The financial benefits of maintaining our own cars
- Thread starter Geotrash
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robgreg75
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I do everything myself unless I absolutely cannot and that is only stuff that requires a special computer to diagnose. On my 2010 Tahoe I have changed the torque convert and rebuilt the tranny, replace the water pump and radiator too. Shocks needed be changed one time and the front brakes I finally replaced at about 250k miles. I have saved myself probably over $5,000 in labor on the Tahoe. I actually have never paid anyone to do anything, including oil changes (I have never paid for an oil change ever), on my 2010 tahoe and 1970 Vette. My 1970 vette I did everything myself including painting, replacing the convertible top, redoing the seats and interior, engine, tranny etc. recently replaced the clutch in it after 20 years of it being in the car.
I do most of my own repairs but I know some people that look at this completely different. Best example is a Lawyer friend, this dude is in the 800 per hr range for his work and it would be financial suicide to do things like auto repairs or yard maintenance. I guess it all boils down to what YOUR time is worth...... mine is not worth much I guess since I have spent days messing with simple stuff like replacing a bad ABS unit and getting brake fluid everywhere my driveway still has stains DAMMIT I should have gone to college!!!!
juicedgsr95
Member
Ive done everything on my truck, all brakes/rotors, suspension, fuel pump, belts, engine mounts, oil changes, and probably a million other things. I am getting quotes now to have the noisy AC compressor replaced. I dont have the tools to capture and recharge the system.
I ran shops and I have had people come in and ask that we recover their refrigerant. We would measure the amount recovered. The people would go do their work and either add oil themselves or come back and we would add oil, evacuate and recharge. We assumed no liability and gave no warranty. We still charged for the refrigerant that was charged back in to their system and for our time and for the equipment usage.
OP
OP
In this case, it makes sense to have someone else do the work - at least the R-134a recovery, as there are legal and environmental implications for releasing it to the atmosphere.
I bought a set of gauges, a vacuum pump, and a postal scale to recharge my system myself because in my case, the problem was a faulty Schrader valve that caused the refrigerant to leak out on its own, so I was already starting from zero. And, since I'm still young-ish (51), I figured the equipment would come in handy at some point again. And it has for others' cars. Twice.
Sparksalot
Elite Member
Pop? Whatevilisthat@Fless
Yahoo, BBQ!!!!!!!!!!!! The next convo with dad will be "I went to get a cold pop and thought, someone is barbequeing - wait, dear lord, its a FIRE!!!!!!!
Airman68
Full Access Member
Do everything I am capable of doing on my own and a good friend of mine has a lift which is really handy. I figure I'm money ahead buying tools to do the work myself.
As a young guy (36).. who is in a unique position (my wife and I have a house on the same property as my parents) which helps alleviate some of the dumb money decisions we made early on.. we are fortunate that we always have at least 1 spare vehicle during long repairs. This alone helps. I was able to spend 6 weeks messing with the wife's Yukon between the cooling system and pulling the head to get a broken bolt out. I don't even know how many hours I spent letting it heat up and then cool down to work on it.. but I bet I would have had at least a few hundred dollars in labor saved. And now I know more about my vehicle which is nice for when we are on long road trips and may have issues 100s of miles away from help.
Also.. buying tools for specific jobs . I used to think 'is x dollars worth it? Meh probably not I'll only need it this once or maybe a 2 time'.. then I bought the wrench for pulling mechanical fans off.. I feel like I'm cheating at that game now. What used to be 5 or more minutes of getting an old belt and vice grips lined up and on.. I can now get them off in about 30 seconds with far less effort and no chance of hurting myself or the part.. I now buy the correct tool for certain jobs lol
Also.. buying tools for specific jobs . I used to think 'is x dollars worth it? Meh probably not I'll only need it this once or maybe a 2 time'.. then I bought the wrench for pulling mechanical fans off.. I feel like I'm cheating at that game now. What used to be 5 or more minutes of getting an old belt and vice grips lined up and on.. I can now get them off in about 30 seconds with far less effort and no chance of hurting myself or the part.. I now buy the correct tool for certain jobs lol
That is why, when I ran shops, my tech could beat book time that I sold the job for and he/she did that because they had the right tools and knowledge. That extra money he/she made by getting right on the next job quicker, was a way for them paying for those expensive and proper tools they used.
Sparksalot
Elite Member
I’ve got a couple of Ridgid tools. I really love the 1/2” impact wrench.
I have Milwaukee 1/2" impact, 3/8" pistol grip impact and a 3/8" ratchet. Could not be happier and the quality is obvious. In the scheme of things, they are worth the money in the long run.
LordWayback
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Hell yeah hand tools suck after cracking the nut , if you’re down for air tools you can get a decent used IR air ratchet or comparable for like $30 at a garage sale if it’s not a old school ones (production date 1995> I believe that’s around the time almost tool companies started making total junk unless you bought the top of the line stuff) don’t buy it ,I scored a old air ratchet for $10 when my dad still worked for sun bus and it lasted me until 2020 when my air compressor quit if I break it out and get a new or used compressor it should chooch right up and it’s almost twice my age. Its a Rockwell model 2206 I believe.
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LordWayback
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Full steel everything internals the only jank part is the actuator for the air a single 2mm? Pin is all that’s stopping the air from moving I believe.
I like to buy tools once and be done with it all.
A tip I learned from the Powerstroke.org site when trying to remove the mechanical cooling fan clutch huge spinning nut from the water pump on my 7.3…….hit the nut corner with an air chisel, works in 1 second.
I am still looking for a battery powered chisel. I used to use my air powered IR air chisel for all kinds of things.
LordWayback
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If I didn’t cheap out on a air compressor this thing would still be running in fact I’m retiring this one and buying a identical similar serial number one tomorrow from eBay then I just need a air compressor and 1/2” skookum impact I’m probably gonna find a used milf***y or snap off that’ll outlive me and my willingness to work on vehicles.
