Hesitent to start messing but would love to fix my car
Discussion
Hey Everyone,
I don't know exactly what I am looking for but I would love to be able to do some basic mechanics on my car. I don't mean replacing cambelts and such but for example, there is a clicking on breaking. Known Subaru issue. Also i'd like to be able to do stuff like my own disks and pads but I am a bit hesistant because this sort of stuff can be a nightmare if it goes wrong and I dont want to end up having some mobile mechanic coming to fix it and charging me a fortune.
Is this sort of stuff hard? I am a techie and if it goes wrong, we can just restart it. Not so simple with cars
Regards
CL
I don't know exactly what I am looking for but I would love to be able to do some basic mechanics on my car. I don't mean replacing cambelts and such but for example, there is a clicking on breaking. Known Subaru issue. Also i'd like to be able to do stuff like my own disks and pads but I am a bit hesistant because this sort of stuff can be a nightmare if it goes wrong and I dont want to end up having some mobile mechanic coming to fix it and charging me a fortune.
Is this sort of stuff hard? I am a techie and if it goes wrong, we can just restart it. Not so simple with cars
Regards
CL
Its like everything its easy if you know what your doing, Im been doing all this day in day out for 45 years so its all simple to me.
On the other hand I know bugger all about computers which will be dead easy to you.
Anyone of average intelligence should be able to learn most things with time but might it difficult to start with.
On the other hand I know bugger all about computers which will be dead easy to you.
Anyone of average intelligence should be able to learn most things with time but might it difficult to start with.
ChocyLint1 said:
Hey Everyone,
I don't know exactly what I am looking for but I would love to be able to do some basic mechanics on my car. I don't mean replacing cambelts and such but for example, there is a clicking on breaking. Known Subaru issue. Also i'd like to be able to do stuff like my own disks and pads but I am a bit hesistant because this sort of stuff can be a nightmare if it goes wrong and I dont want to end up having some mobile mechanic coming to fix it and charging me a fortune.
Is this sort of stuff hard? I am a techie and if it goes wrong, we can just restart it. Not so simple with cars
Regards
CL
Brake stuff is easy on the whole; almost all issues will be stuff that is stuck through heat or rust or threadlock or all of them. For brake pads and discs, once you've changed the entire set you'll have saved enough no have paid for the tools to do it. Probably more.I don't know exactly what I am looking for but I would love to be able to do some basic mechanics on my car. I don't mean replacing cambelts and such but for example, there is a clicking on breaking. Known Subaru issue. Also i'd like to be able to do stuff like my own disks and pads but I am a bit hesistant because this sort of stuff can be a nightmare if it goes wrong and I dont want to end up having some mobile mechanic coming to fix it and charging me a fortune.
Is this sort of stuff hard? I am a techie and if it goes wrong, we can just restart it. Not so simple with cars
Regards
CL
I've had a few Subarus, and haven't encountered the clicking; what do you think is causing it? Sometimes you get warn slider pins, but that noise isn't what I would describe as clicking. If that's what it is, it's a nice simple starter job.
CL,
First get a workshop manual. The manuafacturer's may not be as useful as, say a Haynes, as the latter is written for the non-professional. I don't know if they still are, but originally each Haynes was based on a complete strip down and rebuild in their own workshops, with photographers on hand. This allowed pictures and diagrams to be based on the real, rather than ideal situation.
Then tools. You don't need a massive rollcab of kit, but a good set of spanners, screwdrivers and perhaps a hammer(!). A trolley jack and a pair of axle stands will be much safer than the scissor jack the car comes with! As said above, you will quickly save the cost of these by DiY. Halfords sell good quality kit and often at sales prices.
And join a club! You mention your Subaru: https://uk.subaruownersclub.com/forums/ You may be able to make contact with local owners, who you can visit, or who will come and inspect yours, if you need specialised help. Covid allowing, of course.
Finally, and not until we have got out of this awful situation, car maintenance classes. Many local tech colleges will offer these, which will be general, but will give you knowledge and confidence.
Good luck!
John
First get a workshop manual. The manuafacturer's may not be as useful as, say a Haynes, as the latter is written for the non-professional. I don't know if they still are, but originally each Haynes was based on a complete strip down and rebuild in their own workshops, with photographers on hand. This allowed pictures and diagrams to be based on the real, rather than ideal situation.
