December 21, 2009

Hello, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year

SHSM: and all interested technology students met at the cafeteria at 1:00-1:45pm on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. Students watched a power point presentation from Skills Canada. Students could select technology areas of interest and the presenter would focus her expertise on those areas. Examples were cosmetology, automotive technician, welder, crane operator, electrician, and land scape design.


From the shop:

• 2001 Volvo S40 (customer); raise vehicle on Hydro Lift; remove rear wheels/tires and lug nuts; remove rear brake system hydraulic caliper mount/slide bolts and replace rubber sleeves to keep salt and grime from contaminating mount/slide bolts from functioning properly; reassemble; check exhaust for leaks; front flex exhaust pipe leaking.
• 1995 GMC Safari (student); raise vehicle on Hydro Lift; install new rear axle housing cover, new cover gasket, new mounting bolts and flat washers; install new 80W90 rear axle fluid; install fill/inspection plug; remove left front wheel/tire and lug nuts; remove left front brake system hydraulic caliper, mounting/slide bolts, mounting/slide bushings, mounting/slide rubber "O" rings, hydraulic flex hose at caliper; sand blast caliper at necessary locations; remove hydraulic fluid bleeder bolt (gas torch); remove rust on caliper mount (AC electric angle grinder and wire wheel attachment); sandblast brake pads at necessary locations; lubricate all necessary locations (synthetic brake lube); install new rubber "O" rings; install new mounting/slide bushings; remove rust from mounting/slide bolts/pins; remove rotor/disc dust cover/cap; remove spindle nut cotter pin; remove spindle nut; remove spindle outer steel washer, outer bearing, inner bearing, and inner bearing seal; remove all grease from rotor/disc bearing hub; machine rotor/disc to remove warp-age (AC electric computer brake lathe); lube bearing hub; remove grease from bearings; lube bearings; install bearings and seal; install rotor/disc, washer and spindle nut, and adjust bearings to "0" preload/play; install cotter pin; install dust cap; install brake pads to caliper; install caliper and mounting/slide bolts/pins to mount; install hydraulic flex hose to hydraulic brake caliper; bleed hydraulic brake caliper; install wheel/tire and lug nuts and torque to 100ft. lbs.
• 2001 Mazda B3000 (student); raise vehicle on Hydra Lift; under coat vehicle with "Fluid Film"
• 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix (donated); demolition car project; cut holes (AC electric angle grinder and cut/grinding wheel) through engine hood to allow quick response in case of engine fire; remove windshield wiper motor and transmission; cut piece of steel for battery tray; install metal bar vertically across winshield opening.
• 1997 Ford Sable (student); raise vehicle on Bear vehicle lift; remove engine oil pan drain plug; drain engine oil into a suitable container; remove engine oil filter; install drain plug; install new oil filter; install new engine oil; start engine; shut off engine; check engine oil level with engine oil dip stick; add engine oil if necessary.
• 1999 GMC Safari (customer); raise front of vehicle with hydraulic floor jack; remove front wheels/tires and lug nuts; install snow tires/wheels and lug nuts; lower floor jack; raise rear of vehicle with floor jack; remove rear wheels/tires and lug nuts; install snow tires/wheels and lug nuts; all lug nuts torqued to 100 ft. lbs.; all snow tires/wheels were first filled to 35psi and balanced (AC electric, computer wheel/tire balancer).
• 2003 Pontiac Vibe (customer); raise vehicle with Hydra Lift; remove front and rear wheels/tires and lug nuts (1/2" drive, 22mm, 6 point, deep, impact socket, and 1/2" drive Johnson bar); install 4x snow tires/wheels, hubcaps, and lug nuts; snow tires/wheels were first checked for proper air pressure 35psi and balanced; all lug nuts torqued to 100 ft. lbs.
• Snow blower, gas powered, self propelled (customer); replace rubber fuel line from plastic fuel tank to carberator; install AC electric starter motor; required drill and tap one hole at bottom right of starter mounting on engine block.
• our tech. department AC electric air compressor has failed and is to be replaced; for now we must work without air tools and equipment

From the board:

• Safety: electric power tools, continued
• Tools & Equipment: computer wheel balancer, continued; sanders, grade 9
• Theory: internal combustion engines

December 13, 2009

Hello,

The 4th quarter has started. I will be evaluating the students work starting Monday, December 14, 2009 toward their 30% final summative. Including their Daily Notes & Log (theory, knowledge, and communication) and their participation in the shop (problem solving, thinking, practical, attendance, punctuality, cooperation, and attitude).

