This will be an interesting thread moving forward......

That looks like a $40 pully/bearing assy to me.

Joe H

joe--h said:

That looks like a $40 pully/bearing assy to me.

Joe H

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Agree to a point. But when the broken machine is out in the field 1 1/2 hours away and needs to be fixed right now sometime you have to do what it takes to get it working.

Now if one had say three or four machines with the same pulley set-up and one had the time to disassemble and inspect a failed one it might be possible to just press out the bearing and press a new one in it's place.

That is the kind of thing I had done for machines at the quarry. But then I knew I was going to be there when the next one failed and had a place I could label and store the "spare" rebuilt part.

Reminds me of the spare main hydraulic pump for the WA600 Komatsu that was the main loader at the quarry. When the loader was only a few years old the main pump had a problem that I forget right now. But as it was at that point the main machine to load the trucks in the pit getting it replaced was critical! I was able to get one coming through the dealer but had also found that a hydraulic shop could supply one for much less money, but there would be a few weeks delay. Told boss and he said "order both" and install which ever gets here first we need that machine. Plus he said if one failed we will probably need another in a few years. When I retired about ten years later that "spare pump" was still in the box in the store room and loader is now just a stand by machine in the quarry. And with all the change overs in personnel from top to bottom since I retired I'd say no one has any idea what is in that box!

My original intent was to just get the pulley and the bearing, but I was told by the dealer that it wasn't available separately. When the bearing failed and they called me about it, they didn't have the old pulley and couldn't account for it (I have no idea why). The assembly from Bomag was the only option to get the machine up and running in 1 round trip. Yeah, I hated to spend almost $700 on that and had I had the time I would have tried to come up with the old pulley and got a bearing for it locally. The bad thing is that the machine would have been down at least another day and the cost for a second trip back would be prohibitive.

The funny thing is, I only noticed the "wrong part" aspect of the complaint, not the $700, I did not even think about that until Joe H commented on it. Just shows how they have conditioned us to accept these outrageous prices on stuff these days.

Birken Vogt said:

The funny thing is, I only noticed the "wrong part" aspect of the complaint, not the $700, I did not even think about that until Joe H commented on it. Just shows how they have conditioned us to accept these outrageous prices on stuff these days.

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Yea I wish I had made some notes on things I came across that were way out of line price wise.

Just recalled one and was able to find notes on it! This was an alternator on a little Cummins B3.3 in a Rosco sweeper. No one had one in-stock locally so I had called a few places. The Rosco Dealer wanted $1156.00 plus shipping, Cummins offered me one for $562.00 plus 13% for engine down shipping, local electrical and fuel system shop said $214.00 plus $60.00 for next day air freight! This was a little 12 volt alternator that probably could have been replaced with a simple Delco alternator off a 1978 Chevy that I could probably get for $50 from O'Reilly's if I wanted to spend time fabricating a bracket and making some wiring changes.

I opted for the $214.00 one as even with the $60. shipping they would drop ship it to me to save me driving half an hour each way to pick it up.

I had a Jag repair shop for 30 years, that idler pully with arm thing was real close to one that was used on V12 Jags for years. Same thing, only available as the complete assembly. It was about $250 back in in the 1980s for a then $25 item.
But yes, when you gotta have it you gotta have it.

Joe H

joe--h said:

I had a Jag repair shop for 30 years, that idler pully with arm thing was real close to one that was used on V12 Jags for years. Same thing, only available as the complete assembly. It was about $250 back in in the 1980s for a then $25 item.
But yes, when you gotta have it you gotta have it.

Joe H

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Ah yes. I’ve been friends with a Jag mechanic/collector since high school. Been around many E types, XJ’s, etc. Love the Lucas electrical stuff. That’s why the Brits like their beer warm, their fridges were made by Lucas! They do have some unique features and with a healthy engine an E type will scoot right along.

Not much to report even though I've been busier than a 3 pecker'd dog. I'm trying to decide if I should keep this thread based on stuff I have seen that I know HNC or TNH has screwed up...................or just screw ups in general? This probably isn't the thread to do just a standard, everyday repair thread. What do you guys think?

Vetech63 said:

Not much to report even though I've been busier than a 3 pecker'd dog. I'm trying to decide if I should keep this thread based on stuff I have seen that I know HNC or TNH has screwed up...................or just screw ups in general? This probably isn't the thread to do just a standard, everyday repair thread. What do you guys think?

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I like to hear all the stories!

An everyday repair thread would be beneficial to quite a few people searching for help with similar repair issues.
But, those two clowns you have to deal with make an interesting read.

I think the screwball attempts at repairs by the unqualified are the most instructional. They illustrate the reason why great mechanics should get paid those big bucks.

Stick with it until the bankruptcy at least. They're not going to change their business model so it won't be long.

Unless dad comes back and kicks some ass.

Joe H

I would just keep updating us the way you have been, whether it has to do with those two knuckleheads, new issues that have arisen, or for things that you’re doing that don’t even relate to the company you are doing these repairs for. Use this as your “repair thread”, it will be a jambalaya of interesting repairs and previous attempts at a repair….

I second @Tags .
Share it all

Vetech63 said:

busier than a 3 pecker'd dog.

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That would be a busy puppy alright with that many balls to lick on top of his other daily chores.

Over the last week, I've read all 57+ pages of this post. Every single post. It's been educational and fun to boot. I will keep reading it; if you start another, I'll read that one too. Thanks, Vetech63 for taking the time to document all this. And it's very well written... I'll bet you had good grades in English class. Oh, and thanks to those who have replied... your input is much appreciated as well!

OK then! LOL

All I can say other than keep up the posting would be to not get into these fools more than you can afford to loose! But I know you are being careful about that.

Not sure about laws in your area or if they would cover your type of work. I know at least it is possible for say a building contractor to put a lien on a customer who was supplied labor or materials for work done if they are not paid. Might not guarantee full payment or fast payment of money owed but at least it might get you a percentage if say they go out of business and try to sell off assets.

It's all part of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) that as I recall all states conform to now. It basically requires filling out forms and filing them with some entity of the state or possibly county governments. It also usually requires someone at the offending company to sign some type of agreement or written contract for the filing in order to secure your interest in the money owed. I've done it a couple of times but it guarantees nothing without a attorney being involved. It takes multiple thousands of dollars in debts before it is worth the hassle. If a company declares bankruptcy and you have a UCC filing, you will only get a percentage of any proceeds left or just a bill from your attorney with regrets about there being nothing left. Been there, done that!

John C. said:

or just a bill from your attorney with regrets about there being nothing left. Been there, done that!

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That is a fact.