Teach me (?!?!?!?)

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by oricha1984

found this video for guideline on rotating tires.
I guess I need to buy jackstand x2 and maybe a better jack.

I recommend the low profile jack at Harbor Freight.

[oricha1984]

looking to buy an older van for project and keeping occupy.
not looking to sink too much money in it;
just mostly to learn maintenance, etc
would finding parts be a problem for this thing ?
https://lakeland.craigslist.org/cto/...252570423.html

[chev49]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

none of these new vans seem very rugged.. mercedes has been known for years to male good solid trucks.. in europe they were everywhere.. a guy in my neighborhood bought a metris to use in his garage door business.. he also has a 1979 toyota Dually mini truck.. never saw a dually mini pickup but he said that old toyota with its little 4 banger is twice the truck that his fancy new metris is.. the metris is in the shop quite a bit too. and its only a little over a year old.. he doesnt beat on it as all he is doing is carrying some tools and overheard garage doors on the overhead racks..
-Christopher

of course there are lots of duel mini pickup made out of the toyotas... they just remove the camper that has fallen down around the frame...

[chev49]

Originally Posted by oricha1984

looking to buy an older van for project and keeping occupy.
not looking to sink too much money in it;
just mostly to learn maintenance, etc
would finding parts be a problem for this thing ?
https://lakeland.craigslist.org/cto/...252570423.html

the 83 chevy vans are extremely easy to fix. parts are in every automotive store, the engines we still use in street rods, even tho the lt series is more hp. in fact, you can buy a rebuild engine kit for a couple hundred bucks, and most wrecking yards have lots of trannys , engines and frequently have 50 or more chevy trucks for the parts.

[oricha1984]

was thinking about buy this. want to buy cheap tools. okay if they break.
just getting into this stuff so no point in buying expensive tools at this point.
$75
1Duralast 5 pcs. 2 Ton jack/creeper kit 806253T - Read 6 Reviews on 1Duralast #806253T

[oricha1984]

I'll swing by harbor freight tomorrow to see what they have.
prices range from 30 to 200.
low profile 95 & 135

https://www.harborfreight.com/catalo...t&q=floor+jack

[Rusty]

Here are some coupons. 20% off is nice, sometimes they offer 25% Enjoy !

Harbor Freight coupons

[oricha1984]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Here are some coupons. 20% off is nice, sometimes they offer 25% Enjoy !

Harbor Freight coupons

Big thanks dude! Not sure on prices but I basically bought everything I had a coupon on.
I'm starting to feel more manly now that I have tools. LOL

Are those tools enought for rotating tires on a honda fit and toyota corolla; I assume, yes; but better ask anyways.

So the plan is:
1. Rotate tires.
2. Assess break pads ( pictures & share here for feedback).
3. Replace break pads if necessary.



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[CaptSquid]

Originally Posted by oricha1984

no idea what your comment means, but maybe too much drinking ?
anyhow, is it a good idea to buy a 'cheap old and beat up van' to practice mechanical work ?

Oricha1984 - a buss is a kiss, as in two pairs of lips pressing against each other. A bus (one s) is a vehicle.

[Rusty]

Glad you saw the coupons before you went. Sign up for their flyers/email deals.

Disc brakes are very easy to change yourselves. The pads do wear out and the braking material gets thinner. Those you just replace, but use the good quality ones. I like the ceramic, but they will go through more rotors. You will not be touching brake fluid for the most part- don't top off fluid before changing pads as you push piston back-into cup it will refill your fluid reservoir. youtube your exact vehicle, and somebody made a video already...or 5.


Rotor is the steel disc the brake pad pushes on and will get worn over time, as well. Rotor should be smooth and not have circular gouges. Rotor has minimum thickness stamped on it to be safe and it is possible to have them turned on a lathe to renew. I always just buy a new set of premium rotors and pads, clean the rotors w/ brake cleaner to remove grease and install as it isn't much more expensive for common cars. Do both L and R at same time, doesn't have to be front and back at same time as fronts do most of the stopping work and wear more, 'cuz forward momentum. I can do a set on a 4x4 in half hour, first time will take much longer.

RockAuto.com will deliver just about any car part you desire to your door.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by oricha1984

Big thanks dude! Not sure on prices but I basically bought everything I had a coupon on.
I'm starting to feel more manly now that I have tools. LOL

Are those tools enought for rotating tires on a honda fit and toyota corolla; I assume, yes; but better ask anyways.

