Rammy's Ramblings

[Rammy]

I just know where to put the gas and oil. Everything else I leave to the professionals. I did change the lightbulb in my car once. That was a pita.

 

[Bruce]

You might want to do the marker and brake lights, those are usually pretty easy. The bulbs are really cheap at any auto store and you don't have to pay someone $80/hr to put them in. Headlights can be a pain due to lack of space to get your hands in to work but I do those as well.

 

[greybeard]

I do everything on all our rolling stock except my wife's car..it's still under warranty. We did have a left headlight problem with that vehicle and the dealership told us it would be several days as they would have to remove the front grill, bumper and left fender to access the headlight assy. I knew differently, as I had a repair manual for it and showed them there was a pop out/removable access panel in the fender well for that function.

I was a mechanic for many decades, beginning in my early teen years at my father's auto shop, but I don't pretend to know a lot about the newer vehicles with all the electronics. Early 90s is about the extent of my knowledge base, tho I do troubleshoot and repair my 08 Silverado in almost all cases.

 

[Bruce]

Don't you love how the dealership wants to screw you for high hourly rates to do things that CAN be done without removing a lot of parts? The Prius (at least Gen II 2004-2009) supposedly need to have the front bumper and grill removed to get the headlight housing out to replace the bulbs. Um no. Tight fit and a PITA but they can be done from under the hood faster than removing and reinstalling the body parts. Plus, you can get 2 brand new Phillips OEM HID bulbs for our cars on Ebay for less than the dealership wants for 1.

 

[greybeard]

@greybeard 12" white oak, small gum tree. I bet you had a REAL hard time finding trees with those descriptions at the proper locations. If the trees still exist, that oak is WAY more than 12" and the gum tree wouldn't be small. Better get a new survey: 30" oak, massive gum tree.

I meant to post this at the same time I made the above reply. Surveyors, especially those doing govt surveys still use trees as bearing trees...they're just marked a little differently. They still use the red paint, but a sign is also attached to the tree. This one stands right outside my property's south west corner and indicates exactly where the corner of the nat forest ends and my property begins:

Elevations are also signified in strange ways here. My last survey (done in 2015) has a notation indicating where a very small nailed on data plate is attached to a wooden utility pole and how high it is above mean sea level. It is from this, that all future elevation certificates will be issued on this big block tract. Utility poles are frequently blown/knocked down during hurricanes here and it is rarely the same company replacing them as the owner of the line. Contracting repair companies are brought in from all over the south,southwest US and they have but one goal...restoring power as soon as possible. They won't be paying any attention to little metal plates attached to a broken off pole. The last group that was here after Harvey was from Joplin mo.

 

[RollingAcres]

I just know where to put the gas and oil. Everything else I leave to the professionals. I did change the lightbulb in my car once. That was a pita.

I know how to change the tires, can do it if I need to. I know where to put oil and windshield washer fluid and that's about it. DH usually takes care of it, to certain extent.

 

[greybeard]

I know how to change the tires, can do it if I need to. I know where to put oil and windshield washer fluid and that's about it. DH usually takes care of it, to certain extent.

Well, I do understand that, as I usually take care of everything around here too, but, being pretty old myself and having seen so many friends and relatives pass away, I cannot tell you how many times I have seen a new widow bemoan the fact that she can't take care of things 'because 'Bill/Bob/Tom" always did all that and now it's costing her a fortune to pay someone to do it, assuming she even knows who to call or where to take it to.

This is a day that will come to all of us. Be prepared for it.

 

[RollingAcres]

Well, I do understand that, as I usually take care of everything around here too, but, being pretty old myself and having seen so many friends and relatives pass away, I cannot tell you how many times I have seen a new widow bemoan the fact that she can't take care of things 'because 'Bill/Bob/Tom" always did all that and now it's costing her a fortune to pay someone to do it, assuming she even knows who to call or where to take it to.

This is a day that will come to all of us. Be prepared for it.

I do agree on that. And that goes for paying bills and taking care of household financial. For most households, the wives take care of all the "clerical" stuff. When I used to work at the bank, I've help some elderly clients who had loss their wives, came in not knowing anything about their bank accounts or even how to balance the checkbooks.
I do try to learn the basic of things or at least know who else to call or where to take my truck to fix.

 

[Rammy]

I have a place I take my car that they dont say, oh! Here comes a woman.....lets screw her over. This guy calls me and lets me know whats wrong and how much. Not many places do that. I can change the light bulbs in my car. PITA but can be done.
Had to buy new tire for my zero turn. Wasnt cheap. $68.00. The bearings and bushings went out on the front tire when I was mowing the pasture yesterday. Going along and noticed the tire wasnt rolling. Ut, oh! Totally stripped out. Luckily, the place that services it had some in stock. Now I get to finish mowing. Yippee.

 

[Bills Vs Beaks]

You might want to do the marker and brake lights, those are usually pretty easy. The bulbs are really cheap at any auto store and you don't have to pay someone $80/hr to put them in. Headlights can be a pain due to lack of space to get your hands in to work but I do those as well.

those lights are ridiculously easy. in fact its just about harder to change a bulb in your house because those screw in....brakes and turn signals just pop in
I havent done headlights but Id like to......my truck's are pretty weak

oh and life tip!! If your service engine light comes on, check the gas cap first. before you have a panic attack.