Doing your own work.

[twinrider1]

I like doing my own work. Like golf, it's a frustrating kind of fun. But the first time you do something the learning curve is steep. And chances are you probably won't have to make that same repair to that vehicle (other than brakes).
I changed the water pump on my Durango this weekend. Really glad I did it myself this time. I am slower as molasses, but I work cheap. I had a local shop do it two years ago when I needed it done that day. Paid way too much and it only lasted two years. Never again. Really wasn't that hard to do.

 

[punjabiplaya]

:thumbsup:

 

[Tristicus]

I hate it. On small jobs, I'll do it. Larger jobs, for myself it is more cost effective to let someone do it..I work way too slow, and don't know exactly what I'm doing and always break shit.

 

[Bignate603]

I pick and chose what I do depending on how soon I need the vehicle and what the job entails. If something goes wrong on me wife's van I won't touch it. That thing is a pain to work on. On my cherokee I'll do quite a bit myself. It's much easier to work on.

 

[punjabiplaya]

I hate it. On small jobs, I'll do it. Larger jobs, for myself it is more cost effective to let someone do it..I work way too slow, and don't know exactly what I'm doing and always break shit.

yeah, I agree with that. If it's something that really requires a lift, like pulling trans or motor, no way in hell I'm doing it myself. But simple stuff like struts, springs, fuel pump, etc... I will pretty much always do it myself unless I'm really crunched for time.

 

[exdeath]

Biggest entry barrier for most people is having tools at home. For the first few DIY jobs it will cost more to buy tools and stuff for the first time. The actual work itself is not that hard, and even the simplest tasks will go 10 times longer without the proper tools. Part of DIY is learning what you can do yourself and what's best left outsourced to specialists. Just because you want to rebuild your engine for the first time at home doesn't mean you need to run out and buy $100,000 in machine shop equipment and milling machines when a shop can do it for you in an hour for $200.

Also many people who preach DIY for everything often take for granted that they also have 24/7 access to a real shop for special service tools, air, lifts, fluid disposal, etc. when shit just got real

 

[Zivic]

I tackle some jobs myself... actually done some pretty in depth stuff, but that has only made me appreciate being able to pay someone to do the work for me. There in lies the problem -> there is only one person I really trust to work on my cars and if he isn't available, I will let the car sit or do it myself.

I have the resources to do just about anything short of machine work at my shop, but having the tools is only half the battle. having the time, motivation and know-how make up the other half. a lot times I run short of motivation and time.

 

[skyking]

I farm out the really ballbusting stuff like kinpins or ball joints on big trucks, and alignments and tire work. Other than that I do it all myself.
I know what got done, what it will need next, and the general condition of the rig.

 

[jlee]

yeah, I agree with that. If it's something that really requires a lift, like pulling trans or motor, no way in hell I'm doing it myself. But simple stuff like struts, springs, fuel pump, etc... I will pretty much always do it myself unless I'm really crunched for time.

I think I'd rather pull the motor than pull my fuel pump again...

I'm to the point where I do almost everything myself...exceptions being AC work (other than belts/etc) and alignments. I kind of have to with the MR2 - without having a specialty shop around, chances are I have a better idea of how to fix something than an average garage would anyway.

 

[DaTT]

I would like to do most of the work myself. I was initially going to put a set of 4.10 gears in my car on my own, but after reading up on it, no way. I don't have the proper tools and I don't want to lie on the ground all day long.

 

[Tristicus]

I would like to do most of the work myself. I was initially going to put a set of 4.10 gears in my car on my own, but after reading up on it, no way. I don't have the proper tools and I don't want to lie on the ground all day long.

That and if you get it any sort of wrong, bye bye rear end.

 

[Meghan54]

Biggest entry barrier for most people is having tools at home. For the first few DIY jobs it will cost more to buy tools and stuff for the first time. The actual work itself is not that hard, and even the simplest tasks will go 10 times longer without the proper tools. Part of DIY is learning what you can do yourself and what's best left outsourced to specialists. Just because you want to rebuild your engine for the first time at home doesn't mean you need to run out and buy $100,000 in machine shop equipment and milling machines when a shop can do it for you in an hour for $200.

