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View Full Version : Such an idiot, I am! (short shifter related)

texkid
09-20-2009, 05:44 AM
Well, there were some talk about the SSK-2 coming loose at times. But I never listened. There was a member whose [*sp?] SSK-2 actually came off while on the road. But I didn't listen.

Now, at around 10:00 PM on route to Katz Deli for a friend's birthday party, what happened? My freaking SSK-2 came off and I was in NEUTRAL for a good quarter mile (not bad of a rolling distance if you ask me). It is semi-dark, a Saturday night, in downtown Houston, and my tool box is at least 20 miles south. What did I do, you ask? I grabbed my Benchmade pocket knife, cut around the bolt holding down the center console, reached under the shifter, took off whatever was left of the SSK-2, re-attached the plastic "coupler" from the shifter cable to the shift-stick and continued driving with a chopped up center console in the back seat.

In the end, I got home with a chipped nail (like i ripped off some skin with that nail), broke the tip of a very nice pocket knife which is going to be a female-dog to grind in a new tip for, and I am going to need to find a new center console.

Would I do it again? Hell yeah! That is one bad ass SSK-2. Only this time I will heed to the warnings and apply some fancy Loctite.

So please, learn from my mistake and apply some Loctite (or equally strong adhesive) to the screws of the SSK-2. Or else you'll end up going McGuyver on your car. Believe me, its amazing how a flashlight doubles as a hammer.

ADDED NOTE:I finally woke up and took some quick pics. Enjoy!

What is if left of that hole. I don't think I can superglue that.
http://texanurse.com/NST/ssk2/Hole.jpg

Poor thing...didn't see it coming.
http://texanurse.com/NST/ssk2/bolt.jpg

I am still looking for that nail.
http://texanurse.com/NST/ssk2/ChoppedFinger.jpg

Sliced up finger when trying squeeze into that tight space under the shifter cage.
http://texanurse.com/NST/ssk2/SlicedFinger.jpg

My precious blade.
http://texanurse.com/NST/ssk2/ChippedBlade.jpg
Cosmonaut
09-20-2009, 08:00 AM
WOW! thats some quick thinking.
AlexNet0
09-20-2009, 08:34 AM
haha, wow, very resourceful.
Lazerdot
09-20-2009, 08:39 AM
Your attitude about the whole thing is what is most impressive!
You didn't blame anyone, and got the job done.
I'll be getting an incab ssk soon. I'll take yor advise.
the_boss
09-20-2009, 09:02 AM
:clap::laughabove:! you are now ready to drive a Ford! Anything can happen you will fix it or make it work!
blacksandiegovitz
09-20-2009, 12:43 PM
Your attitude about the whole thing is what is most impressive!
You didn't blame anyone, and got the job done.
I'll be getting an incab ssk soon. I'll take yor advise.

^^+2
Thanks for the heads-up on the loctite .
texkid
09-20-2009, 03:55 PM
:clap::laughabove:! you are now ready to drive a Ford! Anything can happen you will fix it or make it work!
Ah, you forget my friend. I owned a Ford Escort and a Ford Probe and my dad still owns his '93 Ford F-150. So I am used it. :tongue:

Your attitude about the whole thing is what is most impressive!
You didn't blame anyone, and got the job done.
I'll be getting an incab ssk soon. I'll take your advise.
I can't be mad at anyone. If anything, I was mad at myself for not having an "emergency set" of tools. At no point was I mad about chopping up my car, either. My main concern was keeping my wife safe. :smile:
cali yaris
09-20-2009, 04:08 PM
wow, that was super resourceful. I'm going to include instructions to use Loctite with that part. NST should do the same.
marcus
09-20-2009, 04:55 PM
no comment... not on this one..
texkid
09-20-2009, 05:19 PM
no comment... not on this one..

But you still felt the need to COMMENT "no comment"? :confused:
RedRide
09-20-2009, 05:31 PM
That must have been a nightmare!
Glad you got going again.

Emergencys are the exact reason that I aways keep some basic tools in all my cars
Things like a regular and phillips screwdriver, pliers, a small crescent wrench, and a small nut driver/ ratchet set can be invauluable at times. Add to that a good knife of course.

BTW, CT Scott is selling a console for $25
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21881
texkid
09-20-2009, 06:17 PM
That must have been a nightmare!
Glad you got going again.

Emergencys are the exact reason that I aways keep some basic tools in all my cars
Things like a regular and phillips screwdriver, pliers, a small crescent wrench, and a small nut driver/ ratchet set can be invauluable at times. Add to that a good knife of course.

BTW, CT Scott is selling a console for $25
http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21881

I definitely need to get a quality Leatherman!

I just PM'd CTScott about the console. I called DIBS! :biggrin:
RedRide
09-20-2009, 07:38 PM
A "Leatherman" Multi tool can be handy at times.

However, there is no subsitute for the proper tool. The Yaris has too much storage capacity not to carry the basics.
RacerFreakXXX
09-21-2009, 08:35 PM
note to self, dont buy

Actually this can be avoided by using loctite... which is recommended for most screws like the one that pops out on the SSK-2. Also, if you plan to mod your car it's always good to have tools on hand and/or spares (lines, belts, couplers, screws, bolts).
1NZYaris1
09-21-2009, 09:00 PM
Thougt i better check mine today , nothing better to do .
pulled the consol off looked at the SSK and oh i already had used thread lock , oh well i gave it a little lube instead , should have done that sooner wow , very smooth action now :biggrin: