What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[sgtsandman]

It looks like the left, front hub assembly is going bad on the 2011. Placed one on order to swap it out.

 

[Curious Hound]

Removed the Superrunner idler arm so I could measure and order replacement bushings.

 

[Rick W]

Yea no one checks to see if the cores are matching parts. As long as its somewhat sorta shaped like an alternator your fine, they all just get thrown in a big pile and shipped to china. When I worked for Advance we rarely even looked in the box, just slapped a sticker on it and chucked it in the bin. They didn't pay us enough to go inspecting garbage...

I’m picking up the new brushes from Napa in a little bit, but I thought everyone might be interested in the response from the email to rock auto.

I emailed them and asked if I could return a 95 amp alternator shell for the 130 amp alternator if I bought one. I don’t remember the exact wording but it was something like:

“If I stood on 1 foot, with the shoelaces undone on the other foot, wearing my junior ranger hat (but pointing at the 5 o’clock position), and I held the core up to the sun and chanted “rumba me lah tinkie tinkie” 3 times, they could only accept a core if I had been charged a core charge, but only if it was in the same box.”

So I’m wondering how I prove the tinkie tinkie part.? Gosh, I’m hoping the brushes just work!

Honestly, I love Rock Auto, but the time of customer service in our woke society is dead. (So, I’m thinking of taking Karen lessons, but I was told it’s redundant since I’m from New Jersey)

 

[Dirtman]

Sometimes it's best not to ask questions and just see what you can get away with...

At least when you don't ask you can still plead ignorance.

"I didn't know I couldn't return an old boot as an alternator core!? I sware that's what I took out of my truck!!"

 

[Curious Hound]

Don't know why I didn't think about it til now. But a few years ago, I upgraded the alternator on my Mercedes. I ordered an alternator for a Volvo, or something like that and returned the Mercedes alternator as a core. No problems. That was through RA.

 

[Dirtman]

The way cores work it's just not plausible for them to care or know if the part exactly matches. Rock Auto (or any major auto parts supplier) buys a stockpile of alternators from a company who buys them from a remanufacturing plant and sends cores back to the company which in turn sells the cores back to the remanufacturing plant. Think of what must happen for them to verify the part is identical.

The person at rock auto who receives the core would need to open the box, pull the alternator out and physically find the serial/part number and then cross reference to the part number of what you bought to verify it matches the one sold. The core is worth about 10 cents in profit to them, trust me they are not paying anyone to do that leg work. At the very very most the box gets opened, someone checks that some kind of automotive looking thing is in there and then tags it as accepted and moves on. The people working the shipping and receiving department are not mechanics and do not care.

And you aren't even scamming them because when they get shipped back to China they are just sold in bulk anyway. 10 tons of alternators is 10 tons of alternators they don't care what part numbers they are. The kids who sort them in a sweat shop do that work.

 

[Bgunner]

The kick strips that I ordered to replace the cracked and broken ones came in but I just don't seem to have the ambition to install them at the moment. The whole 8 Philips head screws just seem to be to much so I'm taking the beer fetcher to, well, fetch beer.

 

[racsan]

picked up another project, a 1995 jawa moped. engine is free, gas was drained. has a broken drive belt (on order-$50) gave $75 for it, hopefully it will be useable. 1,215 miles.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I’m picking up the new brushes from Napa in a little bit, but I thought everyone might be interested in the response from the email to rock auto.

I emailed them and asked if I could return a 95 amp alternator shell for the 130 amp alternator if I bought one. I don’t remember the exact wording but it was something like:

“If I stood on 1 foot, with the shoelaces undone on the other foot, wearing my junior ranger hat (but pointing at the 5 o’clock position), and I held the core up to the sun and chanted “rumba me lah tinkie tinkie” 3 times, they could only accept a core if I had been charged a core charge, but only if it was in the same box.”

So I’m wondering how I prove the tinkie tinkie part.? Gosh, I’m hoping the brushes just work!

Honestly, I love Rock Auto, but the time of customer service in our woke society is dead. (So, I’m thinking of taking Karen lessons, but I was told it’s redundant since I’m from New Jersey)

I'd rather live in this woke world, where my bisexual cousin is accepted for who she is, than the world I grew up in, where she would have been ostracized.

