Car work - takes how much longer than it should?

[JHZR2]

You read up about some car repair. Get all the stuff to do it, or at least try, get startied, need to make eight million trips to the basement for tools, stuff goes wrong, all of a sudden you're 10 hours into a job that should have taken maybe three. And you still have more work to do.

Does this only happen to me? My stupid brake job is turning into this. I'm almost scared to do my diy strut job given my luck...

What's your rule of thumb for real time versus what it "should" take?

Anyone know what typical "book time" is for a pad, rotor, caliper and hose replacement is? I'd be interested to know just how bad my luck is...

 

[Chris142]

We charge 1hr for brake jobs. This includes putting the car on and off the lift and a test drive

 

[turtlevette]

My wife always asks me how long I'm going to be with my car. Today I told her 30 min and was messing with it for over 4 hours. This happens time and time again. I've got zero credibility.

 

[tomcat27]

brakes, with hoses and calipers, should be under 2 hours per axle. 1 hour if you have done it before. struts? I'm probably slow at 1-1.5 hours each one. first time on any repair always takes longer...

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
My wife always asks me how long I'm going to be with my car. Today I told her 30 min and was messing with it for over 4 hours. This happens time and time again. I've got zero credibility.


yep same thing happens here

 

[expat]

First I read through what the job entails.
But I never set a time limit. The job takes as long as it needs to take.
I never want to feel I need to rush!
Working on your own vehicle can be very rewarding, and a way to save some $
So Take your time, Do it once, and Do it Right!

 

[Trav]

No big shakes it happens all the time. Older vehicle, rusted nuts and bolts, broken bolts and studs, frozen drums, rotten brake lines and bleed screws are all par for the course in the salt belt.

Pat yourself on the back you did the job and you know you did it right!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Something as simple and easy as changing oil in the E430 took me 1 hour from start to finish, from the time I take out the Mityvac and hoses to put everything away.

Just replace brake pad took me 2 hours per axle, another hour if I need to replace rotors.

I do everything much slower than most everyone else.

 

[SuzukiGoat]

Depends on if it is something I'm certified in.

Engine pull on my zuke took 14 hours instead of the 8.

Engine install took five.

All depends on comfort level.

 

[crazyoildude]

1 hour tops if all goes well...If you dont have the tools there and you have to hunt maybe all day its happened to us all shop included

 

[Voltmaster]

My latest break job , things went wrong one after one. Realized not only pads, rotors, are bad but also the calipers.

Over 12 hours spent now on this job, spanned over 4 jobs and 3 weeks. Probabley spent 3 hours just lifting and unlifting.

Now its all good,
Knowing quality parts have went into it , makes sense to me.
Alot of places they will just goop up your breaks and sent you on your way. Atlease, I know I am using quality parts for everything.

You really need tools, and toolbox. magnetic holders, and such.
At harbor freights with coupons you can get everything you'll ever need for 100-150 including jacks and stands.

Rusty fasterns can break, It has happend to me.


DYI is not just about saving money, you must also have patience , some tools and love doing it.

I dont mind getting dirty. I know most mechanics use [censored] parts, and alot of time just goop things up and sent you on your way.
Knowing my parts are high quality, is the reason why i do this.

 

[shDK]

Originally Posted By: Voltmaster
My latest break job , things went wrong one after one. Realized not only pads, rotors, are bad but also the calipers.

Over 12 hours spent now on this job, spanned over 4 jobs and 3 weeks. Probabley spent 3 hours just lifting and unlifting.

Now its all good,
Knowing quality parts have went into it , makes sense to me.
Alot of places they will just goop up your breaks and sent you on your way. Atlease, I know I am using quality parts for everything.

You really need tools, and toolbox. magnetic holders, and such.
At harbor freights with coupons you can get everything you'll ever need for 100-150 including jacks and stands.

Rusty fasterns can break, It has happend to me.


DYI is not just about saving money, you must also have patience , some tools and love doing it.

I dont mind getting dirty. I know most mechanics use [censored] parts, and alot of time just goop things up and sent you on your way.
Knowing my parts are high quality, is the reason why i do this.



Are there any laws regarding quality of replacement parts in the US ?

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: shDK
Originally Posted By: Voltmaster

I dont mind getting dirty. I know most mechanics use [censored] parts, and alot of time just goop things up and sent you on your way.
Knowing my parts are high quality, is the reason why i do this.



Are there any laws regarding quality of replacement parts in the US ?


Mostly civil liability if something breaks and could be proven was worse than the OE part which it replaced.

Generally, something can work the same, but wear faster.

Unless one is buying no-name from ebay, something like a timing belt from all the makers will last as long as OE though.

 

[Shannow]

Gather all the tools that you need to the repair location, and don't count that towards the job.

Take car to mechanic, they put it on the hoist then wheel the tool chests in with everything that they need, no climbing back under etc.

 

[GreeCguy]

Happens to me all the time. Case in point, last year I replaced the inner and outer tie rods on the "Bluesmobile." I had never done this job before so watched a couple of "youtube" video first, then "borrowed" the tools I didn't have from Advanced Auto.

Did the driver's side first. Easy. So easy it scared me as I kept thinking, "This is too easy, I must have forgotten to do something."

Passenger side took it's revenge. Two hours after starting on passenger side, I'm laying under the car with a hammer, banging away on the car. My neighbor came over, (he almost always does when he sees me working on my cars) and he beat on it a while. Finally the both of us working together managed to get everything off and new parts in place.

For me, that's a typical repair.

 

[eljefino]

I give a 2x fudge factor but then wind up taking 3x.

Oil changes are oddly the worst-- I do well until it's time to go from the pan into the recycling container then I spill if I'm in a rush.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
My wife always asks me how long I'm going to be with my car. Today I told her 30 min and was messing with it for over 4 hours. This happens time and time again. I've got zero credibility.





Everything seems to take me 4 hrs. I have become known as the 4 hr. guy!

 

[Kuato]

How much time should it take? Estimate first or check mfg service manual. Then....

Multiply by 2 if it is an older vehicle.

Multiply by 4-5 if it is the first time you have done this job.

Then multiply by two, and THAT my friends is how long you yell the wife it will take...then you will get "wow done already?" instead of "how did you waste an entire day in the garage?"

 

[Rick in PA]

Twice as long if everything goes well. Longer if not.
Pad you time estimates. Otherwise, as Scotty would say, "How are they going to think you're a miracle worker?"

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: Trav
No big shakes it happens all the time. Older vehicle, rusted nuts and bolts, broken bolts and studs, frozen drums, rotten brake lines and bleed screws are all par for the course in the salt belt.

Pat yourself on the back you did the job and you know you did it right!

Yes, the amount of rust can delay even simple tasks significantly.