Feeling satisfaction from DIY

[ElectroMechanoMan]

I’ve worked at the paper mill for almost 35 years and I still run into things I haven’t had to repair or replace in all of those years. Those are the jobs that keep me interested in my field of work. I also enjoy my automotive work because after all of these years, I have the right tools to do the work 90% of the time. I also have a welder and metal lathe so I can make tools I need if it’s necessary.

 

[TeamZero]

Ya sometimes. Had an old sebring drop top at work few weeks back. Latch motor on the top of the windshield was bad. Not available anymore. Customer upset not going to be able to use top anymore. So said I would try and rebuild it. No guarantee it would work and they would have to pay even if didnt work out. Spent couple hrs and it worked. So not really DIY as it was work, but they were super happy at outcome....as was I

 

[GON]

I too am way beyond that, it was/is still sort of my profession and it sucks repairing old rusted crap and resurrecting the dead. I do enjoy working on antique Euro cars English in particular, doing body and metal work and doing nice paint jobs on car that are worth it, not the sh.. boxes made today.

Trav,

Since you mention old English cars, at age 17 (1982) I was a part time apprentice mechanic for a 60+ year old mechanic from England. His shop was a Quonset hut in Pompano, Beach, FL. The shop had no air condition, no lift, and no windows.

This British born mechanic worked in an Austin Martin Factory in the 1940s as an apprentice, where he learned the trade. He was a one man show, and worked on so many European imports, primarily British, that no other shop could and/or would touch.

The reason he had me as an apprentice was simply to jack up vehicles, place jack stands, etc. He was somewhat obese, old, and it was difficult for him to prepare vehicles to work on without a lift of any kind. A great memory and experience for a 17 year old working for a mechanic of that caliber and background. I wasn't there too long; his health did fail him.

 

[alcyon]

Yes it is fulfilling, especially after some paid mechanics got it wrong the first time and I got it right.
Recently I had a clunking in my diff when shifting from N to D and N to R. So I asked a so called pro to rebuild my diff with crush sleeve eliminator.
He changes all the bearings but re used the crush sleeve, claims its ok to do so. I put back the diff in my car and drove it around, it was making horrible sounds. This time I sent the car to him, and he cut one side shim down, reduced the noise but its still there. Fed up , I decide to re set up the diff myself. I just started removing the diff yesterday, and the oil was dark (after only 10 hours of use )and the magnetic drain plug has metal bits on it. I practically have no choice but to DIY it, because the so called professionals in this country is plain incompetent.

 

[Trav]

Trav,

Since you mention old English cars, at age 17 (1982) I was a part time apprentice mechanic for a 60+ year old mechanic from England. His shop was a Quonset hut in Pompano, Beach, FL. The shop had no air condition, no lift, and no windows.

This British born mechanic worked in an Austin Martin Factory in the 1940s as an apprentice, where he learned the trade. He was a one man show, and worked on so many European imports, primarily British, that no other shop could and/or would touch.

The reason he had me as an apprentice was simply to jack up vehicles, place jack stands, etc. He was somewhat obese, old, and it was difficult for him to prepare vehicles to work on without a lift of any kind. A great memory and experience for a 17 year old working for a mechanic of that caliber and background. I wasn't there too long; his health did fail him.

That was a great experience for you, The old English cars especially the higher end ones were very special and a working on them is truly a joy.

 

[JHZR2]

I enjoy DIY as long as it’s in my terms. Family, work, and other time consumers are much more in the mix now, so some diy is not tenable, or creates jobs thatI end up doing well past midnight to avoid missing out on other things, and keeping up with my commitments.

The thing that gets me is that there is always some stupid thing that goes wrong, gets lost, etc. and makes the job hours longer than need be. This is why oil changes and minor service is doable - it’s a pretty well known situation, while other jobs might not be so much…

 

[hardcore302]

OP here. For example, I brought my car in for a quick oil change to pep boys. Asked if he could look at the headlight that keeps going out. Said I needed a new headlight or he would have to get in there to see. I said screw that. Brought it home. Looked at the socket. Burnt out. Went on YouTube. Learned how to wire in a new pigtail and did it at work on lunch. Felt great!

 

[RooflessVW]

OP here. For example, I brought my car in for a quick oil change to pep boys. Asked if he could look at the headlight that keeps going out. Said I needed a new headlight or he would have to get in there to see. I said screw that. Brought it home. Looked at the socket. Burnt out. Went on YouTube. Learned how to wire in a new pigtail and did it at work on lunch. Felt great!

So was the light diagnosed or not? And were you willing to pay for diagnosis?

 

[repairman54]

The satisfaction of diagnosing and repairing is what keeps GOOD techs doing it for decades.
Like Dr Frankenstein in a good sense, '' It's alive". Especially the tough diagnosis.
I didn't realize it until I retired after 46 yrs. of being an on-site tech. Even now I get the occasional ''high'' from a good repair.

 

[Duffyjr]

Even though I no longer do my own maintenance I still get satisfaction out of taking care of my vehicles even though my mech does the work. Buick goes in for new tires tomorrow, can't wait to see how it rides and handles.

 

[hardcore302]

I was not willing to pay. I just diagnosed it myself. Felt good that I was right lol.

 

[hardcore302]

So was the light diagnosed or not? And were you willing to pay for diagnosis?

Didn't wanna pay. Happy I was right!

 

[CapitalTruck]

Just put new internal sensors and ecm in my sisters Cruze. Saved her like 2000 bucks. Made me feel good. Not taking shortcuts always makes the job feel worth it. Knowing done right and cost savings = win/win. Always feels like an accomplishment.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

 

[Exhaustgases]

Satisfaction ? Not if something breaks and its needed right now. And also have no desire to crawl under a vehicle for any reason I get no satisfaction doing that.
Satisfaction, yes if it is something I want to work on at the moment.

 

[Snagglefoot]

My last biggie was doing the back struts in a Taurus. This spring I hope to do the front struts. I learned a few things about struts from the back ones. A battery impact wrench is your friend, as is the air impact hammer, even if you own a wimpy air compressor. Still, very satisfying.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

My last biggie was doing the back struts in a Taurus. This spring I hope to do the front struts. I learned a few things about struts from the back ones. A battery impact wrench is your friend, as is the air impact hammer, even if you own a wimpy air compressor. Still, very satisfying.

Did you have to remove parts of the back seats for those struts? there are some model cars that actually require that! Shocks used to be so fast and easy a task BUT in all fairness struts are much better for all around ride stability. You do have to do a 4 wheel alignment after replacing your struts if you want the best handling + correct tire wear.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Did you have to remove parts of the back seats for those struts? there are some model cars that actually require that! Shocks used to be so fast and easy a task BUT in all fairness struts are much better for all around ride stability. You do have to do a 4 wheel alignment after replacing your struts if you want the best handling + correct tire wear.

Yes, you do have to remove the rear seat to get at the three bolts at the top of each strut, bit that’s the least of the problems. The challenge is getting the pinch bolt out of the knuckle. They can be very corroded in the rust belt areas. I apply Krown rust preventer to the bolt area twice a year when I rotate tires.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

I used to keep the shop at the plant I worked at stocked up full of this super penetrant named Aero Kroil. The stuff was awesome for spraying equipment parts and flange nuts and bolts ahead to trying to break them apart. Its expensive but works.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Another tip from an old mechanic I know is to use an air hammer to vibrate the knuckle after applying your favourite penetrating oil.