Mike's 1992 Astro Resurrection / Bucket List

[chevymaher]

There used to be a toll bridge mike. Going into newport on 12th street crossing the licking river.

[sixsix]

There used to be a toll bridge mike. Going into Newport on 12th street crossing the licking river.

Yeah, "The Dime Bridge" - knew it well. Amazing how fast we could drive thru and still "Hit the Basket".
If not - Newport Mob Gestapo will come to your door at 3:00 AM on Easter or Christmas Morning.
( That's what they told us... right? )

Thanks for the Memories, Randy !!

[sixsix]

Years ( OK, decades ) ago, We used a small footprint, easy to use graphics program called MGI Photosuite.
'95 was our 1st version, I think.
It was aimed towards the Bulletin Board (BB) / Forum crowd to post, simple edit & annotation, resize and store Online stuff for Photo and video presentation. It had Album abilities and Some Very sophisticated selection macros.
While KISS was appreciated - later versions and new programs are allowing Star Wars - like editing and stylistic productions.
We just want to easily draw a couple circles and write stuff on a drawing or pic...

Geez.

Photoshop Premier Elements 2019 is not like that. Unless you are already a Photoshop user, It is quite the handful.
I assume ( hate that *** thing... ) that the progs ( Photoshop & Elements ) are related and if you know one... you know the other - like the various releases of AutoCad.
I only bought it so I could finally equip us with a top-notch first level editor storage video doodad that did not break the bank. Have you priced Mid to High Level Photo / Video / Editor apps/pro/suites ? Hundreds to Thousands.
At the time - Each of the Progs - Elements Photo and Video Premier - sold for about $100 and the bundle was about $150.
Best Buy sold me the 2 individual CD boxes for $49 each cuz' they were out of the 2 pc Bundle.
Less than $100 bucks - I ran to the checkout.

Then I had to Learn It

I cannot judge it objectively or subjectively.
I do not like the Program or the 'methodology' behind the Interface. Reminds me too much of Apple, College snootiness and Democrats, manbuns, backpacks, Karens and indignant black women.

But... it's all we got nowadays - Paint Shop, verbilzde, Apple, flckr, blipshnod, Google, etc, etc are for sissies and most of the rest are ridiculous for just a few features needed.

Our uses are pretty much these 5 or 6 things:

- save as a jpg ( which is the 1st point of contention I have w/ 'The Prog' / it )
- resize - generally 50% - photos ( requires more steps than ridiculous )
- simply draw circles & ellipses or boxes with line thicknesses of 1/32" or so many "Points" ( ? ) or so.
- simply draw lines and arrows in whatever size I want ( it does this surprisingly, while aggravatingly easy )
- type in some text here and there - EASILY - beyond this prog's comprehension.
- Do these last 3 items in whatever color I choose

And the Online Help - ... uhhh ... well, good luck with that. I am convinced it is designed to be understood by people that already know how to use the particular feature, but not how to tell anyone about it... seriously.

Lastly, the "Layers" technology is not lost on me - I have used it in some fairly high level apps and Windows and Apple based designer and graphics stuff.
AutoCad is a good example. A Layering system that is vastly easier to "Get" than anything Adobe or European - like Dassault, etc, etc.


Here is an Step-by-Step Example of drawing a circle in Elements 2019:

- use the 'Selection Marquee' and chose 'Elliptical'
- hold 'Shift Key' and 'Drag' to draw a True Circle - release when blk/wht hatched/"ghost" line is correct size
- go to 'Edit' menu & select 'Stroke (Outline) Selection'
- box allows 'Pixel Width' of line and Color selection
- click 'OK' colors the circle
- click off it - the selected color stays selected - further editing

Sure seems like a lot to go thru for a colored circle
Anyone have something else or easier method ?? - Please...

[stent]

hi mike,
thanks for the program info. here it's late 2020 and i'm still a spazz concerning most any in-depth program usage. i've enjoyed following along the restoration of your door guts & really liked the arrows pointing out what you're doing. i've been working on putting in heated mirrors controlled by the rear window defogger pushbutton and want to post stuff in my build thread with pics that point some arrows to specific terminals in the back of the fuse box. the silly pics i sent you i defaced with the Preview app on an old iMac - https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Arrows-to-a ... shot-(Macs)
some more playing around and i'll know enough to get by.

here's a pic i promised you a while back :

KOBALT!!

