Pumpkin's hazard flasher was too weak. With Coors in tow, the rear lights were hardly visible. They flashed so fast the bulbs did not have time to light up. So, I went shopping for an electronic heavy duty flasher. Local parts stores did not carry any (that I found) that could handle more than 6 bulbs. With Coors in tow, I needed at least 8 bulb capacity. I found what I wanted on-line and ordered it.
First, after several days, I had not received notice of shipment. So, I emailed them and was told they were on back order. I waited several more days and finally received notice it were on it's way.
Second, it had a USPS tracking number. But, after a couple of days, when I checked the shipment progress, it showed it being repeatedly processed through the same facility in Pennsylvania. Over and over each day it was the same...Processed through blah, blah, blah. I contacted the postal service and they put a query on it. I got a call from our local postmistress letting me know they were looking for it.
Eventually, it came, nearly 5 weeks after I ordered it.
Yesterday I stuck it in Pumpkin and immediately blew a fuse. After all that crap, I had ordered the wrong part. Now not only do I need a new flasher, but I need a new fuse.
I did a little better research this time (I hope) and ordered another part. But, I ordered it from a different seller because it was several dollars cheaper (and maybe I was a little embarrassed after giving the first seller a hard time). Now if it just doesn't go on back order and doesn't get lost in the mail...
Friday, August 5, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
I Don't Believe It!
I didn't go back to O'Reilly's yesterday after all. Joyce and I went today. Joyce needed some more groceries and it was a much cooler day. Anyway, I returned the wrong size caliper repair kit (turns out they had ordered one for an F450 pickup, not an E450 van) and I bought a rebuilt right side caliper. While there, I went ahead and bought a couple of quarts of synthetic transmission fluid to have on hand while on the road. I got the parts and we came back home. I jumped right in and installed the new right side caliper. I was all set to add brake fluid and bleed the system. I started on the left side, but try as I might, I could not crack open the bleed valve. Finally it got so buggered up I had to give up. I checked the right side and it opened right up. Now I have to go back to town, AGAIN, to return the caliper and get another. It wouldn't be too big a deal except it's 25 mi. one way. That means I will have traveled 100 miles because of a mis-order (O'Reilly's fault) and a bad part (O'Reilly's supplier's fault). So, I called O'Reilly's customer service to vent. They're sending me a $25 gift card. That about breaks me even with expenses, but not time. Oh well, I am retired and wasn't doing anything anyway.
Update: Ditto and I went to town and got the replacement caliper. It's on and Pumpkin is back down on the ground. Joyce & I tried bleeding just the front brakes, but it's still pretty soft. I'll have to move Pumpkin up on the driveway apron along side the garage so I can use my creeper to get under and bleed the rear brakes, too. I needed it parked there anyway to add the transmission temp gauge sensor, so it's not a wasted effort.
Update: Ditto and I went to town and got the replacement caliper. It's on and Pumpkin is back down on the ground. Joyce & I tried bleeding just the front brakes, but it's still pretty soft. I'll have to move Pumpkin up on the driveway apron along side the garage so I can use my creeper to get under and bleed the rear brakes, too. I needed it parked there anyway to add the transmission temp gauge sensor, so it's not a wasted effort.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Broken Brakes III
This is getting old. Nobody carries the caliper piston - at least no place I can find. So, I had to get the entire caliper. I went to O'Reilly's yesterday and picked up the replacement caliper and one repair kit for the other side. Shortly after I got home I made sure the caliper would fit the bracket. It did. Then I decided to go ahead and install the repair kit so both sides would be ready to go back together. Double crap! The seal and o-ring are the wrong size. I called O'Reilly's back. Wouldn't you know it, they can't get the correct part. Sure wish they had determined that last week before I jumped through all these hoops.
So, today I'll be going back to O'Reilly's to get the caliper for the other side. That will mean my brake job will have cost about $100 instead of the original estimate of $15 if the seals had been available AND the piston had not been chipped AND rabbits carried shotguns. Oh well, I may as well spend another $20 or so and replace the brake lines while I'm at it. Afterall, it's only money and it helps keep the Chinese and Mexicans working.
