Funny Wrenching stories

Ironmike4x4 · 12-04-2009, 06:08 PM

There's the "oil cap thread" so I thought I'd start a bloopers thread. Being in the automotive tech industry for over 6 years I've seen and done quite a few bloopers under the hood. Share yours.

1. Instead of taking a drive belt completely off to change idler pulleys I often put a bungee cord from the belt to the hood latch. I once had a car with weak hood struts. The hood slams on top of my head leaving me dazed and with a few choice words with the guys in the shop laughing.

2. Had a tech that was lazy and lacked common sense. He put a Tahoe on the alignment rack to do a tail shaft seal. In the process of removing the drive shaft the vehicle rolls backwards and stops on the end of the "catch ramps." His famous words? "I had it in park!" My response: "You moron, what do you think helps hold it in park?!"

3. The same tech in #2 does an oil change on an IROC Camaro and sends it out the door. A half hour later it comes back on a roll back. He forgot to put oil in it. I asked did he check the dipstick after adding oil. His response: "The low oil pressure light never came on when I drove it outside."

4. Same tech has a vehicle he'd just replaced tie rod ends in a Cadillac and performed an alignment. He and I go to lunch while test driving the same vehicle. I noticed a knocking noise. We get it back in the shop and I noticed he forgot to put the castle nut back on one of the tie rod ends. I nearly killed him knowing he nearly killed us both after going over rail road tracks twice!

5. Another lube tech finishes an oil change on a Caddy. An hour later customer comes back with a check engine light on and an oil leak. Code reads bank 1 and 2 lean. Open the hood and the oil cap was laying on the air intake box.

6. I finished up on a water pump job on a truck and was pouring coolant into the radiator. I noticed more coolant on the floor than was I was spilling. DOH! I forgot to tighten the drain valve on the radiator.

7. I'd never used a dead man stand before in the shop and was trying to use it to support a transmission to remove exhaust. I kept spinning the arm on it and it would not raise up. Another tech saw me struggling and comes over, pulls the lever up and THEN spins it upwards. DOH!

8. I was looking at something on an older truck. I noticed my knees were getting a little uncomfortable but ignored it. Then it starts burning. I had my knees against the bumper and a wrench in my hand on the positive battery terminal.

9. My brother had pissed me off about something earlier and I was working on his vehicle. Then he has the galls to ask me why I haven't figured out what was wrong with his vehicle yet. I grab his arm and a coil. He was shocked (he he) that I did this.

10. I asked the parts guy for a price on front axle seals on a Chevy truck 4x4. He's on the phone with the parts supplier and has ordered these seals numerous times. He then asks me "is it 4 wheel drive or 2?" I looked at him and he quickly realized his moment of temporary ignorance.

I've got plenty more but at the moment can't think of too much. Share your stories!

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874runnersr5 · 12-04-2009, 06:25 PM

some guy came in today complaing how his directional tires are causing his brakes to lock...

habanero · 12-04-2009, 06:34 PM

Not our shop but we did replace the engine for them. They did an oil change and refilled it with antifreeze.

One of our parts guys got an order for a steering box on an F150 truck but accidentally looked up one for an E150 van. The shop was a little surprised when they tried to turn left and went right! Near went through the wall on that one.

We've actually gotten one of those 'greased my squealing brake rotor' guys.

I was a parts jobber waaaayyyy back when we looked everything up in books, not 'puters.

mightymouse · 12-04-2009, 10:41 PM

When i did the brakes on my mom's buick last year i had just finished up the passenger side and went to clean everything up with brake parts cleaner. As i was sitting on the ground next to the car not realizing the driveway had a slant to it I started to spray away the grime and grease to get the brakes clean. Before i noticed, the brake parts cleaner ran right into my shorts and soaked through my boxers. To put it lightly it burned like hellll! Lucky me that stuff evaporates quickly.
I was working on my sister's civic and had the car on jackstands to replace the cv axle. It was an easy job and only took an hour or so. I my excitement on getting done so fast i got in and tried to move it forgetting that the car was still on jackstands. I pushed the throttle and wondered why the car wasn't moving. Took a couple of seconds until i noticed. Lucky my sister is unaware when it comes to cars but i couldn't help but tell her so she could get a good laugh at my expense.

annoyingrob · 12-05-2009, 12:57 AM

I had a troubleshooting ordeal with a friend that lasted probably a week. His car wouldn't start, and I kept replacing more and more things. It finally got to the point where I dropped the gas tank to replace the fuel pump, only to find out it was empty. Funny thing was, the FIRST thing I asked him was "Is it out of gas?" And the second thing was "Are you SURE it's not out of gas?"