SHSM: including all the grade 11 and 12 Trans. Tech. students went through a 3 hour "ATV Safety" program. The students who attended all 3 hours (2 periods, Tuesday and Wednesday), were attentive and passed the written test received a certificate. Thanks to Karin Marks (health promoter/child injury prevention) from the Haldimand - Norfolk Health Unit and Mark Foster (ATV Safety Watch/officer) from the OPP.

From the shop:

• 1995 GMC Safari (student); raise vehicle on AC electric and hydraulic Hydra lift; remove left front and both rear wheels/tires (1/2" drive, 21mm, 6 point, deep, impact socket and 1/2" drive pneumatic impact wrench/gun); remove 1/4" steel brake system hydraulic line from ABS unit to rear brake hydraulic flex hose (8" side-cut pliers, 7/16" and 14mm combination wrench). To access ABS unit the student had to drain engine coolant into a suitable drain pan by turning the drain plug at bottom right of engine coolant radiator (hand). Remove the engine radiator cap (hand). Remove engine radiator upper fan shroud by first removing six bolts (3/8" drive ratchet; 3/8" drive, 10mm, 6 point, deep, regular socket; 3/8" drive, 12" and 2" extensions). Remove upper engine radiator coolant hose at rad (slot/flat screwdriver). Install brass adapter into ABS unit. Install 1/4" x 60" x 2, 1/4" x 20" x 1 steel, double flare, hydraulic brake tubing. Remove rear brake system drums (ball peen hammer). Wash out brake dust with water hose. Remove brake system, rear, hydraulic, cylinder, bleeder bolts (8mm, combination wrench). Add Dot 3 brake fluid to brake system, hydraulic, master cylinder reservoir. Install rear brake drums. Student pumped the brake system pedal while students observed rear brake, hydraulic cylinders, bleeder holes for fluid and air. Students then properly bled rear brakes of all air with the bleeder bolts. Students made sure that reservoir never ran out of fluid. Install engine upper engine radiator fan shroud and bolts. Install engine radiator upper coolant hose at radiator. Close engine radiator drain plug. Add new engine coolant (anti-freeze). Start engine and allow to warm while watching engine temperature gauge on drivers dashboard. Student also continued to add engine coolant to radiator when necessary and felt upper radiator coolant hose for change in temperature. When the upper hose felt hot, indicating that the engine coolant thermostat had opened and that air trapped in the engine could escape through the radiator's open cap. When the engine was at full operating temperature, the thermostat was confirmed to be open, any trapped air had opportunity to escape, coolant had been topped up, the student installed the rad cap. Add engine coolant to over flow/expansion tank to the full mark. Turn off engine. Drain engine oil by removing engine oil pan drain plug into suitable container. Install drain plug. Remove engine oil filter (large channel-lock pliers). Install new engine oil and filter. Start engine to allow engine oil pressure system to fill the engine oil filter. Shut off engine and check for proper engine oil level by checking the engine oil dip stick. Remove automatic transmission fluid pan and drain fluid into suitable container. Clean away all gasket material from bottom of transmission and from pan. Remove automatic transmission fluid filter. Install new filter. Install a new gasket. Install pan and all pan bolts. Add new automatic transmission fluid. Start engine and shift automatic transmission through all gears. Recheck fluid level while engine is running with the automatic transmission fluid dip stick. Add fluid until full. Remove rear axle fluid plug (3/8" drive ratchet and 2" extension). Inspect rear axle fluid with finger through plug hole, no fluid. Remove rear axle fluid cover and 10 bolts (gas torch; 1/2" drive, 12mm and 1/2", 6 point, deep, impact socket and 1/2" drive Johnson bar). Clean cover with varsol, rinse with warm water, blow dry, and sand blast. Notice the cover is rusted through. New cover has been ordered. Clean away all gasket material from rear axle cover (pneumatic die-grinder with wire brush).