So, today I'll be going back to O'Reilly's to get the caliper for the other side. That will mean my brake job will have cost about $100 instead of the original estimate of $15 if the seals had been available AND the piston had not been chipped AND rabbits carried shotguns. Oh well, I may as well spend another $20 or so and replace the brake lines while I'm at it. Afterall, it's only money and it helps keep the Chinese and Mexicans working.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Broken Brakes II
Well crap. I bought a Torx set and got the 2nd caliper apart. But, when I got both the pistons out, I found one of the had a big chunk broken off at the bottom. So now I need a new piston as well as seals. Then I called O'Reilly Auto to see if they carried the piston. Should have known better. This is Sunday and the duffus that answered the phone couldn't find his butt. He couldn't even find the order I placed last week for the seal kits. So now I'm wondering if they are even on order. Guess I'll just cool my heels until Monday and talk to someone who knows something (although, they're getting more and more difficult to find).
One thing did turn out okay this weekend. I went to Stephen's to help with his wiring and while doing that we installed a 30 amp RV power outlet outside his workshop. Now we can park Pumpkin at Stephen's and had air conditioning - something of a necessity right now for sure. Oh, while doing this we also got his well artesian pump going, at least temporarily, and wiring run for a new well pump. Stephen has been without water for over a week. He has his name on the list to a new well drilled, but that may be another couple of weeks - or more. At least now he can flush the toilet, shower and wash clothes.
One thing did turn out okay this weekend. I went to Stephen's to help with his wiring and while doing that we installed a 30 amp RV power outlet outside his workshop. Now we can park Pumpkin at Stephen's and had air conditioning - something of a necessity right now for sure. Oh, while doing this we also got his well artesian pump going, at least temporarily, and wiring run for a new well pump. Stephen has been without water for over a week. He has his name on the list to a new well drilled, but that may be another couple of weeks - or more. At least now he can flush the toilet, shower and wash clothes.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Broken Brakes
As I posted earlier, the brakes need work. I suspected a sticking caliper piston. Today, after the shade finally moved over Pumpkin (it was over 100 degrees today), I jacked it up and pulled the wheels off. Then I pulled both front calipers off to check them. The right side has different bolts holding the thing together (torx head) and I don't have the tool for that - yet. The left side had regular hex head bolts so I started there and sure enough, a piston was stuck. These are "super duty" calipers and have two pistons on each side. One was stuck on the left side. The seal had split and water got in and rusted things up a bit. It clean up okay, though. I'll pick up some new seals and the torx tool Friday, but won't get to put it back together until after the weekend. I'm going to Stephen's to help with some wiring. So, I won't know if the right side had a sticking piston until then, but I think it is probably okay.
Thinking back, the guy we bought Pumpkin from told me he had put new pads on the front. I suspect this caliper was sticking then and he thought it was the pads. The new pads would have been thicker and re-positioned the piston which may have freed it up for a while. Oh well. It will be good now.
Thinking back, the guy we bought Pumpkin from told me he had put new pads on the front. I suspect this caliper was sticking then and he thought it was the pads. The new pads would have been thicker and re-positioned the piston which may have freed it up for a while. Oh well. It will be good now.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Home Again Home Again Jiggety Jig
Picked up Pumpkin today. The total bill was right at $900. Ouch. But, it could have been worse. It required a rebuilt torque converter plus the seals which is why the price was more than the low end estimate. I also had them add synthetic transmission fluid so that added a bit to the cost.
I bought a transmission temp gauge and will try to install it soon. Heat is the main killer of transmissions and maybe if I keep track of the temperature I can ward off any future problems.
I was going to start on the front brakes this next week, but thank goodness Stephen needs us down there to do some wiring. It's too danged hot to crawl around under the RV right now. Same with the transmission gauge. I'll hook it up when the weather breaks.
Anyway, it looks like we'll take Pumpkin down to Stephen's next weekend. He is making arrangements to have a new well drilled and he needs wiring for the well. He and I can do it a lot cheaper than hiring an electrician.
Between the heat and the fact that Julie and the girls are arriving late tonight, Pumpkin projects are now on hold.
I bought a transmission temp gauge and will try to install it soon. Heat is the main killer of transmissions and maybe if I keep track of the temperature I can ward off any future problems.
