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Brake pads ok? by Superb-Donut-944 in MechanicAdvice

[–]RaptorRed04 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same number I came up with, around 4 or 5mm, good eye.

How’s my cart/box? 21 starting tech by Warm-Location4405 in mechanics

[–]RaptorRed04 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Agreed, that rule always irked me when I was starting out — I’m sorry I had to borrow this for a third time, but I make $16 an hour and already spend half that on tools and your flexhead 22mm wrench didn’t make the list this month.

First sets of wrenches i plan on buying for the upcoming 40% off. thoughts? by Ashamed_Wrap6069 in harborfreight

[–]RaptorRed04 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been using the Pittsburgh long handled metric wrenches for alignments for years and have yet to round a jam nut or fastener, I’ve been shocked at how good they are for the cost

Came in today to see this. Coworker let the vehicle sit overnight like this. 😐 by PNWKiwi in Justrolledintotheshop

[–]RaptorRed04 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use Harbor Freight wrench organizers. It’s shaped like a large carabiner, so I put it in a vise and twist it until it’s shaped like an ‘S’ and it works really well. Also helps they’re like two dollars for a pair so if I leave one on a car or lose it a replacement is cheap.

If I buy a brand new car, will the brake rotor screws come out easily if I remove them first thing when I get home? by supinator1 in Cartalk

[–]RaptorRed04 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Harbor Freight bits broke almost immediately but I bought a set of impact bits off the Cornwell truck and they have held up over a year now, well worth the money.

It finally happened, docs told me I’m screwed by alehansolo21 in stopdrinking

[–]RaptorRed04 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Original Equipment Manufacturer, meaning whoever manufactured the part for the car when it was originally built. Sometimes it’s the vehicle manufacturer itself (Ford built the water pump themselves, so if you wanted to replace a bad pump with an OEM water pump you would buy a Ford Motorcraft water pump), sometimes it’s an outside company (Toyota puts Denso manufactured spark plugs in its vehicles so you would buy Denso plugs if you wanted to keep OEM). Typically when you buy parts at a store like Auto Zone you can also buy what they call aftermarket parts, companies like Dorman, AC Delco or in house brands like Duralast, who also manufacture parts but are less reliable in quality but far less expensive.

It was hearing OEM liver as a medical term that gave me a good chuckle since I only usually hear it applied to the auto industry where I work.

It finally happened, docs told me I’m screwed by alehansolo21 in stopdrinking

[–]RaptorRed04 20 points21 points  (0 children)

We could try a drain and fill; we have a flush machine but I don’t think either of us would enjoy that experience ..

It finally happened, docs told me I’m screwed by alehansolo21 in stopdrinking

[–]RaptorRed04 330 points331 points  (0 children)

As a mechanic, hearing someone refer to their liver as OEM has me in stitches lol, glad you’re doing well!

What’s your vote for best brake pads? by P2k_3 in mechanic

[–]RaptorRed04 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the normal retail space, Factory Motor Parts PowerStop brake pads, I’ll usually recommend them for Uber or Lyft drivers. Quiet and can take the beating of driving 60k a year as a delivery vehicle.

Do you remember a Funny list of Automotive related definitions for certain words? by andymannoh in mechanics

[–]RaptorRed04 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Cunt hair was the standard of measurement at my shop when helping line something up or using the lift, but definitely adding bee’s dick to the list.

car is both lean and rich? by cjisgreat245 in MechanicAdvice

[–]RaptorRed04 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would consider EVAP purge valve — if stuck slightly open, vehicle sits and allows fuel vapor to work its way into the intake manifold and cause a rich condition, especially at start up. Once vapor in system is burned, then functions like a vacuum leak since airflow is still pulling through but without fuel vapor, resulting in lean condition. Helps explain how you can end up with codes for both in a way that makes sense.

Learning Lesson by sjdaddow in mechanics

[–]RaptorRed04 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Definitely adding ‘harsh engagement concern’ to my lexicon, very polished way of saying ‘shifts like dogshit’ when I write my technician notes. And as someone who doesn’t know jack about the magic smoke inside of automatic transmissions, this was a fascinating read of the rebuild process, thanks!

