Continuing Thread: What Are You Fix-It'ing Today?

[oldE]

Dealt with the ( non) destruction on our property from the remainder of the hurricane. I had to bail about 300 lbs of water out of our little boat.
Before:


After:


Seriously though, several businesses have to close to do clean up and a number of communities are dealing with wash outs of culverts or bridges.
Two years in a row. At least the lawn isn't dry and dormant.

Best
Les

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by Baz

On my '02 Silverado (244K miles) - I had to replace the belt tensioner as well as the AC belt. In fact....the failing (seizing up) tensioner is what caused the belt to break.

This is the tensioner dedicated for the AC belt. Not the other one at the top for the serpentine belt.

Not sure if this is applicable for your Ford but thought I'd mention it, based on your previous remark about wanting to cover all bases when doing a repair.

Yeah, tensioners are on the while you’re in there list.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Yeah, tensioners are on the while you’re in there list.

Perfect.

Here's what mine looked like after installation.......





Another item to keep in mind when you put the belt on......even if the directions (You Tube or elsewhere) tell you otherwise.....I found getting the belt put onto the compressor pulley first and then the crank pulley second is the way to go. You need to get the belt behind the crank pulley....then work it onto the pulley after all else is done, if that makes any sense.

You'll figure it out once you get there.

I had the front end up on ramps when I did mine and did most everything from underneath.

Again mine's a Silverado so YMMV of course.....have fun!

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by Baz

Perfect.

Here's what mine looked like after installation.......





Another item to keep in mind when you put the belt on......even if the directions (You Tube or elsewhere) tell you otherwise.....I found getting the belt put onto the compressor pulley first and then the crank pulley second is the way to go. You need to get the belt behind the crank pulley....then work it onto the pulley after all else is done, if that makes any sense.

You'll figure it out once you get there.

I had the front end up on ramps when I did mine and did most everything from underneath.

Again mine's a Silverado so YMMV of course.....have fun!

Nice!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[A930Rocket]

My to do list is adding up. I’m up to about $575 for belts, tensioners, water pump, thermostat, radiator hoses, etc. There are probably cheaper parts out there, but I’m ordering Motorcraft Parts. The originals seem to have worked well.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

My to do list is adding up. I’m up to about $575 for belts, tensioners, water pump, thermostat, radiator hoses, etc. There are probably cheaper parts out there, but I’m ordering Motorcraft Parts. The originals seem to have worked well.

Yeah....I think the last fuel pump I installed was an AC-Delco and it's working longer than others before it.

The key on stuff like that is to buy a spare when you have the time to get it online, in theory less expensively, than on a more "urgent" basis at your FLAPS.

[HobieMarty]

I replaced both front struts on the RX350 today. The noise is finally gone!!! Yay, now, onto other things.

The driver side wasn't so bad. The passenger side fought me all the way. Someone had replaced the sway bar end link with an aftermarket one, and it was a real pain in the butt as the nut must've been put on with an impact. They are only torqued to something like 39 ft pounds. I fought with it and finally got it to break loose, so other than that, it all went fairly smooth.

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[oldE]

Got one of the two replacement windows installed this morning. Had to pick up some pine for the trim.



The old one was wood framed and one of the lights had lost its gas and was getting cloudy. This one is triple glazed.
One more to go

Best
Les

[rwest]

Originally Posted by oldE

Got one of the two replacement windows installed this morning. Had to pick up some pine for the trim.



The old one was wood framed and one of the lights had lost its gas and was getting cloudy. This one is triple glazed.
One more to go

Best
Les

Once you put in your own windows and see what the professional companies charge, don’t you get the feeling that the profit margins are massive?

[oldE]

Originally Posted by rwest

Once you put in your own windows and see what the professional companies charge, don’t you get the feeling that the profit margins are massive?

I have no idea what contractors charge to do that sort of thing. Aside from the foundation and basic wiring, I built the house 43 years ago and have been maintaining it since. I did pay to have a well drilled and a submersible pump installed 24 years ago.
Oh yes, the electrical work for the generator panel and the solar installation in 2002 was contracted.
Other than that, every nail and screw in the place has been my pleasure.
We couldn't have built this place if we had to pay others to do the work.

