Greg - I don't recall you mentioning you were looking for a driveshaft. I can relate though. Drop the whole deal & move on/forward. Frustrating transactions are a royal PITA.

 

​​​​​​Driven by as greedy a group of SOB's as ever walked this planet! Everytime I get an Explanation of Benefits form from my insurance company and I see the outrageous charges Healthcare entities are actually submitting for reimbursement, it makes me want to puke.

 

Misery loves company . . . PM me and we'll cook up a plan to screw them all!

 

They have my money for driveshaft that will not fit- oh they'll take it back if I pay $46.90 for shipping. Problem is all of their charts and even in ad description says will fit- I talked to Discover again and we'll see. I am retired and have time to fight this but it is unpleasant. I will send back but shipping is on them. I want my $120.83 back- not $73.93. I wonder if I had ordered a red jacket that listing said red jacket, and I received a black jacket-? That would be easier to comprehend.....

 

Greg - I hate fighting that type of crap. What you replacing - front or rear?

 

I found new headlight lenses for the 2003 F250 diesel tractor...I haven't performed sufficient research to determine the exact/appropriate part# &/or fitting(s) I need & quality of the product(s). That was a good suggestion, Greg. I'm not going to fight the many supposed methods of cleaning plastic lenses found everywhere on the Internet. No hurry on my part, weather remains a tad chilly. Possibility of some of the white stuff next Monday/Tuesday w/ the next round of cold/warm fronts migrating through the area(s).

 

I believe what Jim was eluding to wasn't so much the insurance companies (although that's part of it); but, instead the medical professionals themselves (e.g. M.D.s, practitioners, etc.). Let's schedule you for another B.S. appointment in 6 months, let's divide this into two appointments, billing full rates for an FNP practitioner & never speaking w/ an M.D. Yet, the majority of M.D.s (IMO) are B.S. snot running out their nose asswipes who spent more time memorizing a business model than studying science itself. Makes my hair stand on end.

 

We are on the Midwest weather roller-coaster right now. Highs of mid-40's today and low-50's tomorrow, then the bottom falls out again on Sunday with highs in the mid-20's and overnight lows in the single digits. At least right now there is no precipitation in the forecast with this next cold snap.

 

^^^This^^^ - This is exactly what i said in my post #58082 above.

 

If Uncle Sugar holds outa tit someone is gonna suck it dry

 

2600 locations in 11 countries. Lots of factory s

 

--Norm, It's the front driveshaft. It has a "Cardon" (maybe the correct term) type joint on the rear of it that is like 2 U joints together with a cage in center that holds another weird type joint with needle bearings in it. Well the front regular type U joint was bad and clunking. I looked up on rock auto that the front U joint was a regular easily available joint, but no listings for the 2 rear U joints. So I looked at them and was sure the 2 U Joints in the rear "Joint" were just the same as the one in the front. So I ordered 3 U joints, -I mean,- why replace just the bad one when I have the shaft out, on the bench.... right??
-- That was a mistake. The rear U joint is not easily serviceable and I messed it all up- loosing needle bearings etc- So called local salvage yard and then went on ebay and found the drive shaft for cheap- It said 1998- 2006 F250 right in ad description and in the drop down "fits these vehicles" and also "fits your vehicle" in the ebay "Your garage".
-- But no it is wrong It's too long- won't go in. It even looks different. I think it is for 90's F250 not 2002 up. I think my truck has same ft shaft as your 2003. So here I am attempting to send it back and get a FULL refund.
-- As far as truck goes I ended up buying a used shaft from the yard and installing it- So if you buy new headlamps on Ebay, make sure (as best you can) they are correct.

 

Greg - I've removed the rear driveshaft of my 2003 4x4 (8' bed) to lube the center slip-yoke spline assembly w/ Ford Teflon (Blue) lubricant. In doing so I noted the rear U-Joint (at the rear differential) needed attention so I replaced it, as well. The job was rather straight-forward except R&R of the U-Joint which took some creative thinking. Glad I replaced it since the new U-Joint has a grease zerk fitting. As soon as weather gets nicer I'm going to perform same driveshaft removal to lube the center slip-yoke spline assembly, but I'm going to install a new center slip-yoke carrier/hanger bearing. At that time I'm going to evaluate the front U-Joint(s). Removal of these headlights is cumbersome & finding the correct ones on-line is cumbersome. I finally called my local Ford dealer parts department for the correct Part#. I'm still performing the removal. I might get new side marker assemblies since they appear rather beat up.

 

Good morning guys,

It's going to be nice here today, 53° with sunshine. I hope it gets rid of the majority of the snow and ice that's left, which is still considerable, even after a sunny 45° day yesterday. After today, the bottom drops out again with a high of 30° Saturday and only 18° Sunday, with a low of 6° Monday morning.

I am taking a break thru the weekend from trying to make any progress on my Social Security/Medicare sign-up problem to give my blood pressure a break.