[sixsix]

Messed around with the Passenger Door Latch, Handle, Key Lock and Deadening material.
Unloaded some things we stuck in for room the last 3-4 weeks.


DSCF5545.JPG
KOBALT Action Shot
Full of 30 year old night stand - heading for breakdown to use in the outdoor pit
It is 100% Wood - No Fiberboard - Amazing

I believe we Touched, Moved, Painted, Dusted, Rearranged, Cleaned, Assembled, Re-assembled...
- Setup, Nailed, Screwed 75% of our Interior Furnishings, Walls, Flooring and Carpet.

New Carpet in the Entire Back Half of the House. So moving all that stuff.. Oof... then **** back...

3-4 Weeks of that - topped off with a 6 day visit from my Florida Democratic Aunt...
- 82 year old that thinks like a 24 year old man bun sorority boy...
- and her Equally Disagreeable 55 yo Daughter of the Revolution.

And they brought their usual "Bad Toilet Habits" - straight from the European Cont.
W/O going into detail... let's just say, 'We carry H2O and Sewer Insurance and keep "Roto-Wallet Raper" on Retainer'.

Here's a couple more Wheelbarrow Shots... because... well, why not.

And the Door...
When I had the Latch relaxed and laying back on the Table I took a few pics and labelled the Rods for Future Ref.


1984 Pass Dr Latch & Rods Install
A good lubing the with heavy lube and plain motor oil has parts moving freely and protected.


1986 Pass Dr Rods & Retainer close
Have to put the last Rod on after the Latch is up in the Door.


1988 Pass Dr Latch install & test
Found out the amount of room inside the door with the Lock Motor stuff in there is limited.
And the Window Track loose also made a bit of a difference.

I fed the Rod up thru the hole first then the Assembly - was more tedious than it should have been.
Where you find out just how ambidextrous you are. OR NOT !!


1989 Pass Dr Ext Handle Rod
With the Latch in, but loose - only one upper screw barely holding.
Enabled putting the Exterior Handle Rod into it's Retainer on the Handle itself.


I'll finish up tomorrow with the Handle Difficulties, Lock Headaches and Sound Deadening Joy.
If I can remember them all...

[sixsix]

...Handle Difficulties, Lock Headaches and Sound Deadening Joy.
If I can remember them all...

Yup, plenty to remember. Top nut on the Outside Handle was a time consuming bummer.
And some of the Retainers - the "Old Kind/All Metal" were very hard to get going on the Rods.

So, I had read somewhere, that "Putting the Top Nut on the Handle was very difficult."
Like the Democrats, Main River tributary Media, Social Media Giants and like "Top Nuts"... older male AS.com Moderators.



1991 Pass Dr Ext Handle greased-moly-axle
Before putting it in the door, use some good sticky grease or moly on the "Push Points" and wear spots.
Oil everything, but remember, it has to be freely moving, so keep it light, unlike me.



1993 Pass Dr Ext Handle back side grease
Again, grease, but not so much... where you have to hose it down...
- later with Spray Liquid Lithium to get everything moving...



1995 Pass Dr Ext Handle Retainer set up
Got the Retainer set where the Rod goes right in and a minimum of effort is required to seat the damn thing.

This was probably the easiest 'hard task' of them all.
Pliers are God's Gift to the Muslims.



1997 Pass Dr Ext Handle hold Rod for retnr
Needle Nose Pliers were of immense help here.
And, as I said earlier, I left the bottom 2 screws out of the Latch Unit.

Made it easier to manipulate the Handle Rods, etc.



1999 Pass Dr Ext Handle reverse angle
As if you had not seen enough of them by now...
I did not drill out a hole for upper nut access as a few have done. I have a 1" hole saw, just too lazy to get it set up.
It was real time consuming and difficult to get the top nut started.
Did I mention just how hard that top nut is...

