We replaced a leaking air shock on my dad's Rialta

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
02/21/2019 at 23:10 • Filed to: Diy, Rialta

Looks so simple, but oh no...

Biggest pain in the ass in the world. He started at 11am, I came home from work at 2. We finished at 7.

Daylight has abandoned us. Also it’s cold.

All the usual thing happened. The new shock was a different size, the new fittings were the wrong size (we went to *seven* stores before finding what we needed), the way the shock attaches to the leaf springs seems to have been engineered by a drunk, and plus the siezed bolts, rust and dust on all the old junk, smashed my knuckles, and so on...

But it was great!

On two occasions, my dad said, “Let’s give up,” but I actually thought of decent ideas. For example, the new shock was thiiiiis much short of attaching to the leaf spring. So I jacked up the leaf spring at a safe point with a cut of treated wood as a shim . Also, he only wanted to buy one fitting (L-shape that connects to the top of the shock. And I said, “You know if this one failed, the next one isn’t far behind.” Aaaaaaand we tested it and the other one has in fact failed as well. So that’s something to do next week. Plus, my wife bought Frosties.

But it’ll be way faster the second time. Hope we can beat our current of 13 man-hours

Here’s a photo of the girl in daylight, for those who haven’t seen it yet.

DISCUSSION (16)

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:16

My 1st wrenching rule: Always budget 3x as much time as you think you’ll need.

Also, you just referred to your wife as “my wide”. Better hope she never sees that or you’ll be sleeping in the Sp o rtcross.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
02/21/2019 at 23:20

Only th ree times? He was about to leave it in my driveway and come back when new parts were shipped in. That would have been like... a multiple of one Paseo convertible time.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:23

I have no idea what kinda of rv that is or who makes it, but the body style is absolutely fantastic!

vicali > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:23

The best part of working o n these is you can get a beer/make some tea/ have a nap while you are doing the job..

My brother in law had the ground strap come off his 83 on the side of the highway. Tow truck told him 45 minutes. He climbed in the back for a half hour nap and was well rested when the tow pulled up.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > 2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered
02/21/2019 at 23:24

It's a VW Eurovan modified by Winnebago

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:26

Those must be lighter than I thought, because I was expecting a lot more rear brake in that picture.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
02/21/2019 at 23:28

My dad says it’s close to 6 empty, but 2-5 people, all their shit, water, propane, adds up.

2Fast2Furious: Rotary Powered > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:31

I definitely like the style, sometimes I feel like American style express converted RVs are too boxy

ranwhenparked > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:32

I misread that as Rialto, and wondered where your dad got a Reliant.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:37

Getting your dad to go that much farther is an awesome experience . We’ve been working on the J80 engine replacement when we can and my dad has told me multiple times after finishing a hard days work that he wouldn’t have done it without my push. It’s fun.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:39

Oh, right, those are the big VW things that somehow get yanked around by a lil VR6. Passed one of those in Colorado. It did not sound like it was having a super fun time with the moderate grade.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:39

Oh, right, those are the big VW things that somehow get yanked around by a lil VR6. Passed one of those in Colorado. It did not sound like it was having a super fun time with the moderate grade.

Chariotoflove > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/21/2019 at 23:50

The funny thing about these projects together is that the more painful they are, the better you feel at the end. Almost euphoric really...

...as long as you’re successful.

Congrats. You earned those Frosties.

VW Max > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
02/22/2019 at 00:03

It’s got to be significantly less underpowered than the aircooled VWs though.

Future Heap Owner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/22/2019 at 01:43

Wow, and you still got it done in a day? Nice

shop-teacher > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/22/2019 at 07:18

Nicely done!