I was going to start on the front brakes this next week, but thank goodness Stephen needs us down there to do some wiring. It's too danged hot to crawl around under the RV right now. Same with the transmission gauge. I'll hook it up when the weather breaks.
Anyway, it looks like we'll take Pumpkin down to Stephen's next weekend. He is making arrangements to have a new well drilled and he needs wiring for the well. He and I can do it a lot cheaper than hiring an electrician.
Between the heat and the fact that Julie and the girls are arriving late tonight, Pumpkin projects are now on hold.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Still Dragging It Out
Pumpkin is still in the shop! I called about it yesterday and they were just taking the transmission out - supposedly. So, it might be ready tomorrow, but we can't pick it up until Thursday now. We've GOT to meet Stephen and give him his two "sweet" little dogs back that we've been doggie sitting. Oh, they haven't been too bad except they certainly are intrigued with Joyce's chickens. In fact, we've got a couple running around missing most of their tail feathers.
Ha! I went up to check the chickens last night after dark and Betty (one of the dogs) went with me. We have an electric fence charger set up on a timer to come on just about dark and then go off at dawn. It charges wire encircling both the "chicken door" into the wire coop and the "chicken door" on into the chicken house. So, for any varmint to get at the hens, it must run the gamut of two charged doorways. Betty turned back at the first one. She probably won't mess with it again.
This Pumpkin transmission delay is putting me behind schedule. I need to overhaul the front brakes, add a transmission temp gauge, add some means of securing the step stool and two folding TV trays up under the new counter top, put in a new emergency flasher and see why the generator won't stay running while driving. I'm sure there will be more. It's sure a good thing I can do most of this stuff myself. The current plan is to make a trip out to Custer State Park and The Badlands this September and I really need to get to work on this stuff. Oh yes, Julie and the girls are expected back through here Friday. I'm not sure how long they'll be staying, though. Well, I'll welcome a break for them, but as soon as they are gone, it's back to work.
Oh yes, I finished the add-on table top for the new counter. I made a 24" x 20" top like the main counter - luan plywood with framing in between, similar to a hollow core door. I used the folding leg off the old dinette top. I put two wooden dowels in the edge that mates with the counter top. These get inserted in the edge of the counter, the leg gets dropped and locked into place then a window sash lock underneath secures the add-on to the counter. Now, we'll have a good place to play Scrabble or if we're feeling friendly, face each other while we eat. It is easily removed and stored on the wall under the counter. Oh, clever me. I'll post a picture of the finished product if I ever get Pumpkin back home.
Ha! I went up to check the chickens last night after dark and Betty (one of the dogs) went with me. We have an electric fence charger set up on a timer to come on just about dark and then go off at dawn. It charges wire encircling both the "chicken door" into the wire coop and the "chicken door" on into the chicken house. So, for any varmint to get at the hens, it must run the gamut of two charged doorways. Betty turned back at the first one. She probably won't mess with it again.
This Pumpkin transmission delay is putting me behind schedule. I need to overhaul the front brakes, add a transmission temp gauge, add some means of securing the step stool and two folding TV trays up under the new counter top, put in a new emergency flasher and see why the generator won't stay running while driving. I'm sure there will be more. It's sure a good thing I can do most of this stuff myself. The current plan is to make a trip out to Custer State Park and The Badlands this September and I really need to get to work on this stuff. Oh yes, Julie and the girls are expected back through here Friday. I'm not sure how long they'll be staying, though. Well, I'll welcome a break for them, but as soon as they are gone, it's back to work.
Oh yes, I finished the add-on table top for the new counter. I made a 24" x 20" top like the main counter - luan plywood with framing in between, similar to a hollow core door. I used the folding leg off the old dinette top. I put two wooden dowels in the edge that mates with the counter top. These get inserted in the edge of the counter, the leg gets dropped and locked into place then a window sash lock underneath secures the add-on to the counter. Now, we'll have a good place to play Scrabble or if we're feeling friendly, face each other while we eat. It is easily removed and stored on the wall under the counter. Oh, clever me. I'll post a picture of the finished product if I ever get Pumpkin back home.
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