Don't forget to grease the dang thing real good, knowing you will just...
- rinse it all off later just getting it freed up to move and "return to center".



2002 Pass Dr Ext Handle from inside
Yup, the top nut was hard, but not as hard as I was when I saw her gams for the first time...
I point the damn thing out in case you have never acquainted yourself with it.
Right handed or left, the nut was hard, but so is Camel Lot Hairless Laughing Hyena's back side skin.



2000 Pass Dr Ext Handle finished
Looks Good, just as I'm loosing daylight...

[sixsix]

Last of the "Little Three" Elec/Mech Components in the Door.

The Door Lock / Cylinder / Lever / ******* RETAINER

Here's what it looked like before taking it apart / from the door:



1901 Pass Door Lock Cyl Retainer
Well, that Cylinder Retainer was a true Asswipe to remove.
But not like the "Other Retainer".

Truly Deviant, that one...


2006 Pass Dr Key Lock assy with retnr
The one on the Right - yup.

Trying something a little different...
I thought I would remove the Lever from the end of the Cylinder.
Then mount the Lever to the Rod, where/when it is easier to see and reach.



2008 Pass Dr Sheet metal Key Lock Rod
Yeah, there's "The Rod" hanging there - ready to piss me off and on for 2 days.
Just hanging there, mocking...



2010 Pass Dr Key Lock Lever & Retnr assy
This worked to some degree, after messing with trying a few methods.
The one that worked was the one where I cuss continuously for 10 mins. as I push the retainer into the Rod Groove after missing it 231 times.

I cursed most, but not all, of the Lithuanian dog patrol ladies and all blue '65 Mustangs missing emblems.



2011 Pass Dr Key Lock Cylinder & Lever assy
Here the Cyl. and it's big Retainer just before putting the Lever and that last Retainer on.
It went real easy, couple tries w/o dropping it into my "Extremely Valuable" catch trough down in the door.

Lock works great, both directions, door locks good, opens and closes good.
Gave everything a slight dash of Lithium.

The Lock Cylinder Groove is by the Green arrow & the Rod/Lever stuff by the Magenta. "Magenta"

And if it wasn't getting boring enough, how 'bout some pics and dreary talk of cleaning the inside of the door / prepping for deadening material application...
I mean... when was the last time you saw closeup of Door Weep Holes?



2013 Pass Dr leading edge Weep Hole
Lucky there is no rust on these doors and the bottom of this one was very clean.

The other door was dirty as hell - Left open more and had 10 or so dice and a spare door key in it.



2015 Pass Dr trailing edge Weep Hole
Nice to have an air compressor - be it ever so humble...



2019 Pass Dr Cleanup 2
Wiped down with light soapy water, then alcohol - got all the grease, oil and handprints off.
But... could not get rid of the AstroSafari.com Logo.



2020 Pass Dr Cleanup 3
Was not quite as easy as when the Regulator and Locking gear was out, but cleaned up well.

Key to the stuff staying in place is cleaning and pressing the stuff on real hard / setting it.



2022 Pass Dr Peel n Seal Deadg
Nice milestone to reach.
Went Door edge to edge except the Handle bump out.
Stayed shy of the top edge by 1 inch - so no interf. w/ the Inner Door Panel hanger.



2024 Pass Dr Peel n Seal equip
Not shown is the carpet knife I actually used - not the scissors.

Ended up using the rest of our 91% alcohol to clean surfaces.

Now it is nowhere to be found, 3 stores, biggees, too. Online is kind of sketchy.
Like baby and clorox wipes, I guess.
TP is probably gone now too.


Well, only a few items left:
- Window Motor
- Wiring, Plastic Retainers and new Tape
- Bolt down armrest support
- Reassembly

Hope to see me there...

[WoodButcher]

When you went looking for 91% how many clerks / sales associates looked at you sideways when you asked for it?
It seems to me at least 1/2 of the people I find in stores I need to first teach them about the item,,,

[sixsix]

There was just as much confusion and glazed over looks as I had when I saw they had 4 strengths of rubbing/isopropyl alcohol. I had to ask - the shelves were empty, just like today at Kroger, altho they had Clorox crap and wipes of 5,670 sorts.
I know we do not get out much, but qeez...


