Problem Solver? The Snap On Truck

[HoustonRunner]

Interesting that I didn't figure out what I was going to title this post until I looked closer at the picture.

I took the Suburban into my local trusted indy shop for a few things I didn't feel like doing myself. Since I bought it with 130k on the clock about 6 weeks ago I'm going through the 100k service items. Automatic transmission service, coolant flush and fill, recharge the AC, and replace the drivers side tie rod end.

The tie rod end was "frozen" according to the alignment shop, and I since it was already going to be in the shop I just let them deal with it.

Glad I did. On Thursday Jim from the shop called and said "well, that tie rod end is giving us fits; we'll try, but I'm not sure it is coming off."

On Friday he called me back and said "good news - we got it replaced". They were trying everything short of a torch (still not sure why, but something about not having ventilation) and were not getting it off.

Then up pulls the Snap On truck. Jim tells the guy "if you have a tool that will get this off, I'll buy it". Not backing down, the Snap On guy delivered, and Jim has a new tool.

Since I was in a hurry on Friday to pick the Suburban up I didn't have a chance to wander back and see this magical tool, so I'm not sure what it was.

What I do know is I have a new tie rod end (inner and outer), and discovered Moog thinks highly enough of them to call them "Problem Solver(s)".

I guess so, but Snap On was the real problem solver this time.

[EngineerWithTools]

So you're saying that Jim didn't make any money on this job?
(Seriously though, there is nothing like a purpose built tool just, you know, working, to give one the warm fuzzies.)

[HoustonRunner]

@engineerwithtools Yeah, I imagine he did not. I've never bought a Snap On tool, but I know they aren't cheap.

To be clear - he did not charge me for the tool, and he was genuinely excited to have whatever the new tool is.