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Why you should learn to diy

4K views 64 replies 30 participants last post by  GoldenSahara00 
#1 ·
long story short i had to replace the right front axle and wheel bearing on my sister janes GC.. parts cost $ 120.00,, just for giggles i called my local jeep service center and i got a quote of $ 650.00. WTF really ,, so just how much are they marking these parts up.
oh and the job took me just under 2 hours to do,,, the reason being was i had to deal with 12 years of rust on the wheel bearing hub bolts.
guys and gals ,, please learn to DIY. save that extra money for real mod's.
 
#2 ·
I will say that Forums, Google, and YouTube makes things easier.....but it also depends on the situation, the vehicle, how much room you have and what tools you have.

If you live in an apartment with no garage, limited tools, and the vehicle you are working on is your only vehicle....you may not want to tear into it. But if you have room in a garage, a ton of tools, and another vehicle to get around in...then by all means DIY and save some cash.
 
#6 ·
So the parts you put on were factory parts or aftermarket?
i used timkin parts, made right here in the usa.
i also have an account with the local auto zone and save a percentage off the cost of the parts i buy...
the reason i opened an account, is that if i have a vehicle that can not be driven, i can have the parts delivered to my house. :thumb:
 
#5 ·
For me, it's going to depend on what the problem is. As panther said, I live in an apartment. I don't have a garage, I don't have any sort of lift. I don't have any tools (which needs to be remedied... at least he basics). Basically, if it is a problem that makes my vehicle undriveable or not safely driveable, I need to bring it to a shop and pay the extra.

However, my dad lives less then 250 miles away. He has any tool I could need. He has a lift. He has paint tools if I need them. As long as I can get the vehicle to him, I can pay for just parts.
 
#7 ·
Yep I called the stealership too and asked how much to change front/rear diff fluid. They said $450. I bought the synthetic oil for $70, watched a video on youtube on how to do it and changed it in my parking lot.
 
#8 ·
ESP. good for you,,, and when it comes to oil, just bring the used stuff back,, they have to take it... i bring mine to the auto body shop, he burns it for heating in winter,,, in fact his furnace will burn any liquid that comes out of a vehicle,,, except gas.
 
#9 ·
Don't use lack of garage or lift as an excuse. I have a garage, but it's too small to be able to work on anything in it. A good floor jack and 4 jack stands will let you do just about anything a lift will.

I replaced my suspension in the parking lot of my former townhouse, no different than an apartment. You don't need a full array of tools. Get what you need as you need them.
 
#11 ·
daggo66 said:
Don't use lack of garage or lift as an excuse. I have a garage, but it's too small to be able to work on anything in it. A good floor jack and 4 jack stands will let you do just about anything a lift will.

I replaced my suspension in the parking lot of my former townhouse, no different than an apartment. You don't need a full array of tools. Get what you need as you need them.
I performed a motor swap in a dirt driveway on an eagle talon back in the day : )
 
#17 ·
Many people learn to DIY after getting a crazy estimate. Back in the day I knew how to change drum brakes, but had never done disc brakes. (which are much easier, but I didn't know that then). I took my 1980 CJ7 to have front brakes done (it was my first disc brake vehice). I was getting crazy quotes. I asked one guy why so much and he told me it was because of the 4WD. :facepalm: That's when I called BS and decided to do it myself.
 
#20 ·
Yeah I needed my new cat welded to my new muffler, shop wanted $150 to put one bead of weld around to join the two pipes. I explained to the guy that I know it is a 10 minute job and should cost no more than $50 and for convenience would have them do it rather than do it myself. He laughed and said no no $150 is a great price. So I went and bought a 100 amp arc welder for $70, rods for $10, welding helmet/mask for $20 and gloves for $10. Took me 20 minutes in my driveway to weld it, no leaks and solid as a rock, and I have never picked up or used a welder in my life. Not only did it cost me less than the shop wanted, but now I have a welder...
 
#22 ·
DIY saved me over $1800 to replace the rear axle seals in my old 05 Titan. Dealer wanted $2200 since they were going to put new axles in. I spent about $380 on the seals, gear oil and getting the old seals cut off and new ones pressed on. Took it apart and put back together myself in a few hours.