• 2001 Volvo S40 (customer); raise left front of vehicle with hydraulic floor jack; remove left front wheel/tire and lug nuts (1/2" drive, pneumatic, impact wrench/gun and proper socket); remove left front brake system hydraulic caliper and mounting/slide bolts, pads, and mount; sand blast mount and pads; install mount and mount bolts; lube mount with proper synthetic brake lube; install brake pads; install caliper and slide/mounting bolts; remove brake hydraulic flex hose at caliper; install new copper washers on both sides of flex hose at caliper; install brake, hydraulic, flex hose banjo bolt at caliper; remove brake system, hydraulic, caliper bleeder bolt (gas torch); install bleeder bolt and properly bleed caliper (student pumps brake system pedal); add brake system fluid (Dot 3) to master cylinder reservoir; install left front wheel/tire and lug nuts; remove hydraulic jack; raise vehicle on AC electric and hydraulic, Bear scissor lift; lift front of vehicle with Space Saver pneumatic vehicle lift; remove front wheels/tires; remove right front brake system hydraulic caliper, mounting/slide bolts, pads, mount and bolts; sand blast mount and pads; install mount and bolts; lube mount and pads with synthetic brake lube; install pads; install caliper and mount/slide bolts; balance front wheels/tires (Snap-On computer balancer); install wheels/tires and lug nuts on vehicle and torque at 100ft. lbs.; lower front of the vehicle; raise rear of the vehicle (Space Saver, pneumatic vehicle lift); remove rear wheels/tires; remove right rear brake system hydraulic caliper and mount/slide bolts; remove brake pads; remove caliper mount and bolts; sand blast caliper mount and pads; install mount and bolts; lube mount with synthetic brake lube; install brake pads; install caliper and mount/slide bolts; remove built up corrosion on hub (mini die-grinder and wire brush); lube hub with anti-seize; install rear wheels/tires and lug nuts; torque to 100ft. lbs.; lower rear of vehicle; lower vehicle; test drive vehicle.
• 2002 Dodge Durango (customer); raise vehicle (Bear, AC electric, hydraulic vehicle lift); raise front of vehicle (Space Saver pneumatic vehicle lift); remove left front wheel/tire and lug nuts (1/2" drive, 19mm, 6 point, deep, impact socket; 1/2" drive, pneumatic, impact wrench/gun); remove left, front, brake system, hydraulic, caliper and mount/slide bolts; remove brake pads; remove brake disc/rotor; remove cotter pin at end of drive axle (8" side cut pliers); remove cage from drive axle nut; remove drive axle nut and washer (proper 1/2" drive, 6 point, deep, impact socket); remove bearing/hub mounting bolts (gas torch); remove bearing/hub (slide hammer; pneumatic, impact hammer and chisel); remove all rust from steering knuckle at bearing/hub (mini die-grinder and wire brush); lube with anti-seize; install new bearing/hub and mounting bolts; install drive axle washer, nut (proper torque), cage, and new cotter pin; sand blast inside of brake disc at bearing/hub; lube with anti-seize; install disc; remove rust from caliper mount at brake pads; lube caliper mount with synthetic brake lube; sand blast brake pads at caliper mount; install brake pads; install brake caliper and mount/slide bolts; remove left front inner wheel well plastic weather guard and plastic retainers; remove front under rad plastic weather guard and plastic retainers; remove high pressure power steering hose at power steering rack and pinion; remove low pressure return power steering hose at rack and pinion and at power steering cooler; install new power steering return low pressure hose at cooler and at rack and pinion; install high pressure hose at rack and pinion; install new power steering fluid to power steering pump reservoir; allow power steering system to bleed and add fluid as necessary; install front under rad plastic weather guard and plastic retainers; replace 1/4" rubber vacuum line at engine upper intake manifold to emission purge valve.
• 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix (donated); remove engine coolant from engine, radiator, and expansion tank into a suitable container; lift vehicle with hydraulic floor jack and secure vehicle on 4 safety stands; remove all wheels/tires; install safety bars from bottom to top of windshield.
• 1993 Ford Aerostar (donated); cut vehicle into smaller sections (gas torch and plasma cutter).
• 1981 Ski-Doo (donated); install new ignition box; install engine into sled; install carburetors; attempt to start; yes!
• Separate projects continue; vehicle engines; vehicle transmissions/trans-axles (manual/automatic); plastic models,...
• Grade 9; separate vehicle, wood, metal projects continue; including a scale model of a wood and steel catapult;

From the board:

