Does anyone still work on cars? I'm in the middle of a brake replacement on a 2006 Ford Freestyle. Quote was $1800 for front/rear brakes. That seems really excessive to me. I bought parts from Rock Auto for $225 shipped; new rotors and pads front and rear.
So far, the biggest issue was a wheel was stuck on the hub and we had to call AAA to get it loose. Looks like I will be buying a 3lb dead blow hammer.
Who else likes to save money doing things themselves?
I still enjoy fixing things however getting up off the ground continues to get more difficult as the time goes on. I realize that at some point, my body won't be able to cash the checks my brain is writing...
Originally Posted by Lzen:
Yeah, I learned that years ago. When most vehicles started going to these alloy rims, that started becoming a regular problem. I think there is some kind of grease or compound that you can put on the back of the rim where it presses against the hub in order to prevent it trying to fuse together like that.
Well, l must apologize for misquoting the price. It was $475 for each axle instead of wheel. That still seems like a lot of money for rotors and pads. Maybe if they were replacing the calipers I could accept that.
First time working on a rear disc brake with the screw in calipers. I got a tool that fits in the indents on the piston and you use a ratchet to turn it in. That's a no go. Piston will turn and doesn't go in. Can't get enough inward force. So, large c-clamp and a pair of channel locks on the piston. I should have gotten the tool that applies force while you turn as it's hard to hold the caliper, the ratchet, push in with a lot of force and turn at the same time.
Anyway 3 out of 4 done. And that's just exactly how many wheels where stuck on the hubs. AAA came out and did the first, he had a Harbor Freight 2lb dead blow hammer. So, I got one of them now as well. [Reply]
Originally Posted by PHOG:
Brakes are a pain in the ass. Just having to do them is a pain in the. ASS.
Working on old cars from the salt belt doesn't make it any easier. Plus, I'll be 66 next Friday and lying on the ground pounding on a tire with a dead blow hammer isn't fun. Can't get the torque wrench on the caliper pin bolts, blue loctite and I snugged them down to close to 23ft/lbs with a box end.
I can't imagine having to change a tire somewhere and trying to get a stuck wheel off with the crappy jack that comes with a car. Must be why people have AAA. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi:
Wait… so you’ll repair the drive shaft but not change your own oil?
Does sound kind of funny when you frame it that way.
It’s a time/cost proposition for me. Spending an hour or more changing my oil (going to store for oil and filter/getting car up on jack stands/changing oil/sclepping used oil back to store for disposal) might save me -40 bucks.. Shop charges $70 for oil change, ride to work and back, and the do an inspection.
Drive shaft was going to be over $800. IIRC aftermarket DS cost me $180. took 1.5 hours.
I’ll spend an hour and a half on the garage floor to save $500….but not for $50. [Reply]
Originally Posted by trndobrd:
Does sound kind of funny when you frame it that way.
It’s a time/cost proposition for me. Spending an hour or more changing my oil (going to store for oil and filter/getting car up on jack stands/changing oil/sclepping used oil back to store for disposal) might save me -40 bucks.. Shop charges $70 for oil change, ride to work and back, and the do an inspection.
Drive shaft was going to be over $800. IIRC aftermarket DS cost me $180. took 1.5 hours.
I’ll spend an hour and a half on the garage floor to save $500….but not for $50.
I mean I get it. Time/value proposition and all so I’m not trying to shit on you but my oil changes take like 15 minutes lol [Reply]
Originally Posted by crayzkirk:
Working on old cars from the salt belt doesn't make it any easier. Plus, I'll be 66 next Friday and lying on the ground pounding on a tire with a dead blow hammer isn't fun. Can't get the torque wrench on the caliper pin bolts, blue loctite and I snugged them down to close to 23ft/lbs with a box end.
I can't imagine having to change a tire somewhere and trying to get a stuck wheel off with the crappy jack that comes with a car. Must be why people have AAA.
Crayzkirk I'm 68 and know exactly what you're talking about:-). Getting old sucks as you still want to take a bite out of what came easy back in the day. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi:
I mean I get it. Time/value proposition and all so I’m not trying to shit on you but my oil changes take like 15 minutes lol
Great for you if you can get it done that fast. I can’t get an oil change done that quick.
My experience has been different: It takes me at least 15 minutes to get the other cars moved out of the way so I have room to work (not including time searching for wife”s keys) pull out the jack and stands, then get the car in the air. Drain oil/replace filter/put in new oil is about 15 minutes….no sweat. Another 10 minutes to put the jack and stands away, move the other cars back in the garage and put wife’s keys back on the hook where they belong.
My least favorite part of the experience is putting the used oil in a transportable container then driving back to Walmart/AutoZone to dispose of the used oil. That is at least 20 minutes on a good day…. if the obviously high employee on duty has any clue of what to do with waste oil. If not…add on another 15 minutes to explain to an obviously high employee that I don’t WANT oil, I need to LEAVE used oil…then wait for the manager to show up and tell me where to go. [Reply]
