Dodge Grand Caravan Lower Ball Joint - Part I

[@tedhanagan3679]

I have been struggling with a wheel bearing and hub replacement for the last 3 days (during my evenings in my unheated garage in Chicago in the winter) and took great solace in watching you (my hero) struggle. Thanks for encouraging me and showing that if, "you can do it, I can do it too" I love your videos and honesty!

[@christopherryanboyce7307]

Nut size for the lower???

[@williammills8953]

I had a heck of a time with my hub bearing. Had to beat the hell out of the hub bearing assembly. With a coal chisel and a small sledge hammer. Eventually I got it. After 30 choice words later.

[@davidrobins4025]

It is encouraging to watch a mechanic who cares work on vehicles like this one. You demonstrate the high quality of perseverance.

[@gartholver6063]

Now that was a lesson in perseverance! It's comforting to know that even the experts face obstinate mechanical parts unwilling to cooperate. Love your problem solving approach to difficult situations!

[@williammills8953]

Experts? Lmao. Anyone can do this. It's just wanting too. If you want to save money. You want to do it yourself.

[@jerryjohns1]

These Rust belt mechanics are another breed. Definitely taught me perseverance is key.

[@rogersingleton8232]

Dude!!!!! You are my hero! Not only did you conquer a brutal problem but you didn't swear one time! You are a real STUD. Thanks for the videos!

[@ClassicBMWFanInQuebec]

Character.

[@DMD81773]

Thats what all the edits were. Removed the f bombs

[@jgizzy]

I don't understand why swearing or not swearing holds so much societal value. What damage is done if one person tends to swear versus a person who choose to filter his emotions by using words that are considered non-offensive yet portray the same levels of frustration? I feel that the difference is simply that of some sense of comfort that a surface calm portrays instead of expressing ones self in a more "raw way" by cursing at times, as your natural tendency would incline.

[@jgizzy]

@Bones McGillicuddy I sometimes wax philosophic when drinking.

[@davefromleamington]

dudes don't call other dudes studs, i may have to report you to the international brotherhood of men society

[@ozzykrahn806]

these older videos are nice to watch every so often

[@JoeXC]

You sir are my favorite mechanic on KZbin by a long mile. I prefer your non technical videos as I do not have a scanner like yours and after 10 minutes of watching I am lost in the technology. Scotland has rust and I've used a hammer to carefully and successfully round off more threads than I care to mention. And I am that person who overfilled the bake caliper pins with too much grease and caused the brakes to bind... I now buy too much brake cleaner (its not cheap here) and have purple grease for my next brake job. However, I must tell you watching this I now have tinnitus and a nervous twitch.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+Keith Miller Haha that is so good to hear! Thanks for the encouragement! Glad to here about the brake parts cleaner too!

[@amdstrollo3074]

"Well it is 3 years old, so you can't really expect it to fall apart" god that comment had me in tears

[@SushiPac]

Best car repair channel ever!!!! Thank you a bunch for the video :)

[@SouthMainAuto]

Paul Morales Cool glad you think so :)

[@marklarue5083]

I started out as a lot boy when I was 20 in 1972 . Most of the Mechanics were competent and had the expertise like yourself. I ended up in the Parts Dept. and worked at various dealers for 35 years . I hate to say , as time went on the good ones lessened in numbers . I will pay u the biggest compliment I can think of.....u could work on anything I own ...anytime. Great to see a real Mechanic , u are a credit to the trade. Take care , keep on making videos .

[@DJDevon3]

Every time I see you pounding on something and rust dust flies out into the air it makes me thankful I live in Florida. I have a 20 year old car and I can take apart any bolt almost effortlessly. Excellent video. I could probably watch you pound on an axle for an hour. Your editing is superb and videos extremely enjoyable. You have one of the best automotive repair channels on youtube now congrats!

[@satamanschmidt3428]

***** If Eric lived here in Arizona or where you do he wouldn't know what to do with himself he'd have so much more free time. Eric, please check your Email and get back to me.

[@DJDevon3]

SATAMAN Schmidt Good point. All that rust is job security. Gotta be a love/hate relationship.

