Are you a DIY repairman/woman?

[TrailLeadr]

How many of our members do the work themselves, when their vehicle is in need of repair?

[MrShorty]

I try to do most of the work myself. Diagnostics in particular I like to do myself. Some of the big things (engine/transmission/etc. overhaul) I prefer to farm out.

[Cableguy]

I do basic because of time (or lack there of) and down time. With just a touch of laziness.

[MD4x4 Fireman]

i do most of it on my own. but since i am only 18 and dont have alot of knowledge i get help on things i cant figure out right away like why certain things wont work on the truck and when i need welding done

[skivhere]

I am a cheap bastard...so of course, I do everything I can!!

[GM_Guy]

I do all my own repairs, except for transmission overhauls

[Duranged Mike]

Same here, I do most everything myself.

[Skarch]

Currently, b/c of the magically computerized VW's, I just do the basics on my cars, but with the addition of the 'burb and the availability of a spare car, I will start doing more myself b/c I can aford to have one of the cars down for a week or so. Plus American Steel is so easy compared to the German gadgetmobile.

[NHSilverado]

Obviously the dealer does the warranty work. Once upon a time I did everything else. These days I have the dealer do it all pretty much. I have a great relationship with this dealer and their labor rates are no worse than any other mechanic's rates in the area( I do NOT use OEM parts from them however = WAY too expensive ). With my bad back I just am not up to wrenching like I used to be. Pretty much I only putz around with a few accessories installs and the like these days.

[tbplus10]

I do about 85% of my own work. As I get busier and busier at work this percentage is changing.
I almost wish for the days when I had no money and lots of time to tinker with my cars. Two cars have been sitting in the yard for two weeks now needing oil changes that I dont have the time to do and refuse to pay a mechanic to do a job that simple.

[PepboysASETech]

Being an ASE Cert. Tech i kinda have to do all my own work. And all the auto related work for family members and friends, lol. Beer makes for good payment you know, lol.

[bobbo]

I do all the work myself. The wifes Jeep has an extended warranty so I get paid to work on it. :)

[spirentc]

I fix everything myself unless its internal engine/transmission parts. I enjoy the challenge and am very happy when its fixed and running great. There are some things that i have done and wont do again!

[KD7ONE]

Speaking of "do-it-yourselfers", sometimes i ask my wife to do something for me and she tells me to do it myself. :shocked:

[BlueLT1500]

I am deffinatly a do it yourself kinda guy...being a mechanic in the army i do have the know how and also the time (when not deployed of course) and i really do get the enjoyment out of make it work again :glasses:

[Holy Smoke]

I try to do all the work myself (ok 85%) . When it's my wife's car, I make her pay me........she's a good cook.

[84fiero123]

I do everything myself except trany problems. That I bring to an old trusted friend who used to work for a trany repair shop. Problem is he won’t touch the newer electronically controlled tranies.

[Duramax04]

I probably try to do more than i should. I`m old school and have a hard time with these modern computerized and ate up with sensors vehicles.Need to purchase a code reader i guess any idea which one would be the best without spending a fortune?

[Davek]

I always used to attempt everything myself, but I find as I get older I have less tolerance for being stupid. So, if its somthing that's going to be a bit of a stretch for me to figure out, rather than doing something dumb, I'll pay someone to do it correctly the first time.

Dave

[zippy]

I am a cheap bastard...so of course, I do everything I can!!
That's exactly what I was gonna say. Except, I'm a cheap old, dust-farting, bastard...

[jn6967]

I do most of my work myself. Really the only thing that has me confused (especially w/ the additin of computers) is automatic transmissions. Other than that, I tear it apart and try to make it bigger, faster, quicker, better in any way I can. Sometimes I do it just for fun!

[taterburban]

How many of our members do the work themselves, when their vehicle is in need of repair?
I have always enjoyed doing all of my own maintenance and repair work. I have learned a lot doining so and like learning more by diving in and doing it myself.:great:

[skivhere]

Being an ASE Cert. Tech i kinda have to do all my own work. And all the auto related work for family members and friends, lol. Beer makes for good payment you know, lol.


