Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: CAP1 on January 06, 2011, 01:16:09 PM
-
concerning automobiles.
nrshida asked in another thread for a list of annoyances in the automotive field. rather then continue to hijack that thread, here is said list.
now bear in mind that there are plenty of things i like about modern cars, but they are somewhat agitating to work on too. some of what follows is tongue-in-cheek, some serious. this is not meant to offend anyone.
My Gripes With Automotive Engineers
1)Cadillac ht4100 engines(and subsequent similarly designed 4.5 and 4.9L engines).
Who in their right mind would design an aluminum engine with cast iron heads, then when they discover it leaks, simply specify coolant sealer tablets?(I call them Cadillac asperins) then to make it worse, they make TWO more engines the same way?
2) Chrysler 2.7L engines.
These are true engineering marvels. They are designed with a passage behind the timing belt that expits next to the oil filter. This passage is for coolant….that leaks, apparently normally.
3) Tire pressure monitor systems.
Most of these systems have a transponder that is part of the valve stem now. Used to be done by the abs sensor. Ever try to tell a customer that the valve stem for their tire is gonna cost them $125.00?
4) computer controlled windows and/or lighting
Ever since cars have had power windows, they’ve worked beautifully. It was simple. 12V fused to the switch, from there, to the window motor, and the motor was grounded.
Now, they’ve got their own control modules, with associated relays, extra wiring, circuit breakers, etc….but they function the same.(this is classic engineer “fix it ‘cause it ain’t broke)
Same with headlights. Some now have a lighting control module…yet the function is identical to what we had 50 years ago, but with more/extra wiring to support it.
5) window regulators.
Again, ever since there have been roll down windows on cars, a simple easy, lightweight(and non-failing) scissors type of regulator has worked perfectly.
Now, we have cable(often failing) operated regulators. No need. They do not save room, or weight.
6) general underhood assemblies.
Ever had a bolt that you simply cannot get to? Classic example. Customer brings his 2006 subaru in for a fuel leak(kinda new for that, eh?) I find the leak. It’s a fuel line under the intake plenum. Pretty simple, eh? Problem was that to get the intake off, the fuel line had to be disconnected….and to disconnect the fuel line, the intake had to come off. There’s more in this heading, but I could go on forever here.
7) hvac systems.
Again, heaters in cars have worked perfectly ever since they’ve had them. Same with a/c. now these too, are often controlled by some sort of control module.
Then there’s the servicing of these systems. Ever try to replace the heater core in most Chrysler products? Or the evaporator core? Can any of you that work on cars remember ever replacing a vacuum motor for the vent control doors? Those are mostly electric now, and they go bad all the time.
8)lighting systems
Tail lights that are mounted on a printed circuit board. Are you friggin KIDDING me? They do not improve the function, do not save wiring, and these things fail.
Try changing the headlight bulbs on some of the smaller cars. Nearly impossible to get at them. I could go on more here too…..
9)cooling systems.
First off…..vw….whos brilliant idea was it to put a plastic impeller on a steel knurled shaft, and expect it to last more than 60k miles?
Coolant…..ever seen the crap dexcool causes? Or some of these other manufacturer specific coolants? Not a single one of them does anything better than plain old ethelene glycol based antifreeze…except to cause problems.
Electric fans…actually a pretty good idea. How to control them on the other hand, varies. Old way was a temp. sensor in the engine, trips a relay, relay turns on fan. Now, we have small(and often times hidden) cooling fan control modules. These things are just downright silly.
10) awd/4x4 systems
Mostly on suv’s. most jeeps, and basic ford/gm systems are still ok. But on suv’s we have a computer that controls these too now. Why?
-
Cap
All the way through high school I had a 77 Cutlas Salon. I did 99% of the work on it myself. I mean seriously how hard is it to change spark plugs and oil? Back then. Changing the brake pads? pshh.. no big deal.
In 1982 I got a Camaro for graduation. I took one look under the hood and said '___ that'. I can't imagine what you guys have to put up with today.
