Chilton or Haynes?

"D" (danjee) 11/30/2014 at 01:11 • Filed to: None

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Always thought of these as interchangeable, but have never actually used either. Any DIYers out there have any preference? The rest of you—have a tiny Volvo.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > D 11/30/2014 at 01:13

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I'd say it goes down to personal preference, that said, I've only used Haynes manuals.

Grindintosecond > D 11/30/2014 at 01:14

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I have used Hayneses and they've worked for me pretty well as long as there's no confusion over what model you actually have. there could be three different engines used in your car and you should make sure they're talking about that part in YOUR engine, not the crap SPI 8 valve California 2001 focus....see what I mean? Now, I do have and use a hardback Haynes manual for an OG english mini and it's spot on, so I guess it depends on what you have.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > D 11/30/2014 at 01:14

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Ive only used haynes. And google

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > D 11/30/2014 at 01:16

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Bentley or the factory service manuals that you can sometimes find used copies of on the internet or at the library.

D > Grindintosecond 11/30/2014 at 01:19

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Miata here... mechanical nuance should not be a factor

camaroboy68ss > D 11/30/2014 at 01:22

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I have a Haynes for my 98 Camaro and its ok at being helpful.

Ive grown up though watching my grandpa use an old Chiltons for every engine build he does, and ive flipped through it and its super informative if working on a older car. its really great for getting a fresh engine on a baseline of timing.

fhrblig > D 11/30/2014 at 01:32

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Haynes has always seemed like a better manual to me.

D > fhrblig 11/30/2014 at 01:46

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Most people seem to be saying that.

XJDano > D 11/30/2014 at 02:06

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Bentley or FSM.

Tohru > D 11/30/2014 at 02:59

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Haynes is for peasants. Factory service manuals or Alldata subscription. Chiltons allowed if none other available.

GTAwheelman > D 11/30/2014 at 02:59

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I have both for 99-07 GM trucks and 82-92 F-body and they share many of the same photos/text. the chilton does have some stuff in it that the haynes does not though. I always check both of them and forums to determine the best/easiest process. Both books have you do unnecessary steps sometimes.

For example the books say you have to remove the whole dash in 82-92 camaros to replace heater core. You don't. You can reach all the bolts from under the dash.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > D 11/30/2014 at 03:19

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Hey D! How's school and the delivery biz?

orcim > D 11/30/2014 at 04:28

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I have the manufacturer's shop manuals for 2 of my vehicles. Then I get both of the other manuals when that's not available.

It's a dumb strategy, but it's worked out a few times: I get both because neither one is totally complete or consistent on how it treats an area I'm looking up. One may have a critical picture and crap text, while the other has no picture and good text. I figure spending $x on a second manual will pay for itself the first time I save an hour of my life trying to figure out what the knuckle-headed design engineers were thinking when they put my car together.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > D 11/30/2014 at 04:28

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I've found that manuals like these that are not meant for use in a professional shop lack information or are just plain wrong. But usually that isn't the case until you start exceeding what the average DIY'er can handle. So my manual of choice is WIS (factory).

Coty > D 11/30/2014 at 07:42

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ERHMEHGERD TINY VOLVO

D > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 11/30/2014 at 14:28

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I'm the beginner-est of beginners so I think they should be fine (for now)

D > GTAwheelman 11/30/2014 at 14:31

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yeah. I had a similar experience when removing my front bumper cover—I used forums and intuition for the whole job, but people on the forums were saying how the repair manuals would tell you to take off the front wheels and you totally didn't need to. Guess what? Totally didn't need to.

D > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 11/30/2014 at 14:36

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Hellooooo! I'm doing okay. Work is going well, have very few hours during the academic year but I'm still raking in the green. School? Let's just say I sent out a few transfer apps yesterday :P

How are you doing?

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > D 11/30/2014 at 21:30

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All is well here my friend, thanks. Actually may be sharing an update about the fleet soon.

Glad work is going well, sorry to hear about school, but hey you have to find the right place for you. Just because I was living vicariously at UCSC through you is no reason to stay. :-)

Be well and don't be a stranger. One of these days we should do some kind of south bay meetup. Cheers!