Grandson Gabe has his hockey Team's big home tournament this weekend starting this evening. There are 5 teams including his that will be playing in a Round Robin format. His team has 1 game tonight, 2 on Saturday, and 1 Sunday. He will then have a Championship Game on Monday evening if his team is one of the top two from the results of the Round Robin play over the weekend. I'm going to try to make it to the game this evening, 1 on Saturday, the Sunday game, and the Championship on Monday if they get in it.

The NFL Divisional Round is this weekend with 2 AFC teams and 2 NFC teams, playing on both Saturday and Sunday. The 2 games I'm the most interested in are tomorrow, with the Chiefs vs Texans and the Lions vs the Commanders. Still hoping for that Chiefs vs Lions Superbowl match-up. Sunday's games are Ravens vs Bill's and Rams vs Eagles.

Hope everyone has a great day and weekend!

 

Ford dealership parts dept. gave me incorrect Part#. Plethora of headlamp styles on-line adding to confusion. After removing them - complete different Part#, complete different headlamp style. Tons of aftermarket wannabes out there taking time to research a vendor/supplier. Having found one (hopefully) (eBay) they'll arrive Tuesday next week.

Been raking off/on past 3-4 days removing fallen branches/needles from this 50' Cedar tree. Gorgeous tree but very very dirty - branches, limbs, needles fall/shed everywhere in particular on top of many other plants. Guess I'll head out to man-cave to clean-up inside mounting area(s) for the new headlamps. Temperatures moderate today, chance of rain as this front moves through then another front of very cold air right behind this one. Possibility of white stuff Tues/Wed next week.

 

Norm - Good deal on the headlamps. Curious about the dealership with inaccurate part number info, too bad. Have a good day.

Chris - Sounds like you have a full weekend of enjoyment. Hope your Detroit team makes a go of it.

 

Keith - Talking to the person on the other end of the phone you just don't know about their abilities or lack of. My truck is 1st model year of production (pre 9/21/2003). Many parts for my truck changed post 9/21/2003 evidently headlamps was one of them, as well. Still, my VIN references completely different part numbers/diagrams.

 

Thanks Keith, I'd sure like to see the Lions go all the way for all my homies up in the "Mitten". They've waited a lifetime for a team to really cheer for!

The boys took a real *** whoopin on the ice last night. They lost 5-0. They played an inspired 1st Period until the visiting team scored the1st goal with only about a minute left in the Period. Then it was like Gabe's team totally deflated. No more hustling, no more fighting for every loose puck. Gabe's team was outmatched, but not by a margin of 5-0. Overall, I was disappointed in Gabe's, and the Team's effort. They have 2 games today, one at 9:20 this morning, and one at 3:10 this afternoon. I was only going to go to the afternoon game, but I'm now going to both. I stayed at the ice rink last night until Gabe got out of the lockeroom and talked to him about what appeared to be a lack of hustle by his whole team in the 2nd and 3rd Periods last night. Maybe it will light a fire under him this morning??? Guess we'll see? 🤞

 

A nice ***-whoopin instills some humility.

 

Well, I can't take any credit for his Team's improved performance this morning, but I might take just a little for Gabe's. He played 100% better this morning through all 3 Periods with assists in the 1st and 2nd Periods, and a goal in the 3rd in a 5-0 win. They looked like a completely different team out there. Hope they can repeat with the same kind of energy and result this afternoon! 🤞

 

Amen brother, and it appears to have done considerable good and woke them up! They'll probably have to win out to get to the Championship Game, just gotta take it one game at a time.

 

It's summer 1970 (I think I told this story before) ~12 of us guys (16yrs - 19yrs) are on the ice at Santa's Village Polar Dome, Dundee, Illinois playing hockey ($600/hr to rent) it's about 7pm. Santa's Village Polar Dome was summer camp for Chicago Blackhawks. Stan Mikita flies by me ~100mph w/ a slap off the board - time to leave the ice boys!

 

I Yi Yi...I've never replaced the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor on my truck. Thought it a good time while I'm changing out headlights. I have a full set of TORX bits....think any of them are security TORX bits? Hell no! Ordered a set, be here Monday. New MAF sensor be here Monday. New headlamps be here Tuesday. I Yi Yi.

 

Norm - I don't remember that story, glad you decided to re-tell it! Pretty damn cool to actually be on the ice with a Hall of Famer!

Although he lives in the Nashville, TN area now, Brett Hull still owns a restaurant in St. Louis and has made several guest appearances in the past at Gabe's hockey club, the Meramec Sharks. Unfortunately, he hasn't made an appearance there since Gabe has been playing.. I'm hoping someday he makes another appearance and Gabe can get his jersey or stick autographed.

