The Hsu’s Views

Spent the weekend fixing the washing machine. Like many things I fix, had to do it twice.

OK, if you are here because you have a Kenmore front loading washing machine and it makes lots of noise during its spin cycles, I’ll share a few thoughts regarding it’s repair. it is likely the dual bearing that supports the inner tub assembly. Ours had been making noise for sometime, but lately it has gotten really loud, and (drumroll…) began to leak. Just the incentive I needed to fix the washer.

You’ll need to purchase the Rear Outer Tub Assembly for about $164. It contains the two bearings that need to be replaced. You cannot buy this separately. I got my part at AppliancePartsPros.com and they got it to me by the next day from N. California for only $6.95. Here is the parts link for the Kenmore 417.29052990 built by Frigidaire. The part is $180 at Sears. Diagrams can be found at their website by clicking on the image below.

Disassembly is pretty straightforward. To do this job, I can see no other way than removing the whole tub assembly from the cabinet. I borrowed two neighbors to help lift the tub out of the cabinet. It’s really heavy. (Tip: remove the motor, and unpin the shock absorbers at the tub assembly, remove top back support member so you can lift back and up.)

VERY IMPORTANT: The reason I had to do it twice is because after I got everything assembled, and went to reattach the rubber boot from the door opening to the tub… I couldn’t. So, while the tub is still out of the cabinet, remove the concrete counterweights on the front, reattach the boot to the front of the tub, reinstall the concrete weights, then slide the whole bit in. It is the only way.

It runs great now.

Check out this t-shirt!  It actually tells you about the presence of a wifi signal!  LOL. I ran across this t-shirt and I’m using all my willpower to keep from purchasing one. I’ve no idea why this is so cool to me. Get one here.

Finally getting around to fixing the van. At least I hope I’m fixing it. I’m holding the upper intake manifold of our ‘97 Mercury Villager. You have to take it off in order to get to the fuel injectors. It took five hours and… let’s just say I hope I can get it back together again. Would you pray?

The check engine light has been on and the car has been running rough. The mechanic says we need new fuel injectors, but at $100 a piece and extensive labor charges, we were looking at a good $1,000 bill. So, that means I get to do it.

I’ve found a place to recondition/clean my injectors for $17 each. So, after five hours, three skinned knuckles and two trips to Sears (for tools) to remove the fuel injectors, I packed them up and sent them off to Washington to get serviced.

I’ll change the PCV valve while I have the intake manifold on my workbench. I’ll also change the fuel filter, fuel lines, some emissions stuff, spark plugs and whatever else seems wise to do. I know I don’t want to take the engine apart again. Some photos.

I’m hoping to get the job done for around $200.

If you have a Mercury Villager or Nissan Quest, you have to join the Villager Quest Yahoo Group. The people there can solve any problem with these vans. They have saved me thousands of dollars.

In recent days, I saw a woman wearing a black t-shirt that said, “I love Jesus” and in smaller print below, “but I drink a little.” That threw me for a loop as I tried to figure out the message of the shirt.

• Was she declaring herself a follower of Jesus that felt it was ok to drink?
• Was she saying she was a Christian, but not a very good one because she drank?
• Was the shirt mocking some Christians and their hypocritical or inconsistent view toward alcohol?

I googled “Jesus t-shirt but I drink a little” and things began making sense. Apparently Ellen Degeneres has been calling an 88 yr old woman named Gladys Hardy from Austin, Texas during her show. This video segment is quite funny, and you hear Gladys admit to Ellen that “I love Jesus, but I drink a little.” In the context of the conversation you laugh because 88 yr old women that love Jesus would not usually be admitting to a little drink.

Nana Gladys now has a website where you can buy the t-shirts and track her antics.

Mystery solved. The message of the shirt is not so much about Jesus, Christians, and alcohol as much as it is an artifact of our television culture… or is it?

This past weekend at a soccer tournament, squished on the sidelines between two fields, my daughter and I had little choice but to set out our blanket and umbrella next to a pile of peanut shells. Aside from the annoyance of people throwing their trash on the field (I know they are organic and biodegradable) I thought little of them.

I have many friends that do think about peanut shells tossed on the ground. Because those peanut shells can kill a child with peanut allergies. Our friends Kye and Sherry have been raising the awareness of such food allergies. As a physician with a child suffering from such allergies, Sherry (pictured below) has been doing heroic work in town with other like-minded parents. This is Kingdom work by a parent who understands how her calling/vocation can be used to be a blessing to others.

SEAN M. HAFFEY / Union-Tribune

Peanut-allergic children and their families and friends watched yesterday’s Padres game from a peanut-free zone at Petco Park. The Padres lost their third straight contest to the Mariners, 4-3.

Here is an article about how the San Diego Padres created a Peanut-Free Zone at the park. Such a zone is far more significant that a non-smoking section. The mere presence of peanut shells can send a kid into an adverse reaction. So, please think twice before leaving a pile of peanut shells.

This website was fun the first time I saw it and it is still going. They collect photos of actual church signs all of which are intersting, some silly, and many are scary for different reasons.

You can also create your own church signs at the site.