Hey, Bruce - I'm always knocking on the V8 Newbies, but will disclaim there are a couple that have it all going on.

Have any good V8 Anecdotes to pass on? Like... "Some poor slob in a Viper thought he..."
Love 'em.

Randy has plenty w/ his HOT V6. And Music... well, he just raises my cackles - LOL - Love his stuff - all of it.
Now Randy is wrenching again, has a "Witches Brew" going on w/ his Chevelle - I'll just mention... "Brodix".
Things are going to get Loud n' Blue here come spring - his car is "drop dead".

I will have to visit, just to get some Pics - I do not think he will be doing a thread... darn.
His pic taking skills leave a lot to be desired - LOL. Not many can touch his mech. skills, tho.
Or his confidence.

Did I butter him up enuff' ?

[WoodButcher]

Not so many vipers in this area, BMW, Mercedes, Range and Land Rovers, mostly people from NYC w/ too much money in too big a rush.
I do confess taking pleasure when some fool tries to pass in the climbing or right lane. I'll jump it and pace them til they run out of road.
Those Range Rover do well on the dirt at 80!

[sixsix]

First off - Woody is Very Modest.... LOL



Well, back to the Passenger Door and time for Testing, Taping and Tressembling the thing.
( another good "T word" escapes me )


2025 Pass Dr Win Motor rebuild
When we last saw this white Delrin/Nylon piece, it was getting it's Brushes held back with "Pieces of Paper Clip".
Very technical - we are over here...

I also put a blob of grease in the Motor End Cap before setting it in - going back a few pages is too boring - trust me...



2026 Pass Dr Win Motor rebuild lock tab
Here's the other side of that Cap, where I point out the Motor Conn. Retainer Tab. * Make Note *
... and seeing the other side of the clips is keen, of course.



2028 Pass Dr Win Motor no lock Tab
Yup... broke 'em both off when the pliers slipped while squeezing the 3 thin metal tangs that hold End Cap onto the motor.
I'll come up with a custom Conn. Retainer later.

I also pulled the Custom Brush Hold Back Pins while listening for the "Now-Familiar Click" of the Brush snuggling up to the Motor Commutator.
Been wanting to say that all year...



2030 Pass Dr Win Motor Test lead
Thought about posting a couple more pics of my "Custom 12V Test Lead Set".

I point out the "Hard Wire" Contacts I used to touch the 2 Leads on the Motor Cap right there below the knot.
Then I switched "To Check Reverse".



2031 Pass Dr Win Motor Test lead 2
The other end of it...
- Not much involved here either - vise grips hold the Black to the Neg. Post of The Van.
Red clipped to the Batt. Pos. Post.

Used this set up to check the Lock and Window Motor on both Doors. I think a nicad/lith/whatever battery pack would do the same - even a 9V might push it.



2033 Pass Dr Lock Wiring R & R
I started pulling the Electrician's Tape off all Door wiring I can reach.
First time I have fooled with pulling this much Tape off anything like this.

This is where the Lock Conn. wire Ret'r. was set up. As with all the wiring I have noticed - The wire is wrapped first - then the Retainer is taped wrapped on.



2035 Pass Dr Lock Wiring R & R 2
I don't remember seeing Tape elsewhere that is 1-1/2" wd. - all of this is - and it is not cheap - altho it is Very Messy.
Still pretty strong and resilient - surprising, except as I have noticed before... this '92 is seemingly blessed w/ decent grade elec. stuff.
Sorta...

One other thing I noticed - the Taped was wrapped more 'Longways' / Parallel to the wire - the width made it easy.



2037 Pass Dr Lock Wiring Wrap n Retr 2
Here I used my new Fancy Schmancy Euro/Audi/VW/Porsche/Whoever/Nobody Clothback Elec. Tape.
This one is 5" from the Conn.

Goes on smooth, allows as much or more manipulation as "Std Stuff".
Feels good, is plenty sticky, but not overdoing it.



2039 Pass Dr Lock Wiring Wrap n Retr 3
And the other 2 Retainers - I tried to get them pointing the same.
They are also on the Lock wire and are 23" and 28" from the Conn.