[@SouthMainAuto]

SATAMAN Schmidt I will check it Denny for sure , Thank you BTW Vanessa said you called a few times today lol that's good, keeps her on her toes. Any how I will get at ya tomorrow late night tonight, just now getting in (11pm) TTYL

[@SouthMainAuto]

***** You got it :) Love hate for sure

[@davidhall3747]

Southern Cars are much easier to remove fasteners. Our 2004 Honda Civic has no corrosion on it whatsoever. It was a piece of cake to install a new Engine in it. I'm much happier working on vehicles with no corrosion on them. Less aggravation too.

[@davidrobins4025]

An excellent demonstration of perseverance. Thank you for sticking with the job.

[@nathanriffel7859]

"Oh sweet victory" I felt the frustration as well as the relief once that axle finally popped lol. I only wrench on my own or family vehicles but it seems like every "SMALL" job I do goes pretty similar as this did. Thanks for the video though. Now I can go finish my step daughter's town and country lower ball joint ;)

[@MarcCote77]

I don't know man, I keep hearing the wheel bearings are notorious on these but my caravan is still going strong after 190k miles. Struts and control arms finally went so taking care of that this weekend but overall I'm pretty happy. Love your videos. Cheers!

[@DirectCurrent4u]

Great job Eric! I really like your shop and the quality of work you do for your customers! I have been an automotive mechanic for over 30 years and it really makes me fill good when i see good quality workmanship by other mechanics. I can tell you take a lot of pride in what you do.I live out west and don't have to deal with near the rust issues that you do. But i bet you must go threw gallons of anti size! lol Even out west where i live i use it on everything i think will might have to come apart again for any future repairs,... Its hard to find Mechanics that show the quality of workmanship that you do!. Keep up the Awesome work and thanks for sharing!!! DC.

[@jtrev15730]

Brownsville, Tx here-I can't believe I sat through the whole video watching the process of just removing a ball joint. I hope I don't have to do that to my 2012 Grand Caravan. Very good video though. Really enjoyed it. I have to watch part II now.

[@Bediasman]

If it always was easy, we drivers would just do it ourselves. Great video and each time I watch your videos, I appreciate good mechanics even more. Keep up the great work and I will be watching.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Bediasman Don't forget to take your mechanics donuts... we love donuts :)

[@ernestosuarez1670]

You are the best. Really appreciate the trouble shooting with the pico and other diag equipment and the hammer jobs.Please keep helping us.

[@TheTexasCoder]

Never a dull moment! You handled that like a BOSS! Looking forward to Part II, thanks for posting and sharing!

[@SouthMainAuto]

TheTexasCoder Nothing you can't fix with a bigger hammer right ?

[@sarge152cliff4]

@@SouthMainAuto I have 2, 20# sledge hammers if you want one they do make a difference.

[@elijahheadrick1389]

This is why i like my mountain climate here in Colorado, my 30 year old Civic is rusty, but nothing is bound. My axle shafts pushed right on out with no effort. Good on you for sticking in it and not just tossing a knuckle in it

[@thetinpin]

Fun fact: the KZbin auto generated captions label the sounds of your sledgehammer and impact as "music" and "applause". Never has the auto caption system been more accurate!

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

He deserves Applause! And if he plays music you're Blacklist him!

[@timoleary92]

I live not too far away, in Owego, NY. I was out on the driveway, attempting to do this same exact job on a 2008 Chrysler van. It almost brought me to tears. Through blurry eyes, I looked up at the sky and asked, "Why?" Then I took a few deep breaths, came inside, found this video, and I feel so much better knowing that professional mechanics also have these struggles.

[@livingmaga6299]

Eric you really need a 3/4 impact son. Dang the manufacturers really need start using anti seize for back east cars

[@gauloiscalifornien]

I had the same feeling.

[@exoduslnx]

Lol, that axle nut... Finally videos that emulate my life here in Ontario Canada... Great job.

[@robertgantry2118]

Hey! I still have a MAC impact wrench like that. Bought it about 28 or 30 years ago. Still works well. But my Ingersoll Rand cordless 1/2" dr impact is better. It's a badass. 700 ft lbs torque.

[@andreramirez3843]

I had this same thing happen to me!. I'm a weekend warrior and have quite a few tricks, but this was the hardest removal I've had in a long time! Great job!

[@bigblzr9421]

I have done those without moving the axle. Loosen the ball joint and pop it from knuckle, lower and loosen more till it comes off.

