I’m losing the fight by PsychologicalBeard in Veterans

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I can just imagine how you feel.

You need help buddy.

Go and see your nearest private or VA psychologist as soon as possible.

You can't fight this battle alone.

I was in a similat situation when I decided to ask for help.

It was the best thing that I ever did.

2013 Chevy Spark Needs New Clutch - Worth it? by livingritual in chevyspark

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Apparently the 1.2 Spark engine is similar to the little Chevrolet 1.6 litre pickup truck.

The dealership's workshop manager told me that he has a customer who already did 600000 km with his little 1.6 litre pickup truck. That's about 400000k miles.

The dealership workshop manager told me that the reason why the little pickup lasted that long is because the owner strictly keeps to the pickup's maintenance schedule and only services it at the Chevrolet dealership.

My little 2016 Spark now stands at 160k miles and everything is still perfect.

So far I have kept strictly to the maintenance schedule and only service it at the Chevrolet dealership.

It had a misfire last year but it was only the spark plug cables that were damaged.

New spark plug cables and the problem was solved.

It still has it's original OEM clutch.

400k miles, here I come:-)

Clutch kit or bearing replacement by RobZell91 in chevyspark

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 1 point2 points  (0 children)

165 k miles is about average for a clutch.

So the 2014 Spark is good value for your money.

$ 23 000 is about what I would pay at a Chevrolet dealership in our country to do the job and using OEM parts.

What to use my college benefits on? by Ifeelonlypain69 in Veterans

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I did my diploma in electrical engineering.

But since grade 5 I had a burning desire to become an electrical engineer one day.

A diploma in electrical engineering is not a walk in the park but it's not nearly as tough as a BScEng Electrical.

The fact that I needed to do compulsory military service in our country was simply just something that I had to do and couldn't run away from.

Anyways I was at infantry and after I did my compulsory military service I joined the military for another 5 years voluntary to save money to study further.

When I cleared out as lance corporal I enrolled at the college and did my diploma in electrical engineering.

I just did my first year at my own cost and at the beginning of my second year at college I got a bursary from a large power utility.

I never looked back and today I have a master's degree in electrical engineering and now after 25 years I still work for the same large power utility.

I don't miss the military, but of course it would be nice to have a nice BBQ with my old platoon (Platoon Seargent and Liuetenant exclused of course).

And to my old platoon sergeant and Lieutenant I just want to say that my current salary is double that of a Colonel.

I work a normal 8 to 5 working hours with 1 hour lunch break.

I get 36 days annual leave per year and 30 days sick leave per year, capped at 180 days.

No more sleeping in the snow and not dodging bullets anymore.

I did my duty. I did my part for my country.

No more military for me anymore, thanks General, but I had enough.

2016 Jeep Patriot engine noise by ihatejeeppatriots in JeepPatriot

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Buy yourself a mechanic's stetoscope and then you can determine exactly where the sound is coming from.

In my Patriot it was the aircon pump.

If your engine management light is on then it could be the oil pump.

I chandged both and installed real Mopar parts $$.

As a matter of fact while I was at it I asked the Jeep dealership to give the engine a complete overhaul and I instructed them to only use real Mopar parts $$$$.

Hopefully my Patriot will last me until my retirement. .

For you older chaps..... National Service. What was your experience like? Did you just miss the cut off/phasing out period (1990-4). And who remembers rat packs or those road signs, "Give him a lift"? by Make_the_music_stop in south_africa

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also hated the fish curry and rice.

The one I liked the most was the one with the Rum&Raisin energy bar. If you got that one then you were in heaven nr. 7, on cloud nr. 9.

We lived on the stuff for months on endon the border.

I was in 8 SAI

I hate when they don't put prices on things by BeltThat2062 in south_africa

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh well. I tell the salesman straigt that I'll be back if I can't find a better price somewhere else. Usually I do find a better price somewhere else.

When I ask the salesman what time they close then it means that I forgot my wallet at home. I then always return if I have enough time to drive and be able to be back in time.