So the plan is:
1. Rotate tires.
2. Assess break pads ( pictures & share here for feedback).
3. Replace break pads if necessary.



Sent from my Life One X using Tapatalk

Much better setup, and more useful tools than that set you linked earlier. The one with the creeper. IDK, maybe its just me but I've rarely ever found a good time to use a creeper.

[cadillackid]

I had a creeper.. it sounded great in theory.. roll in and out of a hotrod project with ease..

till i realized that it wouldnt work when I had a tarp or cardboard on the garage floor to help with rogue fluids.. oh and said fluids dripped on creeper.. - another thing to clean up each day..

and the big one.. it raised me up a good 2-3 inches from the ground.. which often meant I had to raise the car to work on it.. so to me.. safer was to have the car on the ground and no creeper vs creeper and car raised up..
-Christopher

[oricha1984]

Thank so far to all who have been sharing the knowledge !!! I appreciate it.

So I took a practice run. Not sure if I had the jack and jack stand in the right places. I removed and reinstalled the front driver wheel. I was specially concerned about the designated spot to jack up the car (red box).

Was I in the right spots? Also how does that front brake look to you?

[oricha1984]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Glad to see you wrenching on your on car- will give you confidence on the bus.

I wondered about your username:

The Orichas (Orishas) are the intermediaries between God and human beings. They're associated with elements in the natural world.

cool.

"The Afro-Cuban Orisha religion, sometimes referred to as “Santería,” is the product of the encounter between Yoruba Orisha worship and the popular practices of Spanish Catholicism in colonial Cuba."
In short: Africans (African's beliefs) + Spain (Catholic)
The Afro-Cuban Orisha Religion

I'm more interested in the music aspect of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po-D3z23H2c

[Kubla]

Front pad is pretty thin, rotor looks good

[Charlies.Contingency]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

I had a creeper.. it sounded great in theory.. roll in and out of a hotrod project with ease..

till i realized that it wouldnt work when I had a tarp or cardboard on the garage floor to help with rogue fluids.. oh and said fluids dripped on creeper.. - another thing to clean up each day..

and the big one.. it raised me up a good 2-3 inches from the ground.. which often meant I had to raise the car to work on it.. so to me.. safer was to have the car on the ground and no creeper vs creeper and car raised up..
-Christopher

I built custom ramps for use in my shop with lumber. Then chalk the tires on ground and Jack stands if concerned to frame points. I always put cardboard down, and I roll on and off it with a creeper. From oil chamges, to starter work, exhaust work, O2 sensor change outs, etc. I could not do it all if I had to crawl under a ground height vehicle.

I will provide pictures if you like. It pays of to have the right tools and equipment for the job.


Also, I did not see a picture for the inside brake pad. There is also one on the inside between the rotor and engine. Make sure to check that one. Not uncommon to see one pad in fair condition, and the other worn out completely.

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[oricha1984]

Originally Posted by Kubla

Front pad is pretty thin, rotor looks good

looks like i will need to change it then...

Originally Posted by Charlies.Contingency

Also, I did not see a picture for the inside brake pad. There is also one on the inside between the rotor and engine. Make sure to check that one. Not uncommon to see one pad in fair condition, and the other worn out completely.
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Ohhhh. I thought it was only that one pad on the outside; I didnt know there was one on the inside.
Round two tomorrow. I'll take more images.

Also, I think I have to raise with the jack from another point and leave the Jack point free for the Jack Stand.

P.S - first time using multi quote tool, not even sure how it works.

[Charlies.Contingency]

Originally Posted by oricha1984

looks like i will need to change it then...



Ohhhh. I thought it was only that one pad on the outside; I didnt know there was one on the inside.
Round two tomorrow. I'll take more images.

Also, I think I have to raise with the jack from another point and leave the Jack point free for the Jack Stand.

P.S - first time using multi quote tool, not even sure how it works.

Multi quote? Your lingo must be different then mine, as I'm failing to catch the reference.

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[oricha1984]

Originally Posted by Charlies.Contingency

Multi quote? Your lingo must be different then mine, as I'm failing to catch the reference.

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Sorry, I was referring to website, not real life tool.

[Charlies.Contingency]

Originally Posted by oricha1984

red box. referring to website, not real life tool.

Ah, I use strictly the mobile app. The computer version is at war with my computer.

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