I tried loosening the crank pulley bolt on one of my 2JZ while it was on an engine stand. I pulled the whole motor over, which cracked the water pump in half. I didn't notice until I had finished putting the motor into the car, and it leaked coolant all over. Spend several hours replacing the pump, only to have it leak again. The back plate was cracked too. Spend several more hours replacing it again. That's not an easy pump to replace either. You need to drain the coolant, drain the whole hydraulic fan system, remove the rad, remove the crank pulley, remove the timing covers, remove the timing belt, and THEN start to remove the water pump an all of it's lines.

I rebuilt a 1JZ from the ground up, only to forget to replace ONE part, the thrust washers. The motor crankwalked soon after due to the worn washers.

Ironmike4x4 · 12-05-2009, 06:46 AM

One of the techs that I was training while he was in Auto tech school just completed his first oil pan job. I had to walk him through it and a few hours later he finished. He also had to do an alignment. After finishing the alignment he backs off the rack. Apparently he turned too sharp backing off and the vehicle slid off the rack crushing the oil pan he'd just repaired. Rookie mistake, he got to do the same job twice but at least he was much faster at it this time!

I took the heat off him from the manager as I had to explain to him that mistakes are going to happen to new guys, they just have to learn from it. From then on he would have someone guide him on and off the ramps.

**aviator** · 12-05-2009, 09:56 AM

cool top cover for the tech mike... little boo boos like that will happen to anyone even old hands...

hab I almost feel out of my chair... I can just see it happening... you could have just left it how it was and told the customer they had "tiller steering"
ie turn wheel left to go right... you could call it a theft prevention measure... can you see some tweaker trying to boost that ride?
might scare him off the junk lol...

lotalucas · 12-05-2009, 10:31 AM

I was welding the bumper on after doing a small body lift to my truck and didn't notice that i had gotten one of the welding gloves wet until i started getting shocked real hard every time i touched the bumper.

iamsuperbleeder · 12-05-2009, 11:47 AM

well today I re-wired the trailer harness on my PU, because I noticed that my LED light strip under my tailgate wasn't working right... so I gutted all the rigged-up wiring under the truck, and used the quick install wiring kit that just plugs into the tail light harness instead of having to splice into the wires.

well I get it install, and the LED strip STILL doesn't work, so I'm like "WTH?"

so I go back to a different parts store and get a NEW LED strip (a different style one), remove the old one, put the new one in place hook up the wires, and it doesn't work either!

now I'm really agrivated...

I crawl back under the truck to make sure everything with the wiring harness looks right, and it's about that time that I realised that I forgot to attach that little white ground wire

sure enough, I ground that wire, and BAM, the lights work perfect...

just as a test, I grabbed the old ones that I thought were not working, and plug them into the new trailer harness, and what do you know... it works perfect...

so I installed it on my dad's truck for him, lol, after re-wiring HIS trailer harness, because GOOD GOD his was a total mess

chrishf12 · 12-05-2009, 12:47 PM

Ironmike I have got a few for ya too.

I worked on diesels during high school and they are a bit too tall to lean over the fenders. On one old chevy I climbed up and was sitting on the radiator support to wrench a while and kept wondering why it felt like something was pinching my ass real hard...yea I was sitting on the battery a bit.

I was replacing the brakes on a newer International Rollback one day. The whole bit rotor, caliper, and pads. Finished up and bled the brakes and filled it back up with brake fluid. It was back the next day saying that the brakes had locked up on him turns out I just pulled brake fluid off the shelf didn't pay any attention if it was DOT 3 or not turns out it was mineral brake fluid used in backhoes and such. When it got heated up the fluid expanded and locked up the front brakes. Had to pump it all out and re-blead the entire system.