Also many people who preach DIY for everything often take for granted that they also have 24/7 access to a real shop for special service tools, air, lifts, fluid disposal, etc. when shit just got real

So true.

When I was a young pup, I had unfettered access to both a lift and a pit, which made doing anything vastly easier than working with jack stands and on your back.

These days as I approach 58, I find myself doing less and less. Don't want to lay on the ground quite as much as I did when I was younger, don't have access to a lift, etc., and I just don't feel like doing more work. I do continue to do my own brakes, shocks, oil changes, etc., but the heavy stuff (engines/trans/rear end) I pay to let someone else do. Just not worth my effort any longer.

 

[bruceb]

If I have the time and the weather is good, I do most work at home, with my brother's help. Almost anything except major suspension, engine or tranny work on a front drive car. It also depends on if the car is not going to be needed quickly or if can stay out of service for a few days, if needed. Mechanics are costly, in the area of $90+ per hour and you can't always trust them to find the real problem.

 

[NutBucket]

Biggest entry barrier for most people is having tools at home. For the first few DIY jobs it will cost more to buy tools and stuff for the first time. The actual work itself is not that hard, and even the simplest tasks will go 10 times longer without the proper tools. Part of DIY is learning what you can do yourself and what's best left outsourced to specialists. Just because you want to rebuild your engine for the first time at home doesn't mean you need to run out and buy $100,000 in machine shop equipment and milling machines when a shop can do it for you in an hour for $200.

Also many people who preach DIY for everything often take for granted that they also have 24/7 access to a real shop for special service tools, air, lifts, fluid disposal, etc. when shit just got real

While this is true, I love buying tools and having a lift is usually a luxury. I say this now until I get old and arthritic

 

[Kaervak]

I like doing my own work. Like golf, it's a frustrating kind of fun. But the first time you do something the learning curve is steep. And chances are you probably won't have to make that same repair to that vehicle (other than brakes).
I changed the water pump on my Durango this weekend. Really glad I did it myself this time. I am slower as molasses, but I work cheap. I had a local shop do it two years ago when I needed it done that day. Paid way too much and it only lasted two years. Never again. Really wasn't that hard to do.

That's a perfect way to describe it, frustrating fun. I love doing my own work and as much of a pain in the ass as some things can be, it's really quite fun and satisfying. The biggest pain in the ass is getting a sheared bolt in a hard to reach spot. Those suck.

 

[Doppel]

I've done a good bit and collected tools over the years though frankly as time goes on I get more and more intolerant of it. I just value my time more now. I can't Fing stand blowing a couple of evenings on something that simply brings me back to where I was before. Also hate managing the loss of a vehicle for a while. It would be a bit easier if I lived in Arizona and never ran into rusty fasteners. It certainly is nice to get a job finished, though, and save hundreds for the effort.

I prefer other work around the house like carpentry or tile work or something because I end up better off than before, as it's not a repair. Also in general has no time crunch and far fewer "surprises".

 

[Jumpem]

I did it with my step-dad's help as a teenager. I hated it. Now I let the dealer handle everything.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I do as much as I can myself. Started working on my own car when I couldn't afford to take it to a shop. I was pretty unsure of it at first, and my friend helped me a lot to begin with, but I found many things are not too terribly difficult to do. It is worth doing myself to save the money and I usually don't mind too much unless something goes wrong. There are times I wished that I had air tools as that would make life so much easier.

There was an instance this year where I was working on my 4x4 system and I broke off the housing. I couldn't get the busted piece out, so I had to get it towed to the shop for them to fix it

 

[rdp6]

I have committed to doing my own work on my 2007 Passat; just passed 100K miles, called the dealership for a timing belt service quote (with water pump). Had a minor heart attack (figuratively) upon hearing the price (even with discount) and also was told that idlers and tensioner are not included.

So, in the past I have only done oil changes, thermostat replacement, brakes, AC overhaul on my S-10. Also done an oil change on the new Ecoboost Flex. Have had Father in Law assistance / leadership on everything but oil changes. For reference I am an electrical engineer, so while not mechanically disinclined, fairly inexperienced.