[@Paul58061]

I second what big blzr94 has stated. I routinely do that- so far it has always worked.

[@Commissar0617]

yeah, but it's a 41TE bastard, and will likely need the trans rebuilt before too long

[@joeashbubemma]

He explains why he didn't do it like that at @ 20 min.

[@TheCam2363]

Thats what I did when I replaced mine.

[@jamescody1985]

me too

[@billpauley1640]

Just watched you get an axle out of a hub away , to change a ball joint in a Dodge Caravan . Those vehicles have never failed to amaze me how tight they can be . After wrenching for 42 years , I'm now retired but I still miss even those kind of jobs . I had a mentor a long time ago say these cars ,just have never read the book to know what they can and cannot do , he said that about every stubborn job. Sir you keep on keeping on , I just wish I lived near you. Thanks for the lesson.

[@datcrazywhiteboy6205]

I can attest and have a 2004 Sodge Stratus it's a nightmare to do front end suspension work, just to change upper control arm you have to take the strut tower loose it's ridiculous how they were made all 1 piece and cannot replace just bushing even on lower control arm love my car but it has been a money pit

[@ralfvalcourt9187]

Why not just turn the nut as far up as it will go, break loose the joint, hold be lower part of the joint with a good pair of Vice grips and remove the nut? I did that many times. Am I missing something?

[@SouthMainAuto]

Ralf V No that is an option but the fact is I didn't intend for it to go this way and once I started I figured may as well keep going. Customer is keeping the car and I know I will have to face this some day so might better get it outta the way ya know.

[@ralfvalcourt9187]

South Main Auto Repair I see your point! and I realize that things work out in a different way up north then they do here in the mid-south. Every once in a while I get a vehicle from the Chicago area and I agree that it is a whole different way of fixing, as least in regards to the rust and corrosion.

[@jeffmuehlfelder7468]

Because then he couldn't charge the customer twice as much for labor plus markup on a new CV

[@fastturbo7150]

Ralf Valcourt sma is the man!!!!! but yea bro i always do what ur sayin iv. never removd the cv shaft for that type of job

[@drewcater2194]

@@SouthMainAuto whats the difference between BJ with labour and new DS + BJ and labour... give me 2 prices please.... i dont understand the need to renew a DS on a 2.5year old car,..... near future????

[@kellyconstenius676]

I love this stuff. I live in Minnesota so every job no matter how simple turns into a war with Rust. I can say i actually learn real world stuff here. Thanks!!!

[@ahill007ny]

Wow 3 years thats krazy if u did not say it was a 2012 and only zoomed in on the hub, I would have assumed it was something from the 90s as stuck as it was. Tough break with the axle though....Can't wait for part two..

[@SouthMainAuto]

Stanley Hill Yeah the NY weather is tough on this stuff

[@normansmith7806]

Just three years old WOW ! Makes me thankful to work on southern cars. But I am proud of you great job and you didn't throw anything ( on camera ) :) Looking forward to part 2!!

[@SouthMainAuto]

***** Shut off, camera flip out... turn back on, smile haha

[@normansmith7806]

:)

[@michaelroblin1957]

Awesome channel Eric! Amazing work ethic!! Great job man!

[@robertgelley6454]

"If I can do it, you can do it..." Dude! That is all you! Another outstanding video of shear grit, determination and perseverance.

[@toyotoe3732]

Great video. Thank you. That huge bolt that you are pounding on, is it possible for metal fragments to come flying off it as you are pounding? Just thinking about protecting your eyes by wearing safety goggles whilst pounding.

[@echowhiskey2411]

toyo toe you should be more concerned about his ears

[@vipervette03]

no, its a soft metal. that bolt will bend, not shatter.

[@davidellenbaum1229]

HUN

[@davekleiboeker4614]

Choices 😅

[@greghamilton1638]

Watching you work on these cars makes me glad I live and work on cars in North Carolina!!

[@puffstuffu2]

I doubt if u did any damage to the outer cv joint. the inner one should have enuf in and out movement to prevent that. remember it is a piece of $hit dodge that had a bad ball joint after only a few years. I have a 2000 Avalon with original ball joints that are just fine. not to beat a dead horse but u really need to wear safety glasses on certain procedures. u know murphy's law. take care

[@SouthMainAuto]

david goliath I know makes ya wonder about that shaft really.. only had it pushed in a bit before I cracked the joint loose, should have been plenty of movement in the inner joint and outer joint to go in undamaged.