As far as fluids go I'll never pay a dealer to replace fluids.
 
#25 ·
I have no mechanical skill and very little tools, but after buying this jeep and starting to do mods on it, I feel more comfortable everyday working on it. I hope to gradually add tools and do most maintenance myself.

With youtube and these forums nowadays it makes most things very easy to do yourself. I think the most important thing is so take your time and try to be patient. Beer helps.
 
#26 ·
no excuses...

I replaced the starter on my 65 comet in the parking lot of a park saturday when it failed and wouldn't start...it was even raining!

To be fair though the engine compartment is so big in that old car I could climb in and close the hood and work on the car all while staying dry....
 
#28 ·
I actually genuinely enjoy working on my vehicles. Its like therapy for me. The thought of paying someone to take that enjoyment away from me doesn't make any sense. The only time I reluctantly bring my Jeep into the dealership is for warranty work because it doesn't make financial sense to pay for parts that are covered under warranty. Same thing when it comes to oil changes from the dealer and I'm given either a free oil change or a coupon that costs less then what it would cost me for the oil.

The only thing I wish we had was a service manual. I'm coming from the VW scene where we have service manuals for every current model year. It makes DIY work idiot proof.
 
#29 ·
I actually genuinely enjoy working on my vehicles. Its like therapy for me. The thought of paying someone to take that enjoyment away from me doesn't make any sense. The only time I reluctantly bring my Jeep into the dealership is for warranty work because it doesn't make financial sense to pay for parts that are covered under warranty. Same thing when it comes to oil changes from the dealer and I'm given either a free oil change or a coupon that costs less then what it would cost me for the oil.

The only thing I wish we had was a service manual. I'm coming from the VW scene where we have service manuals for every current model year. It makes DIY work idiot proof.
x2

Did all my own work on my 3 Vettes ('09 Z06, '01 Coupe, '63 Coupe). Very therapeutic, AND saved a ton of money. Learned to work on cars as an adult when I bought my first car - '75 Datsun 280Z. Got the Haynes manual and taught myself.
 
#31 ·
Youtube is always a great resource for repairing your vehicle. Just unclogged the wife's drain for her sunroof. Knew I could do it, but had no idea where to start. Went on youtube and typed in "unclogging 2006 commander sunroof drains" and bam there was a step by step video by some guy. Saved myself probably $200 bucks. Did her brakes with youtube video also.
 
#32 ·
Yup, I'm doing my brakes and rotors on my Integra right now.
YouTube and a laptop makes for damn near step by step repairs.

Another benefit (for me) is that I live in the far west/southwest burbs of Chicago. So Ottawa is only about an hour and fifteen minutes away. For those who don't know what is in Ottawa Illinois....it is where JC Whitney is located. So it only takes a couple of days for me to get something with regular shipping. Only bummer is I have to pay sales tax.

New rotors are on the way. I watched "Eric the Car Guy" on YouTube, and told me what tools and tips I would need to get rotors off of an old Honda/Acura. Ran over the Harbor freight, picked up in impact screwdriver and a few other items.....did what he said...and bam...worked like a charm.
 
#37 ·
I actually lived in an apartment complex once that had an "auto center" as one of the perks to living there. Granted their "auto center" was an area in the parking lot that was covered and allowed you to work on your car. Any other place in the parking lot would receive a warning.

So while it wasn't much, at least it was something. I do fear that these days probably most apartment complexs frown on this sort of thing, although I haven't lived in one in several years.
 
#42 ·
I absolutely HATE working on my vehicles, in no small part because of my "experiences" with my '94 Camaro. It's an absolute nightmare to work on, just like all newer vehicles.

Get me a 1971 Chevelle or something where I can get to everything under the hood and I'm good. :thumb:
 
#48 ·
And don't forget...learning to DIY can get you out of s@&t creek if you break down miles from nowhere. That's why like to do things on my own. Just in case I break down I may be able to be back on the road. I started learning in my motorcycles and will probably carry over on the Jeep as soon as I can find a manual for a 2010.
 
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