Now here's a brilliant and not a serious design flaw. What brain surgeon decided to put the cup holder 2 inches away from the gearshift in the 2001 Mustang? You can't even fit a coke can in there and shift without hitting it. Had to be a designer. You can't trust those guys. They're all a bunch of clow... oh wait I are one :D
-
if you thought the 82 camaro was bad, you should have a look under the hood of a 96 or 97....i've not seen under the hood of the holden camaros yet........
oh...and the cup holder thing? i've seen it on mustangs, and other cars as well. me personally, i never had an open drink in my 89 gt, mostly due to the way i drove that car. :devil
-
well once they banned the open container really whats the point. :P
-
2010 and 2011 5th Gen Camaros.....
If you have an SS or RS you can't turn on the fog lights with the headlights. The DRLs are the fogs during the day.
There are work arounds like adding an aftermarket harnesses to fix the issue.
Engineers spend so much time trying to show their worth. Wastes a lot of time and money fixing their work.
-
2010 and 2011 5th Gen Camaros.....
If you have an SS or RS you can't turn on the fog lights with the headlights. The DRLs are the fogs during the day.
There are work arounds like adding an aftermarket harnesses to fix the issue.
Engineers spend so much time trying to show their worth. Wastes a lot of time and money fixing their work.
wait?? you can't run the fogs at ALL if the headlights are on? usually that's only if highbeams are on......but that would seem somewhat ridiculous seeing as they're intended to supplement headlights in......fog.
-
My biggest pet peeve of cars are yellow ones. The absolute worst color for any car. Should be illegal.
-
i sometimes have fuel leak issues with my '04 impreza. CAP, i feel your pain. it was a pain in the arse getting to the fuel line, as, like you said, it ran into a major dilema at the intake.
'tis why i invested in a cold air intake (well, and because i'm a speed demon), basically just a system of tubes, valves, and the cooling mechanism, not getting in the way of the fuel lines anymore.
-
you can't turn on the fog lights with the headlights.
Good
-
My wife had a late 90's firebird when I was dating her. It developed a leak in the upper radiator hose, no biggie to fix right? Got the hose swapped out and was refiling the cooling system only to find that the cooling system was not designed with the radiator cap as the high point in the system. They designed a very small screw type valve at the top of the system to release the build up pressure so you could fill it. the problem is you had to seal the system and run the car to build the pressure, then turn the car back off open the cap and try to hurry and get more fluid in before it all came rushing back into the radiator. I would love to throat punch whoever thought that was a great idea.
-
wait?? you can't run the fogs at ALL if the headlights are on? usually that's only if highbeams are on......but that would seem somewhat ridiculous seeing as they're intended to supplement headlights in......fog.
If you see a 5th Gen camaro with a slot in the front...... it is an SS. The DRLs on those are the fogs. The fogs will not come on when the headlights are on... even when on low beam.
The non-SS and non-RS camaros use the headlight as the DRL. You can control the fogs on those.
Several companies have developed harnesses just for that issue.
-
if it wasnt for engineers you lot would all be walking everywhere, and sleeping under a pile of furs in a cave :P
engineers design cool stuff, sadly consumers dont want to or cant pay for cool stuff, they just want cheap stuff. thats mostly why we have badly compromised designs.
-
Chevrolet SSR
warranty radio replacement 4.5 hours
Only the drivers seat and top dash panel stay IN the passenger compartment.
1. Lower convertible top.
2. Remove canter console and trim. (includes shifter, aux gauges, and convertible top trim cover)
3. Remove passenger seat.
4. Remove chrome dash trim. (includes headlamp switch, HVAC control knobs)
5. Remove drivers side lower dash trim and instrument cluster.
6. Remove passenger side lower dash trim and glove box.
7. Crawl under dash to remove passenger airbag module. (mounting screws obstructed, and unthread towards front of vehicle)
8. Remove cup holder.
9. Remove ash tray. (yes, it has one)
10. Remove upper dash trim panel.
11. Remove radio. (finally!)
Why so much work for just a radio? Because some dumb engineer felt it was nessassary to mould a lip in the upper dash trim that is covered by the airbag.
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff252/DropkickYankees/2004-chevrolet-ssr-push-t-3_800x0w.jpg)
Without the lip the trim panel could easily slide past the airbag, saving hous of work.