[@steveherring6660]

hi mr o, as the saying goes the grass isnt always greener on the other side of the fence. south you would have to deal with the humidity. which i think you would dislike even more. you do a great job. i wish i lived closer so you could work on my toys. thanks for sharing your life with all of us.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

Wathicg this I wonder wehter loosesning the lugs and putting tension on the force screw before beathing the shit out of it might be more effective since the threads on the force screw prevents it from going anywhere. I think it would give you more of a stroke and also youd know as soon as it moved since it would slack off.

[@murraymetcalf-CA]

I have to commend the mechanic for his patience & persistence. Really kept his cool (on camera at least). To vehicle owners ... should be quite an eye opener as to how a seemingly straight forward job can suddenly get much more complicated. Also the importance of having the right tools for the job. Hard to believe that a 3 year old vehicle would be that difficult to work on due to the harmful effects of road salt.

[@matthewbrady1617]

you wanna know something weird i just replaced mine on my 05 trailblazer both side wheel hub assembly i used liquid wrench and did the same but with an oversized rubber mallet when a 2 lb and 4 lb hammer didnt work the rubber mallet broke it free with the juice

[@dannycole9401]

I'm so glad I don't live in a rust state. At the same time your videos have helped me as a mechanic of 28 years ( southern California) learn techniques on how to deal with rust and broken bots/studs.

[@BurtonBao]

Man that was satisfying to watch it finally come out lol

[@63256325N]

I was rooting for you all the way! It blows my mind that the vehicle is less than three years old and a ball joint is out of it already not even to mention how hard that axle was stuck in there. Tough going on that one for sure. Thanks for the video.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Those darn Chryslers are so bad for that every time! I never see Fords that bad. You could just loosen the nut on lower ball joint up to cv then separate lower BJ from knuckle then finish taking off nut as you will have plenty of room now

[@SouthMainAuto]

FordTechMakuloco That is true them Mopars do seem to get it a bit worse.

[@evilcowboy]

FordTechMakuloco Agreed. I had to tell the owner of a Dodge Ram 1500 he needed a new shaft with his bearing repair. He asked me "Why do you think it's seized up so bad???" I just said "Cause its a goddamn Chrysler product. Ford's and Chevy's just fall the fuck apart." Every Chrysler CV axle I have ever seen especially in NY is seized right the hell up.

[@malachy1847]

Don't see same on Honda's....on our third Odyssey.. having clocked up galactic mileage on each and never had ball joint or CV problems...

[@stephenmcgraw3610]

@@evilcowboy there all junk

[@d-s-ll2378]

Each day has new stories, that s mechanic!

[@irishauto]

This is incredible. I just replaced the wheel hub assembly on my now 6 year old Missouri 2012 Dodge Caravan and it took about three taps with a 2 pound hammer and the axle popped right off. Crazy the amount of rust you have!

[@loucifer4205]

You don't live in the Salt belt

[@HaroRider03088]

Eric , I really like that little sprayer you have where can I get one? I assume its pressured by shop air?

[@billrimmer5596]

Napa has them. I put gas in it. Great for cleaning spills, starting the barby and adding a little fuel to check out short term. B careful though. Gas is flammable. Use the stream jet, not the fogger.

[@normanwhite7182]

Good video Eric. Love the way you walk us through the various scenarios, and your comments and shop philosophy as well--good stuff. Don't leave NY State, we would not have near the entertainment watching you sweat and hammer rusted parts. Your just a rusted on NY mechanic--you were made for the job.

[@1Grizzman]

lol, love the silent "Halleluiah" when the axle broke free

[@SouthMainAuto]

***** Give credit where it is do right

[@bestelectronicmusicfromnew5189]

Yes the best... he has a stonehenge built from SUVs in the yard and carpart cloaks for equinoxes. Cars are more awesome than mount st Helens :)

[@rexbrowder]

Eric I dont envy you at all for the crusty rusty bottom ends of those cars!!! Watching your videos reminds me to be thankful that I live in Tennesse!!!! Keep up the inspirational videos!!! Lol

[@alb12345672]

damn, I would order a bearing too....

