My worst month, in years

Don M.

Don M.

SF VIP
Location
central Missouri
I've had more stuff breakdown this month, than in years....I feel the need to Rant.

It started during the first week when my riding mower quit moving forward. I was able to "back" it into my workshop. I crawled around underneath and found one of the drive belt idler pulleys was locked up. I bought a full set of pulleys and spent most of a day replacing them, and a new belt.....$75. Luckily, it wasn't the $1000 transaxle.

My chainsaw froze up...the chain brake would not release. The brake handle broke internally. Parts are still on order...I expect the repairs to be about $150.

I've been feeling some minor " thumping" in the Chevy front end. I took it to a good local mechanic, and he found one of the front struts wearing out. I had him order 2...one for each side. I'll take it in this week.....should be about $500.

A dew days ago, I noticed a leak in the radiator on my truck. The radiator needs to be replaced....again, parts on order. There goes another $500....if that's all that needs to be replaced.

My old computer HP printer quit printing legibly...spare cartridge's were no help....they wouldn't align. Walmart had a basic Canon printer on sale, so I bought/installed that this morning.....$42.

Yesterday was "Hopefully" the Final Straw. I was using my Kubota tractor yesterday when I noticed a bunch of hydraulic fluid leaking from one of the loader cylinders. I went back to my workshop, and the cylinder was dripping badly. I called the local dealer, and he can rebuild the cylinder on Monday. I spent a couple hours removing/cleaning the cylinder. Estimated repair is $300...a new cylinder is $900.

What a month!!! I've gotten used to fixing/replacing stuff as it wears out, but this month has been the worst I can recall. I need to win Powerball and start all over with everything new.

For now. I'm almost afraid to touch anything....I feel almost cursed.
 

Don M. said:
I've had more stuff breakdown this month, than in years....I feel the need to Rant.

It started during the first week when my riding mower quit moving forward. I was able to "back" it into my workshop. I crawled around underneath and found one of the drive belt idler pulleys was locked up. I bought a full set of pulleys and spent most of a day replacing them, and a new belt.....$75. Luckily, it wasn't the $1000 transaxle.

My chainsaw froze up...the chain brake would not release. The brake handle broke internally. Parts are still on order...I expect the repairs to be about $150.

I've been feeling some minor " thumping" in the Chevy front end. I took it to a good local mechanic, and he found one of the front struts wearing out. I had him order 2...one for each side. I'll take it in this week.....should be about $500.

A dew days ago, I noticed a leak in the radiator on my truck. The radiator needs to be replaced....again, parts on order. There goes another $500....if that's all that needs to be replaced.

My old computer HP printer quit printing legibly...spare cartridge's were no help....they wouldn't align. Walmart had a basic Canon printer on sale, so I bought/installed that this morning.....$42.

Yesterday was "Hopefully" the Final Straw. I was using my Kubota tractor yesterday when I noticed a bunch of hydraulic fluid leaking from one of the loader cylinders. I went back to my workshop, and the cylinder was dripping badly. I called the local dealer, and he can rebuild the cylinder on Monday. I spent a couple hours removing/cleaning the cylinder. Estimated repair is $300...a new cylinder is $900.

What a month!!! I've gotten used to fixing/replacing stuff as it wears out, but this month has been the worst I can recall. I need to win Powerball and start all over with everything new.

For now. I'm almost afraid to touch anything....I feel almost cursed.
Click to expand...
Just bang your head against the wall a few times (gently) and go watch cartoons.
Brighter days ahead!
 
We all go through a bad day, week month or even a year. I don't know how old you are and I don't mean to insult you, but should you be using a chainsaw? Depending on how big it is, some are hard enough to use if you are 35 let alone if you are 65 or older. I have always read that struts, just like shocks should be replaced in pairs.

I just replaced the 1 motor mount on my Buick Enclave. The Chilton manual said it was a 2 hour job. It took me almost 5 hours
 
Don M. said:
I've been feeling some minor " thumping" in the Chevy front end. I took it to a good local mechanic, and he found one of the front struts wearing out. I had him order 2...one for each side. I'll take it in this week.....should be about $500.For now. I'm almost afraid to touch anything....I feel almost cursed.
Click to expand...
Some days you're the bug, and some day's you're the windshield. Sounds like it's your turn to be the bug. :(
Brace yourself. If you're replacing the struts, it's going to need a front end alignment, and most shops won't do it unless the tire's are new or near new.
 
Don M. said:
I've had more stuff breakdown this month, than in years....I feel the need to Rant.

