How many PHers can work on their own car?
Discussion
Just curious really.
I'm useless and end up relying on mates or garages to solve problems and carry out routine maintenance. I gamely look under the bonnet hoping there is a neon light pointing out the problem, sadly it's never there. I also strut outside to change a flat tyre or check the oil and expect the mrs to be proud of my manliness
So, who's good and who's useless (like me)?
I'm useless and end up relying on mates or garages to solve problems and carry out routine maintenance. I gamely look under the bonnet hoping there is a neon light pointing out the problem, sadly it's never there. I also strut outside to change a flat tyre or check the oil and expect the mrs to be proud of my manliness
So, who's good and who's useless (like me)?
I do pretty much everything. Done all sorts in the past with my greatest accomplishment being an engine swap on my mums drive using a skateboard and a jack to lower the engine out 
These days I'm just lazy so only do easy stuff. I got a garage to do a CV joint just because I couldn't be bothered getting the grease everywhere. It's nasty stuff!
Love working on cars though when I can be bothered.
These days I'm just lazy so only do easy stuff. I got a garage to do a CV joint just because I couldn't be bothered getting the grease everywhere. It's nasty stuff!
Love working on cars though when I can be bothered.
My jobs being a mechanic so yea pretty good only a 2nd year apprentic though. Today replaced wheel bearing and steering rack on a vauxhall mavorno vans the long wheel base ones that was a fun job. But the only ramp than can hold the weight is outside so working outside in this glorious weather can beat it. Electrical work is my downside though.
I do my best struggling with the Haynes or Bentley manual. Can do fairly simple tasks, such as routine servicing, changing brake discs/pads etc.
However the usual run of things involves me struggling with a stuck screw/bolt or part, getting frustrated with it, eventually hitting/breaking it (and cursing that it has got the better of me!) and then buying a new replacement.
However the usual run of things involves me struggling with a stuck screw/bolt or part, getting frustrated with it, eventually hitting/breaking it (and cursing that it has got the better of me!) and then buying a new replacement.
When I was younger and a bit naive I used to try (and fortunately get away with) everything from cambelt's to bulb changes.
Now I'm a bit older and have a few more pennies in my back pocket, I push all but the simplest of things on to my mechanic.
Really should get back into fixing things myself though as I did enjoy it.
Now I'm a bit older and have a few more pennies in my back pocket, I push all but the simplest of things on to my mechanic.
Really should get back into fixing things myself though as I did enjoy it.
!)Oil, filter, plugs. I can do.
Tried to do my pads, couldn't. More due to rusted / gunked / rounded heads than lack of ability or know how.
Changed a rear bumper with help from the old man.
Other stuff it's the garage. Want to change my suspension but pretty sure I don't have the skills for that. Would love to give it a go but it's my only car so I screw it up I'm buggered.
Tried to do my pads, couldn't. More due to rusted / gunked / rounded heads than lack of ability or know how.
Changed a rear bumper with help from the old man.
Other stuff it's the garage. Want to change my suspension but pretty sure I don't have the skills for that. Would love to give it a go but it's my only car so I screw it up I'm buggered.
Used to do pretty well everything from engine rebuilds, suspension, brakes, etc as well as welding, spraying, interior refitting and general what we would now call 'detailing' (I called it 'a major clean up' back then 
).
However over 10 years with a company car has made me lazy and I've only recently rekindled an interest in 'messing about with cars'. My OH recently bought a nice used Mini which I've actually enjoyed tinkering on fixing the few minor issues a used 5 year old car suffers from. Might even get my RS2000 back on the road someday...
). However over 10 years with a company car has made me lazy and I've only recently rekindled an interest in 'messing about with cars'. My OH recently bought a nice used Mini which I've actually enjoyed tinkering on fixing the few minor issues a used 5 year old car suffers from. Might even get my RS2000 back on the road someday...
Quite happy to get my hands dirty but some jobs are a complete ballache if you've never attempted them before or you don't have the correct tools to do the job yourself.
I've fiddled with most things on cars but I don't touch electrics.
Having said that, if you find someone who really knows their stuff and are willing to offer a 'mobile service' on your Chim, it's very hard to refuse.
I've fiddled with most things on cars but I don't touch electrics.
Having said that, if you find someone who really knows their stuff and are willing to offer a 'mobile service' on your Chim, it's very hard to refuse.
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