Oh and I did accidentally drop a slide hammer on my boss's head one day. We were trying to get a pilot bearing out of a big tri-axle dump truck and I was working through the big access panel under the shifters and he was under the truck on a creeper. That one didn't turn out to pretty...ended up having to cut the bearing out.

Im sure there are a few more but Ill have to remember them and post up later.

**aviator** · 12-05-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamsuperbleeder

well today I re-wired the trailer harness on my PU, because I noticed that my LED light strip under my tailgate wasn't working right... so I gutted all the rigged-up wiring under the truck, and used the quick install wiring kit that just plugs into the tail light harness instead of having to splice into the wires.

well I get it install, and the LED strip STILL doesn't work, so I'm like "WTH?"

so I go back to a different parts store and get a NEW LED strip (a different style one), remove the old one, put the new one in place hook up the wires, and it doesn't work either!

now I'm really agrivated...

I crawl back under the truck to make sure everything with the wiring harness looks right, and it's about that time that I realised that I forgot to attach that little white ground wire

sure enough, I ground that wire, and BAM, the lights work perfect...

just as a test, I grabbed the old ones that I thought were not working, and plug them into the new trailer harness, and what do you know... it works perfect...

so I installed it on my dad's truck for him, lol, after re-wiring HIS trailer harness, because GOOD GOD his was a total mess

Super how did you mount that LED strip? I want one on my 94.

I've looked at them and it looks like they won't clear the tailgate when I fold it down since the lower lip on the gate runs so close to the back of the bed where the LEDs would mount.

iamsuperbleeder · 12-05-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviator

Super how did you mount that LED strip? I want one on my 94.

I've looked at them and it looks like they won't clear the tailgate when I fold it down since the lower lip on the gate runs so close to the back of the bed where the LEDs would mount.

I'll get a pic for ya tomorrow

it's really close, but it clears just perfect

it's actually a pretty neat setup, this new one I have now

it's a 3-peice setup, designed to fit either full size trucks OR smaller trucks, like Toyota's, Nissans, etc.; use all 3 peices for full sizes, and just use 2 peices for smaller trucks, BUT, I made it to use all 3 peices

I'll have to show in the pics though; it's kinda hard to explain

iamsuperbleeder · 12-06-2009, 10:24 AM

well here's the pics

I tried to get videos of how they work, cause they're pretty neat; the center one above the tag works as just a third brake light when the parking lights are off, during the day. When you turn the parking/driving lights on, the entire strip lights up, and when you press on the brake the strip brighten's up. And the turn signals are the coolest part IMO; they're sequential; they blink from the inside and go out on the two outter strips.

Only problem is, when I tried to get a video, THE DAMN STRIP HAS STOPPED WORKING ALREADY!!! It's been installed ONE DAY, and it's already crapped out... WTH!!! I fiddled with the wires, and even tested the wires on the trailer harness; everything's getting power, it's just stopped working already! CHEAP CRAP!!!

but anywho, here's the pics

The one I had before was just one solid strip, and I mounted it along the same lines as two outter strips. They just barely clear the tail gate as it goes down, but it clears perfect! I didn't use the mouning tab thins they offer, that are removable with screws; I just applied some double-sidded exterior trim tape right to the strip, and stuck it on the bed.

But I guess to add to the original story, now I have to remove THIS ONE TOO, and exchange it out... if the next one ends up bad too, I'm say'n screw it, and getting my money back, and maybe just mounting up some actual LED trailer lights, lol

thedanned · 12-06-2009, 12:04 PM

Got a few

I worked at a Jeep/Chrysler dealership when first starting out in the biz as a lube jocky. Forgot to spin the new oil filter back on a Cherokee and ended up pumping 6Q of oil onto the floor. Someone walked by and called me "Exxon-Chavez" (as Chavez is my last name) and the name stuck for the 6 years I worked there. Jerk.

