The past week in Car repair

[sixsracing]

Sunshine? Oh, I think I remember what that is.... it's when the bright light in the sky comes out and then you can see the lawn again, right?

[CalAltaDubber]

Sunshine? Oh, I think I remember what that is.... it's when the bright light in the sky comes out and then you can see the lawn again, right?

I think you are right. But lawn, isn't that the green stuff underneth the snow?

[CalAltaDubber]

Great news.

The project cabby is ready for the body shop.

All I have to do is tow it there next Sunday.

[CalAltaDubber]

Well we had some warm weather up here finally

And I was able to get into the garade and do some work.

The first order of business was to get the project bunny off to the body shop (or is that beauty salon)

So found a cheap (sort of) tow and off she went



Next, I turned my attention to the Topless Bunny.

I removed the storrage cover and installed the battery.

Turned the key and she fired up first try.

There are a couple of electrical gremlins starting to poke fun at me, but I should have those solved in the next week or so.

First the blower is operating intermittantly. It is either working right or not at all.

In my mind the fault is either the input to the switch or the ground. Ill start with the ground.

The other issue is to do with the turn signals and emergency flashers. I think the problem here is the Emergency Flasher Swtch. It acts up if pressed too hard, then must be cycled for the system to work right. Probably just the moving parts inside the switch breaking down. I have a few spares, so that should be a quick fix.

Now let's have some more good weather so the streats are again drivable!

[Briano1234]

There are a couple of electrical gremlins starting to poke fun at me, but I should have those solved in the next week or so.

First the blower is operating intermittantly. It is either working right or not at all.

Now let's have some more good weather so the streats are again drivable!

Usually the switch...

What you can do to test it is use a large paper clip and holding the clip with pliers jumper the back connector one at a time.
If it works all speeds then the switch is ca-ca.. usually dirt... I have taken it apart and cleaned it and used new di-electric grease.

[Briano1234]

Well green cabby got a new set of horns, a oil change, new thermostat and hose clamp, thought it had lost the head gasket. It was leaking coolant from the res and it never dripped anywhere.. I finally found the lower radiator hose was weeping when hot... 2 bolts fell out of the power steering pump one pump pivot, and one pump bracket to pan, allowing it to cock and the belt rub on the water pump housing.

Blue cabby got a Differential oil change, a oil change, and I just noticed that a differential axle seal on the driver side is weeping... Fun fun fun, and I think I hear a front wheel bearing going.

And I got a possible fix for the water pump bolts.... I wanted the thermostat housing but it was seized.... I got out my cordless impact wrench and the bolts hesitated and backed right out.... The new bolts had plenty of never-seize on them.

[gull]

The other issue is to do with the turn signals and emergency flashers. I think the problem here is the Emergency Flasher Swtch. It acts up if pressed too hard, then must be cycled for the system to work right. Probably just the moving parts inside the switch breaking down. I have a few spares, so that should be a quick fix.

Could be corrosion, too, from disuse. I once fixed an intermittent power window problem on a Crown Vic by flipping the window lock-out switch back and forth repeatedly, about 50 times. It started working and worked for the rest of the time I owned the car. If you already have a good spare, though, that's easier.

[sixsracing]

Briano, if you have not replaced one of those seals in the past be really careful removing the snap ring on the axle flange. There is a large spring under it and it can shoot the flange out at your head at an impressive velocity.

Yes, I know this because.....

[Briano1234]

Briano, if you have not replaced one of those seals in the past be really careful removing the snap ring on the axle flange. There is a large spring under it and it can shoot the flange out at your head at an impressive velocity.

Yes, I know this because.....

I want to know? I want to know.......
That is about like the object lesson of leaving the nut on slightly when removing the steering wheel, 1...2...3..Jerk, jerk it hard...SMACK in the head....I learned that at 14, and haven't forgotten it yet to this day. Glad YouTube and digital cameras weren't invented yet.

[kamzcab86]

The first order of business was to get the project bunny off to the body shop (or is that beauty salon)

Beauty salon... I love it!

The steering wheel lock issue has returned on mine... I knew I shouldn't have said anything! Not exactly priority at the moment 'cuz a) Bugorama is coming up on the 29th and need to start getting her all pretty; b) I just bought a new toy to play with.

[sixsracing]

Briano, I can't tell you for sure whether or not the flange is loaded by the spring, some are and some are not. Vanagon's don't seem to be and certain Mark I and II's are not either. This is why I was unprepared for mine to try to take my head off. The center of the stub axle protruding from the diff. is tapped. I now have a long stud with a hefty piece of steel and nut on it that I thread into the center so that if the flange does turn murderous it is restrained. This has only happened to me once out of many times but it was enough to almost make an impression on me. When it happened I was all alone at 10 or 11pm and it came off with enough speed to dent the frame horn, bounce off my left shoulder and wind up about 10 feet behind me on the floor, narrowly missing my pristine 1983 CB1100F that I have owned for nearly all it's life. To this day I still do not know why my face was not directly in front of that flange.

[CalAltaDubber]

The first order of business was to get the project bunny off to the body shop (or is that beauty salon)

Beauty salon... I love it!

You are the only one that picked up on that one Kammy.
I came up with that when the body guy said "And I will make it pretty."

The steering wheel lock issue has returned on mine... I knew I shouldn't have said anything! Not exactly priority at the moment 'cuz a) Bugorama is coming up on the 29th and need to start getting her all pretty; b) I just bought a new toy to play with.

New toy huh? Do tell, what ya get?

[CalAltaDubber]

There are a couple of electrical gremlins starting to poke fun at me, but I should have those solved in the next week or so.

First the blower is operating intermittantly. It is either working right or not at all.

Now let's have some more good weather so the streats are again drivable!

Usually the switch...

What you can do to test it is use a large paper clip and holding the clip with pliers jumper the back connector one at a time.
If it works all speeds then the switch is ca-ca.. usually dirt... I have taken it apart and cleaned it and used new di-electric grease.

Normally I woud agree, but I replaced the switch last fall. This is an intermittant fault, like I said works great or not at all.
It is most likly corosion on a connection.

[kamzcab86]

You are the only one that picked up on that one Kammy.

Well, naturally; I'm a chick!

New toy huh? Do tell, what ya get?

It's being delivered Saturday; I'll post up pics next week. I will say that a) I overpaid for it , and b) it's not a Volkswagen , but it'll be just as fun.

[sixsracing]

Just as fun as a VW? Well I just asked my wife and she's not going anywhere Saturday so it must be a Porsche.