlights in the wifes civic.
 
Got my shed wired up. Installed 5 4ft long LED shop lights from Costco...4k lumens Each!! 3 are for main level and I have one over each of my 2 lofts.
Pretty bright!
:p

DS
 
Ready to come out, just waiting on the replacement engine and a chain
 

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Been fixing up an old '94 Dodge Ram 1500 I had ordered from the factory. It's seen it's share of work over the years and it's time to do some updating. I'm converting many of the lights to LED. I've done the headlights, Interior dome and map lights. Received the fog lights today and have some backup bulbs on the way. I need to redo the headliner and install the carpet that I've had for a year. Do yourself a favor and get some silicone wiper blades. I'm putting them on every vehicle I own. They really clear the rain and are quiet. You can't even hear them swipe. Putting a set on the truck as well.
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Over the last couple of weeks, finishing up today.

Replaced the rubber mats that always shifted and trapped dirt/sand. I had some warranty work done on the truck bed and took the two foot rests off the tractor and had them sprayed. Went to Lowes this morning and picked up some 1.5" chrome (bling) press in hole covers. Now the bolt holes won't fill with dirt.

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started swapping out the wheels on the MR2 today

Top are the original 91/92 14" wheels with a squared set of sumitomo tires, 205 width
Bottom is the 15" 93-97 wheels, here are the rears, 225 on the rear, BFG G-force tires

I'll post the fronts tomorrow, Falken Azenis
This staggered set up should help handling quite a bit and have more options in tires than the original 14"ers

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going from an all-season tire to a directional sport tire


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Replaced the serp belt pulley on my '99 Sable, $9 on Amazon,
I normally replace the $3 bearing but I was lazy. Changed the tensioner & belt last week.
 
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You know that bearing will start to complain in a month...
China bearings, don't last more then five to six years. Twenty years ago they predicted China would take over the
tapered roller bearing market along with all the rest.
 
Did an oil change and replaced the window motor and regulator on the f250. Cant for the life of me figure out the $120 quote for labor for the regulator.. DIY all the way
 
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