Just don't get it

[Skyliner]

I deleted my original post about not understanding why most folks don't work on their own equipment.

I was frustrated when I posted it and didn't mean to offend anybody.

[Bluepill]

Some people do not have the interest in learning, or the basic mechanical ability to make them comfortable working on machines. I developed an interest when I bought my first car. A 1955 Ford with a blown engine. Cost me 20 bucks. I read the "Motor" manual front to back a few times, then dug in. I made a bunch of mistakes like every beginner, but eventually became a competent DIY mechanic.

This start led me into a 45 year career in automotive. The last 20 years I owned a small 3 man shop, and I was very glad that some people choose not to do it themselves.

[ddrockwood]

You are absolutely right I work for a vw repair business. I know what you are saying.I do everything myself. Only when special tools are needed that I don't have I pay somebody with the tools . But I take the parts off and the it to them.

[rockfordroo]

No shop classes in high schools anymore; everyone's looking to "go to college" now, and unless you're going to be an engineer, who needs shop? So most kids aren't exposed to fixing stuff or using tools anymore. They don't build stuff anymore, either. It's all computer games now. Sad state of affairs.

Add to that, more and more stuff on cars need special tools or computers to repair and/or diagnose.

[NO3putt]

Tony, thanks for stepping up.

[ddrockwood]

I paid Toyota dealer to press off rear wheel bearing off of the axle on my tacoma. I took them the axle assembly. The first tech didn't know how to do it. The second tech I knew it took him a half hour and cost me 54 dollars

[stellaandspike]

And some of us are OLD (laughing here) and not electricians or mechanics, or even so inclined.

[lugoismad]

I agree. I work with a lot of engineers who don't even know how to change the oil in the car. It blows my mind.

[Martsing]

My inclination for doing the work myself is directly proportional to the amount of hind end pain involved and the urgency of the need.

I would just as soon pay someone to do work than do it myself.

Marty

[keeprr]

I worked with a guy some years ago and believe it or not, didn't even own a screw driver or know what to do with it. I'm just glad he doesn't try working on his vehicles.

[Springerdad]

Originally Posted by keeprr

I worked with a guy some years ago and believe it or not, didn't even own a screw driver or know what to do with it. I'm just glad he doesn't try working on his vehicles.

You must be talking about my brother when he was younger. Didn't know which way to turn a screwdriver to tighten. He's gotten much better over the years. I'll tell you this - he can write code with the best.

[rsdata]

it has about come to the point that you cannot work on your own car or truck anymore, and the auto techs... if the computer doesn't tell them which part is bad, then they just throw parts at the problem until they stumble on the fix...

thanks goodness that most things on my Shamrock I CAN do...

[kfd82]

I have very limited "Mr. FixIt" abilities and just enough tools to really screw something up.
I'm not afraid to try and fix something, heck its already broke, right? My fear is screwing it up worse and then having to pay someone to fix the problem AND my screw up.

[RitaB]

Why they don't fix their own? I've been watching my guy fix his car. He had what he thought was just a simple regreasing and sealing a wheel bearing. Once he got the wheel off and didn't see what he expected, he asked me to find something on line about it. He's 75 yo and wasn't up on advancements. It has taken him 4 days so far, with me helping and he's not finished yet. He is determined to finish it. I think it' going to take a few more days. I'll be thankful to see it finished. I'm tired of all the cursing from our drive way. LOL

[Terier]

I am finding this thread interesting and the posts have been on point. It's easier to tackle tasks when you have some basic skills & knowledge. For some of us we prefer to leave it to someone else trained & that has the tools.


My hat goes out to those RV owners that able to & do fix issues themselves. While I'm not in this group I can appreciate that trait.

[Stormrider151]

I do most of my on work. However, frustration has a price tag. For those few things I let someone else do it.

[lugoismad]

Originally Posted by Martsing

My inclination for doing the work myself is directly proportional to the amount of hind end pain involved and the urgency of the need.

I would just as soon pay someone to do work than do it myself.

Marty

Same. There are things I CAN do, but chose not to.

I'll pay to have drywall work done, because I hate it.

I'm going to pay this coming spring for a handyman to install an attic vent fan. I don't fit through my attic access easily, its murder on my back, and there's bats up there, so screw that!

I've paid to have a new headgasket installed on a car, even though I'm capable of it. I'll change a radiator or alternator, but I value my personal time, and I'm willing to pay a few hundred bucks to not spend my weekends bent over a car engine.

I won't pay for basic maintenance. I change my own oil, antifreeze, etc. Its easy, and I find it silly to pay someone and then sit there and wait in the waiting room for the same amount of time it would have taken had I just done it myself.

I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty on my travel trailer. I just installed a light in a storage area, last week.

[OldCoot]

The one time I took our 5er to the "Experts" at Tom Johnson, when I got home I had to take the entire driver side landing jack out that they had replaced and do it the correct way. They missed putting the jack on the "stops" built into the jack despite my very politely telling them it wasn't correct. Do everything myself now, less time and $. Much easier to do it right the 1st time.

[CaptnJohn]

In my youth I built stick houses and rebuilt vehicle motors. At my age now I just don't want to. Hell, even have a lawn service so I do nothing with the lawn but let the dog pee on it.

[Life Without Whine]

Not surprised some don't work on their own trailers ....what shocks me is Barbara Eden of I Dream of Jeannie fame was just on worst cooks .... and just about can't boil water ..... how do you make it thru life without cooking?!?!?!! ;-) Total hijack ....