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  1. #1
    Dave J Guest

    Default Using used car parts

    Just so we don't take Bryan's thread off track I thought I would start a new thread and continue here.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ueee View Post
    I know its a bit off topic but it just annoys me that modern cars have no fixable parts, the bearings are pre lubed and sealed, gearboxes the same. I know its all about less time for the mechanics to fix, but our throw away society is getting a bit out of control in some industries.

    I'm guessing the au still has "real" bearings, so i guess its not trash....

    Ewan
    It has got bad, no longer can you even replace simple things like new computer,controlling module etc from the wreckers . My son is an auto elec and he told me all the new VE Commodores computers and modules need to read the the same code which was burnt into them when first installed at the factory.

    It was even so bad on lady's mirror had been smashed off by Vandals in a car park and there is a control module in the mirror and the car wouldn't start. She called NRMA who replaced the battery but couldn't get it going so it got towed.
    It went to the local holden dealer who where baffled and one of the guys decided to replace the mirror as it needed doing anyway, the new mirror code was burnt in and the car then started.

    So with the new cars no longer can you test a car buy using other used components, the new component installed automatically get the code burnt into them by the computer, which renders them useless for any other car.

    Manufacturers are getting so advanced it's making it a throw away society. In years to come any used electrical car parts will be useless as second hand, which makes them throw away items.

    Dave

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Lower Lakes SA
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    58
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    2,607

    Default

    Dave I share your general bewilderment and dismay. But the AU hub bearings are a sleight of hand. You're supposed to just replace the whole hub every - I forget the interval. They're $50 each so it's not big money. Thing is, as I've just proven, it's quite possible to dismantle, clean, inspect & relube the bearings. I was only brave enough to try it when I had one that didn't matter any more. But does this mean I will now regularly service my wheel bearings? Dunno. It's pretty easy to wait till they grumble and replace 'em. It's not like I enjoy working on cars. Filthy, back-aching, knuckle-skinning brutes they are. To hell with 'em. Free bicycles for all!

    PS: Thanks for splitting the thread.

  3. #3
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    I see you mentioned in the other thread they are angular contact bearings? Where most cars have taper roller bearings.
    Good thinking on using it for your lathe tailstock and the set up you made it into, just remember to change them every X amount of revolutions, LOL

    I used Nissan 720 diff bearing carriers for the jib crane I built. I just scrounged around looking for something suitable and they fitted the bill perfectly.

    Some of the things my son comes home and tells me about modern cars and there electrics just blows me away. He is a 20 year old second year apprentice (but treated at work like a tradesman at work) and not only am I learning from him, but without him knowing it he is doing homework on it at home by explaining to me how it all works and is wired up.

    The latest police scanners have a code and they know how many radios are online and if it is one of theres. So those that used to listen in have no hope now, as they can pin point where the signal is coming from.

    I used to own a XB ford which turned into a show car, the last ford I owned was a XE wagon about 12-15 years ago. I have since switched to Commodores and have been happy with them.

    Dave

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    home
    Posts
    621

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    After many yeas without a car, I bought a van last year for my move to Tassie.
    There's is very little you can do service wise without access to the very expensive service computer that only the Mercedes dealer has.
    Simple things like oil and filter changes are OK but something like bleeding the brakes after a pad replacement needs the computer access.
    Don't get me started on the cost to provide a spare key!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Dandenong, Vic
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    59

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    Bring back the Ford Model A Ute I say. And its this generation that thinks its saving the planet!!!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Canberra
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    490

    Default

    Well, it's the baby boomer generation that is in charge of the companies that create the vendor specific non-interchangeable assemblies, so the blame should be pointed at them.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...-voting-muscle

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Lower Lakes SA
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    Re car bits for machining, I've wondered about using a diff for a vertical head on an old horizontal mill. But you'd want it gearing up not down so you'd have to run it backwards. That is, input on the axle, output on the tailshaft. But too hard to be worth it I'm sure. Lots of easier solutions.
    Last edited by Bryan; 6th Apr 2012 at 05:00 PM. Reason: Deleted dreary nostalgia about Ford As

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Melbourne
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    I love junk!

    When someone puts out a kuput washing machine on the naturestrip, most people see it as a non working washing machine or a piece of junk. I see a steel box full of goodies!

    Sorry, thread was about car parts.....

    Simon

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Posts
    183

    Default

    Slightly off track but as cars have gotten more complicated the rise of the Internet and forums has offset this complexity to some extent.

    Never underestimate human ingenuity!

    People eventually find ways around these problems and the aftermarket steps in and supplies devices that not only read computer fault codes but can fully reprogram too.

    I grew up rebuilding carbys but about 10 years ago did an aftermarket fuel injection upgrade on a Holden V8. (going from carb to fuel injection).

    Learnt a lot in the process and it wasn't nearly so scary.

    Cheers

    Justin

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    The Fabulous Gold-plated Coast.
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    I got into this metalworking caper when doing a repair on my ancient Lexus...a belt idler bearing in a cast alloy spider....no repair available, $480 replacement. A $100 ebay 20 tonne bearing press and a $15 dollar bearing later I was back on the road. Hydraulic presses lead to lathes, as we all know, and then mills and grinders. Now I have to keep buying obsolete cars so that I can continue to work on them

    I am jack of non repairable parts, and the local parts prices too for that matter...local German import dealer wants $620 for a PCV valve and related hoses, same thing (genuine) from abroad, shipped: $137.00

    That'll be tomorrow's festivities. Its not often that you can pay yourself $120/hr for work you do yourself on a day off. And no taxes either.