-
*temporary left turn of thread
Devil 505 from Flight of The Intruder?
-
Replaced the heater core in my 2001 F-150. That was not fun.
-
Replaced the heater core in my 2001 F-150. That was not fun.
i just did my neighbors 99 1500 chevy pickup. had the entire dash out of the truck, and the heater box out. wasn't fun.
the easiest heater cores i've done were the chevy cavaliers and other like bodied gm's.......right under the center of the dash. if they took longer than an hour, you were screwing off......
-
if you thought the 82 camaro was bad, you should have a look under the hood of a 96 or 97....i've not seen under the hood of the holden camaros yet........
oh...and the cup holder thing? i've seen it on mustangs, and other cars as well. me personally, i never had an open drink in my 89 gt, mostly due to the way i drove that car. :devil
There is nothing worse than working on LT1 4th gen Camaros, zero room to work.
-
My biggest pet peeve of cars are yellow ones. The absolute worst color for any car. Should be illegal.
:rofl Would much rather see yellow than teal..... what a crappy color that was.
-
My wife had a late 90's firebird when I was dating her. It developed a leak in the upper radiator hose, no biggie to fix right? Got the hose swapped out and was refiling the cooling system only to find that the cooling system was not designed with the radiator cap as the high point in the system. They designed a very small screw type valve at the top of the system to release the build up pressure so you could fill it. the problem is you had to seal the system and run the car to build the pressure, then turn the car back off open the cap and try to hurry and get more fluid in before it all came rushing back into the radiator. I would love to throat punch whoever thought that was a great idea.
:headscratch: Why didnt you just fill the cooler reservoir, run the engine until it warms up and vent the highest point, it would draw fluid from the reservoir as the pressure releases out the high point, at least that's what I did for mine.
-
My wife had a late 90's firebird when I was dating her. It developed a leak in the upper radiator hose, no biggie to fix right? Got the hose swapped out and was refiling the cooling system only to find that the cooling system was not designed with the radiator cap as the high point in the system. They designed a very small screw type valve at the top of the system to release the build up pressure so you could fill it. the problem is you had to seal the system and run the car to build the pressure, then turn the car back off open the cap and try to hurry and get more fluid in before it all came rushing back into the radiator. I would love to throat punch whoever thought that was a great idea.
actually on those systems, you're supposed to open those vents as you fill it up. :aok
but agreed.......effed up setup.
-
*temporary left turn of thread
Devil 505 from Flight of The Intruder?
Yes it is. :salute
-
And this is why I hate cars of today. I know my old 1998 Dodge Ram has some computers in it but at least most of the truck is simple and I don't have to worry about a BSOD blowing up my car. I will drive that truck until rusts down or someone totals it.
Hey CAP, whats your opinion on Chrysler transmissions?
-
And this is why I hate cars of today. I know my old 1998 Dodge Ram has some computers in it but at least most of the truck is simple and I don't have to worry about a BSOD blowing up my car. I will drive that truck until rusts down or someone totals it.
Hey CAP, whats your opinion on Chrysler transmissions?
they seem ok to me. my 97 caravan always shifted nice, even with 178k on it. the trans did go bad last summer though.
i haven't seen the problems in them like i've seen in gm and ford transmissions of the past though.
-
I don't think there has ever been an engineer that didn't make mistakes. I don't know anything about automotive engineering or the scope of work that they do, but to pick out a few mistakes and damn them for being idiots is a little harsh is it not?
I could design an entire building ground up, size every member, call out every piece of steel, every connector, consider as much as possible, do 40 or so connection details, painfully scramble to meet the architect's deadline even though they keep changing stuff up until the due date, and get it out the door. Then have a construction guy catch one of my connection details that may not be the best way to do it and sum me up as an idiot for it. Seems a little harsh.
-
Grizz...Thats why they are paid the Big Bucks
-
I don't know anything about automotive engineering or the scope of work that they do...
Neither does CAP. :)
-
I don't think there has ever been an engineer that didn't make mistakes. I don't know anything about automotive engineering or the scope of work that they do, but to pick out a few mistakes and damn them for being idiots is a little harsh is it not?