At the same dealership, we had a recall on the minivans (town n country, voyager etc) for the clockspring (wich I later learned Toyota calls a "Spiral Cable"? WTF?) Everyone was using their 3/8 impact to take the steering wheel nut off as seems logical, right? Well the service manager (also a jerk) decided that was a bad idea and we had a meeting wherein he told us to use hand tools to take the nut off. One day my ratchet slipped off the nut and put a huuuge star in the windshield. I quietly and quickly finished up and took the van on a test drive, came back and told the service manager (jerk) that a semi had kicked up a rock and broke the windshield! He bought it and so did the company (a new windshield that is). HA!

Same dealership, different tech: This guy got a Grand Cherokee in where none of the power windows worked. So he brings the writer an estimate for 4 new window regulators. Two hours later, the tech brings the writer an estimate for a new driver window switch.

.

At the Lexus dealership I worked at next, I had the parts guys looking for a IS300 "Clockspring" for about half an hour. Thats how I learned Toyota calls it a "Spiral Cable".

I was working on an old Ferd at home, resealing the front of the intake manifold. I had to suddenly run out and help a friend with something so I left the car partially disassembled. I got back home to continue with what I was doing and when I pulled the intake off all I heared was "glug glug glug glug". I forgot that I had told myself to drain the coolant as soon as I got back home. My friend is a jerk.

iamsuperbleeder · 12-06-2009, 05:09 PM

LMAO

okay you're not going to believe this...

that LED strip DOES work...

turns out, the extension wire I was using from the converter box to the plugin for the LED's had a messed up plug, and wasn't making a good connection...

so I hooked the LED strip's plug right to the converter box, and BINGO

now I don't have to rip all that mess off again, and go gripe and complain to the auto parts store personell, lol

YouTube Video

I guess the moral of this little story is, DOUBLE CHECK, no wait, scratch that, TRIPPLE CHECK YOUR WIRING BEFORE BLAMING ELECTRICAL PARTS TO BE FAULTY

**aviator** · 12-06-2009, 08:58 PM

Thanks for the info super... I was wondering how you'd clear the spare tire cutout. When I looked at it I saw the strip would cover it up a bit... not that is really matters in my case my hanger is currently seized and I don't have a spare anymore either (I lost it)...
myself I want one of those fire and ice types.
Sorry for the thread hyjack

... Exxon-Chavez... now I don't care who you are that's funny right there...
guess we'll just have to start calling you "EC" for short

deserttoy84 · 12-06-2009, 10:33 PM

I was swapping an auto trans in a tacoma and got all the brackets on and started all the bolts, tightened the converter up. then on the last bell housing bolt i couldnt get it in so i look and i notice the kick down cable bracket got stuck in between the engine and trans and the little ear that holds the bracket from spinning when you tighten the bolt was in the bolt hole so i had to loosen everything back up and slide the trans out enough to get it out. luckily the converter didnt fall out.

thedanned · 12-07-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviator

... Exxon-Chavez... now I don't care who you are that's funny right there...guess we'll just have to start calling you "EC" for short

Oh good.

Knew I shouldnt have said nothin.

surf4runner · 12-07-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedanned

Everyone was using their 3/8 impact to take the steering wheel nut off as seems logical, right? Well the service manager (also a jerk) decided that was a bad idea

ive know a few people get a bloody nose / knock themselves out removing the steering wheel.

my friend ran himself over, parken on a sloped driveway and wrenching on the diff... w/o chalking the wheels
no permanent damage and its a damn funny story now!

Ironmike4x4 · 12-07-2009, 02:37 PM

Not really a "wrenching blooper" but still funny. At my current shop my other coworker had an Cadillac XLR for a Sales Inspection. The first thing he and I do is just check everything inside; interior lights, radio, a/c, etc... I'm in the shop when I get a call on my cell. It was the other tech. He calls me to tell me he's locked inside the car and cannot get out. I thought he was joking, but then I remembered... XLR has electronic entry (no external door lock cylinders or internal lock knobs.) It was nearly 100F outside that day and had to jump the battery in order for rescue him from a hot death trap.