It started during the first week when my riding mower quit moving forward. I was able to "back" it into my workshop. I crawled around underneath and found one of the drive belt idler pulleys was locked up. I bought a full set of pulleys and spent most of a day replacing them, and a new belt.....$75. Luckily, it wasn't the $1000 transaxle.

My chainsaw froze up...the chain brake would not release. The brake handle broke internally. Parts are still on order...I expect the repairs to be about $150.

I've been feeling some minor " thumping" in the Chevy front end. I took it to a good local mechanic, and he found one of the front struts wearing out. I had him order 2...one for each side. I'll take it in this week.....should be about $500.

A dew days ago, I noticed a leak in the radiator on my truck. The radiator needs to be replaced....again, parts on order. There goes another $500....if that's all that needs to be replaced.

My old computer HP printer quit printing legibly...spare cartridge's were no help....they wouldn't align. Walmart had a basic Canon printer on sale, so I bought/installed that this morning.....$42.

Yesterday was "Hopefully" the Final Straw. I was using my Kubota tractor yesterday when I noticed a bunch of hydraulic fluid leaking from one of the loader cylinders. I went back to my workshop, and the cylinder was dripping badly. I called the local dealer, and he can rebuild the cylinder on Monday. I spent a couple hours removing/cleaning the cylinder. Estimated repair is $300...a new cylinder is $900.

What a month!!! I've gotten used to fixing/replacing stuff as it wears out, but this month has been the worst I can recall. I need to win Powerball and start all over with everything new.

For now. I'm almost afraid to touch anything....I feel almost cursed.
Click to expand...
Powerball ain't gonna help. By the time the taxes are deducted you won't have enough to pay for all that stuffđź’¸
 
squatting dog said:
Some days you're the bug, and some day's you're the windshield. Sounds like it's your turn to be the bug. :(
Brace yourself. If you're replacing the struts, it's going to need a front end alignment, and most shops won't do it unless the tire's are new or near new.
Click to expand...
I never knew that. Thanks for the info. I want to get my Buick aligned since I just replaced the motor mount. I haven't changed the tires on it since I got it a few years ago. I hardly ever drive yet and am thinking about trading it. I like my Suburban.
 
Don M. said:
I've had more stuff breakdown this month, than in years....I feel the need to Rant.

It started during the first week when my riding mower quit moving forward. I was able to "back" it into my workshop. I crawled around underneath and found one of the drive belt idler pulleys was locked up. I bought a full set of pulleys and spent most of a day replacing them, and a new belt.....$75. Luckily, it wasn't the $1000 transaxle.

My chainsaw froze up...the chain brake would not release. The brake handle broke internally. Parts are still on order...I expect the repairs to be about $150.

I've been feeling some minor " thumping" in the Chevy front end. I took it to a good local mechanic, and he found one of the front struts wearing out. I had him order 2...one for each side. I'll take it in this week.....should be about $500.

A dew days ago, I noticed a leak in the radiator on my truck. The radiator needs to be replaced....again, parts on order. There goes another $500....if that's all that needs to be replaced.

My old computer HP printer quit printing legibly...spare cartridge's were no help....they wouldn't align. Walmart had a basic Canon printer on sale, so I bought/installed that this morning.....$42.

Yesterday was "Hopefully" the Final Straw. I was using my Kubota tractor yesterday when I noticed a bunch of hydraulic fluid leaking from one of the loader cylinders. I went back to my workshop, and the cylinder was dripping badly. I called the local dealer, and he can rebuild the cylinder on Monday. I spent a couple hours removing/cleaning the cylinder. Estimated repair is $300...a new cylinder is $900.

What a month!!! I've gotten used to fixing/replacing stuff as it wears out, but this month has been the worst I can recall. I need to win Powerball and start all over with everything new.

For now. I'm almost afraid to touch anything....I feel almost cursed.
Click to expand...
My sympathy to you. My partner has had these moments this year too.
 
We have had a 5 year bout. First the tractor went bad and we spent TOO much trying to save it. Then our water heater died. Two computers...gone and new ones were bought. Keeping two old cars in shape always costs about $500 a year. The well died and was a big bite into our savings. ( which is going fast ), oh and health care stuff is increasing as we age. No end in sight here. I am just glad we have less to lose so things have calmed down :)
 
Do you have a variety curse words for the various things that broke? I have quite a repertoire especially if I scrape my knuckles in tight spots.
For me as long as I have a radiator out I would typically replace the thermostat & hoses. A little extra expense but long term one less headache to think about. I look at that extra expense as saving money by DIY.

All in all your rant is well deserved.
 

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