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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5152
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:11 am Post subject: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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Two weekends ago:
Neighbor calls in a panic. They are going to be heading out on vacation and the right front caliper on there F150 keeps locking up. Head over to their barn and replace the caliper and front pads/rotors while I am at it.
Last weekend:
Brother-in-law comes back from vacation and his front caliper is locking up on his F150. They call complaining of poverty since their child just finished her freshman year in college (they chose not to save and put all their eggs in the "scholarships" basket). Off to his house to replace the caliper, hose, and pads. Oh...and while I am there they were told they needed a new serpentine belt on their Rogue...could I install it? Oh...and how much would brakes cost for the Rogue? That looks like the end of the summer while they save up for them.
This weekend:
Sister wants to know if I can change the oil on her Harley. "Ever do an oil change on a Harley before?" she asks. Nope..but bring it over I tell her. Then when she gets there she has new locks for the saddle bags, a USB port thing to be installed and wired and oh yes....some new footpegs. I get her out of the garage and my parents stop over for their oil change (I do not mind doing this at all). I give their car a quick vacuum and interior detail since they are 80 and don't keep it that clean.
I am hoping that this stuff maybe paves the way for a better afterlife. I know I need any help I can get. |
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olspeed Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2008 Posts: 489 Location: In the shadow of Denali, I still don't give a damn how they do it outside
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 9:11 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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So where can I send all my Honey Do's, Hey Buddy help and DAD my ___ broke can you fix it. You sound like just the fellow _________________ 66- Ghia
76-Beetle |
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minger Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2003 Posts: 238 Location: Cleveland Ohio
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:41 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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So you're saying F-150s have problems with their calipers? |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16801 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:51 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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jspbtown wrote: |
Last weekend:
Brother-in-law comes back from vacation and his front caliper is locking up on his F150. They call complaining of poverty since their child just finished her freshman year in college (they chose not to save and put all their eggs in the "scholarships" basket). Off to his house to replace the caliper, hose, and pads. Oh...and while I am there they were told they needed a new serpentine belt on their Rogue...could I install it? Oh...and how much would brakes cost for the Rogue? That looks like the end of the summer while they save up for them.
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my default reply to that is sorry, not my problem. make them work for it like my wife and I did... _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5152
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:53 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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Yeah..it was weird. Both F150s. Both around the same age. Both were red (if that matters ).
It certainly made changing the second one a lot easier. |
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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5152
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 11:55 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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Quote: |
my default reply to that is sorry, not my problem. make them work for it like my wife and I did... |
Yes..it was very tempting considering they just got back from a week on the Cape.
When I was saving for my son's college I didn't take a boat load of vacations. |
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Jon Schmid Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2012 Posts: 2033 Location: Southern California
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 12:59 pm Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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It's like owning a pickup truck. You suddenly become real popular when people want to move, get heavy stuff or lumber, etc. etc. Then when YOU need help, they all mysteriously vanish. I get around this now because I have a shell on my truck which I ain't taking off. Now my son has a pickup...hmmm... |
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wcfvw69 Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004 Posts: 13382 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 1:33 pm Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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I've noticed SOME folks want to take advantage when they know you can fix stuff, especially for free. I've become my gals full time mechanic for her two early 20 something daughters. Brake jobs, window regulator repairs, bodywork and repaint on one of their cars after a blown tire..
My neighbor also is quick to ask for help. He assisted as I helped him hang a security door for him last week. Let's see, I've also fixed his lawn mower, his wife's bicycle and other things I've forgotten. He's always very thankful and brings over food or dessert unexpectedly, so I know he's very appreciative.
There was this one guy.. I helped him on his VW buggy several times. I then asked him for help on something and he had plans. I'll just say I was busy as well the next time he needed me to help him. _________________ Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
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minger Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2003 Posts: 238 Location: Cleveland Ohio
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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I don't mind if I'm helping someone who wants to learn. Heck, that is how I got started and learned much. But I quickly learned who was 'busy' when I needed a hand. |
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gt1953 Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002 Posts: 13842 Location: White Mountains Arizona
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 5:01 pm Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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I do not mind having a training session for someone whom wants to learn the how too's. Not sure if I would tackle a F-150. As far as working on a car, the Dairy Queen lady has a VW. I do make repairs on it and get paid for doing so. She realizes no one else does work on them. _________________ Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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crukab Samba Chef
Joined: December 13, 2002 Posts: 6114 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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Yea, I realized being handy is sort of a good thing on a Friday night, July '84,when the restaurant I'm working on externship at has no WATER, I go out, oncover the pump at the well, splice the fried wires to the pump back together, go back in, flip the breaker, we got water, saved them hundreds of $$$ in lost sales, the owner bought me a beer...... _________________ Tom
My Pops:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604100&highlight=
I know you will always be with me, rest in peace with no more pain. 8/13/14.....