    I just got a $55 ebay OBDll code reader/ reset device. It is brilliant, and pulls the same fault codes as my dealer's rather more expensive factory unit. Recommended.
    It's all part of the service here at The House of Pain™

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Victoria, Australia
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    74
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    5,080

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave J View Post
    It was even so bad on lady's mirror had been smashed off by Vandals in a car park and there is a control module in the mirror and the car wouldn't start. She called NRMA who replaced the battery but couldn't get it going so it got towed.
    It went to the local holden dealer who where baffled and one of the guys decided to replace the mirror as it needed doing anyway, the new mirror code was burnt in and the car then started.
    Hi Dave,

    I guessing a bit here, but a lot of accessories on these modern cars are networked using CAN, the mirror probably had an incompatible CAN configuration, you can program these things with the appropriate tools, and trouble shooting can sometimes be easier since you can plug into the car network and watch what is going on to figure out the fault.

    I see it as just a new phase, in the past you needed a toolkit to work on your own car, nowadays the tool kit is becoming different, but with the internet it becomes easier to find the information you need.

    Regards
    Ray

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Oh I don't know, Sure some new cars have issues, but I like my VT(which granted cant be considered new anymore) its got about 165K on it and its had one new plug lead, new front sway bar bushes and a little pin in the ignition let go. No bearings, no shockers.(although the manufacturers did need a push here and there to stop at least some of the things they are/were getting up to). If a car wont start because its missing a mirror then they should be recalled!

    I like F&P washing machine motors(not to be confused with "I like F&P"), you can make 12V alternators out of them easy(it cant be to hard, I managed to do it).

    Stuart

  13. #13
    Dave J Guest

    Default Truck drums

    I forgot about these drum brakes I picked up the other day and they where delivered today in my sons car he bought of the guy.
    They where layng near a bin at a truck mechanics place where worked on his truck and bought the car, so me being a dumpster diver when we went to pay for it, I asked him about them and he asked what I wanted them for. I told him I had been keeping my eye out for a couple for a grinder stand base and he replied they had one for the same purpose with wheels on it and it worked great and said I could have a couple.

    They are the rear drums off a truck prime mover (semi) and will make a good grinder stand as they have plenty of weight.
    He said they usually scrap them, thats if the thieves don't get them first.





    These are the bearing carriers I used on the crane from the Nissan 720 diff. They are just bolted on the ends of the diff housing and the standard bearing that fitted the outer diameter gave me a 30mm bore, the housings could be used for anything and are not a sort after part so there are plenty around.


    With the cars,
    I loved the old HQ holden one tonner with a 202 6cyl we had for 15 or more years. I still remember doing a fuel pump and walking to the auto parts, buying a kit and then going back and doing it on the side of the road and we where on our way again, nothing like that these days.

    Same with the Commodore VH we had, we where coming back from Queensland when we did a water pump around Taree. We limped into Taree where we booked a night to stay as nowhere was opened.
    Then the following morning I walked a few blocks to the auto parts store, bought the new pump kit. Without having to remove anything else I had it installed within the hour in our car park at the motel, while the kids and wife enjoyed themselves in the pool.

    We got going and went up the road to the servo to fuel up and it was boiling again. I picked it strait away as the thermostat had seized, so I undid the 2 bolts and removed it, but needed a gasket. Not being close to the auto parts store I just ripped the side out of the kids cereal box and and cut a gasket out and applied a bit of goo that I bought for the water pump gasket and we where on our way again.
    These days you would have to pull half the car apart to get to it.

    Dave

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stustoys View Post
    Oh I don't know, Sure some new cars have issues, but I like my VT(which granted cant be considered new anymore) its got about 165K on it and its had one new plug lead, new front sway bar bushes and a little pin in the ignition let go. No bearings, no shockers.(although the manufacturers did need a push here and there to stop at least some of the things they are/were getting up to). If a car wont start because its missing a mirror then they should be recalled!

    I like F&P washing machine motors(not to be confused with "I like F&P"), you can make 12V alternators out of them easy(it cant be to hard, I managed to do it).

    Stuart
    Yep. F&P are the pick. Don't see them too often though!

  15. #15
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RayG View Post
    Hi Dave,

    I guessing a bit here, but a lot of accessories on these modern cars are networked using CAN, the mirror probably had an incompatible CAN configuration, you can program these things with the appropriate tools, and trouble shooting can sometimes be easier since you can plug into the car network and watch what is going on to figure out the fault.

    I see it as just a new phase, in the past you needed a toolkit to work on your own car, nowadays the tool kit is becoming different, but with the internet it becomes easier to find the information you need.

    Regards
    Ray
    Hi Ray,
    I just asked my son and he said it was a series 1 VE and none of the dealers had received the latest software for the scan tool to do anything with it at the time. When the CAN in ECU checks all programed modules are intact and have the same code it allows the car to be started. I know you would know, but for others this all happens in a micro second.
    They get a lot of cars from the Holden dealer ships to fault find problems that they cant track down.
    His boss updates the software often and from what my son has told me it costs a fortune for it, but they make there money out of it.

    There are problems with wiring these days as well because lots of signals are sent through one wire for different jobs. If you place a join or a solder joint in the wire it mucks up the resistance and things just wont function. You need to replace the complete wire along with the plugs at both ends identical to the factory originals for it to work correctly. This is going to kill exotic cars that are stored away in years to come because the plugs etc wont be available.

    I know you know all about this being a electrical engineer, buy for the average Jo blow trying to fit a stereo etc will end up at the auto elec where it will cost him a small fortune.

    Dave

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