How to learn to work on cars?
Discussion
I bought a cheap mk1 MX5 a couple of years ago for exactly this reason. There's an absolute wealth of bits out there and there's always around 1,000,000 rusty ones being broken down for parts every day. As they are very popular, there's also a huge amount of tutorials and guides on the internet.
Ramps, jack and axle stands are a must though. Also, a decent socket set, I've been through 3 of the smaller ratchets so far.
Over the 2 years It's probably cost only slightly more in outlay for tools than i've saved but I can now look after my cars better and have a better understanding of the workings of what I'm interested in. I'm sure it'll equal out fairly soon as servicing, brakes and things like the rad are all done by me so no labour costs.
It's like lego for big boys.
I didn't do it but you should probably look to see if there's any basics courses around, I know some that have done them and they give you a proper start.
Ramps, jack and axle stands are a must though. Also, a decent socket set, I've been through 3 of the smaller ratchets so far.
Over the 2 years It's probably cost only slightly more in outlay for tools than i've saved but I can now look after my cars better and have a better understanding of the workings of what I'm interested in. I'm sure it'll equal out fairly soon as servicing, brakes and things like the rad are all done by me so no labour costs.
It's like lego for big boys.
I didn't do it but you should probably look to see if there's any basics courses around, I know some that have done them and they give you a proper start.
Jim the Sunderer said:
I only fix things that I can reach without jacking the car up because I don't want a car to fall on me.
So buy proper axle stands, a jack isn't sturdy or safe enough.
Definitely this, a pair of wheel ramps don't cost a fortune and can be useful too.So buy proper axle stands, a jack isn't sturdy or safe enough.
I know it doesn't appeal to everyone, but another option is to start with a motorbike rather than a car. A lot of the principals are the same, but the components are a lot lighter, on a lot of small bikes you can lift the engine by hand for example.
While I was mostly joking about the Army etc... when I did the VM trade course, yes it was working on cool stuff sometimes, but the fundamentals were always the same. What saves time, and usually money, is becoming very good at mechanical and electrical diagnostics, and I don't mean plugging a car into a machine as 'fitters' in garages nowadays do.
Also, fabrication was another vital skill we were trained and later put into practice. Obviously in certain situations we'd have to come up with the Mother of all bodges to get a vehicle working again as lives could depend on it, but it made you focus and you became very good at engineering your way out of problems rather than just sat there saying 'the part hasn't arrived yet, Boss'.
I think that's where the Night School suggestion might help if they cover that sort of thing.
Also, fabrication was another vital skill we were trained and later put into practice. Obviously in certain situations we'd have to come up with the Mother of all bodges to get a vehicle working again as lives could depend on it, but it made you focus and you became very good at engineering your way out of problems rather than just sat there saying 'the part hasn't arrived yet, Boss'.
I think that's where the Night School suggestion might help if they cover that sort of thing.
RizzoTheRat said:
Definitely this, a pair of wheel ramps don't cost a fortune and can be useful too.
I know it doesn't appeal to everyone, but another option is to start with a motorbike rather than a car. A lot of the principals are the same, but the components are a lot lighter, on a lot of small bikes you can lift the engine by hand for example.
Wheel ramps look a lot sturdier than a jack, thanks!I know it doesn't appeal to everyone, but another option is to start with a motorbike rather than a car. A lot of the principals are the same, but the components are a lot lighter, on a lot of small bikes you can lift the engine by hand for example.
Asterix said:
While I was mostly joking about the Army etc... when I did the VM trade course, yes it was working on cool stuff sometimes, but the fundamentals were always the same. What saves time, and usually money, is becoming very good at mechanical and electrical diagnostics, and I don't mean plugging a car into a machine as 'fitters' in garages nowadays do.
Also, fabrication was another vital skill we were trained and later put into practice. Obviously in certain situations we'd have to come up with the Mother of all bodges to get a vehicle working again as lives could depend on it, but it made you focus and you became very good at engineering your way out of problems rather than just sat there saying 'the part hasn't arrived yet, Boss'.
I think that's where the Night School suggestion might help if they cover that sort of thing.
