This is just a theory, but it should work. I’m changing the rear struts and springs in El Borrego since the Monroe set I had in there collapsed nearly completely. Measuring the height of the other CR-V with proper rear springs and struts, my rear bumper was three inches lower. Looking underneath, the springs were… Continue reading “Free” alignment?
Another rally. I still did not die.
Following the #1 rule of a Lemons Rally: “Don’t die.” I did not die. But I am way behind on posting rallies and road trips here. I’m almost home from the 2023 Rocky Mountain Breakdown and will try to get these online soon as I can. It looks as though I may have at least… Continue reading Another rally. I still did not die.
Winters are slow. How about a road trip?
Once the weather turns in our part of the country, all work on cars shuts down, at least at The Hooptie Garage. There’s no actual “garage,” beyond that small 1-1/2 car structure in my backyard that has more to do with storage for everything outdoors (bikes, lawn equipment, etc.) along with automotive tools and other… Continue reading Winters are slow. How about a road trip?
Timing belts–not completely terrible…
The mystery noise in Earl Burner was the water pump. I ordered in a new Aisin pump a few weeks ago and finally installed it over the course of the afternoon yesterday. All in, it probably took 4-ish hours. And yes, that is the same job as replacing the timing belt, as the belt has… Continue reading Timing belts–not completely terrible…
No Fall Fail-iage Tour this year
While I had considered doing both of the last two Lemons Rallies of the year, I decided to wait on the Fall Fail-iage Tour. This rally has happened in previous years, and most likely will be repeated next year or the year after. The Great River Road Rally is still on my radar, about 80%… Continue reading No Fall Fail-iage Tour this year
LED vs. Incandescent
Why I’ve switched to LEDs… View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Hooptie Garage (@thehooptiegarage)
Sound Deadening, 2022 Edition
This was one of those jobs I told myself I would never do again. So naturally, when I wanted to change out the cheap factory speakers, I thought, “Why not?” The packages of sound deadening, available now as an Amazon Basics product, kept taunting at me until I did some rudimentary math (which is, of… Continue reading Sound Deadening, 2022 Edition
Mystery Noise Lost and Found Department
I hate mystery noises. Ever since I reassembled Earl Burner’s engine, there has been an odd rotating noise that sounds like a bearing wearing out. Yet I didn’t want to start blindly replacing everything. Stethoscope to the rescue. After probing around with it, I managed to hear the mystery noise while locating the probe on… Continue reading Mystery Noise Lost and Found Department
Moar Horsepowerz! Moar fasterz! (Or, how to paint your calipers…)
The old calipers on the CR-V were looking a bit ragged, poking their scaly selves through the alloy wheels. It’s not a good look to have everything cleaned up, yet have something so obviously out of place. Answer? Caliper paint. I looked through several systems until I saw that POR15 had a caliper paint, which… Continue reading Moar Horsepowerz! Moar fasterz! (Or, how to paint your calipers…)
2022 Rust Belt Ramble series is LIVE!
I just wrapped up editing the Rust Belt Ramble series here on the site: 2022 Rust Belt Ramble