In the yard right now:
'51 Dodge 5 window truck
'65 Bug
'66 Singlecab
'82 Rabbit Truck Diesel from CALI
'86 Doublecab W/T
'91 Vanagon carat/wolfsbrg.Tiico
'88 Dodge Ram pickup
'11 Jetta Wagon |
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Malokin Martin Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2007 Posts: 3093 Location: E-burg
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:02 pm Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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I did the, "hammer on the starter" trick on a friends Subaru the other day in front of about 5 grown men that knew nothing about cars.
They thought I was a magician. |
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Da TOW'D Samba Member
Joined: December 25, 2005 Posts: 1318 Location: Bella Coma Canada
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 8:06 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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I think the great Canadian Red Green said it best
If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." ... _________________ '57 type 1 Blackberry
'58 SC Ruf
'62 type 3 Notch
'92 Eurovan Willy DD
and NUTS |
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enjoyther1de Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2010 Posts: 1279 Location: chino,ca
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 8:53 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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Kind of like owning a pick up truck. _________________ HBB took me to BBV. |
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Manfred58sc Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2009 Posts: 3374
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 9:05 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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I would point out that the root of the problem is on the front grill, circled 3 times in blue, FORD. Then I would bring out the tool box, a lawn chair, good beer (for me) , cheap beer (for them), and a lap top with you-tube videos. I would answer problems only when they are hopelessly stuck or ready to destroy something. That is how I was taught by crusty old timers, after I spent 2 weeks cleaning parts and the shop floor. _________________ Fat chick owner/operator |
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daven Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2009 Posts: 351 Location: Dayton OH
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 9:30 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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Always nice to help out somebody in need that appreciates the your effort.
While on leave from AF I stopped to visit a friend at his work - small tool and Die manufacturer. Their BIG planer was broke down and I was asked to look at it. The darn thing had 5 huge relay banks (huge = 100 plus old time relay in each cabinet). I looked through all the cabinets and found several relays (clear plastic cases) had arced a bunch and the carbon film was thick. I pulled those relays, broke free a couple sets of contacts, polished the things a bit and ta da - the planer was again operational. The owner gave me $20. My friend told me later that to have a technician from the company stop by was an automatic $350.00 plus repair charges. l didn't ever stop by there again.
Dave |
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helowrench Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2003 Posts: 567 Location: dallas texas
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 11:23 am Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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minger wrote: |
So you're saying F-150s have problems with their calipers? |
That is what I got out of it. _________________ Current VWs:
70 bug vert for wifey
73Thing bucket o rust
73 914 1.7
12 Passat 2.5 Highway cruiser |
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Jon Schmid Samba Member
Joined: May 29, 2012 Posts: 2033 Location: Southern California
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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Malokin Martin wrote: |
I did the, "hammer on the starter" trick on a friends Subaru the other day in front of about 5 grown men that knew nothing about cars.
They thought I was a magician. |
Or hitting the fuel tank with a rubber mallet to wake up a tank installed fuel pump? I had to do that a few times on My Astro until I could get it fixed. The OEM pump lasted 14 years; the POS aftermarket replacements wouldn't even make it out of the warranty period. |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31266 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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Working on VWs and other vehicles enabled me to save my employer thousands of dollars in repairs and downtime on high performance liquid chromatography instrumentation, as logical troubleshooting is not tons different.
I've helped at least 3 others near me with their VWs, and still help my youngest daughter (25) with her '98 Pathfinder. And my older daughter wants my help to check out used trucks when she buys. _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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cdennisg Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2004 Posts: 20230 Location: Sandpoint, ID
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Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: The joys of being mechanically handy... |
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In my little neighborhood, I am the guy that fixes things. A couple of neighbors have VW's, all have cars with flat tires or lawn mowers with gunky carbs each spring. I work for food, beer, banana bread, etc. But what really pays off is that I can do nearly anything I fucking want on our little dead end street and nobody gives me grief. Fireworks! Burnouts! VW campout parties 'till 2 AM! No problems.
I love that. _________________ nothing |
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