Monday, November 29, 2010

Discount BAL 28005 Deluxe Tire Chock


Very happy with the product. As a unknown bonus I received a ratcheting wrench with the product that makes it so much easier to open and close the chocks. Good quality.Get more detail about BAL 28005 Deluxe Tire Chock.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Cheap Gorilla Automotive VS407C Flush Mount Valve Stems - Slotted Cap


This product, as advertised is a great low profile valve solution for those of us looking for a clean install or a way to keep wandering neighborhood kids' hands away from our tire valves and covers. Unfortunately the filling extension tube which must be threaded into the recessed valve is very inefficient at conveying air. Now I'm not sure how well this filling method may work on a wheel and tire combo with a smaller cavity, such as low profile tires perhaps. I will say my 33x12.50s took excrutiatingly long to fill. So much so, that I deemed the system inpractical, and although I left the unit installed in my spare, I went out and got the shorty hard valves from the same manufacturer. Thanks for reading and good luck.
OH and P.S. if you were wondering, the slot is roughly the size of a quarter.Get more detail about Gorilla Automotive VS407C Flush Mount Valve Stems - Slotted Cap.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Buying Slime 10009 Tubeless Tire Sealant - 32 oz.


It was getting to the point that I was filling my tires 2 to 3 times a week. I took the worst of the tires and soaped it up. The leaking was coming from around the bang-on rim weight. I called up my local tire repair shop and they wanted $25+ to dismount, clean and remount the tire to fix the rim-leak. Since all four tires were leaking, it would cost me over $100 (with tax, etc.) to have all tires done. Then, I remembered Slime, and asked a guy at the auto parts store if it worked. He said that his tires were leaking like a sieve all around the side-walls, which Slime fixed. IMPORTANT: He said NOT to follow the instructions on the bottle and, instead, put in 8oz per tire for 24 in. tires. That is roughly 60% more than recommended according to the instructions on the bottle.

I was able to buy a 32oz bottle for around $9.00 where I live. When I got home, I got a ruler, placed the bottle upright on a flat surface and measured the amount of liquid in the bottle. I made 4 marks on the side of the bottle with an indelible marker -- dividing the contents into 4 parts (if the label goes all the way around the bottle with no gap, you will have to peel some of the label off so you can mark the bottle directly and see the remaining level of fluid inside as you squeeze the contents into each tire). I then took out my hydraulic jack; jacked up one side of the car in order to relieve the weight on the tires when deflated, then removed the valve from the stems in the two tires on that side. After all air was out of the tires, I squeezed in 1/4 (8oz) of the bottle into each tire, screwed the valve back into the stems, re-inflated the tires and dropped the car back onto the garage floor. I repeated this procedure with the other side of the car. All-in-all, it didn't take me more than 30 minutes to deflate all four tires, squeeze the slime in and re-fill them with air.

I then took the car out for a drive -- to work the Slime into all the crevices of the tire and rim. There was an immediate difference; and, within a few days of driving (because it takes time to work the slime into all the nooks and crannies) there were no more severe leaks. It was the first time I was able to go for more than a week without having to fill my tires. After 3-4 weeks, the tires are holding air and I don't even have to top them off anymore.

Interestingly, just last week before Christmas, I noticed that one of the tires on my wife's car was flat. Luckily, I noticed it while it was still sitting in the garage. I filled it up with air, and it was flat the next morning. I filled it up again, and it was flat that evening (it was getting worse real fast). I took the tire off and soaped it up like I did on my car. Wow! There were leaks all around both the inside and outside rim (must be all the salt and below-zero weather). So, like I did to my car, I slimed it and filled it up with air. I drove it around for about 10 minutes and parked it. A few days later, it still read the same pressure as I put in it a few days earlier after I slimed it. A few days later, I did the other three tires.

As I figure it, I saved over $200 in rim-cleaning & remounting costs for 8-tires with two $9.00 32oz bottles of Slime.

Also, be aware, that since there is so much slime in the tires (way more than the directions say to use, as explained above following the instructions from the auto-parts guy), at speeds over 35-40 mph, the tires will be a bit unbalanced for about a mile until the slime evens out from centrifugal force -- something that I have no problem living with, since it saved me over $200. After about a mile, everything smoothes out and the wheels automatically fall back into balance (kind of like those centrifugal balancing weights used on 18-wheelers). I have driven at speeds up to 65 mph for long durations with no noticeable shimmy or bounce after the slime re-balances itself inside the tires.
Get more detail about Slime 10009 Tubeless Tire Sealant - 32 oz..