Damn sure wish you were closer...I have beer, just no time to do things myself!!

And all my mechanic friends moved away... :(

[Pete95Sierra]

I try to do as much as i can on my vehicles. if i dont know how ill get one of my buddies to teach me for next time

[LiquidSacrifice]

I do it all even remap my computers on my own :glasses:

[sdpbob]

Me and my dad do all the repairs when Im home but if Im out here in Cheyenne I bring it to the dealer, I love warrenty.

[CJ n Shagy]

if i can figure out what is wrong and can fix it then i do it. if it is beyond me then i go somewhere.

[BurbStone]

I am not as handy as I would like to be, but I would tackle some tasks like install after market items and replacing some finish items. I think I could do the maintenance work, but I prefer to pay someone to do that. My garage just isn't set up for that stuff yet. Just easier to take it to the dealership and have my oil changed and everything checked for $30 and 1/2 hour.

[JMoney02]

I to like to do most of it myself, but if its under warranty, then until it expires I take it in. I will try to get to most of it, but a man has to know his/her limitations, if you don't then this could cost you more money in the long run....Same for home improvement projects, got to know what you can do and can't do..... So this could have be a multiple choice poll, maybe????

Jeff

[highmilageklr]

I do most of my own repairs mostly due to time. I'm in construction and use my truck when working and my schedule varies, so it's just easier for me to do repairs as time allows. I also had a disappointing dealer experience where I took the truck in for fluids change and asked them to replace a bad front u-joint. When I picked up the truck they told me the u-joints were fine and that I had a bad tire. I replaced the tires and had the same vibration, returned to dealer and they said I also needed shocks. I purchased shocks and began replacing. While under the truck I thought I'd give the front drive shaft a jiggle, front u-joint was dry and loose, moved in every direction. I changed the u-joint myself also, and returned to the dealer with the rusty u-joint and left it with owner Dean Beecher as a reminder as to why I will never buy another vehicle from them or ever bring my vehicle in for service again. My wife's car still goes to the dealer, just not the same one, for service and to a local shop for repairs.

[johnsstart]

I do most all my own repairs just due to the fact i like to and the shops here suck bad. Wife took car for oil change and pulled in yard after leaking oil from filter not being tightened :grrrrrr:. So my truck dont think they will ever touch it. :fighting0037:

[Jadams805]

I do what I can with help from my son. That's why I sent him to UTI Auto Tech school. He likes VW's but helps ol' dad out on my Chevy's.

[dangerous dave]

i am 99% do it my self..the only thing i farm out is machine work and doing the overhead adjustment on my semi. the latter because the guy who i have do it can get it done in an hour for a ben franklin while if i was to do it i would have half a day screwing it up then still have to call him. the price for the same job at kenworth is around $320. money well spent on my part. i do everything else my self. with labor rates in excess of $100 an hour for big trucks and shop rates for cars etc around $70 i could buy the tools and do it my self and still come out ahead.
i think you take more pride in your ride when you are the one maintaining it as well as you tend to keep a closer eye on what is happenning with it rather than wait till you get tired of funny noise and take it in to get checked. you get in there and figure it out sooner.

[plumber_rob]

I try to do as much of the work on my vehicles as I can. I might take it into a shop if I'm so busy that I don't have the time to do it. I am currently restoring my bike, a 1980 Yamaha Maxim. This cold weather has got me held up on the paint work. It has just been to cold to spray any paint. I haven't got around to buying a heater for my garage yet.

[Z71_guy]

I do all my own work except for tranny rebuilds, also work at a shop so have hoists when i need them

[1st Synthetics]

I do all my repairs and Mods myself. Well sometimes I have to get my dad to do some of the machine work, or get technical things resolved by him.

[bry2500]

I do most of the repairs myself. I have to work outside so when winter rolls around I give in and take it to a shop, I'm willing to shell out a few bucks to stay warm.

[TRPLXL2]

I know little about the powertrain, but I can wine and dine the electronics stuff! Electrical is my specialty, and overkill is my hobby. ....... Light Em' Up!:na: