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To whoever said “just get the pilot bushing out, it’s easy”… I would like a word.Some things went VERY wrong getting thi...
06/17/2026

To whoever said “just get the pilot bushing out, it’s easy”… I would like a word.

Some things went VERY wrong getting this thing out, and now I’m staring at the crank wondering how bad the damage actually is.

This was supposed to be a simple removal.
A quick job.
One of those “should only take a few minutes” situations.

And now here we are.

Gouges, chunks, metal shavings, and me questioning every life choice that led to this exact moment.

I’m not asking if it looks pretty. I know it doesn’t. I’m asking if this is still salvageable or if I just turned a basic clutch job into a full-blown mechanical crime scene.

Because at this point, I’ve already filed an emotional police report against myself.

Following a routine oil change at the dealership, I was surprised to find the service encounter escalate into a detailed...
06/17/2026

Following a routine oil change at the dealership, I was surprised to find the service encounter escalate into a detailed examination of my vehicle's condition. The service advisor showed me images of the timing belt, pointing out small cracks and recommending immediate replacement. Given the rubber composition of the belt, which typically includes grooves and lines, I question the necessity of this recommendation. If the dealership's standards for rubber integrity are this stringent, it seems logical that other rubber components, like tires, would also require replacement. I was asked to sign a document declining the repair, which raises concerns about liability and the dealership's role in dictating maintenance. As the vehicle's owner, I believe I should have the final say in deciding when parts need replacement. The trend of discovering critical issues during routine maintenance visits seems suspiciously opportunistic. Am I wrong in thinking that the inspection process has become overly aggressive?

They welded the sensor on? Seriously?..Shop ruined my oxygen sensor?.. So I had an exhaust shop replace part of my exha...
06/16/2026

They welded the sensor on? Seriously?..

Shop ruined my oxygen sensor?.. So I had an exhaust shop replace part of my exhaust on my **2004** Toyota Avalon XLS...

Yesterday, after some heavy rain, my VSC and check engine lights, came on. I scanned the OBD and it said it was the **downstream** oxygen sensor.

After jacking the car up, I looked at the sensor and saw they just welded the old sensor, straight to the pipe. I can't remove it now.

What should I do?...

Master L**e Tech here. Need some advice because my shop foreman is being completely unreasonable.I’m doing my first CV a...
06/15/2026

Master L**e Tech here. Need some advice because my shop foreman is being completely unreasonable.

I’m doing my first CV axle and he keeps telling me I have to “unstake” the axle nut before removing it. Apparently that was acceptable in 1974 when carburetors and leaded gas were still a thing, but this is 2026 and I’m pretty sure modern impact guns are designed to remove anything regardless of what some little dent in the nut is doing.

So I put the impact on it and after a few minutes of full power the nut finally came off. Now the end of the axle looks like this and the foreman is standing there laughing instead of helping. He keeps saying things like “that’s why you unstake it first” and “you just destroyed the threads” like he’s some kind of axle expert.

Personally I think the threads are mostly still there and once the new nut starts it’ll probably just clean them back up. Worst case I was thinking maybe a little JB Weld on the threads to rebuild the missing section and send it.

Is there any reason I can’t just reuse this axle or is my foreman being dramatic because he misses the good old days when people hand-cranked engines to start them? Looking for advice from actual technicians, not boomers.

How long can I continue to drive on these?
06/14/2026

How long can I continue to drive on these?

Help! 😩 I’m about ready to lose it. I can’t get the rotor to slide over the parking brake shoes. I’ve already backed the...
06/14/2026

Help! 😩 I’m about ready to lose it. I can’t get the rotor to slide over the parking brake shoes. I’ve already backed the adjuster off as far as it’ll go—what am I overlooking? 🤔

To whoever designed this pilot bushing:I've already contacted imaginary engineers, machinists, and a retired NASCAR mech...
06/14/2026

To whoever designed this pilot bushing:

I've already contacted imaginary engineers, machinists, and a retired NASCAR mechanic.

The slide hammer refuses to budge it.
The bushing mocks my every attempt.
The entire assembly is now staring at me like I’m the incompetent one.

I’ve tried heat, ice, persuasion, and stern talking-to. Nothing works.

At this point the bushing has officially declared independence from the crankshaft.

Absolutely unacceptable.

Encountering issues with a seized caliper pin bolt, the extractor proved ineffective and resulted in the bolt head becom...
06/14/2026

Encountering issues with a seized caliper pin bolt, the extractor proved ineffective and resulted in the bolt head becoming completely rounded off, necessitating further action after knocking the sliding pin out of its bracket.

Explain This Cylinder Head'S Condition, RIGHT ANSWERS ONLY
06/14/2026

Explain This Cylinder Head'S Condition, RIGHT ANSWERS ONLY

Guess what's wrong in this photo An experienced mechanic will know right away...
06/14/2026

Guess what's wrong in this photo An experienced mechanic will know right away...

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