Monday, November 22, 2010

Buy (4) 2.0" ATV Wheel Spacers with 4/110 bolt pattern for Yamaha Rhino Polaris Honda Suzuki


Polaris Predator 90 is one model that it clearly states that this fits. I spent 2 hours machining away a BUNCH of aluminum to get these to fit. There is no recessed area to clear the hubs on the inside AND they are too wide to fit the wheel (OD), so the outside edge had to be machined away. They are very nicely made but not for the 90.Get more detail about (4) 2.0" ATV Wheel Spacers with 4/110 bolt pattern for Yamaha Rhino Polaris Honda Suzuki.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Purchase McGard 64000 Chrome Cone Seat Style Lug Nuts (1/2" - 20 Thread Size) - Set of 4


These are excellent quality lug nuts. I have only had them a few weeks and they are great so far. The real test will be after the winter season. I am using these on my snowmobile trailer and no other lug nut has made it even one season without rusting. I am hoping the claims are true and that the triple plating of the McGard nuts will last for several years. Even if they only last a couple seasons they are a great value because the are only moderately more expensive than "cheap" chrome plated lug nuts. And then there is the lifteime warranty...Get more detail about McGard 64000 Chrome Cone Seat Style Lug Nuts (1/2" - 20 Thread Size) - Set of 4.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Where To Buy x Tread Digital Tire Gage (FOW74-225-500) Category: Wheel and Tire Service


I brought it for catching up with tire rotation. I don't need the resolution but if there's a cheaper digital one I will get it. Digital means no guessing time, saving effort of my eyesight, and I can take as many readings one after the other.

I do not just need past or fail thread depth reading. I need to compare different tires, and the inner and outer depths of each tire. It does what it's suppose to do.

Precision instruments have to be plastic. How much it cost for a high precision metal cast as compared to a plastic one? Metal cast cannot have very sharp edge, imagine that.

My Dyson vacuum cleaner used some very high quality plastic, virtually bullet proof, and look new after a few years of abuse.Get more detail about x Tread Digital Tire Gage (FOW74-225-500) Category: Wheel and Tire Service.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Mr. Gasket 2371 5/16" Disc Brake Bolt Pattern Wheel Spacer Kit


Spacer plates; for those oversized options in tire and wheel, sometimes are necessary. These nearly universal mounting spacer plates give a safe, inexpensive and easily mounted tool to expand your choices for your vehicles appearance and handling. Choose a thickness size and get a set today!



Get more detail about Mr. Gasket 2371 5/16" Disc Brake Bolt Pattern Wheel Spacer Kit.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Husky Liners 57601 Custom Molded Black Thermoplastic Rear Mud Guard - Set of 2 Review


I've installed two complete sets of four of these on two 2004-2009 F150 pickups (one 2007 and one 2009). They fit perfectly, require only one hole to be drilled through steel per fender (and one per side into plastic inner fender liner on front wheels) and use two existing holes at each fender. The contour nicely matches the truck, they are functional, very unobtrusive, and look much better than flat mud flaps. Also, they are pretty much self-aligning/self-leveling. The first set of four took me approx. 45 minutes to install, taking my time and reading instructions carefully. The second set took me less than 30 minutes. This review is for PN's 56601 and 57601, for 2004-2009 F150 without OEM fender flares. Another plus, if it matters to anyone, these are designed and made in the USA, in the state of Kansas.Get more detail about Husky Liners 57601 Custom Molded Black Thermoplastic Rear Mud Guard - Set of 2.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Gorilla Automotive 21133RD Small Diameter Acorn Red 5 Lug Kit (12mm x 1.50 Thread Size) - Pack of 20 Top Quality


I suppose it may be difficult to make a metallic red plating that is tough, so it may not be fair to complain about it. But, you should be aware that the color is fairly fragile. The spline driver scrapes some of the red off along the splines. But, you can't see that anyway. So as long as you are careful not to scratch the head part of the lug, it should be okay. Mine look okay and you can't tell that the spline area is scratched. I've seen some lugnuts with just a colored cap, and that might make better sense.

Also, while spline drive lugnuts are "sort of" locking, meaning that somebody couldn't easily steel the wheels without a spline driver, but, a good crook would probably have a spline driver. So its not that secure. it would be better if it was more of a true lock, where you don't have the same key as anybody else.

Finally, I should have got the 1.5 length instead of the 1.25 length. that was my mistake. They look a bit recessed into the wheel, so, check to see what length you need.
Get more detail about Gorilla Automotive 21133RD Small Diameter Acorn Red 5 Lug Kit (12mm x 1.50 Thread Size) - Pack of 20.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Lisle 65250 Universal Bearing Packer Immediately


I used to use the palm of my hand to pack wheel bearings on my Trailers. As I've gotten older, my hands start to ache - so I found and bought this.

Of course, got the usual Amazon great service, fast delivery, no damage.

It's simple to use, simple to clean, and works great - no voids, no missed spots - will repack a bearing in nothing flat - just put the bearing in the middle (either side up) connect it to a grease gun (manual, air - doesn't matter) squirt until fresh grease comes out of the bearing, and you're done! I use the extra grease in the middle during the repack itself - so no waste!

Of course - always use new wheel seals - don't be too cheap - it's worth it in the long run!Get more detail about Lisle 65250 Universal Bearing Packer.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Husky Liners 56591 Custom Molded Black Thermoplastic Front Mud Guard - Set of 2 Best Quality


I love these model specific molded splash guards which are also very easy to install. I installed the rear ones with the provided instructions and included hardware. The front splash guards came without the mounting instructions and hardware needed to mount them to the wheel wells. It is pretty hard to find black #10 screws and fender washers. No one wants to install bright stainless steel or galvanized screws and washers against a black splash guard. Husky needs to improve on their packaging as I am to assume the very loose packaging allowed the hardware to get lost in transit or they didn't bother to include them.Get more detail about Husky Liners 56591 Custom Molded Black Thermoplastic Front Mud Guard - Set of 2.