How many real mechanics do we have...?

[Bartman39]

These guys think too BIG. In the day of R&R, throw away parts; we need more line cooks not sous chefs trying to reinvent the Quarter Pounder.

Stick to the book kids, when I am looking for exotic work I will probably be going to a guy that doesn't have a million little certificates on his wall for 'Advanced Cooling Evacuation' and 'Advanced Spark Plug Replacement'.

kthx, just replace the alternator and get my car back to me.

You totaly miss the point of this thread anyhow... Seeing as you like to look down your nose at the guys that keep you from having to pound the pavement with your tender feet... I think I`ll politely ask that if you cannot contribute to this thread then please do not post in it and remember its not the "off topic" forum...

 

[Pulsar]

lolz...mechanics wanting to be engineers.

They should focus on following book instructions rather than trivia.

I'm sorry, but do you have some input pertinent to the thread title? If not, I agree with OP, please leave. This has been a rare informative and polite thread without and juvenility, rudeness, or immaturity. Let's keep it that way.

 

[Gillbot]

Actually, Torrington is a manufacturer of many bearings but they no longer exist.

 

[Bartman39]

I'm sorry, but do you have some input pertinent to the thread title? If not, I agree with OP, please leave. This has been a rare informative and polite thread without and juvenility, rudeness, or immaturity. Let's keep it that way.

Thanks Pulsar...:thumbsup:



James... Yes your right and must figure (dont know for sure) but they must have been the originators of the Torrington bearing design...? Would make sense... Do also like the input of other apps for that type of bearing that others have posted...

 

[alkemyst]

I already left...but if you want to carry on, I can come back.

In my experience and why I do most of my own work is why I did respond the way I did.

Most people want a mechanic that's just a line cook. Most mechanics and blue collar jobs are like that, you really don't want these types over-thinking your repair because they lost a simple wrench.

I do go to pros at times....they don't have a wall of certificates in the waiting room nor even have a waiting room.

That was my point.

 

[Bartman39]

Moving right along do we have any Diesel mechanic`s...?

I`ve always done my own work and of course have my own standards about it too... Last December I found the truck in my sig had a head gasket in the process of giving way which is somewhat common for the 2004.5 & 2005 models of these trucks... Its a bit of job that books out at around 30+ hours of flat rate time and total cost at a dealer is about $6000 and a reg shop was wanting about $5200 for the job... Did it myself first time in 32 hours (taking my time of course) and for about $800 in parts including ARP studs to replace the head bolts (local dealer gives me a good cut on other parts)... So far its been doing just fine and the spec`s in the sig were after the work was done and with a modest tune that I run every day... The Allison transmission is next but thats is a big $$$ expense that will have to wait but does need to be done to handle the extra power...

Wanted to add the funny thing is the job did not require any special tools just 6 sockets, 5 wrenches, 2 allen wrenchs, torque wrench and a few other odds and ends... BTW no books or guides were used in the process, the only torque spec was from the ARP instructions which is different from the factory bolt torque spec (98ft lbs Vs. 120ft lbs)... 30+ years of experience tends to prevail no matter how you look at it and just connecting the dots doesnt mean you did it right either...

 

[SparkyJJO]

I wouldn't call myself a mechanic per se but I do most of the work on my vehicles myself. Last year I redid the suspension on my car. I'll be doing a transmission service on the truck soon.

There are some things I just won't touch though, or can't do, and that's fine. And typically, on the bigger jobs, I look up how to do certain parts first before I jump in and do it.

 

[Gillbot]

Thanks Pulsar...:thumbsup:



James... Yes your right and must figure (dont know for sure) but they must have been the originators of the Torrington bearing design...? Would make sense... Do also like the input of other apps for that type of bearing that others have posted...

It's just a needle thrust design. Not sure if they are the originator or not but many other manufacturers make them as well.

 

[Bartman39]

I wouldn't call myself a mechanic per se but I do most of the work on my vehicles myself. Last year I redid the suspension on my car. I'll be doing a transmission service on the truck soon.

There are some things I just won't touch though, or can't do, and that's fine. And typically, on the bigger jobs, I look up how to do certain parts first before I jump in and do it.

Knowing your limits with things is good but sounds like you can handle things pretty good... (Yes but a shade tree is my best friend) should fit but dont take that the wrong way, we all had to start somewhere... I was around 9 or 10 when I built my first 5hp Briggs & Stratton for my mini-bike... But pulled and installed several engines by a tree branch and cheap POS come-a-long...

 

[1prophet]

These guys think too BIG. In the day of R&R, throw away parts; we need more line cooks not sous chefs trying to reinvent the Quarter Pounder.

Stick to the book kids, when I am looking for exotic work I will probably be going to a guy that doesn't have a million little certificates on his wall for 'Advanced Cooling Evacuation' and 'Advanced Spark Plug Replacement'.

kthx, just replace the alternator and get my car back to me.

And after he replaces your alternator your car still has a charging problem because he failed to check to see that the alternator is controlled by the pcm which requires an updated calibration file, off goes your car to the dealer or properly tooled and trained independent garage because he doesn't have the necessary equipment and training (that comes with all those certificates) in order to perform a proper repair.

There are tsbs for mazda's and fords for similar charging issues that are resolved by updating or replacing the pcm.

Joe sixpack mechanic with that line cook mentality with no training or fancy certificates which offend you that throws parts into your car hoping it is fixed is going to become very expensive real soon.

 

[Bartman39]

One of the main reasons for the "poll" was to find out how many of us on here are mechanics and to what degree their ability is...


The main thing I have always gone by is experience and diversity there of (I listen to other mechanic`s and still to this day learn from that also)... Training tends to be on more specific area`s (engine, trans, driveability and such) and is very important with todays newer systems... But in a dealership a general heavy line tech is just that a "mechanic" as in he can do just about anything... Sure its a "blue collar" job but without us there would be no grease for the wheels of progress... You guys & gals (know a few) that do their own work but not for a living are becoming fewer and farther between but those that do save a ton O-cash...

Thanks to all that have contributed to this thread and in the is forum and if any need help feel free to PM me any time and if I dont know the answer I`ll do my best to find it for you and put you on the right track...

Just a lowly grease monkey... Bart