Many of my peers who were aboriginal were taken away from their families, and sent to a residential school, where they were beaten, sexually abused, and often died. 26% of aboriginal children who were sent to those schools died. Their families have NO idea what happened to them. The survivors will suffer for the rest of their lives. Those schools, by the way, started in Canada in the 1870's. The last one closed in 1996. I graduated from highschool in 1991. That's the world that you would prefer.

In this woke world, persons with disabilities are treated with respect. When I was in school, I was often called "retard", because I have a disability. Today, persons with severe disabilities stay with their families, and learn to become independent. In the world you prefer, they were institutionalized, and would have never had the opportunities that I have.

In this woke world, East Germany, the USSR, and the rest of Eastern Europe are free.

I could go on, and on, and on, but I'll end this by saying that this woke world is MUCH better than the world I grew up in.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Sometimes it's best not to ask questions and just see what you can get away with...

At least when you don't ask you can still plead ignorance.

"I didn't know I couldn't return an old boot as an alternator core!? I sware that's what I took out of my truck!!"

You spelled "it's best to deal honestly with people" wrong, kind sir.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'd rather live in this woke world, where my bisexual cousin is accepted for who she is, than the world I grew up in, where she would have been ostracized.

Many of my peers who were aboriginal were taken away from their families, and sent to a residential school, where they were beaten, sexually abused, and often died. 26% of aboriginal children who were sent to those schools died. Their families have NO idea what happened to them. The survivors will suffer for the rest of their lives. Those schools, by the way, started in Canada in the 1870's. The last one closed in 1996. I graduated from highschool in 1991. That's the world that you would prefer.

In this woke world, persons with disabilities are treated with respect. When I was in school, I was often called "retard", because I have a disability. Today, persons with severe disabilities stay with their families, and learn to become independent. In the world you prefer, they were institutionalized, and would have never had the opportunities that I have.

In this woke world, East Germany, the USSR, and the rest of Eastern Europe are free.

I could go on, and on, and on, but I'll end this by saying that this woke world is MUCH better than the world I grew up in.

You got that from an alternator core?

Take a deep breath...

 

[Ramcharger90]

So I have been parting out the wifes BMW X5 because its junk. And I found this lil guy hiding in the back left corner of the glove box when I was pulling the body control module out.

Its a flashlight. I may put it in the Ranger. I gotta find a spot for it and a bulb I think. Or just let it charge either way I'll put a ford sticker on it over the german trash truck logo......

I cant wait to crush whats left

2000 BMW X5

Edit:
On second thought I'm going to order a new one lol

 

[1990RangerinSK]

You got that from an alternator core?

Take a deep breath...

No. I got that from listening to GenX and boomers whine about how the world has changed since the Millennials have become adults.

 

[Rick W]

I'd rather live in this woke world, where my bisexual cousin is accepted for who she is, than the world I grew up in, where she would have been ostracized.

Many of my peers who were aboriginal were taken away from their families, and sent to a residential school, where they were beaten, sexually abused, and often died. 26% of aboriginal children who were sent to those schools died. Their families have NO idea what happened to them. The survivors will suffer for the rest of their lives. Those schools, by the way, started in Canada in the 1870's. The last one closed in 1996. I graduated from highschool in 1991. That's the world that you would prefer.

In this woke world, persons with disabilities are treated with respect. When I was in school, I was often called "retard", because I have a disability. Today, persons with severe disabilities stay with their families, and learn to become independent. In the world you prefer, they were institutionalized, and would have never had the opportunities that I have.

In this woke world, East Germany, the USSR, and the rest of Eastern Europe are free.

I could go on, and on, and on, but I'll end this by saying that this woke world is MUCH better than the world I grew up in.

With every respect, Sir, you have me all wrong. I have had respect for every and all every day of my life, as my family did before me, as my brother and sister do, and as we raised our children, and as we are raising our grandchildren. Faith in God, faith in the family, and live and let live, under the precious and fragile veil of freedom.

I was raised with His wisdom regarding those different than me, and I accepted them as any other friend, and, just like anyone else, if they infringed on me, initially I tried to make peace and find out what the issue was, frequently an issue that wasn’t them nor was it me, and if that didn’t work I simply walked away wishing them luck, or, only if forced, I put up my defenses.

As regards those less fortunate than me, or those that may have been mistreated because they were different, I always welcomed them and tried to sympathize or empathize. If I was stronger, I tried to protect and defend. However, at no time did I force my beliefs and philosophies on another, just as I would not blindly accept beliefs and actions that I found to be wrong or offensive if forced on me. When I was in leadership positions, which was frequent in my life and career, I made sure all were included and all were treated with respect in any organization where I had management and/or leadership responsibility. Even when I didn’t have the power of the office, I frequently worked for the same things successfully.

