What did you do to your GMT today?

[Trail X]

Most of mine were stupid stuff about my fogs not being "DOT marked", and my aux lights not being covered. They also failed me for removing my rear swaybar. That's some garbage right there. Those guys were very by the book, which was very unexpected for some backwoods mechanics. No leniency at all.

[Jrgunn5150]

Inspections would annihilate 50% of our states vehicles instantly, thank God we don't have them.

PA has them, and they're strict. Most of my vehicles came from PA when I lived in Cleveland and had my car lot. They fail em for a non-functioning ebrake, can't be registered or sold in state lol.

[DirtyBacon04]

Another benefit of living in FL... no inspections, no emissions, no state tax.

[Eredin]

Wow, that's harsh. I'm shocked they got you on the sway bar and the other stuff is pretty lame. We don't have emissions here either, but they can get us for noise violations if wanted... never happens. Rednecks running around with true dual straights on half the trucks, busting ear drums.

Do you have your front disco'd too, James? I can't recall.

[navigator]

I would rather have the inspections to reduce the risk that my family is meeting someone whose 25yo tie rod end finally gave out. They just need some sense about them. My TB failed the emissions (OBDII) last year because my bad fuel sender triggered a check engine light.

My 2007 suburban is considered a fuel cell vehicle because it can burn E85 (flex fuel) so it is not subject to the OBDII check .

[Trail X]

Do you have your front disco'd too, James? I can't recall.

Yeah, fully disconnected. Should have taken it to my family's normal mechanic that I have a relationship with. I figured the mechanic that's out near my work, in the sticks, would be more accommodating.

[BC backroader]

Had a local shop do the front brakes today. The condition report that I got from the dealer when I bought the truck 8 months ago (18,000 km ago) stated that their mechanic had just done the fronts, and the rears were listed as about 50% left. The shop that did the work today reports that the rears still have about 40%, but the fronts had been turned to below discard thickness by the dealer, which is why they had developed a warp, which had become severe yesterday, prompting my trip to the shop. I know why I doubt used car dealers, and that's a good example right there.

[Eredin]

Had a local shop do the front brakes today. The condition report that I got from the dealer when I bought the truck 8 months ago (18,000 km ago) stated that their mechanic had just done the fronts, and the rears were listed as about 50% left. The shop that did the work today reports that the rears still have about 40%, but the fronts had been turned to below discard thickness by the dealer, which is why they had developed a warp, which had become severe yesterday, prompting my trip to the shop. I know why I doubt used car dealers, and that's a good example right there.

This is a firm example of why I do all my own work, got tired of being burned when I was a teenager. For the things I can't do, I know the shop owner personally. Regardless, glad you were able to get it sorted!

[419TrailWisperer]

Had a local shop do the front brakes today. The condition report that I got from the dealer when I bought the truck 8 months ago (18,000 km ago) stated that their mechanic had just done the fronts, and the rears were listed as about 50% left. The shop that did the work today reports that the rears still have about 40%, but the fronts had been turned to below discard thickness by the dealer, which is why they had developed a warp, which had become severe yesterday, prompting my trip to the shop. I know why I doubt used car dealers, and that's a good example right there.

This is a firm example of why I do all my own work, got tired of being burned when I was a teenager. For the things I can't do, I know the shop owner personally. Regardless, glad you were able to get it sorted!

Yeah, same here, I learned alot of hard lessons with my first car. Then I statred doing small things here and there, and learned alot of routine stuff can be done with basic tools, and alittle blood, sweat, and tears. I just did all 4 corners on my TB, with the duralast gold pads and rotors and spent about $300ish. For some of the bigger stuff ive gotta bite the bullet and have a pro do it.

[Cable810]

Yep same here!!

[Eredin]

Took off the front bumper cover this morning and trimmed the fender liners. Lost my fog lights, which makes me a bit sad. I had the TBSS bulbs in them so they would actually throw some light and make them at least practical to have on.

Also, my bull bar is gone! No more pesky bad approach angles or further risk to the radiator supports.

Had significant moisture in my passenger side headlight bucket. It's a cheap TYC brand that a body shop had used when I smoked a deer several years ago. Took it off this morning, dumped alcohol in it to absorb some of the moisture and drilled a very tiny hole on the lowest spot in the bucket to alleviate most of the build up. Once it's dry, I'll reseal it and hope it holds.

[Jrgunn5150]

Took off the front bumper cover this morning and trimmed the fender liners. Lost my fog lights, which makes me a bit sad. I had the TBSS bulbs in them so they would actually throw some light and make them at least practical to have on.

Also, my bull bar is gone! No more pesky bad approach angles or further risk to the radiator supports.

Had significant moisture in my passenger side headlight bucket. It's a cheap TYC brand that a body shop had used when I smoked a deer several years ago. Took it off this morning, dumped alcohol in it to absorb some of the moisture and drilled a very tiny hole on the lowest spot in the bucket to alleviate most of the build up. Once it's dry, I'll reseal it and hope it holds.

I've already decided my bumper cover is going away this weekend, stupid Equinox's have more aggressive approach angles.

The factory fog's are on a pigtail correct? My intention was to use the factory wiring and mount something better to the factory metal bumper

[Eredin]

They are. Pig tail ties into the headlight harness under the bucket, so there is some room to play with them. I've thought about doing the same eventually.

[Trail X]

The factory fog's are on a pigtail correct? My intention was to use the factory wiring and mount something better to the factory metal bumper

That works fine, that's what I've done.

[BC backroader]

419TrailWisperer and Cable810, I know that things like brakes and hubs can be done much cheaper DIY, there was a time when I did a lot of that sort of work, on both my stock cars, 4x4s, and small fleet of work trucks, but that was more than 40 years ago. I now live in a building that doesn't allow wrenching in the parkade, and find a few hours on a concrete floor on my butt or my back is more than my 70 year old body can handle, so I save my pension pennies and let the pros do it. I have a local guy who does good work, with good parts, and gives me a special rate on the labour, so he gets all my work. Still not cheap, but worth it to me.

[419TrailWisperer]

I can fully understand that, Im 26, have full access to 12 lifts, heated and cooled shop. After 2 or 3 hours of turning wrenches, my back kills. plus , its hard to find someone you can trust for all your maintence needs.

[navigator]

Brad, sounds like you need a few young apprentices in your area so you can teach them a few things while they work on your truck. Then again you might end up like the Roadie, working on their stuff and having to go into remote areas in the middle of the night to pull them out!

[BC backroader]

Brad, sounds like you need a few young apprentices in your area so you can teach them a few things while they work on your truck. Then again you might end up like the Roadie, working on their stuff and having to go into remote areas in the middle of the night to pull them out!

navigator, "been there, done that" too, both the teaching, and the field repairs and midnight recovery ops Someday I should write a book.

[TBYODA]

I gave my mascot and friend. LMAO!

[Jrgunn5150]

http://youtu.be/GP7G9_1no84





Not offroading was slowly driving me nuts