TEIN EnduraPro Plus Strut VBS84-11746

Posted on October 4, 2023 by todd

TL;DR Summary

Part # on StrutPart # to Order
VBS84-11746-RVSS84-B1MS2-R
VBS84-11746-LVSS84-B1MS2-L

Whole Story

I started replacing damaged suspension parts and the front left side strut was aftermarket. The undamaged one on the right was labeled TEIN EnduraPro Plus VBS84-11746-R. Easy enough I’ll order part # VBS84-11746-L and be on my way…Nope. VBS84-11746 doesn’t exist on the TEIN web site and Google didn’t come up with a single reference to it.

This seemed odd so I emailed TEIN support saying a needed the left where VBS84-11746-R was on the right. After a few days they responded that I should contact an authorized TEIN dealer and order part # VBS84-11746-L. So I did and the dealer contacted TEIN and placed the order.

I week later I get a message that the strut is in and I drive 30min to pick it up. They hand me a box labeled part # VSS84-B1MS2-L. After letting them know it’s the wrong part number which they confirmed they called the TEIN. TEIN said open the box and the strut will be labeled VBS84-11746-L and sure enough it was.

No idea why the part itself is labeled differently from the web site and their packaging but there you go. If your strut is labeled VBS84-11746-(R|L) then you need to order part # VSS84-B1MS2-(R|L).

Hope this saves someone the time I spend chasing the right part.

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2013 WRX Track Build

Posted on October 3, 2023 by todd
Totaled 2013 WRX

A friend and I purchased at auction his 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX that insurance totaled after he was t-boned at the front driver’s side wheel. He had already done significant modifications of a built engine, 6-speed STI transmission and a bunch of STI suspension and brake components.

The Plan (in Stages)

  1. Make mobile and water tight (to get it off the lift and out of the garage)
    • Replace wheel, strut, door, other stuff?
  2. Maryland Inspection (one time before we start the conversion)
    • Fender, other stuff?
  3. Track Ready for High Performance Drivers Ed
    • Shake out suspension issues from accident
    • Brake pads, rotors and high temp fluid
  4. Dedicated track car
    • Determine race series to build for
    • Remove interior
    • Roll cage
    • Race seat/harness

Posted in 2013 Subaru WRX STI Track Build | Leave a comment

Attempts at B&W

Posted on December 31, 2020 by todd

First attempt a photography and photo editing.  Not really a hobby for me, I just want to create a couple of large format prints from Catonsville for my house.

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Jeep Links / Diagrams

Posted on March 18, 2020 by todd

Links I want to keep handy:

For bypassing the ECU:

Starter Wiring (I apologize for not knowing the source!)

Round Headlight Conversion (yeah, yeah, I’m terrible)

Posted in 1987 Jeep | Leave a comment

New Project 1987 Jeep Wrangler (YJ)

Posted on March 18, 2020 by todd

New project vehicle, body and frame are in great shape from the prior owner’s restoration. Looks like it was a fuel injected 4-cylinder swapped to a 1983 6-cylinder carb motor as best I can tell. It isn’t currently running (no spark), but I brought it assuming it would need a motor and hoping it doesn’t. Prior owner (body shop owner) says it was running before he took it off the road for a few years for the restoration, but I’m suspicious about that claim.

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Life Hack: Lost Credit Cards

Posted on March 20, 2019 by todd

This isn’t about financial management, just organization for when you lose your wallet. I carry a pretty minimal wallet; a little cash for tipping, 2 credit cards for personal and business expenses, driver’s licenses and medical insurance card.

Recently I lost my wallet, ugh! What now?

  • Locking and replacing the credit cards took all of 5 minutes on the bank web sites, new cards to arrive in 2 days
  • Print a new insurance card from the company’s web site
  • Driver’s licence could have been done online, but my picture was too old so I standing in line at Motor Vehicles

The biggest nuisance was one I realized could have been entirely avoided! Tracking down all of the recurring charges that drew from the lost credit cards and pointing them to a different one before charges started getting declined.

