New but not really

Hello everyone,
I’ve been utilizing your site for years now but finally signed up, partially because the last few weeks have been disheartening. Going thru a divorce right now and made worse by he fact that everything is going wrong now, starting from when I had to replace the POS Dorman carrier bearing, that I had originally replaced in Dec. last year at 180k miles, a few weeks ago. I also decided to replace the Cardan u-joints at the same time with the Autozone special Moog brand and let me tell you it was the biggest mistake because unlike the OEM unit, the POS Moog seals don’t have true rigid retainer to hold the tiny needle bearings in place which made it extremely challenging if the cap isn’t pressed in PERFECTLY! I had to buy another set because the needle bearings kept falling over and getting busted when trying to bottom out. Too embarrassed to say how long it took me but I’ll say it drove me to drinking again! And then, a week later on my way from SoCal to visit my Dad in the Central Valley of CA, the passenger rear wheel seal blew(not sure if the vent was plugged or whether the bearings were loose and wore out the seals, but after disassembly the bearings were toast and the cage had come apart and chewed up the ABS Tone ring and sensor)but I had to find all the parts needed, since I was stuck in an unfamiliar town and couldn’t depend on anyone for a ride. After about 10miles of slow driving I decided to park at Home Depot because I knew I could find all the material needed to rig up a puller or press. All the machine shops wanted between $150 and $220 PER axle, just to press on the bearing, lock collar/retainer, external circlip, ABS Tone Rng and then one last retainer saying that it’s a 1.5-2 hour job! I wanted to tell him that he doesn’t know what he’s doing if it takes that long, keep in mind, I removed everything, therefore it’s just a press job. I had replaced that same side 30k miles ago too, and it cost $80 at a Carquest in Escondido. Anyhow, bought a few segments of 2”nipple(threaded pipe both ends that when assembled is used to slam on all part), couplings, a flange(for my vices to clamp onto to pull off all the parts) and then an end cap(for bottoming the axle in order to pull). Thankfully I had all my cordless tools and grinder and also my traveling mech tools because when visiting the pops, there’s always something on the farm that needs fixing. Btw, in my early 20’s, I completed 18months out of the 24month Ford ASSET program(basically to be become technician/mechanic), received most of the important ASE Certs in Elect, Susp., Steering, Chassis, etc. but they’re probably expired now, because I switched apprenticeships to join the Carpenters Union Apprenticeship, journeyed out and worked my way up to Foreskin-man, Sr. Foreman, assistant Supe and then Stupidentendent.... Superintendent in about 7-8yrs, which was about 7yrs ago. But I’m glad I did the Tech program because I pretty much do all my own wrenching on my car/truck and especially my motorcycles.

Anyhow, back to my demise....replaced the seals, bearing, brakes etc and decided to have my Walmart battery replaced or credited since one of the cells was dead. Decided to get a deep cycle battery, because I possibly killed the other cell because I’d forget to turn off the inverter I have that’s a direct hookup to battery, for charging my Makita batteries(which I’ve had to use to jump start car battery lol), drone, flashlights, etc. Whether my logic is correct, idk but I grabbed a similar sized and configured marine battery and as the sun started to fall, I was in he parking lot installing and all of a sudden, the headlights started coming on and some other funny noises so I quickly disconnected it after about 3-5 seconds and realized someone had switched the red and black plastic terminal caps and that I had installed it backwards! At this point, I’m ready to jump off a bridge....it’s extremely hot in NorCal right now and I’ll have to stay another night in my truck because the 120amp Alt fuse blew and I’d have to wait for Autozone to open. Next morning, walked almost a mile in direct heat to Autozone and back. Installed the 120amp fuse, replaced an ECTS fuse, checked the starter relay, and all other fuses. There doesn’t seem to be any voltage at circuit 1 on the starter relay connector when I click over the starter. Going to pull up the wiring diagram now and hopefully figure this all out. It seems like when it rains, it absolutely drenches! Thanks everyone, sorry for my rant, gonna do some research now

 

Welcome! And I hope to hear it all works out for the better. Good Luck.

 

Wow, what a story! I truly hope things start turning around for you! Welcome to the forum from LA (Lower Alabama)!

 

Welcome here! Sorta been there, but in the winter (February North TX) replaced a clutch and pressure plate in an out of business car wash stall with few tools and lots of creative problem solving. Three mile walk to Wal Mart, about seven or so to AutoZone that thankfully had the parts. All before cell phone days and hundreds of miles from home. So, I know you will figure out a way and have some lasting memories. Just be glad you got tools and skills. There are people who are born blind, deaf, etc. and they don't give up, instead they adapt and move on.

 

Welcome from Maryland

Hope things start to turn around for ya !

 

Welcome... Good karma

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Welcome from So Cal

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from SoCal. I'd say post some pics but I'm worried your camera would explode.

 

Wow, that sucks. Welcome and hope things turn around for ya. Welcome.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome and words of motivation, I’m not going to lie, gonna have a nervous breakdown but I need to keep on keeping on.

P.S. are my photos getting uploaded? I can’t tell, since I’m on my dumb IPad

 

Welcome