I could design an entire building ground up, size every member, call out every piece of steel, every connector, consider as much as possible, do 40 or so connection details, painfully scramble to meet the architect's deadline even though they keep changing stuff up until the due date, and get it out the door. Then have a construction guy catch one of my connection details that may not be the best way to do it and sum me up as an idiot for it. Seems a little harsh.
it's not a "few" mistakes. virtually every car out there has engineering nightmares.
oh yea....i wasn't referencing engineers in general....only those that design things for cars.
another example would be vans equipped with rear heat. you ever try to replace 30 feet of steel tubing? when it winds up and over the transmission, goes over the frame rail, down the side, over the rear axle, and then up into the rear heater core?
and did i mention that tube is a single piece? who in their right mind would do make that in one single piece?? now i know you're going to say something like "well by making it one piece, the chance for a coolant leak along that line is less". in reality, it is not. in reality, it is more likely to leak, as it's made of steel, it's exposed to the elements, and it is mounted against the frame rail, allowing places for water to sit, and start the rotting process. :aok
-
Neither does CAP. :)
you are correct sir. i only know a considerably large amount about fixing automotive engineers screw ups. :aok :neener:
-
you are correct sir. i only know a considerably large amount about fixing automotive engineers screw ups. :aok :neener:
If you don't know answers to 4-5-6-7-8-9 and 10 then i dont think you know enough:)
-
I don't think there has ever been an engineer that didn't make mistakes. I don't know anything about automotive engineering or the scope of work that they do, but to pick out a few mistakes and damn them for being idiots is a little harsh is it not?
Grizz, there are mistakes and then there are needlessly complex designs than hinder efficient service and repair.
For example, when Chevy introduced the new body style Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche, the headlamp assembliy needs to be removed to service the bulb. In this case that requires removing a hidden bolt behind the front wheelhouse liner, and loosening and prying forward the front grille. The 2000-2006 headlams were secured with slide pins. A 5 min bulb change on the floor now takes 20 and a lift.
-
How about heated seats........WHY???????
-
How about heated seats........WHY???????
You must not own a vehicle with leather seats....
-
Grizz, there are mistakes and then there are needlessly complex designs than hinder efficient service and repair.
For example, when Chevy introduced the new body style Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche, the headlamp assembliy needs to be removed to service the bulb. In this case that requires removing a hidden bolt behind the front wheelhouse liner, and loosening and prying forward the front grille. The 2000-2006 headlams were secured with slide pins. A 5 min bulb change on the floor now takes 20 and a lift.
honestly this is why I like my industry.
I'm not an engineer. I'm a designer (albeit one trusted by the PE's I know). I actually get to get out and see what works and what doesn't in the real world. I'm kind of an interface between the installers, manufacturers, and the PE's, and can generally avoid the 'it works' in theory and 'sob it's a pita' in reality.
Now, that said, cut the engineers some slack. There are a lot of them out there that never get out and get mud on their boots / grease on their hands and deal only in the theoretical possibilities. But there are some that actually get out there and do their best to model a design that fits all the requirements and ease of install / rebuild.
Same can be said for designers. EG... cup holder post a bit back (I really want to pour a cup of coffee in his lap).
And, honestly, sometimes someone is going to wind up getting the short end of the stick. Usually it's the guys who have to work on the things after they've been sold because it's 'cheaper'. Ya right..
-
Cap
All the way through high school I had a 77 Cutlas Salon. I did 99% of the work on it myself. I mean seriously how hard is it to change spark plugs and oil? Back then. Changing the brake pads? pshh.. no big deal.
In 1982 I got a Camaro for graduation. I took one look under the hood and said '___ that'. I can't imagine what you guys have to put up with today.
Now here's a brilliant and not a serious design flaw. What brain surgeon decided to put the cup holder 2 inches away from the gearshift in the 2001 Mustang? You can't even fit a coke can in there and shift without hitting it. Had to be a designer. You can't trust those guys. They're all a bunch of clow... oh wait I are one :D
It's worse than you even think... the cup holder is just one item in a '01 mustang purely designed around.... an automatic transmision.
:uhoh
-
I had a 1970 Chevelle (not an SS unfortunately).
