My go to shop guy Jim mentioned last summer that the oil cooler lines were leaking, and should be replaced at some point. So, being busier than expected and with camping season starting next month, plus knowing how long it takes me to actually do
stuff that I'm not familiar with pretty much anything, I decided to drop it off and have them do it. The labor for replacing the lines seemed reasonable.
While it was in the shop I also had them check the ABS light, since they'd recently worked on the system. I figured, as
@OutlawDrifter suggested, that it would likely be something minor and therefore inexpensive. It turned out to be a front wheel sensor that had to be replaced.
The mysterious fluid leak near the driver's side wheel, that happened and then stopped, turned out to be a leaking output shaft seal. Which is apparently not a simple thing to replace. They also discovered it had a worn out 4WD actuator.
The resulting bill, while not
quite eye-watering, was significantly more than I expected.
However, as suggested above, I consoled myself with the knowledge that had I done the work myself, between figuring out how to change that seal and the 4WD actuator, dealing with the other things that are going on, and then doing the actual work, would likely have run into weeks.
All of which has me reflecting on just what is it that I
am comfortable with doing myself? Right now I'm feeling like it's not all that much.
The fact is that I have practically zero experience dealing with drivetrains, including axles, differentials, transfer cases, and transmissions. They intimidate me. On the other hand, I have successfully rebuilt a few VW engines; but that was back when they were simple air cooled things. No great shakes there. I've replaced brake shoes, drums, and disks and rotors, but don't have any real experience with ABS brakes. I have learned a few things on this vehicle about electronics, and have a beginner's knowledge of wiring. Thanks in part to
@Road Trip, I now know what a Western Union splice is, and a few other related things.
But the simple fact is that I can't afford to keep taking the Subdivision to the shop for repairs. It's not sustainable, particularly with my being retired. I'll have to do more of whatever comes up myself. My hope is that the major stuff is behind me, and that any remaining items needing attention will be both less complicated and fewer in number. Wishful thinking? We'll see.
Once again, in hindsight, my initial budget for restoring this vehicle and making it road trip ready has turned out to be laughably low. Looks like I'm
still paying tuition for this learning experience.
But to end on a positive note, I sure like the way it drives and looks! No plans to list it.