The more I think about this thread the more I remember other incidents. Another one for ya: When I worked for GM I had a Master Tech prying on something (don't remember what) and was having a hard time with it. Keep in mind he was using a 5 foot long pry bar nearly an inch and a half thick. It snapped and he knocked himself out after hitting his head on the post lift. He had a concussion and was out of work for 3 days. The Snap On Tool's guy replaced his pry bar and gave him another one free for both his troubles and for breaking such a solid pry bar.

iamsuperbleeder · 12-07-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviator

Thanks for the info super... I was wondering how you'd clear the spare tire cutout. When I looked at it I saw the strip would cover it up a bit... not that is really matters in my case my hanger is currently seized and I don't have a spare anymore either (I lost it)...
myself I want one of those fire and ice types.
Sorry for the thread hyjack

... Exxon-Chavez... now I don't care who you are that's funny right there...
guess we'll just have to start calling you "EC" for short

no prob

lol, yeah I have no use for that little cutout for the spare tire lowerer either; mine seized up the first time I lowered the spare down, so I just unbolted it and threw it out

a full size spare fits in the bed just fine, lol

**aviator** · 12-08-2009, 09:27 PM

XLR has no manual knobs on the inside? that sounds real safe right there... you're in an accident and the batt. buys it... to bad you could'nt get out and got barbequed... or you skidded off the road and into the river elec. shorted out... too bad you drowned...
just what was the engineer at GM thinking the day he came up with that brain toot?

Ironmike4x4 · 12-09-2009, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviator

XLR has no manual knobs on the inside? that sounds real safe right there... you're in an accident and the batt. buys it... to bad you could'nt get out and got barbequed... or you skidded off the road and into the river elec. shorted out... too bad you drowned...
just what was the engineer at GM thinking the day he came up with that brain toot?

IIRC the XLR and Corvettes do have a sort of escape cable on the driver's side kick panel. But I have not worked on many to see or find it. I do know if you are locked out from the vehicle you can still get in by using a key underneath the tag. Then the trunk pops up, next you have to peel back the carpet on the driver's side and pull the lever. This will open the driver's door. Yeah I don't think GM engineers are the brightest crayon in the box either sometimes when I get an aggravating GM vehicle to work with.

stevrock · 12-10-2009, 07:40 PM

Had a brain fart the other day.

Was changing the coolant in my MR2 becdause it's freeze point was a mild -24, and we typically get weather into the -50 range throughout points in the winter.

So I get my 13 liters worth of coolant/distilled water and go to work. I start the drain at the rad, move to the lines under the car and pull their plugs, then start searching for the engine's drain plug.

Lucky for me, I could get at it fairly easily while laying under the jacked up rear end, right under the motor. Figuring that I just drained the coolant from everything beneath the engine, I should have nothing to worry about... with the exception of a properly operating thermostat.

That was the first, and hopefully last time I take a coolant bath.

On a side note, to anybody who's done that change on an SW20, it took me 3 hours and bled it first shot. Huge accomplishment for my first time doing a coolant change

Windsor · 12-10-2009, 07:55 PM

I thought this thread looked familiar...

http://www.yotatech.com/f5/whats-dum...-truck-187973/

(not the exact same subject, but pretty close)

Anyway, regarding Steve's antifreeze story, I have another one..

I was doing a coolant change on a 10k-lb multi-terrain forklift (big tires, high clearance), which involves having one guy up on top of the engine compartment and someone handing up 2-gallon buckets of antifreeze mix.

As I handed up the first bucket, I wanted to tell the guy on top "hey, watch that you don't hook that bucket on the guard." I got as far as "hey" and he hooks the bucket, sending a big splash of AF onto my face (with mouth wide open).

Fortunately I had sunglasses on, so the only damage was spitting out that nasty-sweet antifreeze for the rest of the day.

