How many of us know how to work on our own cars?

[The Bilingual Gringo]

Seems that most shops average anywhere from $80 to $95 an hour. That's a sh*t ton of money, and I try to avoid mechanics like the plague, unless it's a necessity.

When I owned my Corrado, I lived at home and accumulated probably about $4000 in tools. I taught myself how to work on that car (and VW's in general) so I'm pretty proficient. I've helped with motor swaps, clutches, etc.

Oh and this isn't about changing oil, more like switch out an axle, brakes (pads and rotors) wheel bearing, serpentine belts, etc.

[that_dozen]

Seems that most shops average anywhere from $80 to $95 an hour. That's a sh*t ton of money, and I try to avoid mechanics like the plague, unless it's a necessity.
When I owned my Corrado, I lived at home and accumulated probably about $4000 in tools. I taught myself how to work on that car (and VW's in general) so I'm pretty proficient. I've helped with motor swaps, clutches, etc.
Oh and this isn't about changing oil, more like switch out an axle, brakes (pads and rotors) wheel bearing, serpentine belts, etc.
you know anything about hondas? i may have to keep you in mind

[The Bilingual Gringo]

you know anything about hondas? i may have to keep you in mind

Actually I used to hang out in Honda circles. I've worked on them before helping with projects and stuff.

Lots of things are pretty much the same from car to car, but I'd be glad to help.

[88M3]

cars are way to complicated that i have owned unfortunately, and the tools are $$$
i looked into getting a lift recently cause i have to pull a clutch out of one my cars then just said screw it


i feel like crap that i cant do any of the work makes me want to go to trade school for a year

[The Bilingual Gringo]

cars are way to complicated that i have owned unfortunately, and the tools are $$$
i looked into getting a lift recently cause i have to pull a clutch out of one my cars then just said screw it

i feel like crap that i cant do any of the work makes me want to go to trade school for a year

Lift's aren't terribly expensive (at least not as bad as you think) but it's the issue of space.

Werd to trade school. I was thinking the same thing actually, just to get good at that stuff. It's probably worth the investment in the long run.

[Twanzilla13]

You know I do. Wish I had a garage down here to work in though. Not that the TL needs much, but it would be nice.

[Cool The Kid]

I do most of my own work... suspension, audio, a little electrical... other than that I leave it up to my friend/mechanic. Save so much $$$

Bout to change my Accord from 4 to 5 lug :D

[The Bilingual Gringo]

You know I do. Wish I had a garage down here to work in though. Not that the TL needs much, but it would be nice.

Holler! Pops hooked that up w/ that gene.

I do most of my own work... suspension, audio, a little electrical... other than that I leave it up to my friend/mechanic. Save so much $$$
Bout to change my Accord from 4 to 5 lug :D

4 to 5 lugs can be a bia. I've done those on GTI's before.

[Twanzilla13]

I think that electrical is really the only thing I've never messed with, at least in this car. Too afraid with all the modern computers and stuff that I'm going to royally f myself.

[The Bilingual Gringo]

I think that electrical is really the only thing I've never messed with, at least in this car. Too afraid with all the modern computers and stuff that I'm going to royally f myself.

I don't blame you man, I'm shook when it comes to that stuff too.

[Cool The Kid]

Holler! Pops hooked that up w/ that gene.



4 to 5 lugs can be a bia. I've done those on GTI's before.
Its been a pain in the ass and a lot more $$$ than I planned for, but it will be worth it...

[The Bilingual Gringo]

Its been a pain in the ass and a lot more $$$ than I planned for, but it will be worth it...

I think most people come into that like "Oh, I'll just replace this hub"

Yeah, no.

[Cool The Kid]

I think most people come into that like "Oh, I'll just replace this hub"

Yeah, no.
I have almost everything... but since the parts I got came with a big brake kit I gotta save up for 17s

Have u ever seen a grocery getter w/ 13" rotors?????? :smoker:

I love building cars.

I am scared of VWs though man, my sis had a beat up Golf... hell on wheels. I could fukk with an MK2 GTI DOHC

[Brooklynzson]

*does everything for self*

[Cool The Kid]

*does everything for self*
Yo do u have ur stock NSX wheels

[Luken]

...cars are just like computers to me. never found them that difficult unless its something tedious.

[88M3]

a few years back i was looking into getting a sub sti an i walk into the garage and they got one with the hood off and the computer/ecu an a bunch of stuff is melted im like wtf? the mechanic is like he disconnected his battery to install a head unit when he tried to hook it back up he put the charges on the wrong side ill always remember that

[Luken]

a few years back i was looking into getting a sub sti an i walk into the garage and they got one with the hood off and the computer/ecu an a bunch of stuff is melted im like wtf? the mechanic is like he disconnected his battery to install a head unit when he tried to hook it back up he put the charges on the wrong side ill always remember that

The fuсk? sounds like a haсk mechanic. you should really only just disconnect the negative terminal.

[Cool The Kid]

The fuсk? sounds like a haсk mechanic. you should really only just disconnect the negative terminal.
Y the negative??? U have the whole car charged up at 12 volts, that can't be good for it. I disconnect the positive, tape it up, put it to the side

[KarteL13]

I do a few things on my own. The basics like tuning up and stuff.

[Luken]

Y the negative??? U have the whole car charged up at 12 volts, that can't be good for it. I disconnect the positive, tape it up, put it to the side
Basic electronics cautions. It is to prevent any spikes into devices from shorts.

As a general rule applicable to all cars, you disconnect the ground first because a wrench shorting to the chassis won't spark and possibly make the battery explode in your face. Then after the negative terminal (negative ground system) is disconnected there less danger from shorting the positive terminal to ground. On the cars with lots of electronics the spikes will take out an ECM if you don't disconnect the negative terminal at all or first.