It didn't have ANY cup holders and the seatbelt system was two parts. It had a lap-belt and a shoulder-belt that could be clipped to the ceiling to keep it out of the way. :aok
I loved that car, a grown man could literally sit in the engine compartment to work on the 350.
I used one of those clip style cup holders hung on the drivers door to carry my bee...... errr root beer.
-
Grizz, there are mistakes and then there are needlessly complex designs than hinder efficient service and repair.
For example, when Chevy introduced the new body style Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche, the headlamp assembliy needs to be removed to service the bulb. In this case that requires removing a hidden bolt behind the front wheelhouse liner, and loosening and prying forward the front grille. The 2000-2006 headlams were secured with slide pins. A 5 min bulb change on the floor now takes 20 and a lift.
i see your chevy headlight nightmare, and raise you one jeep grand cherokee cooling fan control module. anyone that's done one will never forget it, and will forever want to do bodily harm to the person that decided it should be placed where it is.
on the up side of that, some of us "non-engineers" have engineered a way around that nightmare, trimming the replacement time from 4.5 hours to about an hour or so. :aok
-
honestly this is why I like my industry.
I'm not an engineer. I'm a designer (albeit one trusted by the PE's I know). I actually get to get out and see what works and what doesn't in the real world. I'm kind of an interface between the installers, manufacturers, and the PE's, and can generally avoid the 'it works' in theory and 'sob it's a pita' in reality.
Now, that said, cut the engineers some slack. There are a lot of them out there that never get out and get mud on their boots / grease on their hands and deal only in the theoretical possibilities. But there are some that actually get out there and do their best to model a design that fits all the requirements and ease of install / rebuild.
Same can be said for designers. EG... cup holder post a bit back (I really want to pour a cup of coffee in his lap).
And, honestly, sometimes someone is going to wind up getting the short end of the stick. Usually it's the guys who have to work on the things after they've been sold because it's 'cheaper'. Ya right..
i do cut them some slack.
you said the key thing though. getting out in the real world to see what does and doesn't work in the reality of our world.
it should be a requirement of the position to have real world experience before they're allowed to do what they do.
i'll throw a "plus" out there........whoever engineered/designed SEFI systems........i'd like to meet him and shake his hand. never again will i build a street car with a carburetor.
-
I'd be willing to bet the PE's we have on this site actually do get their hands dirty.
Wimps don't last long round these parts ;)
-
If you want to see a marvel of automotive engineering just take a look at a modern dragster setup for bracket racing.
(http://www.fabshopheaders.com/categories/products/images/bbf-dragsterDSC01220.JPG)
They even give you hand clearance around the headers for those quick in between round spark plug changes.
:lol
I love working on my race car now, setting the valves is as easy as rolling up a office chair and using the header as a foot rest. The distributor cap makes a handy spot to sit your beer down when you start breaking a sweat setting the lash.
:P
Strip
-
If you want to see a marvel of automotive engineering just take a look at a modern dragster setup for bracket racing.
(http://www.fabshopheaders.com/categories/products/images/bbf-dragsterDSC01220.JPG)
They even give you hand clearance around the headers for those quick in between round spark plug changes.
:lol
I love working on my race car now, setting the valves is as easy as rolling up a office chair and using the header as a foot rest. The distributor cap makes a handy spot to sit your beer down when you start breaking a sweat setting the lash.
:P
Strip
racing is a totally different thing. most things racing are designed/engineered by people that've "been there done that".
when i started working at the shop that i now own, this.....
(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa135/1LTCAP/HPIM8975.jpg)
was but a mere shell. alex built the engine, bought the transmission(turbo 400) from another racer(who was converting to a 2 speed), and then i went to work.
there was nothing in this car. no electrics, no fuel or brake systems, no mounts.....nothing. i made them all. i designed the mounts, i set the angle of the engine/transmission, i set the pinion angle. i basically took this car from a shell to a car easily capable of running 9's at just over 130 mph. something that an automotive engineer would've had to study. he'd study it, design somethign, study some more, re-design his design...and this would go on for a year or 5.
it took me one winter of staying late at the shop from shell to firing her up, and backing her out of the bay on her own power. she's done a few seasons worth of passes with never a single problem.
well.....one problem....i broke a wheelie bar one night,.....the weld broke. that was a little scary.