12-04-2009, 06:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
874runnersr5 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Calgary, AB Canaduh Posts: 3,445	some guy came in today complaing how his directional tires are causing his brakes to lock... __________________ 87' 4runner Sr5 : 22re : 5spd : 32x11.5 BGF Km2 : Cragar 15x8 soft 8s : TG Front Bumper 5.5" Shackles TG Sliders : 4.88Elocker waiting to be retrofitted : Optima Red Top : Pioneer system : Engnbldr tchain kit : Downey 3" leafs : Diff breather : Tube doors : Bikini Top : Autometer guages Calgary Toyota Association I <3 my Toyota

12-05-2009, 12:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
annoyingrob Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 869	I had a troubleshooting ordeal with a friend that lasted probably a week. His car wouldn't start, and I kept replacing more and more things. It finally got to the point where I dropped the gas tank to replace the fuel pump, only to find out it was empty. Funny thing was, the FIRST thing I asked him was "Is it out of gas?" And the second thing was "Are you SURE it's not out of gas?" I tried loosening the crank pulley bolt on one of my 2JZ while it was on an engine stand. I pulled the whole motor over, which cracked the water pump in half. I didn't notice until I had finished putting the motor into the car, and it leaked coolant all over. Spend several hours replacing the pump, only to have it leak again. The back plate was cracked too. Spend several more hours replacing it again. That's not an easy pump to replace either. You need to drain the coolant, drain the whole hydraulic fan system, remove the rad, remove the crank pulley, remove the timing covers, remove the timing belt, and THEN start to remove the water pump an all of it's lines. I rebuilt a 1JZ from the ground up, only to forget to replace ONE part, the thrust washers. The motor crankwalked soon after due to the worn washers. __________________ 86 SR5 Turbo pickup Fiberglass bed, Fiberglass Fenders. 91 Supra 1.5JZmotor, Garrett GT40-88 turbo. 77 Celica Liftback.

12-05-2009, 09:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 8,443	cool top cover for the tech mike... little boo boos like that will happen to anyone even old hands... hab I almost feel out of my chair... I can just see it happening... you could have just left it how it was and told the customer they had "tiller steering" ie turn wheel left to go right... you could call it a theft prevention measure... can you see some tweaker trying to boost that ride? might scare him off the junk lol... __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, custom factory centre console, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom carpet, stereo upgrade tinted windows Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

12-05-2009, 10:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
lotalucas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: I live in Mt. shasta California Posts: 200	I was welding the bumper on after doing a small body lift to my truck and didn't notice that i had gotten one of the welding gloves wet until i started getting shocked real hard every time i touched the bumper. __________________ 1990 22re 4x4. I get your jeep thing, That's why i drive a yota.

12-05-2009, 11:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
iamsuperbleeder Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Posts: 8,649	well today I re-wired the trailer harness on my PU, because I noticed that my LED light strip under my tailgate wasn't working right... so I gutted all the rigged-up wiring under the truck, and used the quick install wiring kit that just plugs into the tail light harness instead of having to splice into the wires. well I get it install, and the LED strip STILL doesn't work, so I'm like "WTH?" so I go back to a different parts store and get a NEW LED strip (a different style one), remove the old one, put the new one in place hook up the wires, and it doesn't work either! now I'm really agrivated... I crawl back under the truck to make sure everything with the wiring harness looks right, and it's about that time that I realised that I forgot to attach that little white ground wire sure enough, I ground that wire, and BAM, the lights work perfect... just as a test, I grabbed the old ones that I thought were not working, and plug them into the new trailer harness, and what do you know... it works perfect... so I installed it on my dad's truck for him, lol, after re-wiring HIS trailer harness, because GOOD GOD his was a total mess __________________ just call me Travis -----> 1989 - 1995 Toyota Pickup and/or 4Runner BIBLE <----- -----> Coug's 86-95 Pickup and/or 4Runner FAQ <----- -----> Enough Already!!! <----- my book of faces page - ADD ME!

12-04-2009, 10:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
mightymouse Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: st. louis Posts: 555	When i did the brakes on my mom's buick last year i had just finished up the passenger side and went to clean everything up with brake parts cleaner. As i was sitting on the ground next to the car not realizing the driveway had a slant to it I started to spray away the grime and grease to get the brakes clean. Before i noticed, the brake parts cleaner ran right into my shorts and soaked through my boxers. To put it lightly it burned like hellll! Lucky me that stuff evaporates quickly. I was working on my sister's civic and had the car on jackstands to replace the cv axle. It was an easy job and only took an hour or so. I my excitement on getting done so fast i got in and tried to move it forgetting that the car was still on jackstands. I pushed the throttle and wondered why the car wasn't moving. Took a couple of seconds until i noticed. Lucky my sister is unaware when it comes to cars but i couldn't help but tell her so she could get a good laugh at my expense.

