Aside from lock-down mandates, the economy is willing and able to fire on all cylinders. All they need to do is loosen restrictions and we are booming again. I'm on all this shit because I'm considering bumping my rates, I just don't want to do it too early and shoot myself in the foot.
Car Talk 5: The Juice is Loose!
- Tar
- Chief Master Sirloin
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- Location: Canuckistan
- max225
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
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Tell me about it... been good times... But this seems to be in every single industry at the moment. Since we're talking about Cereal and toilet paper shortages again which are obviously both full of microchips.D Griff wrote: ↑Fri Oct 08, 2021 12:03 pmUgh. It has helped me give no fucks about or car shopping which is kind ofmax225 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 08, 2021 11:13 am So y’all been following the insanity of the “chip” shortage coupled with unprecedented demand ?
Fascinating times to be alive. I think in my 20 active years as a “car guy” I have never seen resale values at these levels.
Been spending a lot of time doing research on the matter also. Lots of factors for every oem, however Tesla is still bucking the trend … which is
But it is a constant headache all day everyday at work as a sales guy for an electronics manufacturer
- MrH42
- Meat Patty 1st Class
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- Drives: '23 Lightning + '23 BRZ
razr390 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:08 pmYou know way more about the tech than I do… is the US too reliant on importing shit like this? AFAIK we don’t manufacture domestically except for companies that use it for their own IP?MrH42 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 08, 2021 1:48 pm Just an FYI, Arm doesn't make anything. They just license out their architecture.
That whole story was wild though. China is slowly inching away from having any US chips manufactured there. It will take time, but everyone will eventually start building capacity elsewhere. We'll be left with China ripping off multi-generation old products for domestic use only.
I think we're too reliant on a country that is diametrically opposed to us politically and morally. There are a lot of things we don't manufacture here, and it's not easy to move. The entire industry exists in China. So all the tool makers, equipment manufacturers, raw material suppliers, etc. You can't just pick up the manufacturing portion and move it here. Tons of other stuff has to be considered too.
Ultimately though, the real innovation is still in the US. China essentially took the least value add step of the whole thing from us. The actual assembly is a race to the bottom to some degree. They're going to get run over by other SE Asia countries once we stop turning a blind eye to all the atrocities they are responsible for. A new, up and coming country that's just starting to industrialize will always have cheaper labor.
The only tech they actually have a real lead on 5G. That's the biggest concern. Everything else? Not worried. The CCP drives a culture that totally stifles innovation. They will never be able to seriously compete with the US on that front with that regime in charge.
- troyguitar
- Command Chief Master Sirloin
- Posts: 20088
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2016 11:15 pm
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- Location: Swamp
Just ban one or both of us, I will never let this drop. He doesn't get to pull the pin on the grenade and then come back like it never happened... or maybe he does if y'all choose to side with him. Either way, I'm not giving up the fight.
- Huckleberry
- Senior Chief Patty Officer
- Posts: 2426
- Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2018 9:10 am
- Drives: 2004 GTO
- Location: Hi. I'm in Delaware.
Bilstein makes a good shock/strut if one is available.max225 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 7:35 pm Does anyone have any recommendations on what to do as far as shock replacements on a 2010 acura TSX.
overall the car rides firm... perhaps too firm? Which is odd considering that the shocks are 11 years and 120k miles old. I wanted to get them updated... then I found out that it uses struts on all 4 corners... so it won't be a simple DIY.
That said... started looking for parts. 3/4 shocks are available through OEM sources and they are a whopping $220 a pop on average, and I can't complete the entire car
Koni Yellows seem like a decent aftermarket units... however the shop I called mentioned that they may ride stiffer even in the softest setting, which is the last thing I want.
Any other decent brands that ya'll are aware of? I even posted on TSX forums but the dudes there are and completely non -helpful.
Struts aren't a big deal for DIY. The biggest thing to remember is to outline the existing strut on the knuckle with a Sharpie so that you can maintain your alignment with the new strut. A strut spring compressor is cheap to rent/buy, too.
Every time I’ve used a spring compressor, it’s felt quite sketchy to me…. But that said, you’re right, it isn’t difficult, particularly in no rust areas.Huckleberry wrote: ↑Sun Oct 10, 2021 4:30 pmBilstein makes a good shock/strut if one is available.max225 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 7:35 pm Does anyone have any recommendations on what to do as far as shock replacements on a 2010 acura TSX.
overall the car rides firm... perhaps too firm? Which is odd considering that the shocks are 11 years and 120k miles old. I wanted to get them updated... then I found out that it uses struts on all 4 corners... so it won't be a simple DIY.
