What type of repairs have you done on the road?

Yesterday, I got Crapcadia dirt under my fingernails when the windshield washer sprayer tube junction broke. There were no parts available and it would take three or more hours to get one. Being the nice, benevolent person I am, I offered to look at it. Owner disgustedly said yes.

I noticed the hard plastic tubing under the cowling was the same size as ¼" air line. An idea occurred to me. (yes, it does happen on occasion) Had the owner get a ¼" air line T connector, cut the ends of the tubes and pushed them into the quick connect air line T.

It worked. The part was free because the shop guys like me and the owner was legal to get it to Freightliner and get the right part. Of course, since it works now, and the air connector is more durable than that wimpy little connector Freightliner uses, he may just go with my little rig up job.

Yes, some DOT dudes do check your washer function. Especially in areas where they throw dirt on top of the snow for "traction."

 

anything more involved than unplugging and plugging in a burnt out light and I whip out the company credit card. Mechanic isn't part of my job description.



BUT, I have crawled in the snow/slush to break loose frozen brakes with a sledge hammer. Replaced the pin for the slackadjuster/pushrod, rewired a taillight, roadside jury rigged my air lines after making a U-turn and ripping them off. An hr later I replaced 18" of both lines and glad hands on the roadside once I had the new air hose. Fuel filters, fan belt, head light bulb, 7-way.

 

back when a 2x4 was 2x4 i rebuilt my engine with a screwdriver and 3/4" box end wrench in a snowstorm

 

Back when I hauled meat, I use to do my overhead in the bobtail lot. Tended to freak out the wheel-holders to actually see the inside of the engine. But if I'm going to sit for 24 hrs waiting on my wagon, I just as well git'r'done, only took about 3 hours.

As far as other stuff, whatever it takes to get it going. I've used sockets and hose clamps to fix an oil line, pulled the rear drive shaft to limp home on the front with the divider locked in. One time used vise grips and bailing wire to improvise a bell crank in the throttle linkage on a Bulldog.

I figure the good Lord gave me a brain, and I've used it to avoid the hook many a time. Only time I've been on the hook was for a failed wheel bearing, on an 84 Mack cabover, right at the top of Cabbage. The wheel fell off when he lifted the steer axle, and I puckered so tight that toothpick + howitzer = insertion failure!

Never felt a thing, but luckily it was dark so I saw the spark of the rollers hitting pavement. The first I thought was just a cigarette, but when I saw the second one ricochet I thought it might be time to wake up Leroy! Being on the brakes was probably the only thing that kept the hub on as I moved to the shoulder. Had a full load of pentane on, which for those who don't know, is so volatile that if you toss a cup full into the air on a warm day, none of it ever hits the ground.

 

Let's see,

Rewired a new male connector for my tractor taillamp.

Rewired a plug so my fridge could be hard wired

Installed new screws to hold the plastic cover on the gages on.

Fixed my wiper blade that came loose when I stopped to clean my windshield. Good thing because about an hour later I hit some massive rain.

Attempted a temporary fix when my shift lever came loose. Ended up calling for road service but I tried.

Recharged my AC a few times.

Restored my cloudy headlamps with a lens restoration kit.

 

I am a woman but I know my way around a car, and a little bit around a semi. I have never repaired a cracked airline and need a little guidance. The air line is my emergency one, and it is cracked just below the glad hand coupler on the trailer. Pretty sure it's been repaired before. About 2 inches from top there is a brass fitting looks like it is used as a splice???? Can I reuse that brass fitting and how does it work, is the line crimpedinto it ??. Help please

 

Yes, the brass can be reused, although oftentimes the ferrule (barrel shaped piece that slips on the airline) is impossible to get off the old line and needs replaced. Just loosen the nut on the bad side, slip it apart, and back together with the new line.