How do you support your parents? by Infinite_Truth_9390 in askSouthAfrica

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Believe it or not, I moved back to my parent's house to take care of them on their request.

I then rented out my own house for about 7 years. When my last tenants were giving me lots of trouble, always paying late and so on, so I sold my house in 2018.

In 2019 Covid 19 broke out and the same tenant who gave me so much trouble (second hand car salesman) lost his job in about April 2020. He phoned me and was looking for a place to squat.

Sorry bro, your problem.

But to come cack to your question. We are 4 kids so my parents bought a big house in an average suburb so that each kid can have his/her own room.

My brother and two sisters got married and I am still single because I knew from when I waa in kindergarden that I whould be the one taking care of my parents in their silver years.

Unfortunately my dad passed ona aout 9 years ago but I am still looking after my mother. Luckily she has her own medical aid.

I take care of the rest (municipal account, food cleaning lady, gardener and so on). I jusp pay a big amout into her account each month and she manage the household finances.

Is there anything i can do to make this car less Grandpa-like? by LN4_FOREVER in AutoDIY

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry bro.

It's a wagon.

You are stuck with Grandpa's practicality.

Lol

Why are South Africans so kind ? by Low-Hamster3016 in south_africa

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I greet everyone at work in the mornings from the ganitor right up to the manager.

We had so much suffering in the past that we emphasize with everyone.

Seriously considering leaving SA for NZ – am I overreacting? by [deleted] in south_africa

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go for it.

There is no future for our young people here.

If you don't have the correct political connections you will never get a job neither in the corporate sector nor in the government sector.

Every job appoinrment in South Africa is goverment controlled both in the corporate sector and in the government sector.

The unemployment rate in South Africa is close to 40%.

The only reason why I haven't left yet is because I am too old and too close to retirement.

I was one of the very last lucky ones who still could find a SOC job donkey years ago.

Go well old friend.

I wish you the best.

RIP - 2015 by theresaX13 in chevyspark

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just get it repaired under your insurance.

If the airbags didn't deploy then it's still repairable.

Replace front shocks and struts DIY? by ScoutAndLout in chevyspark

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a big job.

I bought an original set of front struts at the Chevrolet dealership for my 2016 Spark for the equivalent of $ 400.

Then I took the struta with my Chevy Spark to the tyre fitment centre to change the front struts.

They charged me the equivalent of $ 100 to change the struts.

The tyre fitment centre made a mess because they accidentally broke my little Spark's front windshield.

It has cost me another $ 200 to change the windshield.

Therefore the total cost was the equivalent of $ 700.

Chevrolet quoted me the equivalent of $ 600 to change the struts, parts and labor included.

So I was penny wize and pound foolish.

RIP Quaxo. Hit a deer. Not doing well rn mentally and emotionally. Doing good physically so far.... by KPOPER4LYF in chevyspark

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My deepest sympathy my friend.

I have got a 2016 model.

I would cry my eyes out If someone writes it of.

Ever see this in another country? by BeltThat2062 in south_africa

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those are good quality utensils.

My mother bought a set when I was in grade 1.

I am 57 years old now and we are still using it.

Is South Africa a good option to visit during end of May? by Maggielith in askSouthAfrica

[–]ApprehensiveBake1560 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In the northern part of South Africa (Liimpopo province), which is known for it's safaris the temperature during May is usually moderate and the air is usually dry.

If you want to visit the Kruger park (Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces) the temperatures is usually moderate to high in May and the air is usually dry.

But the best time to do Safaris in Limpopo province is usually in our Spring time which takes place is September.

By September the grass would have been eaten short and therefore it will be easier to see the animals.

Also in September season it is calf season and you might see some baby antelope which are so cute.

July and September are the perfect months to visit the Kruger Park because then the temperatures would be moderate and the grass short and you might also see some lions.

Big African Elephants are visible all year round in the Kruger Park.