Best
Les

[URY914]

Speaking of window being replaced, last week we had our windows replaced by Anderson Renewal. Top of the line windows for sure. Don't ask the cost, they were not cheap. But........

As they were taking them out of the boxes and setting up for the day the windows had "grids" in them which are the lines to make them look like individual panes of glass. NOT how we ordered them. They don't match the first phase of the windows that we replaced a year ago in the back half of the house. This was a big Oh **** moment for the installer. He calls the office and it's decided to go ahead and install them and they will be re-ordered and replace at no charge to us. The sashes can be replaced without have to remove the entire frame from the opening. This will cost them thousands of $$$.

They had the build sheets for each window with them and it clearly said "No Grids". Ouch!

[1990C4S]

The window business in general, is a very sleazy business from what I've seen.

I was looking to replace four large windows on the second story of my house when I saw an online 'coupon' for $5000 off if you bought a $2500 coupon. The ad was from a local company that I intended to buy from, and I already had my quote in hand, so I purchased the coupon.

I'm sure they intended this for idiots who would buy a coupon, then ask for a quote, and the seller can jig the numbers to make it look like a $5,000 discount.

I took my coupon to the store along with their quote and asked for $5000 off the quote. The tap-dancing and the backpedaling began immediately: ‘doesn’t apply unless we do the installation’, ‘doesn’t apply to existing quotes’, etc, etc. I pointed out that ad showed no conditions. They would only offer me $2,500 off the quote, which was what I had already paid. I had to threaten to call a news station to expose their scam, or the provincial ombudsman to proceed with fraud charges.

Eventually the owner called me, I reiterated my position The window business in general, is a very sleazy business.

I was looking to replace four large windows on the second story of my house when I saw a online coupon for $5000 off if you bought a $2500 coupon. The ad was from a local company that I intended to buy from, and I already had my quote in hand, so I purchased the coupon.

I then took my coupon to the store with their quote and asked for $5000 off the quote. The tap dancing and the backpedaling began ‘doesn’t apply unless we do the installation’, ‘doesn’t apply to existing quotes’, etc, etc. They essentially offered me $2,500 off the quote, which was what I had already paid. I

Eventually the owner called me, I threatened to call a news station to expose their scam, and to call the provincial ombudsman to proceed with fraud charges. She backed down and gave me the full $5000 off, but it left me with a very sour taste in my mouth about the industry in general.

Worse for me, I needed some windows for a reno a couple of years later and I had to back to the same company to buy matching windows. I sent my contractor so I wouldn't have to deal with them...

But on the topic of 'fixin stuff', installing heavy windows on the second floor by yourself is not for the faint of heart, not when they slide in from the outside.

[oldE]

I only had two windows that had to go "up". When I got into that situation, I borrowed my BIL's staging and used the tractor's front end loader to do the heavy work. There are three clerestory windows which are double glazed, but I don't anticipate changing them as they only admit south light to the upstairs rooms.
Today I replaced the last of the old wood framed double glazed. In 4 decades at least one lite in each unit failed. In another 4 decades I don't think I will give a flying feck.

Best
Les

[mthomas58]

[QUOTE=mthomas58;12246807]

Originally Posted by mthomas58

UDATE: So, 6 days after aerating, scalping, top dressing with sand and spreading lime I raised the cutting height 1 notch above my scalping height and mowed using the reel mower with the steel roller. Noticeably smoother rolling after sand leveling. Very encouraged!



Today's Gratuitous progress pics after 10 days in HHI - couple of good rains while were were gone.

Lawn is looking good!

[mthomas58]

Built this 7' x 7' Folding Photo Backdrop out of 7-1/4" shiplap for the Grandkids School.