I should have a lot of time to kill in the coming months so I think I'm going to start looking for some courses, see if any decent ones are available nearby.Also, fabrication was another vital skill we were trained and later put into practice. Obviously in certain situations we'd have to come up with the Mother of all bodges to get a vehicle working again as lives could depend on it, but it made you focus and you became very good at engineering your way out of problems rather than just sat there saying 'the part hasn't arrived yet, Boss'.
I think that's where the Night School suggestion might help if they cover that sort of thing.
Adam2k90 said:
Wheel ramps look a lot sturdier than a jack, thanks!
That's because wheel ramps are designed to support the car and a jack is designed only to lift the car. Ramps annoy me, they're always awkward to get the car onto due to the front and rear overhangs, and once the car is up on the ramp you are limited as to what you can do because the car is being supported by it's wheels.
chryslerben said:
carl_w said:
Do your local adult education classes offer a course? Check your local council's website -- often they're run in conjunction with local colleges.
This^^^^Don't for god sake take the word of a load of drive way mechanics, get yourself on an evening course and get some kind of tuition from some one thats been doing the job then look at buying tools and investing your money.
Tuition from professionals can be very useful, but it's not free and their advice - particularly with regard to working practices and tool investment - is tailored to full-time work in a fully equipped garage. That's fair enough, as that's where their experience comes from, you can still learn a lot. You can also learn a lot from people who have done the job in the same fashion as you..
I would far rather read a selection of "driveway mechanic" DIYs than talk to a pro about a difficult job. Being told about how it was done in half an hour with an air saw and a hydraulic press is not remotely helpful to me. An honest appraisal of the difficulty, tools you really need and practical ways to achieve it yourself is far more useful.
HustleRussell said:
Adam2k90 said:
Wheel ramps look a lot sturdier than a jack, thanks!
That's because wheel ramps are designed to support the car and a jack is designed only to lift the car. Ramps annoy me, they're always awkward to get the car onto due to the front and rear overhangs, and once the car is up on the ramp you are limited as to what you can do because the car is being supported by it's wheels.
Adam2k90 said:
I should have a lot of time to kill in the coming months so I think I'm going to start looking for some courses, see if any decent ones are available nearby.
They're 'alright'On a basic level they'll teach you how to take a wheel off, how to change the oil, maybe swap a duff sensor for a new one, but you wont be diving into the heights of changing the rocker cover gasket or fitting a new exhaust. It's got to be simple stuff that's usually done within half an hour, to account for different levels of knowledge, and what can reasonably be fixed by a qualified mechanic there and then to allow the person who's car you're working on to drive it home again
On the topic of what car, I'd probably go for something like a Ka, a Corsa or a Fiesta, something cheap with some electrics, but not that many that you end up in sensor and sender hell to get it fixed. The only Gotchas with these really is rust, and the fix for rust is welding, not something you really want to get in to at an early stage, so if you're buying one, buy one that hasnt failed it's MOT on rust, otherwise you can do what you want but it still needs another £300+ giving to someone else to get it roadworthy.
My best buy in tools has been an impact socket set. It'll move anything, even really rough, rusted on things that other socket sets just slip on
McSam said:
chryslerben said:
Don't for god sake take the word of a load of drive way mechanics, get yourself on an evening course and get some kind of tuition from some one thats been doing the job then look at buying tools and investing your money.
Interesting. Why shouldn't someone interested in learning amateur mechanics take advice from people who have successfully learnt amateur mechanics?The procedure for getting a hub nut off, for instance, will differ quite significantly between a fully equipped workshop and a driveway mechanic... and neither method is more or less valid or effective than the other.
Agree there's a lot of jobs that can't be done on ramps (suspension and brake disk/caliper), but there's a lot of other jobs they make a lot simpler, eg sump plug, oil filter, exhaust.
Re tools, Halfords Advance stuff is well worth it IMO, they regularly have sets on special offer so they're a decent prices, and they come with a lifetime garentee. My 1/4 ratchet failed a while back, took in to the local shop and they swapped it for a new one straight away.
Re tools, Halfords Advance stuff is well worth it IMO, they regularly have sets on special offer so they're a decent prices, and they come with a lifetime garentee. My 1/4 ratchet failed a while back, took in to the local shop and they swapped it for a new one straight away.
