Simple auto repairs gone bad.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by speeder

That sucks, Randy, but maybe you can get your $$ back for the one that lasted 50 miles? Do you think your stereo is over taxing alternator or no relation?

That's one of the nice things about an American PU truck, parts are easy and everyone works on them.

I dunno. I did call the guy about the alternator and he's givin me a refund. That's the game you play with rebuilds. Eat it and learn, at least it wasnt the Benz, that would've been a nightmare to get out in a parking lot...

rjp

[s_morrison57]

Ya I hate the little job that ends up being way more than you thought. Just the other day I went to put the licence plate bracket on the front of the 930, I'm thinking 5 minutes tops, and its been on the back burner for months, no such luck, you can't even get your fingers in there. A view from the lift might change things but its not a 5 min. job like I thought.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Dont even ask me about the brake line replacements on mine...

Can someone explain how in this day and age, brake lines rust out on a modern vehicle?? Both my truck and jeep , I had to replace my brake lines. Unfortunately on the truck I found out at 60 mph....

My 50 y/o Mercury, the lines look like the day they were intstalled..

I don't know what you guys are whining about. I love all the american brake/fuel lines. By now, they have probably paid my kids first year of college. I do several line jobs a week. Ugly messy dirty work, but it is simple, and pays good.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Last year it was the dif cover and brake lines, now its fuel lines. I guess GM really did spec the cheapest parts they could find.

I used to work for GM. They spec the cheapest parts, and when they don't meet specifications, they test them to see if they'll work well enough anyway, then ask the vendor for a discount. They figure that's what the design margin of safety is for.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by speeder

This is absolutely true but of course in the retail auto repair biz, you don't always have the luxury of time. The trick, (and believe me I have not mastered it), is to be able to walk away for just a few minutes, [drink a beer], and then look at the frustrating problem anew.

I've never been beat by a machine yet but I've had to run out and buy a new tool plenty of times.