The journey begins - purchased a truck.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by blairandgretchen, Dec 10, 2014.

  1. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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    Decided to put the truck in the shop.

    The shop had some time, the weather has been cruddy, and there was a decent chunk in the maintenance account to cover some shenanigans, so away we go. Drove it in last Monday at midday, they should be done with it tomorrow.

    The transmission has been 'hanging up' from High range to Low range, a few people were saying it was a solenoid issue. It wasn't fixing itself.
    The rear structure on the engine had developed a slight leak. Nothing terrible, but I hate leaks.
    There was fuel lines and air lines that had not yet been replaced, much easier with transmission out.

    So -

    Remove and recondition 13 speed trans - change input gears to 1850 torque - replace anything worn.
    Replace rear motor mounts, clutch linkages and shafts, clutch fork bushings.
    Resurface flywheel, new clutch.
    Replace fuel lines, and seized crossover shut-off.
    Replace sleeper air bags, and leveling valves.
    The important instructions "If there's ANYTHING in there that is going to be easier to replace NOW with the trans out - go ahead and DO IT"
    Replace front motor mounts, new crank dampener and balancer, replace all belts, replace alternator.
    New full tilt exhaust manifold and BW turbo.

    Transmission tear down revealed a main gear with flaking teeth from fatigue. A synchronizer assembly had worn in an odd way that was causing the H-L range sticking issue. Sean believed that there were several components in the box that had not been replaced. This was a Weller remanufactured unit with 410,000 miles on it. I highly recommend this guy if you want to rebuild a transmission right. I watched him work on it for an hour or so the other day and it's fairly obvious he's done it more than a couple of times.

    So far I'm in about $2,500 in parts - expecting the shop bill to run $6-7k.

    Made $120 yesterday selling scrap metal, a tractor brush guard, and a planer I never got around to fooling with. Just another $7,000 and I'll be able to get my truck out of the shop - right?
     
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  3. 1nicevette

    1nicevette Medium Load Member

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    Dec 22, 2016
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    Sounds like you may have a new truck with all that work
     
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  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    12,001
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    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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    Without a truck payment, you get all these extra dollar bills that start burning a hole in the pocket . . .
     
  5. vikingswen

    vikingswen Road Train Member

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    In the Stratosphere
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    I know you are a part timer and scheduled the maintenance, but for someone that had to run everyday you need to put a value on the downtime off the truck too.

    I guess there is the old saying you can pay the banker or the mechanic.

    I have been lucky so far with my 2019 and have not have any break down or downtime. I just done the regular maintenance in the first 48000 miles.

    If my neck would allow me to work more on my stuff I would own something similar to your truck and just redo it myself. I'm tired of the shop rates people think they deserve for mediocre work.

    Like always I enjoy reading about your adventures. Mine might come to
     
  6. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    Jan 30, 2011
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    I don't mind paying. What I mind is either having to pay more than once for the same thing, or have to filter through all the nonsense to get something simple done. Or just have someone listen and follow directions.

    This past Sunday, then yesterday comes to mind. I need to get one steer wheel removed to inspect fitment on my Tru-Balance sleeves, following a recent brake job where premium hardware replaced TruckPro stuff. I had finished a stop near Charlotte and was on my way to Atlanta for the next morning. So on the road I call Petro in Carnesville GA. Short wait, and they are usually good to deal with. Sounded ok so I stopped in. I knew it wasn't gonna go well when the "expert" behind the counter started suggesting all sorts of possible steering problems that could cause that. Just wasn't hearing me when I said I've put the last 1/2 mil miles on this truck, just pay attention and do what I'm asking. Take one wheel off, let me inspect, then we'll decide to either put it back on or take the other off, remove the centering sleeves, then slap the wheels back on. After waiting inside the shop for 1.5 hrs, I went inside, used the bathroom, then told the lady at the counter I would be backing out and cancel the work order.

    Yesterday morning I went to my Goodyear dealer and requested the same. No bee ess, just come on in. I had to wait for a local 10 wheeler who was getting a flat fixed. Then pulled in to an enthusiastic young tire tech eager to understand what it was I was looking at and why. Got it done, determined I needed to order new sleeves for the replacement brake drums that have larger holes for the hub studs. Let's put the wheel back on and I'll be back with parts in a week or three. When they were all done, no charge. We'll catch it when you get the new centering sleeves and charge you for a steer wheel swap.

    Coincidentally, this is also the reason why both my trucks are running on top of the line Goodyear tires. The brand is mediocre for what it's worth. Their service has me a loyal customer.
     
  7. 1nicevette

    1nicevette Medium Load Member

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    Dec 22, 2016
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    Ya I would have to agree
     
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  8. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Oklahoma City, OK
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    While Blair has been working and spending money and enjoying the cold I was suffering thru 75 degree weather in the Bahamas.
    Oh, I didn’t spend any money either, LS paid for it all, including air fare and a upgrade to a balcony room.
    But now I have booked a load a week till Memorial Day. Big project, hope I can remember how to do 2200 miles a week.
    D6231873-B54B-424F-8780-2C9CA5E65451.jpeg 9FC4199E-77D3-40AD-909E-F9072EADA3FB.jpeg
     
  9. Tug Toy

    Tug Toy Road Train Member

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    Corn field
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    That was nice of Landstar!!! Hope you enjoyed.
     
  10. Oxbow

    Oxbow Road Train Member

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    Idaho
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    Evidently they made enough off of @Old Man that it is working out for everyone!
     
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  11. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    Oklahoma City, OK
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    They haven’t made a dime off me this year.
     
    Tug Toy, blairandgretchen and Oxbow Thank this.
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