Rant alert!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,102
Likes: 576
From: Winston-Salem, NC
Many on this forum just don't have the time and/or inclination to do their own work however, for those who are reluctant to get started, I always remember the preface in my college calculus book: "What one fool can do, so can another".
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, Texas
Having just finshed changing my own spark plugs with a buddy with a garage lift, I can say that I would charge triple that for the plugs alone.... 
Having said that, nothing is more satisfying than turning your own wrenches, bloody knuckles and all..
Having said that, nothing is more satisfying than turning your own wrenches, bloody knuckles and all..
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 7
From: Long Beach , CA
I wish there were opportunities to learn how to do the wrenching. As not all of us have access to nicely equipped garages it would be neat to now-and-again have some cooperative wrenching weekends hosted by various members. I would like to learn how to do my own oil changes, change belts, etc. I will need new rotors soon and I wish I could take care of the rotors, pads and fluid myself.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 165
I wish there were opportunities to learn how to do the wrenching. As not all of us have access to nicely equipped garages it would be neat to now-and-again have some cooperative wrenching weekends hosted by various members. I would like to learn how to do my own oil changes, change belts, etc. I will need new rotors soon and I wish I could take care of the rotors, pads and fluid myself.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,677
Likes: 544
From: I should be in TNT for Carnival!
I wish there were opportunities to learn how to do the wrenching. As not all of us have access to nicely equipped garages it would be neat to now-and-again have some cooperative wrenching weekends hosted by various members. I would like to learn how to do my own oil changes, change belts, etc. I will need new rotors soon and I wish I could take care of the rotors, pads and fluid myself.
Agent Orange
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,253
Likes: 750
The first jobs I ever did on my cars were on the street of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. That was before I could even afford a parking space. I did my first cold air intake on the street Then later on I got a parking spot in a dusty lot under the Williamsburg Bridge. I've changed the suspension of a couple of VWs in that lot, lying in the dust (or mud if it rained). I only owned a pair of ramps back then, and jack stands. The rest of my tools I just carried in an old back pack. Then later on it was in my driveway, before I built a garage at my house. Now if I wanted to bring my tools with me I'd probably need a trailer. But you start simple with a Craftsman (or what have you) set, a breaker bar, and go from there...
The way I learned was by reading shop manuals (Haynes, anyone?) and later the forums. I started with the small stuff and went from there to the point where I can take out the engine and tranny out of our cars in less than 4 hours (first time took me 8, I know some people who can do it in 2).
Doing the brakes for instance is a piece of cake. But you will need the appropriate tools and a bleeder. The procedure has been explained many times on these forums. If you really want to give it a shot, do some reading, print out the relevant information and just go for it! In this day and age even if you screw up or hit a wall just post on the forum and you'll have the answer within minutes.
I'm not saying this to sound smug, but it's really not as difficult as it sounds. And the feeling of accomplishment afterward is very special.
Then later on I got a parking spot in a dusty lot under the Williamsburg Bridge. I've changed the suspension of a couple of VWs in that lot, lying in the dust (or mud if it rained). I only owned a pair of ramps back then, and jack stands. The rest of my tools I just carried in an old back pack. Then later on it was in my driveway, before I built a garage at my house. Now if I wanted to bring my tools with me I'd probably need a trailer. But you start simple with a Craftsman (or what have you) set, a breaker bar, and go from there...The way I learned was by reading shop manuals (Haynes, anyone?) and later the forums. I started with the small stuff and went from there to the point where I can take out the engine and tranny out of our cars in less than 4 hours (first time took me 8, I know some people who can do it in 2).
Doing the brakes for instance is a piece of cake. But you will need the appropriate tools and a bleeder. The procedure has been explained many times on these forums. If you really want to give it a shot, do some reading, print out the relevant information and just go for it! In this day and age even if you screw up or hit a wall just post on the forum and you'll have the answer within minutes.
I'm not saying this to sound smug, but it's really not as difficult as it sounds. And the feeling of accomplishment afterward is very special.
Noodle Jr.
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,062
Likes: 320
From: Mountville, PA
+1! That job was ridiculous especially laying on the floor.