Then tools. You don't need a massive rollcab of kit, but a good set of spanners, screwdrivers and perhaps a hammer(!). A trolley jack and a pair of axle stands will be much safer than the scissor jack the car comes with! As said above, you will quickly save the cost of these by DiY. Halfords sell good quality kit and often at sales prices.
And join a club! You mention your Subaru: https://uk.subaruownersclub.com/forums/ You may be able to make contact with local owners, who you can visit, or who will come and inspect yours, if you need specialised help. Covid allowing, of course.
Finally, and not until we have got out of this awful situation, car maintenance classes. Many local tech colleges will offer these, which will be general, but will give you knowledge and confidence.
Good luck!
John
I was fortunate enough to be able to learn from my dad who was, amongst other things a HGV mechanic.
I'm sure there will be YouTube tutorials showing you what to do and most brake systems are roughly the same but without stating the obvious, brakes are quite important. If you have doubts on your ability to do the work don't do it.
I have a Subaru and the brakes did make a clicking noise when I first got it. It was the small stainless anti rattle shims that fit on to the caliper carrier that had previously been fitted the wrong way round.
I'm sure there will be YouTube tutorials showing you what to do and most brake systems are roughly the same but without stating the obvious, brakes are quite important. If you have doubts on your ability to do the work don't do it.
I have a Subaru and the brakes did make a clicking noise when I first got it. It was the small stainless anti rattle shims that fit on to the caliper carrier that had previously been fitted the wrong way round.
John's advice above is spot on. Get a Haynes manual, download the Subaru technical documents, grab a socket set and get stuck in.
That's exactly how I learnt, from doing my first oil change on a mk2 fiesta to swapping engines on bmws, rebuilding most 80s/90s VW engines an building cars from bare shells.
It's usually fun and very satisfying but there have been a few of those "why did I ffin bother" and should have let someone else struggle for a few ££, it happens to everyone!
That's exactly how I learnt, from doing my first oil change on a mk2 fiesta to swapping engines on bmws, rebuilding most 80s/90s VW engines an building cars from bare shells.
It's usually fun and very satisfying but there have been a few of those "why did I ffin bother" and should have let someone else struggle for a few ££, it happens to everyone!
This guy does hundreds of brake jobs and is entertaining to watch, it’s a good way to learn.
American but still good.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtAGzm9e_liY7ko1P...
American but still good.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtAGzm9e_liY7ko1P...
Personally I would leave stuff like brakes, if you don't know what you are doing, you are risking your own (and others) lives.
Things like changing oil and oil/air filters should be OK.
If you do decide to go ahead, think safety first when jacking the car up, don't rely on a cheap scissor jack supplied with the car, put the car on axle stands as well. I would ask a competent friend to come along and help you, in my experience working on brakes never goes to plan, seized calipers etc.
Lots of good advice on You tube etc.
Things like changing oil and oil/air filters should be OK.
If you do decide to go ahead, think safety first when jacking the car up, don't rely on a cheap scissor jack supplied with the car, put the car on axle stands as well. I would ask a competent friend to come along and help you, in my experience working on brakes never goes to plan, seized calipers etc.
Lots of good advice on You tube etc.
With all the info out there online now + on YouTube, it makes amateur servicing very easy on the whole.
I only started doing my own servicing 6 months or so ago and I now feel fairly comfortable doing suspension work and brake work. I just tend to do lots of research on any job I have to do and make sure I have all the eventualities covered.
I was reluctant to fork out much for tools to begin with, but after working out how much I was saving per job, it made my life easier to invest (and to continue to invest) in decent tools.
Mind you, bigger jobs/stuff I don't really have time to do I will still ship off to my local garage for convenience.
As other have said, start small and each step up will seem easier.
Edit - just another thought. I found that if a job should take roughly 30 minutes, allow a lot longer (I usually double it). In case of rusted bolts, something going wrong, etc...
I only started doing my own servicing 6 months or so ago and I now feel fairly comfortable doing suspension work and brake work. I just tend to do lots of research on any job I have to do and make sure I have all the eventualities covered.
I was reluctant to fork out much for tools to begin with, but after working out how much I was saving per job, it made my life easier to invest (and to continue to invest) in decent tools.
Mind you, bigger jobs/stuff I don't really have time to do I will still ship off to my local garage for convenience.
As other have said, start small and each step up will seem easier.
Edit - just another thought. I found that if a job should take roughly 30 minutes, allow a lot longer (I usually double it). In case of rusted bolts, something going wrong, etc...
Edited by gman88667733 on Thursday 4th June 14:20
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