[mthomas58]

Upcoming Handyman Project. Homeowner has this gate at end of driveway leading into the backyard that is in need of repair. It is a little wobbly and has some rot on the bottom that needs to be repaired. My research tells me it is an antique hand carved Temple Door from India likely made out of teak. Client is looking for a repair vs a full restoration. Hoping to be able to find some teak locally for the repairs - ideally reclaimed teak. Then restore the finish and waterproof with several of coats of Penofin oil. Should be a fun project.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by oldE

I have no idea what contractors charge to do that sort of thing. Aside from the foundation and basic wiring, I built the house 43 years ago and have been maintaining it since. I did pay to have a well drilled and a submersible pump installed 24 years ago.
Oh yes, the electrical work for the generator panel and the solar installation in 2002 was contracted.
Other than that, every nail and screw in the place has been my pleasure.
We couldn't have built this place if we had to pay others to do the work.

Best
Les

Now that's a REAL legacy of love there.....nicely done, Les!

Much respect, my brother!

[oldE]

Baz, you know the old thing about the bumblebee: it shouldn't be able to fly, but the bee doesn't know that so it flies anyway.
That was me, building this house. We had 'study plans' with "Not intended for amateur construction " printed on them. My FIL had a friend who was a carpenter who advised me on floor joist and rafter dimensions as well as fastener sizes. The guys at the local hardware store were helpful as well, even though I got the first load of lumber from a local, back yard sawmill.
I worked early in the day for the dairy then would spend 4 to 6 hours on getting the house closed in. Currently regulations prohibit moving in without an occupancy permit, which means everything must be finished. We broke ground on Aug 13th and moved into the basement for Christmas.
When I added the sunroom, I found a mistake I had made in a window opening and was ever so glad I had overbuilt everything. There is no OSB in this place.
Let's do say I learned a lot!

Best
Les

[Baz]

Originally Posted by oldE

Baz, you know the old thing about the bumblebee: it shouldn't be able to fly, but the bee doesn't know that so it flies anyway.
That was me, building this house. We had 'study plans' with "Not intended for amateur construction " printed on them. My FIL had a friend who was a carpenter who advised me on floor joist and rafter dimensions as well as fastener sizes. The guys at the local hardware store were helpful as well, even though I got the first load of lumber from a local, back yard sawmill.
I worked early in the day for the dairy then would spend 4 to 6 hours on getting the house closed in. Currently regulations prohibit moving in without an occupancy permit, which means everything must be finished. We broke ground on Aug 13th and moved into the basement for Christmas.
When I added the sunroom, I found a mistake I had made in a window opening and was ever so glad I had overbuilt everything. There is no OSB in this place.
Let's do say I learned a lot!

Best
Les

Mad respect Les......and just shows what one can do when one understands the power of networking!

[bugstrider]

That time again….

Due to mom n dad’s age and health related mobility issues, Mrs Bugs n I spent the day at the parents home doing yard related work. Even though my brother lives next door he mows the yard and that is the extent of it.
Anyway, because I am a complete idiot and my work schedule, today was the day. Yes, temps were 112-114 depending on what temp unit you look at, no wind movement, I got to experience borderline heatstroke/exhaustion.
Anyway, this is a multi day project and Ive already called in to work saying I am not coming in.
Trimmed the plants and trees, including the death palm that has a special place in hell whomever had a hand in its design. Currently, I’ve got an ice pack on the hematoma on my left arm from being impaled by a barb. My hands have more holes than Swiss cheese and I’ve lost a bit of blood. I hate that bloody thing. My gloves were a bit full of the lost blood even though I attempted to be careful. The spikes will punch through every type of glove, clothing and including boots. Who the hell designed this thing and for what purpose?!?!?!? Ok, enough petty whining.

This section of the plant is what was being a prick….


Lots of stuff trimmed and the truck is full for a compost dump run tomorrow AM. No, this is not all that is loaded in the truck. Currently the bed is full and the load is covered and secured for the run. It’s a bit higher than the cab.
More weed pulling and trimming planned for tomorrow.
Some late before pics



Some after day-1 of pullin n trimin



My inner 12 year old had to post this….

Cheers
Bugs