That said... started looking for parts. 3/4 shocks are available through OEM sources and they are a whopping $220 a pop on average, and I can't complete the entire car
Koni Yellows seem like a decent aftermarket units... however the shop I called mentioned that they may ride stiffer even in the softest setting, which is the last thing I want.
Any other decent brands that ya'll are aware of? I even posted on TSX forums but the dudes there are and completely non -helpful.
Struts aren't a big deal for DIY. The biggest thing to remember is to outline the existing strut on the knuckle with a Sharpie so that you can maintain your alignment with the new strut. A strut spring compressor is cheap to rent/buy, too.
- Huckleberry
- Senior Chief Patty Officer
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- Location: Hi. I'm in Delaware.
It depends on the compressor. The wall-mounted units are very nice, but those can get spendy. The key thing to look for is a compressor that has locking pins so that there isn't a chance for the tool to slip off the spring.D Griff wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:23 amEvery time I’ve used a spring compressor, it’s felt quite sketchy to me…. But that said, you’re right, it isn’t difficult, particularly in no rust areas.Huckleberry wrote: ↑Sun Oct 10, 2021 4:30 pm
Bilstein makes a good shock/strut if one is available.
Struts aren't a big deal for DIY. The biggest thing to remember is to outline the existing strut on the knuckle with a Sharpie so that you can maintain your alignment with the new strut. A strut spring compressor is cheap to rent/buy, too.
I've only done it with the Autozone/Advance free rental toolsHuckleberry wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:46 amIt depends on the compressor. The wall-mounted units are very nice, but those can get spendy. The key thing to look for is a compressor that has locking pins so that there isn't a chance for the tool to slip off the spring.
- ChrisoftheNorth
- Moderator
- Posts: 47112
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:10 am
- Drives: 4R
I bought a set from HF a decade ago and used them on many jobs over those years. They have the "locks" that will keep the springs from slipping off, and I've always kept them well lubed so there's as little friction as possible on the nut that tightens. They still look new.D Griff wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 10:52 amI've only done it with the Autozone/Advance free rental toolsHuckleberry wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:46 am
It depends on the compressor. The wall-mounted units are very nice, but those can get spendy. The key thing to look for is a compressor that has locking pins so that there isn't a chance for the tool to slip off the spring.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
- max225
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
- Posts: 42838
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 12:49 am
- Drives: Taco+ Bavarian lemon
Was going to tackle it myself... however there are some issues in the rear suspension that make it difficult to remove the units. You also have to put the suspension under load to put the bolts back on the struts etc. If I had some local car boys to help me I'd do it, but doing it with a sig other is a to me.Huckleberry wrote: ↑Sun Oct 10, 2021 4:30 pmBilstein makes a good shock/strut if one is available.max225 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 7:35 pm Does anyone have any recommendations on what to do as far as shock replacements on a 2010 acura TSX.
overall the car rides firm... perhaps too firm? Which is odd considering that the shocks are 11 years and 120k miles old. I wanted to get them updated... then I found out that it uses struts on all 4 corners... so it won't be a simple DIY.
That said... started looking for parts. 3/4 shocks are available through OEM sources and they are a whopping $220 a pop on average, and I can't complete the entire car
Koni Yellows seem like a decent aftermarket units... however the shop I called mentioned that they may ride stiffer even in the softest setting, which is the last thing I want.
Any other decent brands that ya'll are aware of? I even posted on TSX forums but the dudes there are and completely non -helpful.
Struts aren't a big deal for DIY. The biggest thing to remember is to outline the existing strut on the knuckle with a Sharpie so that you can maintain your alignment with the new strut. A strut spring compressor is cheap to rent/buy, too.
- Huckleberry
- Senior Chief Patty Officer
- Posts: 2426
- Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2018 9:10 am
- Drives: 2004 GTO
- Location: Hi. I'm in Delaware.
I did a strut replacement on a 99 Accord once. I do remember the rears being more complicated than they needed to be. I think the rear seats had to be pulled, toe links had to be removed, and there was some specific dance that the strut had to do to come out. What I usually do is support the car on jack stands so that the suspension has full travel, and then manipulate the suspension with the jack.max225 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:57 amWas going to tackle it myself... however there are some issues in the rear suspension that make it difficult to remove the units. You also have to put the suspension under load to put the bolts back on the struts etc. If I had some local car boys to help me I'd do it, but doing it with a sig other is a to me.Huckleberry wrote: ↑Sun Oct 10, 2021 4:30 pm
Bilstein makes a good shock/strut if one is available.
Struts aren't a big deal for DIY. The biggest thing to remember is to outline the existing strut on the knuckle with a Sharpie so that you can maintain your alignment with the new strut. A strut spring compressor is cheap to rent/buy, too.