:D
-
Some of you racing guys might have to give me some advice here in the next few years. If everything goes as planned I will be racing on dirt in either a Late Model or a Modified!
-
Some of you racing guys might have to give me some advice here in the next few years. If everything goes as planned I will be racing on dirt in either a Late Model or a Modified!
i think you'll find dirt track racing somewhat rough, expensive, and at times brutal. a friends girlfriend drives at a couple of the local dirt tracks here in jersey....and i've heard some serious crap from her........most common seems to be that if you manage to piss someone off, you're probably gonna eat the wall on a darker section of the track.
-
My annoyances:
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs461.snc3/25323_360228032948_700532948_3723086_7904087_n.jpg)
Happy in the california sun. Then moving to Missouri where a car like this is completely impractical (I live in rural MO now) and having to sell it. I went from a 520 lbft, 190MPH german land missle to a Toyota 4WD Tacoma 4-banger with a 5 speed. Before I sold it I ran on a summer day 12.1@113 with all the crap in the car and about 3/4 tank.
On engines, the Ford 3.8L V6 in the early fox bodied Mustangs. Rear main oil seal. "sort of fuel injected".... bah.
The rear differentials on 90s dodge trucks....seal leaks...bah Steering box on 90s dodge trucks...bah Chevrolet vacuum operated 4WD on a sub zero day....bah. The slant 6 in a early 70s dodge dart...bah.
-
if it wasnt for engineers you lot would all be walking everywhere, and sleeping under a pile of furs in a cave :P
engineers design cool stuff, sadly consumers dont want to or cant pay for cool stuff, they just want cheap stuff. thats mostly why we have badly compromised designs.
I build products. Many of those products are engineered. We have to correct the engineers on a regular basis.
Like most other professions..... there are a lot of engineers but only a few good ones.
-
I build products. Many of those products are engineered. We have to correct the engineers on a regular basis.
Like most other professions..... there are a lot of engineers but only a few good ones.
What do you build?
-
I have a BMW 850i that I drive in the summer it has a v-12 the only thing I have even tried to do to it is change the oil but upkeep on it isn't that bad because my parents friend gives the local dealership quite a bit of business but it is still a hassle and still not cheap
-
Job Shop..... custom & production.
We are an OEM for Stewart & Stevenson, we do work for NASA, most of the plants around here. We also design and manufacture nema boxes.
We do a lot of R&D work and testing.
I thought it was pretty cool that a few months back we built a Nema 4X box that was installed on the end of a pier over at Pearl harbor.
There's a long laundry list of items we build including platforms, pipe hangers, vessels, offshore deepsea, flanges, manifolds, etc. We do custom work such as hydraulic lift platforms to mount on the front of side by sides so that handicapped folks can go out hunting. On the platforms they have chairs with harnesses and rifle holders. We have to beef the suspensions and build lift kits for the front ends to support the weight and improve ride. We build portable buildings heavily insulated to cover generators and pumps.
We also deal in all types of metals, carbon steels, stainless steels, C-276/hastalloy, titanium, tantalum, copper/bronze......
-
Interesting Shuffler.
We manufacture light poles. Parking lot, stadium,high mast, and the like. Fairly close association there. :aok
I'm guessing yall are in South Texas?
-
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff252/DropkickYankees/2004-chevrolet-ssr-push-t-3_800x0w.jpg)
Who the hell designed THIS?
Puke.
-
agree, that is just horrible
-
Chevrolet SSR
warranty radio replacement 4.5 hours
Only the drivers seat and top dash panel stay IN the passenger compartment.
1. Lower convertible top.
2. Remove canter console and trim. (includes shifter, aux gauges, and convertible top trim cover)
3. Remove passenger seat.
4. Remove chrome dash trim. (includes headlamp switch, HVAC control knobs)
5. Remove drivers side lower dash trim and instrument cluster.
6. Remove passenger side lower dash trim and glove box.
7. Crawl under dash to remove passenger airbag module. (mounting screws obstructed, and unthread towards front of vehicle)
8. Remove cup holder.
9. Remove ash tray. (yes, it has one)
10. Remove upper dash trim panel.
11. Remove radio. (finally!)
Why so much work for just a radio? Because some dumb engineer felt it was nessassary to mould a lip in the upper dash trim that is covered by the airbag.
