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Biggest fix you've ever done in the field?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Largecar359, Jul 26, 2014.

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  1. Jul 26, 2014 #1
    Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

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    Title kinda says it. What's the biggest road fix you've ever done by yourself? Two weeks ago I had a trailer wheel seal go on the road. Normally would milk it in, but I had the weekend so I figured I would do the seal in the parking lot of a mall. Turns out the bearings went bad, so I ended up doing all of it with some hand tools and some elbow grease. Probably never ever try that one again, way too much work w/o the right tools. Just got me thinking tho. What other types of jobs have you done to keep the wheels turning where you did it without a shop. I guess for me it would be the trailer bearings or I once did a turbo, aftercooler, and water pump in South Carolina at the flying J parking lot back in the 90's. The shop couldn't get me in, but caterpillar had all the parts I needed, took me 18 hrs to get the tractor back up. Basically did a light overhaul. What's your biggest de boggle that you were able to repair without a tow. Not really an important question, but they always make for great stories.
     
    Largecar359, Jul 26, 2014
    Largecar359, Jul 26, 2014
    #1
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  3. Jul 26, 2014 #2
    Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    i rebuilt an injection pump 100 miles offshore in 50 mph winds and 20 foot seas
    on my fishing boat that count?

    of course it didnt run well until we got to the dock and fixed the timing
     
    Cranky Yankee, Jul 26, 2014
    Cranky Yankee, Jul 26, 2014
    #2
    Kickstand-117, rank, warrior81 and 4 others Thank this.
  4. Jul 26, 2014 #3
    Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

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    Of course that counts. It's something you'll never forget, and not wanna do again if you can help it.
     
    Largecar359, Jul 26, 2014
    Largecar359, Jul 26, 2014
    #3
  5. Jul 26, 2014 #4
    poppapump1332

    poppapump1332 Road Train Member

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    birdsboro,pa
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    Trailer wheel seal and bearings had no choice since wheels were ready to come off yea that was a great two days bobtailed home got parts the next day and bobtailed back and fixed trailer.
     
    poppapump1332, Jul 26, 2014
    poppapump1332, Jul 26, 2014
    #4
  7. Jul 26, 2014 #5
    Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Sep 25, 2007
    Rosamond, SoCal
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    Thermostats on a dd15 40 miles west of Baker last summer. Do not care to repeat that.
     
    Powder Joints, Jul 26, 2014
    Powder Joints, Jul 26, 2014
    #5
  8. Jul 26, 2014 #6
    mrbamcclain

    mrbamcclain Light Load Member

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    Today...easy job really. Changed all the fuel lines in the parking lot of Pilot

    Back in May in Virgina push rod came loose and punched a hole in the cam follower box. Luckily it was the second one and the easiest to get to on an N14
    Coasted to the get off pissing oil all over the place. Called a few shops and everyone was backed up for at least a week! Called a cab (wrong move, never ever again!) went to International got all the parts I could get on hand and ordered a new cover paid a ridiculous price for over night. Went back to the truck pulled out the tool box and broke down second head took a quick stripper shower and went to bed. Next day another expensive cab ride and I had it all back together heading to Chicago where along the way blew a head gasket! Limped it on in. Didn't feel like wrenching anymore that week.

    Funny thing....the morning I woke up. Jumped in my seat to get a morning smoke. Look in my mirror and see a smokey on the ramp! Turns out he had no use for me. Driver said he left the rest area bout 10 miles back after his PTI. Smokey got behind him cause he had no tires, hub, brakes nothing on the right front trailer axle! I hate to know what his tickets were, cause the wrecker guy who came said the driver was actually over his hours.
     
    mrbamcclain, Jul 26, 2014
    mrbamcclain, Jul 26, 2014
    #6
  9. Jul 26, 2014 #7
    jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    Carrier bearing locked up and spun in bfe nevada, also tore up a u joint.. Nice rancher gave me ride to parts store 100 mi away for $60.00 round trip for gas. And 165.00 for bearing and u joint. Glad i carry a lot of my snap on tools with me and my 1/2 and 3/4 drive impact guns.
     
    jason6541, Jul 26, 2014
    jason6541, Jul 26, 2014
    #7
  10. Jul 26, 2014 #8
    Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

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    Cam follower box, overnighted? How much did that cost. I run old caterpillars don't know prices on Detroit. Was the pushrod and valves ok?
     
    Largecar359, Jul 26, 2014
    Largecar359, Jul 26, 2014
    #8
  11. Jul 26, 2014 #9
    Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

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    Aug 13, 2011
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    Its super important to carry decent tools. I have a hard time loaning them out at the truck stops b/c I'm afraid the dude is gonna slip out with a 75$ ratchet. But can't get the hard jobs done w/o the good tools the cheap ones blow apart under stress.
     
    Largecar359, Jul 26, 2014
    Largecar359, Jul 26, 2014
    #9
  12. Jul 26, 2014 #10
    bowlwinkle

    bowlwinkle Heavy Load Member

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    Ankeny, IA
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    I changed a mudflap once.
     
    bowlwinkle, Jul 26, 2014
    bowlwinkle, Jul 26, 2014
    #10
    goldwing-rider, mgrantes, jdiesel3406 and 8 others Thank this.
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