I found a MkV GTI timing belt DIY online and looked over it with a buddy (mech E) at work to see if I could follow it and it looked like a lot of work but not at all impossible. I spent 2 days total, changed oil, wipers, rotated tires, changed timing and accessory belts, idlers, tensioner, coolant, etc. Took a major detour attempting to replace the thermostat but was stymied by a badly oxidized fastener, diminishing daylight and motivation, occasional misplaced critical tool (torx bits), and difficulty re-attaching very short hoses. Also the alternator was not as easy to reinstall as it should have been but I know the trick now. Glad I didn't break the cast aluminum.

I also installed a performance mod (my first!), ECStuning's transmission dogbone mount insert.

The jury is still out on whether I enjoyed the experience (this time I worked 70/30 with father in law rather than being helper monkey) but I know the job was done completely and completely correctly. I do enjoy having saved all told about $800 for my trouble. Also people who know what I did last weekend (neighbors and coworkers) are impressed, for what that is worth.

So now I need to get my own torque wrenches, jack stands, a floor jack, and a VAG-COM and I will be set. Also need to settle on the Bentley Publishers service manual or alldatadiy.com access. I have no experience with either.

Next scheduled projects are the 10K service for the Flex, 110K for the Passat, and eventually brakes, struts, APR Stage 1 with new cam follower, DV, and PCV mod for the Passat. By then there will likely be an exhaust problem, so may as well go stage 2.

 

[NutBucket]

All I will offer is that you should be able to find service manuals "floating" around in hyperspace.

Kudos to jumping headfirst into a relatively daunting job. Once you have a level of comfort, you'll see that really this stuff isn't rocket science. Certainly easier than obtaining an EE degree

Hell, really your worst enemy is a stuck nut/bolt. Nothing a torch won't fix

 

[MagickMan]

The truck, `72 Ford, I do it. The car, they do it unless it's really simple. The car, Sky Redline, is just way too complicated for me.

 

[Rifter]

I will do all my own work that doesnt require specialized tools. Anything that can be done with basic hand tools I will do myself.

Since purchasing a 84 chev pickup less than a year ago ive replaced:

Fuel pump
Carburator
Valve covers(stock tin ones were warped and leaking)
Brake Master
Replaced all fuel lines
Replaced all Vacume lines
Distributor/coil/control module and new wires/plugs
Turn signal switch in steering column
All new Belts
New battery and wiring from battery to starter/frame/alternator


If needed would not hesitae to swap motor or trans for a rebuilt one. The only things i stay sway from are gears/gearing in trans/diffs, alignments due to needing the special equipment.

 

[manimal]

I have always done the little things and brought in friends/brother who are pros for the big stuff. I ended up hiring a guy for my construction company this year who is a fantastic mechanic so I got us a lift for the shop and he brought his own tools. We started doing side work about 5 months ago when a friend needed his fleet of trucks looked at.

With my brand new atlas 1800 lift we can do anything!! Dropped a windsor in a 95mustang gt this weekend and will do a stage 2 turbo kit on a friends cobalt SS....

why the hell he wants to drop that kind of money on a cobalt is another story...

 

[Gibson486]

I hate it. On small jobs, I'll do it. Larger jobs, for myself it is more cost effective to let someone do it..I work way too slow, and don't know exactly what I'm doing and always break shit.

Yeah, if it is something like brakes, I will do it, but it will take me more than an hour (especially if the rotor is stuck on). Oil change...depends if i am lazy that time of year and if i want to put the expensive stuff in. Something like a wheel bearing...F-that. I will pay someone to do it.

 

[T2urtle]

^but in some cases, a wheel bearing is just 4more bolts on the hub and maybe a ball joint bolt on top of the brake job that ur currently doing if you bought a hub assembly.

I would say some cars are just +5 min on top of brakes. well in your case 30-45 mins.


I judge off time I have and cost of me doing it vs paying someone. most cases I do things myself because $50-100 already goes into diagnosis fee and if its not starting that's another $150 in tow. so $200-250 down, I rather take a couple shots at it then pay that on top of w/e

- tapatalk