I wish I was more mechanically inclined

[Tobin S.]

I put my pick-up in the shop this morning. One of the windshield wiper arms had come loose and I couldn't figure out how to tighten it up. My reverse lights were also not working. They had the truck for 2 hours and got everything done. They tightened the windshield wiper arms and the reverse lights problem turned out to be a switch on the side of the transmission that needed to be replaced. I was charged $65 for labor and $30 for the part plus tax. I also had to rent a car while they had my truck (I thought it was going to be in the shop until tomorrow) and that ended up costing me about $50.

So, if I was good at working on cars I could have spent $30 fixing my truck myself instead of the $150 spent at the garage and for the rental car. :dunce:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Tobin!

And just how many of those mechanics could drive your truck?


It's an American myth that all young men know how to tinker with cars. It is just that: a myth.

It's perfectly all right for you to take your car in for some work. After all, those guys need to make a living too!

:hug:

[HopeHoops]

2. They've got specialized tools for EVERYTHING now and everything is so cramped!

It took me two hours to replace a 2" piece of hose in my 93 Sable - had to take off the alternator to get at the screw for the clamp! The only reason I even tackled the job was that it was a Sunday and no shop was open to handle it. You can't even GET at the rear three spark plugs - I can't even get my hands down to where they are located even by tracing the plug wires! It is a great car, but not designed for the home mechanic.

In sharp contrast, I replaced the water pump in my 70 Maverick in 15 minutes start to finish and when I work on the 390 in my 68 Galaxie, I sit on the radiator with my legs on either side of the engine.

I've got an ego from hell, but I take the newer cars to the shop for most things. My time is worth more than what they charge at the shop.