(http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff252/DropkickYankees/2004-chevrolet-ssr-push-t-3_800x0w.jpg)
Without the lip the trim panel could easily slide past the airbag, saving hous of work.
now see? this here is something i'd send right back to the dealer. let the dealer techs handle that mess.
-
Interesting Shuffler.
We manufacture light poles. Parking lot, stadium,high mast, and the like. Fairly close association there. :aok
I'm guessing yall are in South Texas?
South East. Yall do those octogon shaped poles? Must have a long press brake. :D Our Accupress is only 14' with 10' between the staunches (250 ton).
-
just thought of another one, thanks to the 4x4 light on the dash of my jeep staying lit after i dis-engaged 4 wheel drive.
automated 4x4 systems. friggin ridiculous. no need for them. stop being a wuss, and pull the transfer case lever to get into 4x4. either have full time hubs, or get the hell out and give the hubs their 1/4 turn to lock em in. there is no need for vacuum motors to control the hubs, and electric motors(in some cases vacuum motors) to control the transfer case.
my old chevy already had part time hubs when i got it. my old ford had full time hubs, which i converted to part time when i rebuilt the front differential. guess what? they both worked perfectly, with the pull of one single lever, and never failed to engage, or dis-engage.
-
Who the hell designed THIS?
Puke.
Probably someone who sucked so bad at his job, that he got promoted.
Cap, I am a dealer tech. No choice but to do the job. :furious
-
South East. Yall do those octogon shaped poles? Must have a long press brake. :D Our Accupress is only 14' with 10' between the staunches (250 ton).
We outsource the shafts but do the rest of the fab and galv, powdercoat, or pc over galv. 53' length and I've done some that had 40" base OD. Shame you're way down there or I might be able to work a deal on your galv or PC if you needed it.
-
Probably someone who sucked so bad at his job, that he got promoted.
Cap, I am a dealer tech. No choice but to do the job. :furious
dam...sorry dood :salute
-
You must not own a vehicle with leather seats....
Nope and no desire to either
-
biggest annoyance in the auto repair field IMHO is I-car and ASE
-
biggest annoyance in the auto repair field IMHO is I-car and ASE
i had all of the certs, except for automatic transmissions. never went for that one.
i stopped renewing for a couple of reasons. first and foremost, was/is the fact that i see guys with all of their certs, and yet they couldn't figure their way out of a wet paper bag with a knife.
secondly is that there are now(and have been for a few years) ASE test prep kits. these would allow pretty much anyone to pass these tests. there was a time that you could not pass these tests unless you really did know what the hell you were doing, and really did work in the field. i came to the conclusion that i was wasting my time and money each time i renewed, and stopped. know what? i can still fix more than most i know.
-
Some of you racing guys might have to give me some advice here in the next few years. If everything goes as planned I will be racing on dirt in either a Late Model or a Modified!
One thing going against you Josh is your height (on how "far up" you intend to want to go). Most (highlighted for the ones who will try to take the following out of context) drivers are less than 5'9". Also driver weight is a factor in Late Model racing. I know this because I used to have a co-worker who was the crew chief of a Super Late Model car at Spartan Speedway (near Lansing, in Mason MI) and Springfield Speedway (near Jackson, MI).
Not trying to be a buzzkill or anything but when I was at Roush, I'd hop in a Coyote GT or other prototype at MIS and let it go. I hit excessive speeds and most of the other Lead Test drivers were 5'9" or less. Although, there are exceptions to every rule.
:rock
-
Working on this could be one of Caps annoyances
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s35/68zoom/merlin.jpg)
-
Working on this could be one of Caps annoyances
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s35/68zoom/merlin.jpg)
working on that would be an annoyance i'd love to experience. :devil
know what i just had to tell a customer? he needs a new fan clutch. anyone wanna guess how much it's gonna cost him/?