I am not sure "How Far" it is going, but I am not being stingy at all.
Hell, I bought 5 rolls, was planning to give Randy one and if I use it all on these 5 doors - sobeit.
But, of course, I am not over doing it.



2040 Pass Dr Motor Seal Tools Wrap Cleaner

"... ...These are a few of my favorite tools" Only thing missing is the kerosene used to prep clean the wires and the glue Goop I used somewhere...?
3/16 Allen for the Motor Mounting 1/4-20 SHCS and 7/16 for the SS Locknuts.
Use a Contact or Dry Cleaner or whatever to get things to stick better.
Gets the crap off your fingertips, too.



2042 Pass Dr Motor End Piece Seal
Perfect application for a leftover tube of 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive.
Goop I used on the 2 holes I had drilled for those "Brush Pins".

This pic is from the other Motor, but the same applied.



2044 Pass Dr Motor end Cap n Rubber
Since the black pin broke off - it held this black End Cap in place - a bead of the Adhesive will be fine here.
Got this cleaned up, Glued and the Black Strip of 1" wide high density Foam reapplied.

I was even able to get a strip of Adhesive on the Conn. before mounting the Motor.
Connector is held tight w/o the Retainer knobs.



2046 Pass Dr Motor Conn and Wires
Test fitting the Motor with Conn. and with power - Door Button Set(s) work perfect.
Motor wiring still to be wrapped.

Very satisfied with just a bit of progress.
Finishing the Wiring is next up, then the rest of the "Tressembly".

[sixsix]

Got the Passenger Door wiring finished, checked and re-taped / wrapped.
The new High Performance Elec Tape is fun and easy to use - "Looks and Feels Great".

I forgot - I made a quick dwg of the Lock wiring for placement of the Wire Ret'rs.


2047 Pass Dr Lock Ret'r dims
Getting older - commiting to memory - at least I know my limits...

Of course - for the last post - I forgot where I put the pad of notes...



2048 Pass Dr Motor n Wires Memory
Arrow pts to duct tape on the longer Lock PB wiring & Conn.

So - I can use pics to help when I re-tape.



1780 Pass wire mtr rivets

A few older pics will help with tape and wire bundling ... I might have a few - LOL.
- helps get the Conns. where they need to be, Length and Orientation.


2050 Pass. Dr Wires wrapped - Panel

Great...

Once I had the Motor out, all wires wrapped, ready to button it up.
Put the Oper. Panel on it and checked the Lock - It JUMPED Up & Down - Perfect.
The Window... not so much - goes down, but will not go back or was it the other way around...?



2051 Pass Dr Motor support - Panel

So I check all Conns., wire ends, Panel set up and hung the Motor to take the strain off everything.

Put Both Oper. Panels on the Doors and everything works great, both Windows work, Perfect.
Pass. Lock - Perfect!
Drivers door Lock will not Unlock. Both doors will Lock.
Neither side will Unlock the Driver's Dr.

Drat

So... I switched sides w/ the Panels - same results.
I know the Lock Motor worked on the bench and in the door - but, that was then.

Guess I'll check the Wiring from the Switch Conn. to the Motor when I re-wrap the Driver's side Wires.


Next time - Paint Drying...

[WoodButcher]

Getting older - commiting to memory - at least I know my limits...

Of course - for the last post - I forgot where I put the pad ..

Got the solution for you, I had the same problem. I was forever leaving my notepad in a safe place then forgetting where.
I took everyone's advice an got a smartphone last year. It has a thing called an app so I can find it via GPS, really cool, I can locate it while sitting at my computer so after I get home I can see that it's on the jobsite in the cabinet over the kitchen sink!

Better yet because it is so expensive to replace I got a fancy case to protect my investment that has a leather flap to cover the glass and it closes like a book. Inside the flap I have the extreme stick post it notes so now I always know where my notepad is


Now where is that dadgum pencil at?

[sixsix]

hmmm, you must be that new guy ?

[WoodButcher]

Lol, I thought that would be obvious with all the sideways pictures