 

After grad school I taught college North of Tampa, FL (1984-1992). Buddy of mine (Jimmy) from Dearborn, MI asks if I want to get into some hockey pickup games for those 35+ yrs. of age. Phil & Tony (Esposito) are putting a 35+ league together. I'm like, sure, why the hell not. I think I played ~6-7 games for one season (1986?). In 1990 I'm hearing Phil & Tony are going to make a bid on an NFL franchise in Tampa - cool. I moved from Tampa>Milwaukee in 1992 - the year they won the franchise bid w/ birth of The Lightning. My Dad would occasionally eat at Tufano's restaurant in Chicago (nights he didn't come home directly after work but instead ate dinner before playing poker w/ his worker friends who resided in Chicago area) & often saw Bobby Hull eating dinner there.

 

Norm - Pretty cool your Dad frequented an establishment where "The Golden Jet" hung out! 👍

 

Dad & I watched or listened to nearly every Blackhawks game. I'm fortunate to have participated in the enthusiasm of possibly the greatest sports league in U.S. history - The Original Six.

 

The athlete I'd rank highest among all athletes of all sports during my formative years is Gordie Howe.

 

That's cool your Dad was so into hockey! My Dad was not, so I was not, except for backyard pick-up games. So for me right now I'm in the learning phase in many respects as to the finer points. For my Dad it was Football/Basketball/Baseball. He went to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo on a double scholarship (Basketball/Baseball). WMU was actually a nationally renowned baseball school back in the 50's. He had great Freshman and Sophomore seasons in baseball and was drafted into the Cardinal organization in 1956. He played 2-years in the minors before giving up on his dream to marry my Mom. She had basically given him an ultimatum to $hit or get off the pot. In the long run I think he made a good decision because of the very positive influence he made in so many young folks lives as a PE teacher and coach.

 

Howe was certainly something, an incredible icon of his sport. For me, with football being my favorite sport, and me being a running back, Walter Payton was my idol. Don't know if you've ever been to Canton to see the NFL Football Hall of Fame, but they have a lifesize Bronze of Walter there. He was not a big man. It has always amazed me the power he exhibited when he ran the ball! If I had to pick a greatest athlete, it would have to be Barry Sanders, or Michael Jordan, both could do what none of their predecessors or contemporaries could do.

 

Your Dad was fortunate to have attended a highly respected University.

 

Walter was a phenom. I've seen him play @ Soldiers Field (before some asshat architect turned it into a ******* spaceship) on several occasions. We could go on & on w/ sports phenoms i.e. Michael (I've been to numerous Chicago Bulls games - both home & away). There has never existed a better basketball player in the history of the sport - complete phenom.

 

I did grad school at Univ of OK, Norman, OK (1984-1988). I primarily played two sports - racquetball & basketball. Stacey King would routinely join us in pick-up games. He's a cool dude.

 

You tell them Chris. It's ok for the other team to beat your best, but there's no point in not making them work for the win.

Loaded my truck up with stuff for the Kentucky plant yesterday. Drove to my new place and was surprised to find the drive clear enough to easily drive in. Did so, checked building, propane is getting lower in the tank, correct temp, in the building.

Went home and could not get up the slushy drive. Should've stopped at the 80% and chocked it, but I came in too hard and went off the side a bit onto the rocks. Truck seems to be ok. Left it there and booked a pull out and lunch with friends for today.

This morning, it had rained and melted enough I could throw ice and gravel around, so I slowly got the truck moving and got it up the hill enough to back down. Did so, and got all the way up with an attempt at speed. Backed around and parked. Texted friends, we did lunch anyway, one came and got me. Checked air in the tires for road trip, they were all at 20. My spare tire sensor is dead so I was ignoring it. Checked fluids, cleaned windows, all five tires at 32 now.

Now to proof the H/OCA newsletter. Apparently, a post of "no ****?" is not considered of value enough around here to not get deleted. I remember the posts I make, so I can tell when a moderator deletes them and hopes you don't notice.

 

Norm - That's playing with the big boys if you were on the court with Stacey King!

John - Glad you were able to get your truck off the side of the hill and up to the top and parked without tearing anything up! 👍

 

Hi guys,

Woo-hoo, the Chiefs played a great game in all phases and are only 1 win away from another Super Bowl appearance. Their next game will be against either the Ravens or Bills and will probably be a much stiffer task. Now if the Lions can just "Gitr Done"!

Gabe's hockey game this afternoon was the most exciting game I've ever seen any of his teams play. His team won 7-6, with neither team ever having more than a 1 goal advantage throughout the game. Gabe's Line accounted for 5 of their 7 goals, and he had 4 assists. It was an incredible nail biter to the very end. Hopefully with a win tomorrow night they will be in the Championship on Monday. 🤞

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

 

Chris - Stacey was on the court with “us”. We were all playing pickup games, sometimes he’d join us - if we let him.

 

Go Chiefs!
Love a nail biting gritty hockey game.

 

The biggest reason Stacey wanted to join us was because we were one of the few playing full court - lots of pickup games guys were playing half court.

 

There were eight full courts the OU Intramural practice facility.