its always something
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Posting Guru
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From: Virginia beach, VA
its always something
I've had a few cars and trucks over the years, all of which I've wrenched on myself. One thing I have noticed is that NOTHING ever goes as planned. This bolt won't come out, that part doesn't fit, the previous owner stripped something, the deep socket is 1/4" too long and the shallow socket is too short, the list goes on. I always end up getting the job done, but not before repeating every swear word known to man. Do I just have the worst luck ever or does this happen to everyone? 
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Southern Oregon Coast
Many years back, my dad told me: "Remember son, 1 good technician is easily worth 10 engineers" - There's a lot of truth to that statement... It takes a technician to fix what the engineers screw up...
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
If I had to make my living as a mechanic, I'd likely starve to death. Sure, I can do the work, eventually. I'm clearly not as mechanically inclined as many here and I have to work at it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I've had a few cars and trucks over the years, all of which I've wrenched on myself. One thing I have noticed is that NOTHING ever goes as planned. This bolt won't come out, that part doesn't fit, the previous owner stripped something, the deep socket is 1/4" too long and the shallow socket is too short, the list goes on. I always end up getting the job done, but not before repeating every swear word known to man. Do I just have the worst luck ever or does this happen to everyone?
For me every time I over think something and make it so darned complicated it sseems to become impossible to do when actually in process it almost falls together. I chuckle what a worry wart I can be at times.
Other times I shoot my mouth off promising the earth, moon and stars I'll be locked up in something simple that costs me time, money, knuckle skin and aggravation too!
But I promised so................If there's a saving grace to my scatter gun approach to things is most times the result far exceeds the need or expectation, one time and I'm done.
Its still good for a laugh even if I'm the only one laughing.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: VA
Happens to everyone...
I've gotten a little bit better recently of just knocking out those problems that come up. Just comes from getting used to them. After a while you just get a better mind for how to fix the extra problem that came up without it really slowing you down. Having the right (& enough) tools always helps.
I've gotten a little bit better recently of just knocking out those problems that come up. Just comes from getting used to them. After a while you just get a better mind for how to fix the extra problem that came up without it really slowing you down. Having the right (& enough) tools always helps.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: SE Wyoming
I cuss a Ford engineer almost every time I work on one, last was the idiotic location of the oil filter on my '09 5.4L. John Deere is almost as bad with some of their stuff. I think, especially on vehicles made in the last 5-10 years, they are all made to work on while on a lift. If you are on your back on the ground you can't get the right angle or the right leverage to get anything done.
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From: VA
Yup, that's pretty much right... It's much easier to work with them on a lift nowadays.
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Posting Guru
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From: Virginia beach, VA
Very true. This is also something I run into quite a lot. Having a good impact helps but you usually can't fit it where it needs to be anyway.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Frequently frozen MN
They are getting tougher to work on -- no question about that. I don't know that the auto companies really care as long as the dealer techs can do it in some reasonable time. So, if it's a choice between something like styling vs maintenance -- guess where it goes .
I am also in the Benny Hill mechanics class, but I have found one thing to be true -- they know how much time you have! If I want to do a 20 minute job in a half hour, I'll be lucky if something doesn't screw me up royally. If I have time, it'll take 20 minutes or less, usually.
But what's more fun than lying in some uncomfortable position, wishing that your arms had one more universal joint in them, getting dirt and rust in your eyes, and swearing like a sailor.
hj
.I am also in the Benny Hill mechanics class, but I have found one thing to be true -- they know how much time you have! If I want to do a 20 minute job in a half hour, I'll be lucky if something doesn't screw me up royally. If I have time, it'll take 20 minutes or less, usually.
But what's more fun than lying in some uncomfortable position, wishing that your arms had one more universal joint in them, getting dirt and rust in your eyes, and swearing like a sailor
.hj
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Frequently frozen MN
I thought about this some more. It DOES get frustrating, but when you're in the right mood, it can be satisfying too.
When that fastener finally turns just a fraction and you know you're going to get it out.
When you either make some frankenstein contraption or somehow manage to use 3 or 4 tools to get something to happen.
When whatever it is slides home -- just before your arms fall off
hj
When that fastener finally turns just a fraction and you know you're going to get it out.
When you either make some frankenstein contraption or somehow manage to use 3 or 4 tools to get something to happen.
When whatever it is slides home -- just before your arms fall off
hj
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
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From: VA
I thought about this some more. It DOES get frustrating, but when you're in the right mood, it can be satisfying too.
When that fastener finally turns just a fraction and you know you're going to get it out.
When you either make some frankenstein contraption or somehow manage to use 3 or 4 tools to get something to happen.
When whatever it is slides home -- just before your arms fall off
When that fastener finally turns just a fraction and you know you're going to get it out.
When you either make some frankenstein contraption or somehow manage to use 3 or 4 tools to get something to happen.
When whatever it is slides home -- just before your arms fall off
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