[@JorgeRodriguez-po7kx]

Definitely That bearing surely was destroyed after all that hammering

[@chasboomer2588]

Wow, that was rust for just a few years old!! I just did our 07 Chevy Uplander and it was clean on the spline. Thanks for all these ideos, I like them very much! You do a bang up job doing them and yes job well done too!! I only wish I had some of those tools...

[@wysetech2000]

Yep...Reminds me of the Intrepid I did a while ago. Canada salt is the same as N.Y. State salt. {:-) Just goes to show what us mechanics face every day in the north. And the customer can't understand why repairs are so expensive not to mention your damaged tools.

[@SouthMainAuto]

wysetech2000 Oh yeah isn't salt amazing? As far as the tools, I get my tool abuse from my dad haha he always did what ever it took to get the job done and I guess I do too... to a certain extent...

[@fuondationbuilder]

I think he is thinking long term........ except for eye safety. WE CARE ERIC!!

[@GRowe1978]

Good job getting that apart. This is what almost every car is like where I live!

[@evilcowboy]

Your actually lucky cause if you wanted you could have removed the shaft and knuckle together and got on it as you mentioned. I live in NY and I will say every Chrysler product does this shit. Just got a 02 Dodge Ram 1500 in for a simple wheel bearing and every bolt was a fight on that thing. Now I got to get the intermediate shaft out of the cv shaft cup. It took a lot of heat and beating to get it away from the hub. Now low and behold one goddamn hub bolt won't come out and stripped off after heating the thing. I'll drill it and then I can focus on everything going back together. Both upper and lower ball joints are bad on it as well I'm gonna try to talk the customer into doing those. I hate when a person can't afford to fix the whole thing and you have to put it back together with shitty parts.

[@SouthMainAuto]

evilcowboy Oh man I hear that , it sucks but we can't make them have money ya know.

[@evilcowboy]

South Main Auto Repair :) yeah talked to the customer today and he said he will stick with the ball joints that are on there sadly so I told him I would grease them up good and tighten it up well to get him by until payday. The intermediate shaft I finally got out. Had someone working on it for an hour trying to beat it. He was convinced he could do it. I finally ending up taking it to another place I work and a buddy of mine tried with Acetylene torch still wouldn't budge being cherry red. Then he tried again and still no dice, Finally the plasma cutter came out and we cut relief cuts in it and finally got it out. Now all is ready to go back on the truck lol. At least the guy opted for a Timken hub with a 3 year warranty on it. It was an adventure on this truck. I only lost the cv shaft. Could have rebuilt it but spent waaaaay too much time on the truck so far. Oh forgot to tell ya you video was an awesome one.

[@SouthMainAuto]

evilcowboy Well sounds like ya won the war and the battle is over :)

[@martinwalters1954]

Speaking of invention, because lack of money, my dad took the back of a Dodge alternator, bolt it to the firewall of a Datsun 1200, and soldered wires from the Dodge diodes to the diodes on the Datsun alternator. Drove it that way for 5 years. Worked perfect.

[@jrmym2]

Put some anti-seize on those shaft splines... I live in Georgia, we don't really have a rust problem but I do it anyway... can't hurt.

[@bostedtap8399]

You earned your mechanics badge on that one, Thor would have been proud of you. Thanks for sharing and best regards from the UK.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Wow Billy Mays caveman style! That was awesome! Shame on Chrysler for using shitty parts too. Crappy balljoint, and a crappy seal of the axle splines from the elements. Not to brag, but my '89 Mazda MPV (that you just inspected lol) still has the original front end on it...balljoints, bushings and wheel bearings still going strong at 235k miles!! How's that for quality? Mazda's slogan in the 80's used to be "The Mazda Way: An Intense Commitment to Your Total Satisfaction"...no bullshit :)

[@SouthMainAuto]

motoYam82 Hahaha Thats right Ivan! Billy Mays "KABOOM"!!

[@navedemor5056]

It's actually great seeing a someone doing repair videos on KZbin that isn't in California working on mint cars. Also probably the only mechanic that I've never heard swear 🤣

[@davekleiboeker4614]

I’d be cussing it until it fell off😂

[@UBBERTANKER]

i probably would loosend the nut and broke the taper and loosend it the rest of the way, seems easier to me and less chance of breaking a axle or bearing and haveing to eat the cost of that.