6 years ago at the ripe age of 18 I couldn't change some brake pads.
A couple of months ago I did the bottom end bearings on the M5.
Everything I learnt was from youtube videos and hands on work on my own cars. Some expensive mistakes but just remember, if it came apart it will go back together. Usually if you have a knack for this type of thing, your brain automatically leaves breadcrumbs on putting everything back together. Also forums a huge amounts of help, chances are whatever you're doing someone has done already and remember to give back to the community with your own DIYs
My tool box when I was 20 ish:
My man cave now :
A couple of months ago I did the bottom end bearings on the M5.
Everything I learnt was from youtube videos and hands on work on my own cars. Some expensive mistakes but just remember, if it came apart it will go back together. Usually if you have a knack for this type of thing, your brain automatically leaves breadcrumbs on putting everything back together. Also forums a huge amounts of help, chances are whatever you're doing someone has done already and remember to give back to the community with your own DIYs
My tool box when I was 20 ish:
My man cave now :
Edited by Sump on Monday 20th April 19:46
I started off at 17 just simply by buying an old Mini (not a BMW one). It cost me a few hundred quid and I went from there. By the end of it, a few years later, I'd basically rebuilt it from the ground up.
I actually went down to my local Mini garage and asked if I could work there on Saturdays. I got paid next to nothing but I learnt absolutely loads and got all my parts cheap, as well as having a great laugh!
I actually went down to my local Mini garage and asked if I could work there on Saturdays. I got paid next to nothing but I learnt absolutely loads and got all my parts cheap, as well as having a great laugh!
Sump said:
6 years ago at the ripe age of 18 I couldn't change some brake pads.
A couple of months ago I did the bottom end bearings on the M5.
Everything I learnt was from youtube videos and hands on work on my own cars. Some expensive mistakes but just remember, if it came apart it will go back together. Usually if you have a knack for this type of thing, your brain automatically leaves breadcrumbs on putting everything back together. Also forums a huge amounts of help, chances are whatever you're doing someone has done already and remember to give back to the community with your own DIYs
My tool box when I was 20 ish:
My man cave now :
A couple of months ago I did the bottom end bearings on the M5.
Everything I learnt was from youtube videos and hands on work on my own cars. Some expensive mistakes but just remember, if it came apart it will go back together. Usually if you have a knack for this type of thing, your brain automatically leaves breadcrumbs on putting everything back together. Also forums a huge amounts of help, chances are whatever you're doing someone has done already and remember to give back to the community with your own DIYs
My tool box when I was 20 ish:
My man cave now :
well that is quite an improvement
I have a large garage space which can be used but being 17 I have barely any money ( thank you insurance 
) Hopefully with some patience and a lot of practice Ill be able to start doing the more challenging stuff eventuallyNezquick said:
I started off at 17 just simply by buying an old Mini (not a BMW one). It cost me a few hundred quid and I went from there. By the end of it, a few years later, I'd basically rebuilt it from the ground up.
I actually went down to my local Mini garage and asked if I could work there on Saturdays. I got paid next to nothing but I learnt absolutely loads and got all my parts cheap, as well as having a great laugh!
hrmm I never thought about trying to get a part time job in a garage. Even if it doesn't pay well (or at all) that would be a good way to start to learn the basicsI actually went down to my local Mini garage and asked if I could work there on Saturdays. I got paid next to nothing but I learnt absolutely loads and got all my parts cheap, as well as having a great laugh!
Adam2k90 said:
Nezquick said:
I started off at 17 just simply by buying an old Mini (not a BMW one). It cost me a few hundred quid and I went from there. By the end of it, a few years later, I'd basically rebuilt it from the ground up.
I actually went down to my local Mini garage and asked if I could work there on Saturdays. I got paid next to nothing but I learnt absolutely loads and got all my parts cheap, as well as having a great laugh!
hrmm I never thought about trying to get a part time job in a garage. Even if it doesn't pay well (or at all) that would be a good way to start to learn the basicsI actually went down to my local Mini garage and asked if I could work there on Saturdays. I got paid next to nothing but I learnt absolutely loads and got all my parts cheap, as well as having a great laugh!
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