-
working on that would be an annoyance i'd love to experience. :devil
know what i just had to tell a customer? he needs a new fan clutch. anyone wanna guess how much it's gonna cost him/?
Drool Brutha Drool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIj2GVfua84 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIj2GVfua84)
-
working on that would be an annoyance i'd love to experience. :devil
know what i just had to tell a customer? he needs a new fan clutch. anyone wanna guess how much it's gonna cost him/?
$1500?
-
$1500?
you're actually high.
the clutch costs about $370. the labor calls for about 3 hours, and that's what i quoted the guy. we can thank an over-zealous engineer for that one. viscous(think i spelled it right) clutches have worked perfectly on automobiles since the 60's. especially when coupled with a fan shroud.
with those, the clutch cost about $50 max, and generally an hour or less to replace.
so thanks to over-zealous engineering, we have a fan clutch replacement at approx. $600, whereas had they left it the hell alone(because it wasn't broken) it would cost well under $200.
i can't wait till i get my video cameras hooked up in the shop. you should've seen the guys face when i told him.
here's a comparison.
the fan clutch my customer needs.....
(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa135/1LTCAP/fanclutch.jpg)
a normal fan clutch...of the design used since about 1965. rarely failed.
(http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa135/1LTCAP/fanclutchnormal.jpg)
-
So, say the power window in my stang quits.
I have the part to replace the drive unit.
How much?
-
One thing going against you Josh is your height (on how "far up" you intend to want to go). Most (highlighted for the ones who will try to take the following out of context) drivers are less than 5'9". Also driver weight is a factor in Late Model racing. I know this because I used to have a co-worker who was the crew chief of a Super Late Model car at Spartan Speedway (near Lansing, in Mason MI) and Springfield Speedway (near Jackson, MI).
Not trying to be a buzzkill or anything but when I was at Roush, I'd hop in a Coyote GT or other prototype at MIS and let it go. I hit excessive speeds and most of the other Lead Test drivers were 5'9" or less. Although, there are exceptions to every rule.
:rock
Already been worked on Jay :). I've been around racing all of my life, but I don't know a thing about engines, etc... The last few years I have been following my buddy that races Modifieds. I've been in a few cars and seemed to fit ok. The way I see it, if one of my granddad's old racing buddies can do it (and still does it to this day) I can do it. That sucker weighs more than I do and races Late Models (Sometimes with the WoO, but his driving isn't a good as it used to be).
As of right now, the project is still up in the air. But with a little luck and some funding (which is also being talked about) I should be racing in a few years.
Speaking of Roush, Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year Ricky Stenhouse, Jr....My dad is best friends with the guy that got him started in racing. I used to watch Ricky race sprint cars all the time.
#S#
Banshee7
-
So, say the power window in my stang quits.
I have the part to replace the drive unit.
How much?
you said yours was a 2000, right? it calls for 1.1 hours.......most shops would round that down to an hours labor.
-
Cadillac asperins kinda rock if ya ask me <G> :aok
-
immodium makes rocks.. just sayin :mad:
-
We outsource the shafts but do the rest of the fab and galv, powdercoat, or pc over galv. 53' length and I've done some that had 40" base OD. Shame you're way down there or I might be able to work a deal on your galv or PC if you needed it.
We have 3 excellent PCs, 2 goos galvs.
I went to the Cars & Coffee this morning in Houston.... saw a truck loaded with an 80 foot blade for a wind generator. He was heading west on I-10.
-
:aok
-
if it wasnt for engineers you lot would all be walking everywhere, and sleeping under a pile of furs in a cave :P
engineers design cool stuff, sadly consumers dont want to or cant pay for cool stuff, they just want cheap stuff. thats mostly why we have badly compromised designs.
Honda wasnt an engineer and he seemed to have come up with some pretty successful designs. Should look up his bio sometime. He didnt even have a HS education.
My all time favorite engineering quote came from a customer of mine.
"I was an engineer for 30 years. Then I went into maintenance where I learned about everything I had been doing wrong for the last 30 years"
-
yo Laverne
you forgot to list me on your six.. I can't shoot for *@#% but I can annoy the heck out of ya ;)