[@petrocksgarage]

UBBERTANKER, I think he explained it in the video, but turning the lock-nut after breaking loose the ball joint stud would just spin the stud instead of loosen the nut. Especially with the amount of rust on the threads above the nut.

[@xUnUsualSuspectx]

Pet Rock's Garage the ball joint nut could have been removed far enough before the taper was freed.

[@UBBERTANKER]

+xUnUsualSuspectx loosen nut, break taper torch it or cut the stud of the ball joint with a die grinder

[@xUnUsualSuspectx]

UBBERTANKER I've done many of these and as soon as you get the top of the nut disengaged from the threads it just spins off. The nuts are crimped on the top so they don't spin loose, but it's only the top few threats, but you are correct that you can cut the shaft in needed. You can also heat the A frame and tap the ball joint out, then heat it again to press the new one in. As it cools it locks down on it and the C clip serves as backupl

[@blueocean9305]

I’m exhausted just watching your hammer work. God bless Arizona cars. Keep smiling.

[@TheSavageGarage]

could you not have saved yourself a whole load of ball ache by just using a wrench on the ball joint bolt? im not complaining as longer videos are awesome but just curious?

[@SouthMainAuto]

James'sWorld check out 19:09 see if that helps...

[@halleffect1]

James'sWorld he explains in the video. the nut is a lock style, and the ball joint shaft will just spin.

[@TheSavageGarage]

i know that, but surely you could grab onto it with a pair or vise grips or something? just seemed like a big ball ache which could of been avoided thats all

[@petrocksgarage]

James'sWorld, easier said then done. Especially with the amount of rust on the threads above the lock-nut.

[@halleffect1]

He gets a lot of repeat business and he mentioned the customer plans on keeping the vehicle. He will have to deal with it sooner or later anyway.

[@lawrenceanderson6167]

I was just wondering if when you put that puller on the hub, if you tightened the lug nuts all the way so the puller was against the hub? If so, then the puller would have no space to go when you smashed it with the sledge hammer.

[@samg5543]

Get some safety glasses, man! I'd hate to see you take some shrapnel to the eye.

[@dnelson8]

Sam G Absolutely, especially that close to the grinding wheel. Material can fly off in any direction. Great video, nice to see the process.

[@satamanschmidt3428]

Sam G I hate to pile on Eric but Sam you're right on this point. You've only got two eyes and you must protect them. We should all send Eric safety glasses until he finally breaks down under the pressure and he begins to wear them. Also mushroomed chisels and punches need to be ground down.

[@heyitschinoable]

+SATAMAN Schmidt haha we should

[@mharradine57]

You don't need eyes where we're going!

[@sooke54]

... and some hearing protection! I see hearing aids in your future.

[@JL-gg7ph]

I totally feel your pain and frustration. Can you imagine doing this without air tools and a lift, using loaner tools from local auto supply --- like I do in my driveway here in Ohio. So painful, it's funny as I break one thing then the next to fix a minor issue. I once ruined an engine block on a dodge caravan when I broke off the ear tab that the thermostat housing bolted to in the back of the engine against the firewall (inaccessible). I love your vids. Thanks for sharing and keep it up

[@indiajesuslovesyou]

Please wear safety glasses! James

[@SouthMainAuto]

I will tell James when I see him!

[@BigBadJrJr]

I ain’t wearing my damn safety glasses

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

Amazing, the snapping sound every time the axle spline moved through the rust.

[@jackjacke4654]

You are awesome Eric. Most shops wouldn't have bothered with the axel at all. Just cut it off, replace n down the road...

[@silkytp789]

I absolutely LOVED this one! I always think, "yeah, he's got the sweet tools. If I had those tools, things would go a lot easier. Look how fast he rips those fasteners out! " it's nice to see that it ain't always so smooth. In the battle of man vs machine, yeah, man wins, but machine flips him off on the way down.

[@hamilton5071]

Even though this is an old SMA video i loved watching this. Im still relatively new to the trade with only about 1 year of professional experience. I work in Wisconsin so we get plenty of rust like New York and i have days like this sometimes where i do nothing but fight rust. Seeing a seasoned professional like Eric struggle like i do somedays makes me feel so much better.