Finding the monthly charges wasn’t too terrible, just skim through the last month’s credit card statements, find the charges, log on to each vendor website and setup a new card. Cell phone, internet, car insurance, utilities and any other monthly subscriptions. The bigger head ache was trying to figure out those non-monthly charges. I think I got them all, we’ll see over the next year!

The solution? Get a credit card and dedicate it to those recurring charges…and then never carry it with you. If you can, set it up for automatic payment and put it away. Now if you happen to lose your wallet (again) it’s still a pain, but what I found to be the worst part is now a non-issue.

If I’m stating the obvious you can hate me in the comments, but I wanted to share what was a forehead slapping moment for me.

Posted in Life Hacks | 1 Comment

Pool Closing Instructions

Posted on October 19, 2017 by todd

Pool Filter System
This is for my old Sylvan pool yours likely differs.

  1. Balance and 2x Shock Pool (and Algaecide if it isn’t in the shock)
  2. Lower water below skimmer and inlets
  3. Pressurize with compressor at pump (25psi).  1/4″ compressor fitting into pump drain opening.
  4. Close valve on suction side
  5. Clear pressure side (after pump side)
    1. Cap shallow end inlet (doesn’t really match which)
    2. Once one deep end  inlet blows only air uncap the shallow end and cap the deepend
    3. Once shallow end  inlet only blows air detach compressor and cap it.
    4. Now the pressure side is capped shut
    5. To clear the inlet it helps to cover the inlet with the cap for a few seconds to let pressure build and remove to blow out water.  Repeat until only air comes out.
  6. Clear deep end suction side
    1. Set the suction side valve to close the deep end
    2. Attach compressor
    3. Once skimmer blows air in deep end cap it
    4. When main drain bubbles turn valve to shallow end
    5. Deep end main drain is air locked
  7. Clear shallow end suction side (before pump)
    1. Once skimmer blows air cap it
    2. When main drain bubbles turn valve to shallow end and detach compressor at the same time
    3. Deep end main drain is air locked
    4. Close suction side valve and open filter side valve
  8. Cover pool
  9. Drain pump
    1. Remove compressor fitting and remaining drain plug
    2. Store plugs in pump basket
  10. Drain and clean filter
    1. Remove DE filter panels and clean
    2. Clean DE left in bottom
    3. Store regulator in a place it won’t freeze
    4. Leave relief vale open
  11. Drain heater (leave connections loose)
Posted in Pool Stuff | Leave a comment

FPV250 Racer

Posted on November 1, 2014 by todd

This is my son and my first build.  The end goal is an FPV Racer, but we’re getting there incrementally.  The video components will come later (Santa?).

Our-FPV250
Continue reading →

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Multirotor Reference Links

Posted on October 29, 2014 by todd

Great intro to Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Lithium-Polymer-Etiquette/

Loads of great info on all aspects:
http://blog.oscarliang.net/

 

Posted in Multirotors | Leave a comment

Hubsan X4 H107L Quadcopter

Posted on October 15, 2014 by todd

My son and I had been looking at quadcopters for a while and decided it was time to pull the trigger.  The idea was to confirm our interest before spending too much cash and time building a more sophisticated one.

HubsanX107LWe opted for the Hubsan X4 with the HD video camera for recording flights.  It is a great little quad that can be flown indoors as well as performs very well outdoors.  The video from this little guy is surprisingly good.

This video is from one of the first flights so the piloting is pretty weak.

Don’t let the size fool you these little guys can really go.  In fact the one from the above video has since sailed away.  When a multirotor gets further away you can no longer tell it’s orientation from the LEDs and propeller colors.  When this happens you send it forward to see which way it heads to get orientation and then turn it toward you.  You repeat this process adjusting the heading to get it flying back.

In the case of my fly away I was trying to bring it back, but due to inexperienced piloting it kept getting further away.  Add to that as the copter gets higher the wind picks up pushing the light copter around making it even more difficult to get reoriented.  The X4 became smaller and smaller until it was gone.  The search and rescue mission was a failure so I had to tell my son I lost the copter before he even had a chance to fly it outside.  Amazon Prime 2-day shipping on a new one helped me save face.  Glad we started with a $65 multirotor and not a $400+ one!

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