Possumblog

I need new shocks for the Dodge. Could I drop it by your place Saturday AM and maybe get it back that afternoon all properly unbounced?

I am almost sure no special tools are needed.

If you have the need for a Mercedes special tool to remove a bolt from the transmission to replace the rear seal, I have one.

I'll include the Mercedes along with the tool although the tool is for an automatic and the Mercedes is a manual.

But, if you prefer cremation, you can arrange for this: http://www.eternalreefs.com/

Terry, don't you feel better now, all manly and expert-like for finding a real defect that caused the problem? Its much better than trying to fix faults that are the result of bigger but hidden defects without getting to the source.

And Larry, when I changed the shocks on my truck- I never would have gotten the job done without compressed air and a air hammer to drive out a froze bolt. So sometimes even the easiest task really does require special tools.

Yeah, bring 'er on by early Saturday, Larry. Of course, I won't be there--we have eye doctor appointments, but it can sit on my driveway and keep the Volvo and my new free Mercedes tool company.

Steevil, cremation gives me the creeps. I have to say though, that on first reading that URL, I thought it said something completely different. But the idea of an eternal reefer probably would sell well amongst a certain demographic. Dude.

AND yes, Nate--I do feel all manly again now, although my hands will need some extra moisturizing due to having to use some of that Purple Power industrial degreaser to finish getting the grime off of them. Boy, that stuff STINGS--it's like putting your hands into a vat full of jellyfish.

Speaking of hands, what do manly men use to soften their cuticles after using tough cleaners?

Or womanly women for that matter?

I had let my hands go until last week when I bought orange sticks and cuticle lotion. While the cuticles are properly back now, they need treatment.

Anyone?

Cuticles? What's that?

I don't mess with my cuticles, although after I got through scrubbing my arms and hands with Go-Jo Orange Flavored Cleanser with Pumice, then dunked them in the industrial degreaser, then took a shower and washed my hair (which helps get your fingernails clean, too), I use some Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion.

The bad thing is, all that scrubbing and degreasing doesn't seem to be very effective. For some reason, the grit and grease on this car is an order of magnitude more tough than any other car I've ever worked on. I don't know why, but it seems the dirt is much more fine, and gets down into my skin much worse than anything else I've worked on. Nothing seems to work at getting that deep dirt out.

I asked that question here because several of your readers are mechanics and office workers.

A little research showed that a lot of people are satisfied with Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, so I hightailed it over to the salon and bought a can.

My dad's parents were very much old school, and my grandfather didn't usually help with housework. My grandmother told a story that there was a time when my grandfather would volunteer to wash dishes after dinner. This went on for a while, until one night after dinner he just went to the living room to read the paper. My grandmother asked if he was going to wash the dishes; he said no. She asked why not; he replied that they now had a new car.

So, Terry, get your hands into warm suds for 20 minutes or so. You'll make Miss Reba (and probably a certain sulky teenager) very happy.

BTW, my paternal grandparents were really old school. Usually, the first my grandmother knew that they were getting a new car was when my grandfather drove it home from the dealer. He went through cars fairly quickly (he was partial to Buicks) because he traveled for his job, which was with these guys: http://www.lileks.com/institute/orphanage/orphans/cudahy1.html

You assume too much, Steevil--1) we usually use the dishwasher instead of handwashing 2) if there ever IS any sudsy sink work, I usually wind up doing it, and 3) Oldest? HELP!? It is to laugh!