Author Topic: Anyone still work on their own cars? (Read 5150 times)

PJ · « **on:** August 18, 2013, 05:52:36 pm »

Recently a co worker was complaining about paying almost $200 in labour to change an alternator. I asked why he didn't do it himself and mentioned on my similar car it only took me 15 minutes.

Turns out no one in the room does even the most minor repairs themselves. Surprised and disappointed.

With the car guys here there must be someone who still works on cars, I hope

wing · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2013, 06:23:39 pm »

Well obviously I do, just swapped my engine.

Frontier1 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2013, 06:51:51 pm »

I do my own brake service, tire changeovers, odd oil change but not so much under warranty. Cant recall major work really, Echo required sway bar kit and control arms, a bit too much for my liking.

tpl · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2013, 06:54:05 pm »

Only thing I have done since...1989 was to solder the wires onto the GTI MAF that a chipmunk had chewed through and for most of the years 1989->2009 was to do the wheel swap over. I leave that to the tire place now.
1989-> 2007 no garage. 2007 to present a small garage with poor lighting ( it is on the house list to redo the place)
As I get older my tolerance for getting down onto a cold garage floor has dropped to zero and my cars tend to be under warranty for most of the time I own them.

Before I left the Uk I did everything including stuff like rebuilding a gearbox and engine over a weekend. had to...no money for paying anyone. No garage then ever but a buddy had one.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2013, 06:57:16 pm »

I haven't since my 93 Tercel and 95 Corolla wagon were sold off. I still did the maintenance on my bike, but I sold it last year.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2013, 07:00:42 pm »

Just came in from doing an oil change on the Mazda. I haven't darkened a mechanics door in many years except for safety inspections. Oh and tires I guess.

Fobroader · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2013, 07:32:37 pm »

Besides swapping tires off of rims....I dont visit mechanics.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

rrocket · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2013, 07:34:09 pm »

I'm doing brakes/rotors on my 911 today.

Firm · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2013, 07:57:57 pm »

That's a pretty convenient jacking point on the 911....I like that. Cars with shitty or no good jack points can be really frustrating.

I try to do as much of my own work as possible. I am no mechanic, but if I have the time I am happy to learn. It's hard to beat the feeling you get from repairing something successfully yourself.
I just did a complete rebuild of the hydraulic brake and clutch system on the MGB and replaced the the lower control arms on the Firebird - so I am getting better.

I do shy away from doing much on the SLK, all the electronic stuff scares me a little, so I usually leave that car up to the specialists.

I am also guilty of turning to a mechanic when I need the car fixed right away and I have no time or the weather is too cold to do anything myself.

Snowman · « **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2013, 08:04:19 pm »

Last time I worked on my vehicle was 1987.

TheHire · « **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2013, 08:04:53 pm »

Quote from: Firm on August 18, 2013, 07:57:57 pm

That's a pretty convenient jacking point on the 911....I like that. Cars with shitty or no good jack points can be really frustrating.

I try to do as much of my own work as possible. I am no mechanic, but if I have the time I am happy to learn. It's hard to beat the feeling you get from repairing something successfully yourself.
I just did a complete rebuild of the hydraulic brake and clutch system on the MGB and replaced the the lower control arms on the Firebird - so I am getting better.

I do shy away from doing much on the SLK, all the electronic stuff scares me a little, so I usually leave that car up to the specialists.

I am also guilty of turning to a mechanic when I need the car fixed right away and I have no time or the weather is too cold to do anything myself.

Stop being modest you twit

dkaz · « **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2013, 08:38:31 pm »

I never really worked on my own car before but then I started observing people working on their own cars at club meets so I began working on my own brakes, changing oil, doing suspension work, etc. It seems I forgot to lubricate the caliper pins so my pads had uneven wear between the inner and outer pads. I broke a 4" long 15mm thick bolt while swapping springs which required me to trek 4 hours by bus to a dealer that had one. I thought the bolt needed 85 ft lb, not 45. Lol. Whoops.

I'm going to see if dealer maintained makes a difference with keeping my car feeling brand new about 6 years from now. My 5 never saw a garage after 96,000 km and it was kinda rough at 180,000km.

dr_spock · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2013, 08:42:14 pm »

I do my own work unless I don't have the proper equipment. It is fun.

rrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2013, 08:46:41 pm »

Quote from: Firm on August 18, 2013, 07:57:57 pm

That's a pretty convenient jacking point on the 911....

That's not even the best part. There's a cut-out on the side with a plug in it. Pull the plug, and you put your little plate in there and jack right on there. It jacks the whole side of the car up. I love it....

dr_spock · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2013, 08:51:52 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on August 18, 2013, 08:46:41 pm

That's not even the best part. There's a cut-out on the side with a plug in it. Pull the plug, and you put your little plate in there and jack right on there. It jacks the whole side of the car up. I love it....

Damn, wish more cars came with that feature. That's so useful.

rrocket · « **Reply #15 on:** August 18, 2013, 08:55:55 pm »

^^It's incredibly useful. Great feature!

random006 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 19, 2013, 03:12:06 pm »

I do very little to my vehicle. I've changed wipers, lightbulbs, fuses and even a diode relay.

That's about it, though, outside the occasional hand wash and wax & polish.

I'm happy to let others handle the other jobs.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2013, 03:57:54 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on August 18, 2013, 08:46:41 pm

Quote from: Firm on August 18, 2013, 07:57:57 pm
That's a pretty convenient jacking point on the 911....

That's not even the best part. There's a cut-out on the side with a plug in it. Pull the plug, and you put your little plate in there and jack right on there. It jacks the whole side of the car up. I love it....

Now that is some clever thinking!

PJ · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2013, 04:58:04 pm »

It is good to hear I'm not entirely alone. I work on my own cars for a number of reasons.

I enjoy it. I like fixing things and it's a good feeling to not be dependant on someone else.

It's cheaper. Labour charges for some jobs are way too much.

It's faster. No making appointments or waiting for them so finish another job.

It's done right. Finding a good mechanic is hit and miss.

I get to choose the replacement part. I always like the replacement part to be better then the original if possible. Never know what the garage will install.

A big bonus these days is the internet. Not sure how to change a part? check YouTube. Odds are there is a video of someone doing the exact repair you are. If your stuck check the forums.

Fobroader · « **Reply #19 on:** August 19, 2013, 05:00:14 pm »

I like having a beer with my buddies and socializing, its good times while "working on the car". "Yes dear, it does take 4 hours and a flat of beer to change a headlight bulb hon....trust me"