Tie rod complete

Finally got the tie rod bought and put back in. 
Next up was the alignment.  When you take all that stuff off the tires are not aligned anymore so I had to do a little backyard redneck aligning.
You take a piece of string and run it from the rear tire to the front along the outer edge.  Since the drivers side was not messed with that was my gauge.  I run the line across the center line of the rear tire across the center line of the front and when the string (make sure it barely touched the outer edges of the rear) touches the outer edges of the front tire your good on that side ( you may have to move the wheel to get it all in line.
Switch over to the other side and do the same across the rear tire and for the front you may have to adjust it from turning the inner tie rod either in or out of the tie rod ball joint.  Get it as close as you can, you'll still need to get it done by a professional but at least you won't be all over the road.
Sorry no pictures, I was doing this as a one man job and didn't want to mess with the pictures just get it done.
Here's a picture I grabbed off the Internet to give you an idea of what I did.

Tie rod

Well, once again the daughters car went out.  I get a call that it's acting funny and shaking and shimmying all over so she pulled off if the church parking lot and got a ride to school from the wife.  On my way home I stopped by to take a look, everything looked fine until I drove it.
Felt like the wheels were locking up, so I parked it and got out to look.  Drives side wheel was fine, pointing forward.  Passenger side looked like it was turning left.  I squeezed my head under and saw the the tie rod ball joint was disconnected from the tie rod (official name I think is Inner tie rod).  I went home and packed a few tools and went back.  Took the tire off and the ball joint and went to screw it back on and it just slid on most of the way.  STRIPPED out.  I was able to get a couple threads to hold and babied her back home.
Everything came back off, I crawled under to see how to remove the tie rod.  Did a Internet search on removal and crawled back under, did another search and crawled back under, did that about three more times.  Looked the part up on the Internet and saw that it screwed in, so I crawled back under and saw that there was nothing to put a tool on.
This frustrated me for about three days, until... I'm a big proponent of using the right tools for the right job... I figured if I could get a pipe wrench on it I may be able to get it off.  Hunted high and low for my smallest wrench and went to work.  Blam off it came (thanks 6" pipe wrench).  Today I buy a new part and install sometime this weekend.
I get tired laying in the gravel working on my cars.
Anyway, here's the tie rod.  Top part of the picture is the ball joint end that fastens to the control arm which is what steers the car, that screws on to the rod in the middle.  Bottom end of the picture is the ball joint that I used the pipe wrench on to get it off, it's screwed into the steering rack.  It's round with nothing to grip on.

There is a rubber boot that encloses the bottom end and rack that's filled with power steering fluid.

Getting things done

Two weeks now have gone by and after replacing the CV Joint (the drivers side), finding the tire showing steel belts and replacing the valve cover gasket needing replaced all was good to go.  UNTIL... she took it on the highway.  Seems there is a vibration in the steering wheel, guess I'll be getting the tires balanced for that.
Next up a good friend asked if I could help with his daughters car.  Yes, I'll try.  This is a fuel tank replacement and it needs to be done by Friday.  Did a little research in the internet and figured I had a hand on it.  Exhaust had to be disconnected from the muffler, pain in the ass, as it's all heated together and rusted.  Got it undone (will need to replace the flange gaskets and bolts), tank unstrapped and all lines disconnected.  Little of a wrestle but it's out and ready to transfer the "green" stuff over.
Now come the part I hate the most, I break a part.  Don't know what it is or what it's called or what it does.  But luckly for me I have the internet and a number and find out that it's a Fuel Assy.  Who would have know.  What does it do?  After some searching it seems to let the pump know when your tank is full (more of that "green" stuff).  So now were waiting on the part as it's a dealer only item or internet buy.
Looking to finish the job Friday if the part come in.
If not the daughter will have to go back to University and be mobile through her legs.
And through all this I've been taking pictures to show everyone and something happened to my memory card.  It can't be read on the card reader or able to view the pictures on the camera, SUCKS, I had some good pictures of our snow, the dogs and the first signs of Spring around here.

Another CV Joint

Well no sooner did I fix my car the daughters now needs a passenger side CV Joint.  Looks like I'm becoming a pro at this.  Another thing on the list for the weekend, it's going to be cold but not as cold as the last time.
Oh well, coveralls here I come.

CV Joint

Well, it sounded pretty bad the other day (actually last week) driving into work.  Every time I turn right it made a nice clicking grinding noise.  I made it to work and back.  Parked it and got my part. 
Luck for me I've already replace the passenger side so I knew what I was up against.
Here's the old broken part...

I'm back on the road.

Starter

Here it is, the fried remains of the 4wheeler starter, looks like that was the problem.  Off to get more parts when payday comes by.  Should be about a $24 repair.

Damn thing...

Spent a beautiful day yesterday, messing with the 4wheeler.  Thought it may have been the starter solenoid but was told to check the starter first.  Looks like I may need a new one.

I did get two eggs from the chickens though.

And cooked out on the grill, I love that.

No Heat

Well, got a call from the wife, no heat when she got up.  Looks like I'll be trouble shooting when I get home.  Damn appliances !!!  Think it's the ignitor, heard it clicking on and off quite a bit lately.  Damn appliances again !!!
Found this needed replaced.

 

That didn't work, so I replaced this.

The one I got was rated for 300deg and the one I needed, needed to be 333deg.  Who would have thought that 33deg would make that much of a difference in a furnace.  Any it burned up and I had to order one online.