I want to emphasize also, that at every turn, if something didn’t seem right to me, the first thing I did was extend my hand in friendship to discuss the differences so that I might learn or others might learn and we would benefit from the knowledge and teamwork. Since I was young, because of MY family’s history (Polish Catholic), I sought out and successfully found an international career because I was fascinated with all people and all cultures, many totally different than my history and culture, and our common American culture and history, all of which should be taught accurately in our schools, with the bad parts exposed along with how we as a nation have corrected them, and with the good things emphasized, and the heroes placed on a pedestal as role models for our youth.

When I say “woke,” I speak of those with hidden and possibly evil agendas (typically for their own power and benefit), those in power fraudulently, empowered by a corrupt media seeking ratings and fame and no longer truth and justice, all empowered by the mob.

I swore never to mention it here, but you have “poked the bear,” so let me share something to your point. For about 10 years, I was the State of Georgia chairman of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club (Rolls-Royce and Bentley). I’m not that wealthy, I’m just fascinated by all the cars, and I have been fortunate enough to work hard to be able to get some of the things I like. If we work hard, and help others, we shouldn’t be stripped of our hard earnings, but that is another story for another day. Our region was called the “Rebel Region,” with the stars and bars on our regional logo. I was the one who brought up changing the name to the Southeast Region and removing the confederate flag from our logo, facing tremendous opposition. I prevailed, it was the right thing to do. I also insisted that the previous name and logo remain in the institution’s history annals so no one would forget and people could learn from the previous prejudice and mistakes. I recruited more African-American members than anyone before me.

To your point, about 1/3 of the members were gay, mostly men. Not only did they not “bother” me, we had a great time with our differences when we worked together and played together. We all kept our private lives private if we wanted to, never forced our views on others, and honestly we laughed a lot about our differences and the silly things that happened to us because of what we believed and who we were like anybody who is friends in a situation of trust and respect. The things that make us different, that many get so upset about, are usually a tiny fraction of what makes us who we are. While I don’t believe in the lifestyle because of my faith, He has granted us choice, I respect that and them. We frequently had civil, and very interesting discussions about it all. And these guys and gals were actually some of the finest people I ever met and many are still my friends today. They are an absolute hoot at my annual Christmas party!

If I can ever get to a TRS event, I would love to share a beer with you and some of the other guys and gals in a similar fashion, and talk about all of this. I’m sure I would learn, as I’m sure everybody with an open mind would learn, and we will be the better for it.

I accept your apology in advance, it’s hard for people not to be swayed by the constant flood of mis-information on TV, and the unbelievable overwhelming pressure to categorize everybody into a “good” column or a “bad” column, where the good should be accepted and praised, and the bad should be ostracized and put to death. Read a little about Hitler, Mao, Stalin, etc.

If you choose to study a little, if you’re curious about my family’s background, I won’t share at all, but research the Katyn Massacre (Russia). Maybe research my last name, Woroniecki, and Polish history. 2/3 of my family was lost, which only made the rest of us stronger. They were put to death because, starting in an age of monarchies, they believed in democracy and freedom and education for all, true education, not the propaganda taught in American schools now. Just as they did and those before them, I try to carry forth those traditions here, in my ancestral homes, and throughout my travels and all I encounter.

I am still all inclusive and I stand to protect those weaker or different than me, but just as I am doing now, I will also speak up strongly against those opposed to such things or those who would take advantage for unholy and unjust reasons. I felt I should speak here, but please don’t assume I put you in those categories. Actually, I extend my hand...

Respectfully,

Rick Woroniecki

 

[Rick W]

On a different note, I picked up the alternator brushes. I’m thinking all the design guys at Ford are brilliant in their own cubicles, but maybe they don’t work together that much.

I remember in the old days the only choice was to replace the whole alternator and you had to take the engine apart to get it done. But not anymore, technology has marched forward.

You can now change the brushes by taking out the four little torque screws on the backside, and sliding the module out. So the alternator is very easy to fix if that’s your problem.

However, you have to take half the f’n engine apart to get to the fourth screw. The torx wrench/socket won’t fit between the alternator and the valve cover....

But I’m happy the 97 Red Ranger is back on the road again. I’ll look for the 130 amp alternator my next trip to the pull a part.