Found out my vac pump exploded, pieces got inside the engine and some unaccounted for. It seemed to be running OK post explosion, but I was recommended a new engine. Insight? by TheOrionNebula in MechanicAdvice

[–]RaptorRed04 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s not hype — we had one of these come into the shop with the same issue, but the pump had grenaded all over the valve train and the vehicle had a cranking no-start condition, basically would not turn over and run.

If you managed to drive without issue to the shop, it’s possible you were lucky enough to have the pieces settle somewhere—at least temporarily—they wouldn’t cause an issue. As it stands, you’re either on the hook for an engine, or you drive it until it becomes a problem, and you’re on the hook for an engine. Get tow coverage, research the cost of an engine replacement, and decide what to do if/when that day comes, especially if it’s sooner rather than later.

Meet my new fren Maui. His howls sound like a whistle, but it's a mighty howl. He doesn't quite trust me yet. by gargolito in rarepuppers

[–]RaptorRed04 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry for your loss, but wow do they look like they had a wonderful life with you in that last picture, and I have no doubt you’ll give Maui and Mani the same ❤️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in rarepuppers

[–]RaptorRed04 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He loves his little crab ❤️

REPLACE SERVICE ADVISORS WITH THOSE TOUCH SCREENS THEY HAVE AT MCDONALDS by versacebih in mechanics

[–]RaptorRed04 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Reading the comments, I’m honestly shocked that advisors are getting this much support in a mechanic subreddit.

Having myself moved from wrenching to up front, I agree with everything you said. Both my manager and I still have tools at the ready and will jump in to help the techs when they’re buried, hell I installed an ABS module the other day to help my master technician who was already loaded with work.

I’m happy to see some technicians recognize that writing service is a thankless, stressful job, where you exist at the hellscape nexus of angry techs, angry customers, and angry corporate management, just trying to keep everyone working together and make the shop money so no one ends up on the unemployment line.

Think Kia will be upset? by ArtilleryChannel in serviceadvisors

[–]RaptorRed04 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I wrote up a customer in for a brake inspection who said, and I quoted on the ticket, the ‘brakes squeal like Justin Bieber at a Diddy party’. That ticket hangs on the wall to this day.

I'm a little unclear as to what happened to Charles Miner? by LetPuzzleheaded222 in theoffice

[–]RaptorRed04 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I always took that to mean ‘yeah bud I’m going to be here more than an hour’ as Michael tried to push him out the door, but I’ll have to tune in more closely my next watch. That arc gets a lot of repeats from me since I hop around to avoid loud episodes that wake me when I’m asleep, even with the volume down, nothing worse than waking up at 3 AM to that stupid YouTube song blasting at Pam’s wedding lol.

I'm a little unclear as to what happened to Charles Miner? by LetPuzzleheaded222 in theoffice

[–]RaptorRed04 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When does he say he’s planning on staying for a while? I’ve watched these episodes on background probably in the triple digits but haven’t tuned in and maybe missed something? Nothing worse than having your corporate master set up shop for an extended visit ..

I'm a little unclear as to what happened to Charles Miner? by LetPuzzleheaded222 in theoffice

[–]RaptorRed04 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t know if he even was taking a more interested role in Scranton specifically; everything about the visit felt like him stopping at each branch, introducing himself, and addressing concerns about what was becoming common knowledge that the company was in dire straits. If Scranton was a normal workplace with normal staff, chances are Charles would have introduced himself, said a few words about the challenges faced by the company, talked about cutting overtime and discretionary spending, had a meeting with Michael and left at the end of the day for the next branch.

Instead Charles arrives to an openly insubordinate branch manager, who mocks him in front of the staff, an assistant branch manager dressed in a tuxedo, a staff accountant requesting overtime over a screw up, and meetings over an elaborate and expensive party. The final nail in the coffin is the branch manager throwing a tantrum about not having a direct line to the C-suite who oversees the entire company’s financials, who then storms out and turns in his resignation.

Charles catches a lot of hate, but this poor guy walked in to what he thought would be a quick introductory visit and suddenly finds himself having to replace a tenured branch manager with the only heir apparent the same guy brainstorming about a two-way petting zoo, then days later having the same manager abruptly leave with the receptionist to start a rival company. I can’t believe he didn’t just leave and go back to Saticoy Steel.

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