12-05-2009, 12:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
chrishf12 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 402	Ironmike I have got a few for ya too. I worked on diesels during high school and they are a bit too tall to lean over the fenders. On one old chevy I climbed up and was sitting on the radiator support to wrench a while and kept wondering why it felt like something was pinching my ass real hard...yea I was sitting on the battery a bit. I was replacing the brakes on a newer International Rollback one day. The whole bit rotor, caliper, and pads. Finished up and bled the brakes and filled it back up with brake fluid. It was back the next day saying that the brakes had locked up on him turns out I just pulled brake fluid off the shelf didn't pay any attention if it was DOT 3 or not turns out it was mineral brake fluid used in backhoes and such. When it got heated up the fluid expanded and locked up the front brakes. Had to pump it all out and re-blead the entire system. Oh and I did accidentally drop a slide hammer on my boss's head one day. We were trying to get a pilot bearing out of a big tri-axle dump truck and I was working through the big access panel under the shifters and he was under the truck on a creeper. That one didn't turn out to pretty...ended up having to cut the bearing out. Im sure there are a few more but Ill have to remember them and post up later. __________________ Chris DD 1998 4runner 4x4 SR5, 3.4 Automatic, stock 98 4runner Profile Project 1990 Ext Cab Pickup 4x4 SR5, 3.0 5 speed, stock 1990 Buildup/Resto SOLD... 1990 4WD 22RE Pickup 5-speed, 3" lift, 32x11.50s, LOTS MORE... 1990 Profile Last edited by chrishf12; 12-05-2009 at 12:49 PM.

12-06-2009, 10:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
iamsuperbleeder Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Posts: 8,649	well here's the pics I tried to get videos of how they work, cause they're pretty neat; the center one above the tag works as just a third brake light when the parking lights are off, during the day. When you turn the parking/driving lights on, the entire strip lights up, and when you press on the brake the strip brighten's up. And the turn signals are the coolest part IMO; they're sequential; they blink from the inside and go out on the two outter strips. Only problem is, when I tried to get a video, THE DAMN STRIP HAS STOPPED WORKING ALREADY!!! It's been installed ONE DAY, and it's already crapped out... WTH!!! I fiddled with the wires, and even tested the wires on the trailer harness; everything's getting power, it's just stopped working already! CHEAP CRAP!!! but anywho, here's the pics The one I had before was just one solid strip, and I mounted it along the same lines as two outter strips. They just barely clear the tail gate as it goes down, but it clears perfect! I didn't use the mouning tab thins they offer, that are removable with screws; I just applied some double-sidded exterior trim tape right to the strip, and stuck it on the bed. But I guess to add to the original story, now I have to remove THIS ONE TOO, and exchange it out... if the next one ends up bad too, I'm say'n screw it, and getting my money back, and maybe just mounting up some actual LED trailer lights, lol __________________ just call me Travis -----> 1989 - 1995 Toyota Pickup and/or 4Runner BIBLE <----- -----> Coug's 86-95 Pickup and/or 4Runner FAQ <----- -----> Enough Already!!! <----- my book of faces page - ADD ME! Last edited by iamsuperbleeder; 12-06-2009 at 10:28 AM.