[@cindyhampson5859]

So cool that you thanked God for the breakthrough! I was actually praying that you would get it and thought - wait it’s a video!!! 😀

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

You're a good man Eric o. I've been throwing stuff across the garage the way that things been busting your chops. When I say you're a good man oh, I'm not talking just about being a mechanic OR technician. I mean you're a good person. I'm probably old enough to be your dad. I can tell you that your father and your family taught you well growing up about being a good man and I'll bet you're a great father. Mrs. O comes across as your counterpart, kind of like two hands put together with the fingers interlaced perfectly. I am twice divorced and single, retired. I have seen good and bad. I've done things that I'm very proud of and a few that I'm not so proud of. Tell your dad your grandfather and those that had the greatest influence in you're growing up that they did a great job. I may only know you through these videos but things come through about individuals without them even realizing it. Glad to know you. Maybe one day I'll drive up to New York and stop in for an oil change!

[@edwinsantos9555]

You good man an honest mechanic God will give you many blessings

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

Fun watching these old ones ! Before "Big Nasty" and a few of your other newer tools !

[@tremayne3]

Great job...very difficult but you made it so entertaining....great sense of humor. I wanted to see the video even though my van is a 2004 Grand Caravan. It has been a great car for us.

[@bossdog1480]

You do good work. I subscribed. I'm so glad we dont have that salt problem here in Australia. Cars last 20 years plus here. That job would have been done easy. Mechanics would still charge a fortune to do it though. Channels like these help us backyarders do our own.

[@macc7620]

Man Eric this was better than watch a movie 🍿🍿🍿!! Thanks 👍 I truly enjoy your videos!

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

The rust welding you deal with is mind boggling! The cars I work on here in Colorado you hardly ever need heat and pullers.

[@av8tore71]

Man Mr. O why couldn't I have discovered your KZbin channel just a few years back. You are a lifesaver now but I don't have the vehicles that I needed help with then LOL LOL LOL

[@peterhogan12141]

I like the part where you say, "Shouldn't be too big a job." at the beginning. That looked like a TON of work!

[@andrewevanoff1192]

The amount of rust you guys get is absolutely crazy. I once helped to change a timing belt on my friend's Honda. The car came from up north. Everything was rusted. I was able to remove all metal on metal bolts and nuts after applying penetrating oil. Worst part was removing all small bolts from the aluminum engine parts. All the aluminum parts were coated with a thick layer of white crud. Almost every bolt that was in aluminum broke, no matter what I tried while removing it. I called it - "Honda from hell". We spent 3 days on that car, changing the timing belt. Unbelievable!

[@primitivebob8781]

amazing. I have a special 89 Chrysler Caravan SVC rear doors... Love that truck. Still have it. Mine even came with sealed beam headlights. Abused it hard for 15 years in city service... I'd have another one. Yall must be in the vast north somewhere to find all that rust. Crazy to see so many new trucks with corrosion.

[@Maddteddy049]

thanks for making these videos, without a doubt you have helped someone save money or taught them a skill

[@Jacksonkellyfreak]

Somebody like you would be absolutely welcome down here. You're honest and do things the right way. Come on down to Knoxville.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Jacksonkellyfreak Cool , I'll bring the salt :)

[@Jacksonkellyfreak]

South Main Auto Repair Lol we got some of that. Just not as much as you guys.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Oh nice I will fit right in then :)

[@50sKid]

Daymn! I've never felt so happy to be living in outerspace--I mean California. Seriously a 15 year old car looks brand new out here.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+50sKid Oh man that'd be great!

[@7511fsm]

+South Main Auto Repair Oh yeah. Hawaii's even better! 2002 civic with 123K on it. Pretty much zero rust. I DIY on pretty much everything on it. Everything comes apart easy. I'm sure "real" mechanics are lovin life out here!

[@GeraldThomasphotojunkie]

Watching your videos makes me love living in Michigan even more.

