Car repair day!
I was the designated driver for last night’s activities, so I drove the wife’s Escape for the first time in a while. And noticed it was pulling right.
I’ve also had a leak in the diff on the Sploder for a little while now. It started small but it got bigger. So today was the day.
Thankfully to God, I had Partner to help me with both jobs; he puilled the back diff cover off while I replaced the pinion seal.
I know, now, that it’s a pinion seal, because if you ask for a DIFFERENTIAL SEAL, you won’t get one. Took Partner noticing “Pinion seal” on the screen to find the right part. Apparently, if the pinnacle of your career is to work at Autozone, being able to look up parts isn’t a big goal.
The pinion seal isn’t an easy change, but it seemed to go well. You have to make sure everything goes back together the same way it came apart, the tail end of the driveshaft will vibrate itself senseless if you don’t. Seems to be fine after a few short trips.
I had the seal changed under warranty in 01, but it’s apparently got a lifespan of about ten years.
The Escape turned out to have lost a drivers’ lower balljoint. Having done the Sploder several times the Escape was relatively simple, and it restored the steering peoperly. Still.
No bleeding. Either I’ve gotten better at this or I’m out of blood.
No bleeding? That simply won’t do. The car repair gods will be angry.
I did practically split my head open on the rear leaf spring enough times to leave a large goose egg
I think a closed head injury MAY be an acceptable substitute for blood loss, but only time will tell.
In the last week I have done head gaskets on the boy’s truck, TBI and distributor rebuild on my truck, plus lots on the wifes van. I think I am down a couple quarts.
Roger
Exploder is steel, but the escape is plastic and that will not leave as big a mark.
I need to do a pinion seal on the Alfa. The leaked gear oil hits the exhaust system and makes an odor that is not in keeping with the car’s Italian styling.
I was getting ready to make a copy of the special tool required for the job when I got lucky and found a gen-you-wine OEM one for sale.
I finally manned-up and replaced all ball joints on the front of my own ‘sploder. First time I’ve ever done ball joints. Took five hours from start to finish. (thank God for air tools).
I am absolutely AMAZED at how much better it drives. I can let go of the wheel at 80mph on the interstate and it tracks straight down the road.
Interesting how you get used to a slow degradation of performance and don’t even notice just how bad something is until it finally comes un-made.
Kinda like Progressivism.