Do you or don't you?????

[red96camaro]

I do what I can and let the shop handle the rough stuff , I have done everything so far but if there was anything really rough I wouldn't do it

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

I'm not sure what Jim does but I get lucky on this aspect. There is a local full service gas station that mounts, balances and fixes flats. He only charges $5 a tire to mount and balance and also only charges only $5 to patch a tire. Some places charge $8 to mount and balance a tire, so its a good deal.

thats sounds pretty fair.

i have the service plan that i bought with my tires at sears that include free balance and rotation, but if i could do it at home it would save me 65 miles to the closest sears. im thinking more for the tires on my jeep. its not tagged and have some old 31s to put on it until i get my big meats so if i could get them on there i coudl at least drive it to the court house and get it tagged and all that.

come on jim how do you do it? i think i could get a tire on a rim using various pry bars and whatnot but im not sure about how to ge tit to bead and definitely no idea how to balance without a machine.

 

[ok89]

Jim works for a tire and wheel shop.

I've seen ways (in magazines) where people used what they had with them to set the bead. Like I believe they sprayed something flammable (similiar to hairspray but not hairspray) in the tire and lit it and the air got really hot and expanded thus setting the bead. But I doubt that is a really safe way to do it.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

ahhh! makes sense!

 

[espnfreak]

I do most of the easier bolt on mods and what not. But if comes to any internal engine parts or difficult drivetrain parts I think I would take it to Ford. Makes sense because i got a Ford Extended Warranty.

 

[jimbo74]

yes, i currently work at a shop.... and the shop i used to work at still gives me hook ups..... the stuff ok89 said about a flammable liquid can be done wit hwhite gas or lighter fluid but should only be done in an emergency and by someone who KNOWS how to do it.... in theroy i could do it, but i wouldnt... if i screwed up i would be a marshmellow

 

[Derrick C.]

I've had to reseat a bead on a tire maybe 2 or 3 times like that. Ethanol works the best. I've worked at a tire before so I knew what was going to happen but damn thats some scary crap. I hate when people don't bring a full size spare on the trail.

 

[VairKing]

I do everything short of Tire balancing/alignments and such. Any mods and just basic maitience is all done in my garage. It looks like it could be time for a new tranny, so that will be a DIY for me...I will probably have many questions when that time comes...but for now I'm not too worried about it.

As far as oil changes, I usually do them myself, but if I find a place that will do it for $10 or less I will take it there. One time I took my Ranger to the Chevy dealer to have it changed for $9.99

 

[IgotTwo]

I will try to do anything and everything...with the exception of painting and welding (cause I don't have a welder) and front end alignments.

Why?
1. It is usually hard to find somene who does good work and doesn't whine about every little thing......then having to wait three weeks for an appointment......hoping it will be done on time.

2. If I do it, I'm not fighting a labor rate table to complete the job. So if they is a better way (usually more time comsuming) it gets done the "right" way.

3. If something else needs to be repaired, shows "wear" while the thing is all apart, I'll fix it and the job at hand doesn't turn into a money pit of labor retail part price overruns.

4. Its the little things: I clean any and ever part when I do repairs, as I think you should.... so every thing goes back "pretty" and tight.
Everything takes time!!!! I can't expect anyone else working on my car to do that and stay in business without charging you.

5. Its a great feeling to know...."I can do" that and not have to worry that anything you want to do may cost more than the cost of car.

6. It always more satifying to do it yourself and perhaps learn something. Researching stuff is so much easier these days with the web etc and I'm never a stranger at the library.

Its one of my bad habits ....do it yourself, get it done and get it done right.

It also helps to have an extra car while your working on the other one and you do not like to play golf.

It's a practical hobby ...or could it be a curse?

Go figure?

 

[RoadEnforcer]

If I knew how to do anything with my car other then to replace bulbs then I would do it all myself.

 

[IgotTwo]

RoadEnforcer

It always depends, if you really what to?
You can't fault anyone who doesn't want to know how, bother with the frustration and/or just writes a check ... and one has to know ones limits but:

the neatest thing in the world is being able to read.
(and have access to the web and this site..hahaha)

I got started many years ago with the attitude...
"I'm going to try this" and always kept ?50? or so bucks handy if the car had to be towed. I also slowly build up a collection of tools.

I never had to "opt for tow"....
Pick a simple project and go for it.....if you get bound up, I'm SURE the crew here will help. (myself included)

Years ago when I hit a brick wall, the web would have been a blessing......then it was the bookstore, a friend's help or the library.

just a "comma in my opinion"

 

[410Fortune]

I have done every single thing on my truck except for the exhaust and some welding. I dont weld, cant weld, but plan to learn how to weld. A garage would help.

Brett has been a huge help in doign the big stuff, it used to scare me, now I can install anything.

I had a friend weld up my spring mounts and shock mounts when I put a 8.8 under my BII, other then that all the work was done by me and my friends.

We are talking everything!!!

I'll still let Brett handle the pre-load on my wheel bearings though, they never seem to hold when I do it.

Just think 6 years ago I could change spark plugs and oil, thank god I inherited a 88 BII or thats all I would still be able to do, not I can swap an EFI engine in a weekend and convert a 5 speed to automatic in 3 days.
Remember your first tranny drop/clutch? Yeah me too, 5 trannys ago.....

 

[IgotTwo]

Let me guess?
Everyone's eyes glaze over when you tell them what you do?

Check out adult school for a welding course. I took one.
They are usually very cheap, no pressure to pass haha and you can play with all the schools neat tools, as welll as bring in your own project.

My bother in law and I took one and ended up "doing what ever we wanted off to the side " the whole time because most of the class didn't know how to use a screw driver.
I say that affectionately but that is how some adult school classes are.

So, seize the opportunity!

 

[410Fortune]

Well Brett bought a welder so maybe he'll teach me.

Right now I just need a house with a garage and then I can concentrate on my forthcoming divorce when I buy a air compressor and a welder. Right now the spare bedroom is more like a spare camping/boating/truck parts/tools/ stoarge unit.

Hopefully I wont have to do any welding anytime soon, everything has pretty much been done until I am ready to bend up some front beams......

 

[IgotTwo]

Three words "garage sales" ......
and swap meets at big car shows.
You can get some good stuff at good prices.

You're right, you sneed shelter from the elements first!
Then, I think its food and water??.

Then fix the cars

 

[dejello]

While it's not much, I do what I can. I have certain reservations on serious work I have no experience with because this is my only ride.

But I WILL learn. Yes, the day will come. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday..

Wait, what?

 

[Fiveliter302]

I havent done any customization to my truck, but when repairs come around I do 90% of everything for my cars/truck...
I dont think Ive actually been to a mechanic since 1997... I did go to a mechanic in 1999 when my Mustang broke down in the parking lot of the Ford Dealership... I let them look at it, but I did the repair (fuel pump)

 

[jonny 5]

I've done everything myself

 

[ExplorGM]

Electronics

I do most everything but computer/diagnostics (beyond code reading), tire changing and welding.
After owning 60+ vehicles I've only met one professional mechanic that I trust completely... I would rather break it myself than pay someone else to! Depending upon what tools are required, I'll usually take a crack at the repairs or mods myself knowing going in that I'll take longer than a pro, and much of the time I'm learning as I go...

 

[Adam Foote]

The only things i pay to have done is like an allignment and other stuff that needs the shops machines, or welding.... i do most of my own stuff, or try to, i did a steering stabilizer today, piece of cake