[@toyotatechMDT]

Order a new bearing as well! Save the pain later. I felt for ya, rust is a pisser. Looking forward to part 2 to see the job out. Nice video Eric.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Toyota Tech yeah just get one for all four corners too cuz in a few years we will have done them all :)

[@keno77]

This driveshaft would have been easier to remove even if it was welded, you need a much bigger impact, something like they use shifting weels on trucks and trailers. But as always, you're the man with a lot of self-control when you in tremendous frustration didn't start beating up the car with that sladge hammer. Don't get me wrong, I love your videos and you have my full respect,(I have been there myself)

[@300TwinTurbo1]

Didn’t really have to play with the axel like mentioned before, however if it’s a regular customer you just made it easy to do the wheel bearing if not made it easy for someone else great work!

[@billyr9840]

All that effort and ya ended up having to change the axle! That Sucks big time! Love that press looks good and beefy, well engineered. Can't wait to see part 2, hope there's no more surprises waiting for ya! I sympathize with ya with that rust, I live in Conn. and we get our fair share of rain, snow and salt along with the rust!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Billy R Press sure comes in handy and I am certain the job will go good from here on out :)

[@umpy3152]

just viewed this because my inspection is due next week and I need a new drivers side ball joint.The drivers side is shot but I plan on replacing both..I have a 2008 caravan with 140000 mi,Never had either side taken apart.I just went out to see if it was going to give me the same probs as yours.I have removed cv joints from bearings on other vehicles without much effort but wanted to make sure this wasn't a dodge thing and go past the inspection date..I decided to try it without jacking it and left the tires on the ground.I took the nut plug off the aluminum rims and sprayed them with wd.It took a little while but spun them off with my air impact.I then put the nut back on til it had full thread ,put my impact socket on the nut and whacked it with an 8 lb beater a few times and the axle freed up just like that! The other side was a bit tougher but after a few whacks it it also came loose.I live in upstate ny with some pretty rusty winters and my van was 3 times the age of the one u were working on..I think u would have been better off leaving the tires on the ground as I did as the shock goes from the tire to the ground..In the air like u had it,The shock goes all over,Into the spring,axle and bounces back and fourth.Maybe u should try it next time,It might save u from breaking things and cost whoever more cash.Also might be able to get it done in 1 day instead of 2!

[@jgeorges3061]

hi ERIC, thanks for the great video and real job action without editing out any thing. one suggestion only that you should and must tell and explained to that customer the procedure to change the ball joint it could need to change some other parts because of the crazy rust that will be on those parts just to protect your self from extra expense that as you know will encounter specially with those cheep made cars.

[@SouthMainAuto]

j georges Oh yeah I am very straight forward with my customers for sure...

[@nicknicu1787]

Sweeeet! That axle came right out,no sweat! I wish I can get easy jobs like this one! Impressive special effects too! All that impacting and have not heard the compressor kick in once. You must either have it in the neighbor's back yard or it's a 300 gallon tank! :))

[@SouthMainAuto]

Nick Nicu It was running just over in the other shop and yeah piece of cake right!?

[@deepsquat600]

as soon as I saw the part 1 and watch your intro ..I thought ..this is not going to be easy ...a 20 minute job ...not gonna happen :)... damn I love the rust you guys have

[@SouthMainAuto]

deepsquat600 Lol I thought the title might get people wonder what the heck

[@Butterflytaxidfw]

I had to come back and watch this video so I could get a good laugh. You are so funny. PLEASE MAKE SOME MORE VIDEOS WORKING ON DODGE GRAND CARAVAN, ESPECIALLY 2011 THANKS

[@GarthGoldberg]

Had to stop this morning at 13:00. Already a few good chuckles.

[@greenbudkelly2820]

Another good video showing the reality of working on vehicles north of the Mason Dixon line.

[@2500mike]

As popular as you are not sure if you'll see this. I'm new to the videos. Ive been watching in my free time. .My wife has a 13 caravan that we bought new. It has 133k miles. Trips from ga to pa. And everywhere in between. Kids dog all that. I see the comments. Dodge grand caravan. Mechanics best friend and such. Ive done a brake job and emissons purge valve. Time for rear shocks struts up front. After watching these I'm waiting for the damn thing to explode haha. 16 years of driving ram trucks I figure why not get her a dodge van. Hope I wasnt wrong. Atleast I know where to go to get info to fix it. Great stuff

[@jeffcarter5805]

I've had to go lay down with a cold flannel on my forehead to check the world is still spinning and to try and recover from the amount of the use of hand tools and no brake cleaner so far!! Lol :-) Great video Eric! :-)