• Safety: Power Tools
• Tools & Equipment: Drills and Drivers; Computer Wheel/Tire Balancer
• Theory: Friction and Braking

December 6, 2009

Hello,

From the shop:

• our new Snap-On, hand spin, computer wheel/tire balancer is installed and working.
• our new Snap-On, pneumatic bead assist is installed on our existing AC electric and pneumatic tire machine. This allows us to change low profile, high performance tires on wheels up to 20" diameter. Thanks to Specialist High Skill Major budget.
• we have also purchased new Channel Lock pliers set, on sale at Canadian Tire.
• 2006 Mazda 6 (customer); Mr. Girling from Girling Auto Body came to our shop and discussed damage with both students and the vehicle owner. We used plastic zip ties to hold broken plastic body pieces together until proper repairs could be done,due to front end collision.
• 2005 Nissan Altima (customer); owner was concerned about brake noise; students raised vehicle with AC electric and hydraulic Bear vehicle scissor lift; raised all wheels from lift using Space Saver pneumatic bottle jack vehicle lift; remove all wheels/tires from vehicle (1/2" drive, 19mm, 6 point, deep, impact socket and 1/2" drive pneumatic impact wrench/gun); remove brake system, hydraulic caliper mounting bolts (2 per caliper) and calipers (leaving brake system, hydraulic flex hose attached); inspect brake system, disc pads and clean out any dust/dirt; re-install all parts; torque wheel lug nuts to 100'lbs.; replace engine oil (5W30) and filter; check all fluids including automatic trans-axle, brake fluid, power steering fluid, engine coolant (low); check tire pressures (35psi); check wiper blades and all exterior lights (OK); test drive vehicle (OK).
• 2005 Saturn Ion (customer); customer was concerned about noise around engine area; students raised vehicle with Bear vehicle lift; found exhaust system heat shield above right front drive shaft was broken; students removed heat shield; student braze welded broken heat shield with gas torch; student reinstalled heat shield.
• 2001 Ford Focus (customer); customer wanted us to install front plastic weather panel under front of vehicle; students raised vehicle with Bear vehicle lift; students fitted panel in place and secured with plastic zip ties.
• 2001 Pontiac Sunfire (customer); raise vehicle with Bear vehicle lift; raise vehicle with Space Saver vehicle lift; remove all plastic wheel hub caps, remove all wheel lug nuts, remove all wheels and rotate (front wheels/tires move straight back and rear wheels/tires move forward but cross); install wheels/tires, install wheel lug nuts and torque to 100'lbs. (1/2" drive, 19mm, 6 point, deep, impact socket and 1/2" drive torque wrench); install plastic wheel hub caps; replace engine oil (5W30) and filter; check all fluids and tire pressures (35psi); check all exterior lights and windshield wiper blades (OK); vehicle needs engine air filter at next engine oil/filter service.
• 2002 Dodge Caravan (customer); raise vehicle with AC electric, hydraulic Hydra Lift; remove all plastic, wheel hub caps; remove all wheel lug nuts; remove all wheels/tires; inspect brakes; remove brake system front hydraulic caliper mounting bolts, calipers (leave flex lines on), brake pads, and caliper mounts; sandblast mounts of rust; re-install all brake components; install all wheels/tires, lug nuts and torque 100'lbs., and plastic hub caps.
• 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix (donated); raise vehicle with Hydra Lift; remove exhaust system including pipes, and dual mufflers, and tail pipes (AC electric angle grinder) after catalytic converter; remove fuel system tank (hydraulic transmission jack, 1/2" drive pneumatic impact wrench/gun); remove fuel system sending unit (ball peen hammer and chisel); remove remaining fuel in tank (siphon hose, 5gal. plastic fuel container).
• 1993 Ford Aerostar (donated); cut apart vehicle with gas torch.
• 1999 Chevrolet Lumina (donated); cut apart vehicle with gas torch.
• vehicle engine (donated) projects continue.
• vehicle transmissions (donated); students disassemble and discuss components of both manual and automatic transmissions and trans-axles.
• plastic model projects; students build a plastic vehicle model of their choice; requires patients, dedication, and fine motor control; allows student to visualize the change that paint makes to any vehicle.
• Grade 9's continue to work with vehicles, wood, and metal.

From the board:

• Safety: electric power tools
• Tools & Equipment: computer wheel balancer
• Theory: friction and braking