- max225
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
- Posts: 42838
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 12:49 am
- Drives: Taco+ Bavarian lemon
Interesting. That is pretty spot on, end links have to come out and rear seats do too to access top of the bolts. Which isn't bad... here is what is bad.Huckleberry wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 1:22 pmI did a strut replacement on a 99 Accord once. I do remember the rears being more complicated than they needed to be. I think the rear seats had to be pulled, toe links had to be removed, and there was some specific dance that the strut had to do to come out. What I usually do is support the car on jack stands so that the suspension has full travel, and then manipulate the suspension with the jack.max225 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:57 am
Was going to tackle it myself... however there are some issues in the rear suspension that make it difficult to remove the units. You also have to put the suspension under load to put the bolts back on the struts etc. If I had some local car boys to help me I'd do it, but doing it with a sig other is a to me.
You need a pry bar to put a downward load on the suspension in order to lower the rear link/hub assembly in order to slide in the new struts. Which means SHE will have to operate the pry bar or SHE will have to slide in the rear strut. The is a huge unfortunately. It isn't a solo job.
Last edited by max225 on Mon Oct 11, 2021 2:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Huckleberry
- Senior Chief Patty Officer
- Posts: 2426
- Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2018 9:10 am
- Drives: 2004 GTO
- Location: Hi. I'm in Delaware.
Gotcha. It's been a few years, so I can't remember if I had a friend help with that part or not. I probably did have someone stand on the hub to get the needed clearance.max225 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 1:37 pmInteresting. That is pretty spot on, end links have to come out and rear seats do too to access top of the bolts. Which isn't bad... here is what is bad.Huckleberry wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 1:22 pm
I did a strut replacement on a 99 Accord once. I do remember the rears being more complicated than they needed to be. I think the rear seats had to be pulled, toe links had to be removed, and there was some specific dance that the strut had to do to come out. What I usually do is support the car on jack stands so that the suspension has full travel, and then manipulate the suspension with the jack.
You need a pry bar to put a downward load on the suspension in order to lower the rear link/hub assembly in order to slide in the new struts. Which means SHE will have to operate the strut bar or SHE will have to slide in the rear strut. The is a huge unfortunately. It isn't a solo job.
hard pass on getting involved with anything more than pumping a brake or clutch pedal to bleed...max225 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:57 amWas going to tackle it myself... however there are some issues in the rear suspension that make it difficult to remove the units. You also have to put the suspension under load to put the bolts back on the struts etc. If I had some local car boys to help me I'd do it, but doing it with a sig other is a to me.Huckleberry wrote: ↑Sun Oct 10, 2021 4:30 pm
Bilstein makes a good shock/strut if one is available.
Struts aren't a big deal for DIY. The biggest thing to remember is to outline the existing strut on the knuckle with a Sharpie so that you can maintain your alignment with the new strut. A strut spring compressor is cheap to rent/buy, too.
- ChrisoftheNorth
- Moderator
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- Drives: 4R
And even that results in more than it should.D Griff wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 4:22 pmhard pass on getting involved with anything more than pumping a brake or clutch pedal to bleed...max225 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:57 am
Was going to tackle it myself... however there are some issues in the rear suspension that make it difficult to remove the units. You also have to put the suspension under load to put the bolts back on the struts etc. If I had some local car boys to help me I'd do it, but doing it with a sig other is a to me.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
- max225
- Chief Master Sirloin of the Wasteful Steak
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- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2016 12:49 am
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Does it ever not . I can see quite a few hang ups on doing the suspension for the first time in 11 years... it'll be pretty inducing in some parts and she would be there to listen to me cuss...
- Desertbreh
- Command Chief Master Sirloin
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There is no part of this job worth doing yourself. It's not like you are putting Bilsteins on your Miura. It's not a personal thing. Its an old Acura. Outsource.
- ChrisoftheNorth
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When something goes wrong and I get which I believe to be 100% normal, she gets on me that I "have a bad temper and need therapy" I'm the chillest MF out there, but when a nut is rusted solid or something, a bit of cursing and banging usually does the trick.
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
Yeah, I think it is pretty damn normal to get a bit ragey when wrenching on anything, just part of the process.
- ChrisoftheNorth
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Not according to
Desertbreh wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
Count me in as needing therapy as well then.
The beauty of my schedule and WFH is I can generally tackle shit like that when isn't around. I certainly was cussing after replacing that kitchen faucet last week when everything was still leaking. Sure, I for a minute, but then cooler heads prevail, get shit done, save a bunch of money, and feel accomplished.
- Desertbreh
- Command Chief Master Sirloin
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Sometimes you have to make war on your enemy, pure and simple.