12-06-2009, 12:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
thedanned Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 311	Got a few I worked at a Jeep/Chrysler dealership when first starting out in the biz as a lube jocky. Forgot to spin the new oil filter back on a Cherokee and ended up pumping 6Q of oil onto the floor. Someone walked by and called me "Exxon-Chavez" (as Chavez is my last name) and the name stuck for the 6 years I worked there. Jerk. At the same dealership, we had a recall on the minivans (town n country, voyager etc) for the clockspring (wich I later learned Toyota calls a "Spiral Cable"? WTF?) Everyone was using their 3/8 impact to take the steering wheel nut off as seems logical, right? Well the service manager (also a jerk) decided that was a bad idea and we had a meeting wherein he told us to use hand tools to take the nut off. One day my ratchet slipped off the nut and put a huuuge star in the windshield. I quietly and quickly finished up and took the van on a test drive, came back and told the service manager (jerk) that a semi had kicked up a rock and broke the windshield! He bought it and so did the company (a new windshield that is). HA! Same dealership, different tech: This guy got a Grand Cherokee in where none of the power windows worked. So he brings the writer an estimate for 4 new window regulators. Two hours later, the tech brings the writer an estimate for a new driver window switch. . At the Lexus dealership I worked at next, I had the parts guys looking for a IS300 "Clockspring" for about half an hour. Thats how I learned Toyota calls it a "Spiral Cable". I was working on an old Ferd at home, resealing the front of the intake manifold. I had to suddenly run out and help a friend with something so I left the car partially disassembled. I got back home to continue with what I was doing and when I pulled the intake off all I heared was "glug glug glug glug". I forgot that I had told myself to drain the coolant as soon as I got back home. My friend is a jerk. __________________ 1989 4R 3VZ Manual 32X11.50 BFG AT Saggy Butt

12-06-2009, 08:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 8,443	Thanks for the info super... I was wondering how you'd clear the spare tire cutout. When I looked at it I saw the strip would cover it up a bit... not that is really matters in my case my hanger is currently seized and I don't have a spare anymore either (I lost it)... myself I want one of those fire and ice types. Sorry for the thread hyjack ... Exxon-Chavez... now I don't care who you are that's funny right there... guess we'll just have to start calling you "EC" for short __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, custom factory centre console, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom carpet, stereo upgrade tinted windows Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

12-06-2009, 10:33 PM	#17 (permalink)
deserttoy84 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: san diego Posts: 868	I was swapping an auto trans in a tacoma and got all the brackets on and started all the bolts, tightened the converter up. then on the last bell housing bolt i couldnt get it in so i look and i notice the kick down cable bracket got stuck in between the engine and trans and the little ear that holds the bracket from spinning when you tighten the bolt was in the bolt hole so i had to loosen everything back up and slide the trans out enough to get it out. luckily the converter didnt fall out. __________________ 1984 toyota sr5 4x4 22r w/ weber 32/36 Pro comp 4" front springs & 3" rear downey spring Home made On-board air system V6 4.88 lock rites F & R Bilstein 7100 reservoir shocks

12-08-2009, 09:27 PM	#22 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 8,443	XLR has no manual knobs on the inside? that sounds real safe right there... you're in an accident and the batt. buys it... to bad you could'nt get out and got barbequed... or you skidded off the road and into the river elec. shorted out... too bad you drowned... just what was the engineer at GM thinking the day he came up with that brain toot? __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, custom factory centre console, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom carpet, stereo upgrade tinted windows Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

12-10-2009, 07:55 PM	#25 (permalink)
Windsor Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: DFW, Texas! Posts: 974	I thought this thread looked familiar... http://www.yotatech.com/f5/whats-dum...-truck-187973/ (not the exact same subject, but pretty close) Anyway, regarding Steve's antifreeze story, I have another one.. I was doing a coolant change on a 10k-lb multi-terrain forklift (big tires, high clearance), which involves having one guy up on top of the engine compartment and someone handing up 2-gallon buckets of antifreeze mix. As I handed up the first bucket, I wanted to tell the guy on top "hey, watch that you don't hook that bucket on the guard." I got as far as "hey" and he hooks the bucket, sending a big splash of AF onto my face (with mouth wide open). Fortunately I had sunglasses on, so the only damage was spitting out that nasty-sweet antifreeze for the rest of the day. __________________ '87 T4R Deluxe, mall crawler every non-SR5 option installed (sans AT), as well as: * Cruise Control (dealer installed) * Michelin LTX A/T2 31s on 1st-gen alloy rims * SmittyBilt granny step bar * SR5 Instrument Cluster Last edited by Windsor; 12-10-2009 at 07:57 PM.

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