After the worst, what about the easiest routine job ever don
After the worst, what about the easiest routine job ever don
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E-bmw

Original Poster:

13,378 posts

181 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
After seeing all of your "worst" routine jobs, what about the easiest.

I will get the ball rolling.

Had these callipers on a car.



And wheels similar to these.



It was actually possible to change pads without removing the wheels, excellent on a TD car.

E-bmw

Original Poster:

13,378 posts

181 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
Another one is a clutch on a Mk11 Cavalier.

First ever "big" job done.

Bought Haynes manual & parts.

Jacked car up, under 1 hour later drove car away with new clutch, I think I needed 4 tools IIRC.

TGCOTF-dewey

7,870 posts

84 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
I remember when it was a headlight bulb...<wistful sigh>.

steveo3002

11,205 posts

203 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
wiper stalk on a focus , no tools needed just clips on

E-bmw

Original Poster:

13,378 posts

181 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
MODS.

Oops typo.

Could you please either add an "e" onto the end or delete "don" to make the title correct please?

gamefreaks

2,067 posts

216 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
Spark plugs on a V6 Rover 75.

Was expecting it to be a major pain. Traverse V6 so expecting to have to take the engine apart to get to them.

Actually no big deal.

The front ones are right in front of you when you open the bonnet.

The rear ones are a bit tricky until you realise the bulhead panels come out, then you have plenty of space to get your hands in.

paul_c123

2,390 posts

22 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
Headlamp removal/replacement on a Volvo C70. I was expecting bolts and stuff, but there's one metal clip which is removed, a locating lug and one electrical connector which came off easily once unclipped. Also means, bulb changes would be easy on this car.

E-bmw

Original Poster:

13,378 posts

181 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
paul_c123 said:
Headlamp removal/replacement on a Volvo C70. I was expecting bolts and stuff, but there's one metal clip which is removed, a locating lug and one electrical connector which came off easily once unclipped. Also means, bulb changes would be easy on this car.
Good call, the V50 headlamps are the same, just a stainless "peg" to pull out & the whole headlamp comes out.

Smint

3,581 posts

64 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
Cambelt change on Toyota 3.0 litre Diesel as fitted to Prado sized Landcruisers from early 90's to around 2016, 4Runner/Surf/Hilux too.

1 hour DIY, basic tools, full timing marks no locking kit reqd, no need to remove auxilliary drive belt but sensible to replace at same time (90k miles), belt only drives one of the two camshafts nothing else hence it has an easy run, failure unheard of.

TwinKam

3,570 posts

124 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
Cabin filter on most Jap cars; no tools needed, drop the glovebox lid, open a flap in the hvac ducting, swap filters, close flap, close glovebox. This is how it should be, good design for easy access to a service item.
There are notable exceptions though, Mazdas are a pita, as there are often two in a stack...

kestral

2,230 posts

236 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
Another one is a clutch on a Mk11 Cavalier.

First ever "big" job done.

Bought Haynes manual & parts.

Jacked car up, under 1 hour later drove car away with new clutch, I think I needed 4 tools IIRC.
I would write to the Guinnes book of records or join an F1 team if i were you. laugh

ChocolateFrog

34,954 posts

202 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
Engine change on a K Series engined Rover 25 (I think).

Disconnect a few hoses, cables and bell housing. Reach in and just lift out engine by hand.

I got a shock when I did the same with an MX5. Think that took 2 of us.

OMITN

3,048 posts

121 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
Peugeot 307 1.6 petrol:

Oil change: suction pump through the dipstick. Filter is at the front and top of the engine. More time spent setting up and tidying away.

Headlights: pull off rubber cover, unclip bulb holder and swap. Replace rubber cover.

E-bmw

Original Poster:

13,378 posts

181 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
kestral said:
E-bmw said:
Another one is a clutch on a Mk11 Cavalier.

First ever "big" job done.

Bought Haynes manual & parts.

Jacked car up, under 1 hour later drove car away with new clutch, I think I needed 4 tools IIRC.
I would write to the Guinnes book of records or join an F1 team if i were you. laugh
I assume you have never tried one then.

Jack up front, put on stands, remove near side wheel (tool 1) remove cover from side of gearbox (tool 2) wind out drive shaft (tool 3) remove cover plate under gearbox (tool 4) turn clutch through 1 turn applying clips in kit, remove plate/cover (still tool 4) fit new plate/cover refit gearbox cover wind drive shaft back in refit side cover, refit wheel, drop car & drive away.

TwinKam

3,570 posts

124 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
E-bmw said:
kestral said:
E-bmw said:
Another one is a clutch on a Mk11 Cavalier.

First ever "big" job done.

Bought Haynes manual & parts.

Jacked car up, under 1 hour later drove car away with new clutch, I think I needed 4 tools IIRC.
I would write to the Guinnes book of records or join an F1 team if i were you. laugh
I assume you have never tried one then.

Jack up front, put on stands, remove near side wheel (tool 1) remove cover from side of gearbox (tool 2) wind out drive shaft (tool 3) remove cover plate under gearbox (tool 4) turn clutch through 1 turn applying clips in kit, remove plate/cover (still tool 4) fit new plate/cover refit gearbox cover wind drive shaft back in refit side cover, refit wheel, drop car & drive away.
You didn't need to remove the wheel! wink

E-bmw

Original Poster:

13,378 posts

181 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
TwinKam said:
E-bmw said:
kestral said:
E-bmw said:
Another one is a clutch on a Mk11 Cavalier.

First ever "big" job done.

Bought Haynes manual & parts.

Jacked car up, under 1 hour later drove car away with new clutch, I think I needed 4 tools IIRC.
I would write to the Guinnes book of records or join an F1 team if i were you. laugh
I assume you have never tried one then.

Jack up front, put on stands, remove near side wheel (tool 1) remove cover from side of gearbox (tool 2) wind out drive shaft (tool 3) remove cover plate under gearbox (tool 4) turn clutch through 1 turn applying clips in kit, remove plate/cover (still tool 4) fit new plate/cover refit gearbox cover wind drive shaft back in refit side cover, refit wheel, drop car & drive away.
You didn't need to remove the wheel! wink
Correct, but it makes easier access to the gearbox side plate & easier removal of the output shaft. wink

TwinKam

3,570 posts

124 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
And, for the oldies, there was once a car that you did the clutch in much the same way, but from above.... so you didn't even have to jack it up laugh
Answers on a postcard...

paul_c123

2,390 posts

22 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
Beetle engine removal is pretty easy.

Type 2 (T1/T2) van is similar, but for a brace bar at the back which needs removing too, and adds about 50% to the time taken.

Arnold Cunningham

4,567 posts

282 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
Alternator on my defender. Something like 7 minutes.

TwinKam

3,570 posts

124 months

Monday 17th March 2025
quotequote all
TwinKam said:
And, for the oldies, there was once a car that you did the clutch in much the same way, but from above.... so you didn't even have to jack it up laugh
Answers on a postcard...
....you're taking longer to google it than it would take to do the job! rofl