Workin on chit thread

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BReeves

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Age has a way of limiting what one can do. I have only started taking my cars to a shop in the last couple years. Still work on my tractors because it doesn't matter how long it takes. Not sure how much longer I will be able to do chit, what I use to be able to accomplish in a day now takes me a week.
 

CHenry

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Pulled cab off to do head gaskets and head studs (preventative). Found two melted pistons so had to jerk entire engine out and slap in a long block. Cost me $10,000 but likely saved me about $5000 doing it myself.
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SlugSlinger

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How many miles did that chain make? Did you have wear on the case from the chain? On some of the chevys the chain would wear a hole through the case.
Here’s the current state of my Dana 300 Tcase. No real issues with it, it just needed new seals and I’m replacing all the bearings. No chain in this, it’s all gear drive.

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Figured we might as well have a workin on chit thread n stuff.
Noticed the other day I had a bad grinding sound when I put my truck in 4wd. I took it to a neighbor mechanic fella so he could give it a listen. He said sounded like the chain was skipping. He then said my options were to buy a used one for $500, buy a new one for $2k or if he tore into mine to repair it it'd cost $1500. I came home and called another mechanic buddy and took it to him. We did some listening and looking and he said he thought it was probably the chain. I brought it home and gave everything else a good checking to be sure before ordering parts. I wound up putting the truck on blocks and having my wife operate the truck while I listened underneath and checked things. I went to town and bought me a scope camera and stuck it in the fill hole of the t-case so I could watch the chain. Yup, definitely chain skipping and slapping around. I ordered the parts and tore it down today and got it close to put back together. I had also noticed my center support/carrier bearing was shot. Bearing was still good but rubber support was cooked. I replaced that too. So, IF this fixes my problem, which I'm pretty confident it will, I saved myself about $1250 near as I can tell. Surely my wife will gladly hand me $600 to spend how I wish.
Oh for those wondering, this is a 2010 3500 Ram 4x4 with 6.7 cummins G56 handshaker with a Valair dual disk clutch. The t-case is a New Process 271d. Truck is pretty much like a rugah in that it'll rotate earf when you let the clutch out.
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Dumpstick

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Pulled cab off to do head gaskets and head studs (preventative). Found two melted pistons so had to jerk entire engine out and slap in a long block. Cost me $10,000 but likely saved me about $5000 doing it myself.

Sure, save that 5 grand.

Having a $40k building with a $10k lift helps..:anyone:

I've been working outside in gravel my whole life. I'd love a building like that.
 

Cowcatcher

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How many miles did that chain make? Did you have wear on the case from the chain? On some of the chevys the chain would wear a hole through the case.
Here’s the current state of my Dana 300 Tcase. No real issues with it, it just needed new seals and I’m replacing all the bearings. No chain in this, it’s all gear drive.

View attachment 147241 View attachment 147242
No wear on the case. I'd say it was about as close to rubbing as possible before it could start rubbing. That chain had 125k on it. This truck hasn't had the 4wd used much in its life but I use 4 lo to back up loads to docks n such. I'm considering doing a locker conversion to alleviate some stress on the chain when backing up in 4lo and cut back on some rotating mass running down the hwy wearing on parts that don't really need to be spinning.
 

John6185

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I've gone out to garages and pick their brains as to what my problem was in my vehicle and then I go out and buy the part as you did and do the work myself. I feel somewhat dishonest but have saved a lot of money this way plus, I have tools I bought specifically for the mechanical work and today I can go out in my garage and see the tools and they bring back memories and I have them for future use. Most of the time mechanics charge too much for the work done, flat rate is $125.00 per hour and the mechanic did the work in 1/2 hour. Complain and the service advisor says, "We have a good mechanic and he specializes in your vehicles problem=$125.00 please plus parts." I email around d also to find a particular part for my refrigerator or whatever and the guy tells me what I need to repair it and I go to Ebay and buy the part new at a big discount. Either you watch your money or someone else is going to watch it for you.
 

Cowcatcher

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I've gone out to garages and pick their brains as to what my problem was in my vehicle and then I go out and buy the part as you did and do the work myself. I feel somewhat dishonest but have saved a lot of money this way plus, I have tools I bought specifically for the mechanical work and today I can go out in my garage and see the tools and they bring back memories and I have them for future use. Most of the time mechanics charge too much for the work done, flat rate is $125.00 per hour and the mechanic did the work in 1/2 hour. Complain and the service advisor says, "We have a good mechanic and he specializes in your vehicles problem=$125.00 please plus parts." I email around d also to find a particular part for my refrigerator or whatever and the guy tells me what I need to repair it and I go to Ebay and buy the part new at a big discount. Either you watch your money or someone else is going to watch it for you.
The mechanic that first looked at mine gave me those ballpark figures and said he'd call me once he got solid prices on new and used t-cases, it's been two weeks and he hasn't called. The other mechanic is a good friend of mine and we swap things we now or things we can do back and forth. Idk if mechanics really overcharge or not when you figure up all the tools they must have. Especially the diagnostic computers n such and keeping them updated.
I bought all my parts for this project online. They were OEM parts and cost half of what the stealership wanted.
 
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Glock 40

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I am all for saving money and fixing things myself. I grew up watching my dad fix everything because he didn't have the money to pay someone else.

On the flip side when a business charges $125 an hour to work on your car. Or an HVAC guy charges $100 to come to your place. You can't forget these people are running a business. It cost a ton of money to run a business. Taxes, insurance, vehicles, tools, drive time, parts, phone lines. So many things you never think about. So don't knock the companies for trying to make a living and making a decent wage while doing it.
 
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