SMR 2026 DATES MAY 29TH AND MAY 30TH
We are excited to have you with us, whether this is your first year or you’ve been volunteering, with us, for several years! Check in is 8:30-9:30am, please be sure to mark all your belongings with your full name, so that things don’t get lost, in the shuffle. Please remember weather can change in a hurry, be prepared for rain or shine! We know things change quick and we can work outside of our covered areas so it’s good to be ready.
We will have some full tool boxes, coming up, this has already been communicated with some of you. If you’re one of the volunteers bringing a full box, please allow time to get set up, in your respective area. For the rest of you please bring your go-to hand tools for basic repairs, a jack, set of jack stands, one extension cord, and one work light, as we do work well into the night. At the end of the opening meeting we will assign each of you to your work location. Following that, your breakout meeting will be in your respective shops. If you are assigned to triage cars on the hill, you will report to Doug, in the Tent. Meals will be available for one hour, after you’re told that they are ready to serve.
Please review the following information.
SMR 2026 Shop Meeting Notes
Thank you for donating your skills and your time. Thank you in advance for helping us be safe and efficient.
• Meals will be served for one hour after they are ready, your lead will let you know when meals are ready to be served.
• Make sure shop lead knows how long you plan to stay. We would like to try to avoid having people leave in the middle of a repair.
• Check with the shop lead before starting a repair and when repair is completed.
• Please do not move between shops without checking in with your shop’s lead.
• Leave hood up for final review, Lead/Assistant will visually check engine bay and cowl for tools or anything out of place, before releasing/signing off on the vehicle.
• Understand where to stage vehicles and where to park when complete.
• You may be asked to run vehicle to next station.
• Forms can only be signed off by Leads or Lead Assistants.
• Tools go back in toolboxes - do not put tools on top of boxes or cowls.
General Repair
• Follow Checklist order of operations. Notes on back should read like a story of what was done and what needs to be done.
• Review check list in detail – review and confirm customer complaints.
• All items marked bad or replaced must have notes about what exactly was found or done.
• Check suspension/steering components before removing wheels.
• Always consider what other gaskets/parts will be required to do the needed repair.
• Many tune ups will require a plenum and EGR gasket.
• Torque all lugs to 10ft lbs over spec with a torque stick and again on the ground with a torque wrench. Leads can provide you the correct spec.
Brake Procedure
• Use marked 5mm go/no go gauge for brake pads. if the gauge fits, and rotors are good, we do not replace the brakes.
• Use a mirror to check inside pad and feel inside edge of rotor.
• Always do both pads and rotors.
• Clean brackets where pads slide. Ensure pad slides freely.
• Caliper pins removed and lightly lubed with sil-glyde and ensure pressure is released from boot after installing.
• LOCK-TITE on all brake bolts and torque to spec. Leads can provide you with the correct spec.
Suspension
• After replacing suspension or steering components, with the help of a friend, place jacks under the control arms, use a tape measure to set 1/8” -1/4" toe in. Mark alignment box on checklist.
Tires
• Observe for edge wear.
• Inflate tires according to sticker on driver’s door or door jam. If no sticker, set to 35 PSI.
• If replacing, mark position, model, and unit # of vehicle on inside of rim with painter's tape.
Safety
• Have someone watch while moving vehicles into and out of work areas.
• Use stands - don’t ever trust a jack.
• Wear eye, ear, and hand protection when needed.
• Stay hydrated and raise your hand if you need help!
Common associated parts
Ignition Coil
• Spark Plugs
Spark Plugs
• Wires
• Plenum gasket
• Egr gasket and tube seals
Strut
• Sway bar link
Control Arm
• Sway bar link
CV Axle
• CV axle seal
• Transmission oil
Inner tie rod
• Outer tie rod
Radiator
• Hoses
• Thermostat
• Cap
Brake Caliper
• Caliper hose
Drum brakes
• Hardware kit
Belt/belt tensioner
• Belt
• Another belt behind it?
• NO AutoZone stretchy belts!
DONATE
We appreciate each and every volunteer and sponsor, without each of you, this would not be possible. our Goal for 2026 is $30,000, if you’re able to bless this cause financially, please be sure to put “SMR 2026” in the memo line to ensure your donation is dedicated to SMR. Please consider making a one time donation, or partnering with us on a monthly basis. There are two ways you can financially contribute to Car Clinic.
Sponsorship Levels
Gold Level Sponsor $10,000
Silver level Sponsor $5,000
Repair 5 vehicles and feed 10 volunteers $3,000
Repair 2 vehicles and feed 5 volunteers $1,200
Repair a Vehicle and feed 1 volunteer $550
Set of Tires $450
Set of Struts $350
One Set of Brakes $250
Battery $200
Tune up $150
Feed 4 volunteers $100
Feed a volunteer $25
Click here to DONATE NOW.
2. Make a one-time tax deductible donation by check or partner with us on a monthly basis.
Make checks out to The Car Clinic and mail them to: The Car Clinic PO Box 565 Osseo, MN 55369