2025 Locations & More..

[RoadTime]

Been a good and odd weak willed with short runs. Longest load is this one delivering Monday in Luddington, MI. 224 miles. Pretty sure I was only in Michigan and Ohio this week.

I had a PM done on my APU Friday, so of course now it's leaking oil. Pretty sure it's coming from the drain plug. So either not tight enough, or cross threaded is my guess. And figures, I have no tool large enough to fit the bolt. Not a 911, but probably will be a return visit.

Also, had another issue pop up with the truck that will need to be checked out. I'm thinking I will never get through a month with out having a maintenance issue.

 

[brokcanadian]

Well this is interesting. Wife took van out to see family, dropped 3rd/overdrive

She limped home about 3 am with me needing to leave for work with it at 7 am

By 4 am with a dealer level chinesium tool, I saw it was commanding 3rd, transmission was selecting third, and rotation was freewheeling both above and below targets (in other words broke)

For the first time in 18 years I made dispatch's life easy and rented a van

Did find a rebuilder with units in stock, that also did the updates. They don't really cost any more but cure a host of ills

Why did I scope out a transmission for a 13 year old van with 450,000 on it?

The rental was a Promaster. Hard nope

 

[brokcanadian]

Update: from full showing 200 miles left after driving 400....

Hmmm....ok I got 700 miles off diesel sprinter couple times - but this is gasoline with cheaper gasoline price
.
Hmmm

 

[RoadTime]

Well this is interesting. Wife took van out to see family, dropped 3rd/overdrive

She limped home about 3 am with me needing to leave for work with it at 7 am

By 4 am with a dealer level chinesium tool, I saw it was commanding 3rd, transmission was selecting third, and rotation was freewheeling both above and below targets (in other words broke)

For the first time in 18 years I made dispatch's life easy and rented a van

Did find a rebuilder with units in stock, that also did the updates. They don't really cost any more but cure a host of ills

Why did I scope out a transmission for a 13 year old van with 450,000 on it?

The rental was a Promaster. Hard nope

Ugh, that sucks.

 

[brokcanadian]

Ugh, that sucks.

It.does

But after viewing a YouTube video, it's no different than the last 8 I did.

2nd February transmission change in driveway. Now it's a tradition

And it will probably rain like last time and freeze in the dark if I take too long, fun times

 

[RoadTime]

APU leak repaired it was coming from the drain plug. Probably could off saved me trip for that one if I had the right sized tool. It just needed to be tightened. My other issue was a air leak, and was a simple fix as a quick connect came loose. Thankfully, a no cast TA fix. Sometimes I feel pretty stupid when it comes to mechanical or even basic repairs.

Stressful day, this was going to be my last load today. Still might be. Another attempt to leave this business, but know I don't know, I'm burned out and very stressed out. I need a break.

 

[RoadTime]

It.does

But after viewing a YouTube video, it's no different than the last 8 I did.

2nd February transmission change in driveway. Now it's a tradition

And it will probably rain like last time and freeze in the dark if I take too long, fun times

I couldn't even image taking on a project like that. I wish I had the knowledge to even think about a project like that.

 

[brokcanadian]

APU leak repaired it was coming from the drain plug. Probably could off saved me trip for that one if I had the right sized tool. It just needed to be tightened. My other issue was a air leak, and was a simple fix as a quick connect came loose. Thankfully, a no cast TA fix. Sometimes I feel pretty stupid when it comes to mechanical or even basic repairs.

Stressful day, this was going to be my last load today. Still might be. Another attempt to leave this business, but know I don't know, I'm burned out and very stressed out. I need a break.

Breaks are good, as long as you can support it without digging a hole.

Just consider the rest of the job market before burning bridges. If US is anything like here, the jobs market is a dumpster fire

Making less than minimum wage, really less than living wage is unacceptable however. But leave TO something rather than just leaving, if you do. My 2c

 

[brokcanadian]

I couldn't even image taking on a project like that. I wish I had the knowledge to even think about a project like that.

It's really simple to swap an entire unit

Rebuilding isn't, but if you have a step by step manual that's simple too. I have collected a 16x20 garage full of tools without room for anything else over 35 years so I might be an exception

I bought a sprinter in transmission limp mode and fixed it, never looked back. Transmission can be built for $300 in the past, closer to $700 today - but I view it as a $120 an hour hobby and I know it's done right

The ATSG is the association behind making the automatic transmission mystery voodoo even to otherwise qualified mechanics. Its a lie.

All that being said I'm swapping in a used unit because being back on the road earning pays more than farting around with snap ring pliers. I can keep the old unit and rebuild if I wish, as a spare, but that Promaster I rented got me 21.75 mpg over 700 miles carrying 1500 lbs, and it's occupying my mind....

 

[RoadTime]

But leave TO something rather than just leaving, if you do. My 2c

Oh yeah, and I do have something lined up. But in typical fashion, I talked myself out of it yet again. I think it's time to give up on ever going back to Tractor Trailer, no matter how much it bugs me. At least not with the Werner position I told you about. Although, I have 2 weeks to keep flip flopping back and forth lol.