Well that was a bit disappointing...

"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
04/26/2014 at 15:32 • Filed to: None

For the past few days, I've been planning on doing some work on my car (lower control arms, ball joints, and tie rod ends). I got all the tools, arranged to make use of my father-in-law's garage, and got a friend to come help out, but when it actually came to doing the work... I ended up deciding to take it in.

The second-to-last time I tried doing some major mechanical work (lower ball joints), it ended up being a complete nightmare. Things were so rusted together that nothing worked to separate the ball joint from the control arm, and trying to get the new ball joint in was an equally big nightmare. I only managed to get one side put back together before I decided to let someone else do the other side.

I really do like cars, and I really want to get better at working on them. Today felt like a real mental blow, and I feel like I have a temporary suspension on my Jalop Card of Manliness. It just seems as though whenever it actually come to breaking apart rusted fasteners, or bashing knuckles while working in tight spaces, or actually doing things, I'm not very good at it. Maybe I don't have the right tools, or maybe I just don't have the experience of a lot of other people out there. Heck, I never did take shop class in high school. That still hasn't deterred me from wanting to learn more (or do more!).

Either way, I'm not super-happy with how things went today. I really want to get to the point where I'm comfortable - and skilled - enough to take on any sort of mechanical task - whether it's changing drum brakes or lapping valves. I really want to get to that point, and I'm not going to give up until I get there. It's just the bad days like today feel like a blow, and are a bit humbling.

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Eventually I'd like to get a project car - something I can mess around with, without the fear of breaking something or screwing something up. I'm guessing there's no experience quite like some good hands-on experience. Right now that's not in the immediate picture. My wife and I rent a basement suite, so there's no garage and no parking spot for another car. That, and I'm busying finishing up a Master's and I foresee a few other fairly hefty expenses on the horizon, so the project car is going to have to wait. Until then, I'll keep reading all that I can, and take on a few other smaller maintenance tasks that need to get done.

This brings me to a question, especially for you more chronologically challenged Jalops:

How did you become good at doing mechanical work? What advice can you offer to someone who wants to learn more?

DISCUSSION (9)

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/26/2014 at 15:35

My advice is; practice. If there are instructions to remove and replace the part, use them.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/26/2014 at 15:36

How to get good at mechanical work-Do it often get a project car right away just jump in to thing the more you fix the better you will be remember practice makes perfect.

AthomSfere > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/26/2014 at 15:41

It OK, there there now.

Hey if you can afford it, really why not on your DD? There is nothing worse then doing something and getting stuck and not having your car for a while.

And I think its like anything, experience will get you there.

jtso > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/26/2014 at 15:51

Best way is to have a friend who has competently done it before. Otherwise pour over the manual or see videos of the procedure to the point where you can imagine every step. There's no other way of getting experience than preparing and diving in.

It sounds like the big fear here is getting stuck with trying to undo rusted bolts. In that case an investment in heavier duty tools and spares of anything that can break apart should solve that.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > AthomSfere
04/26/2014 at 16:00

That's exactly what I'm afraid of - screwing things up to the point where the only way to get it fixed is to put it on a flat deck tow truck, and have to haul it away to get it fixed. At least with a project car, that wouldn't be as much of a concern.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > jtso
04/26/2014 at 16:03

I think that's a good piece of it there - getting stuck. Especially with some of the rusted on fasteners that haven't been removed in 13 years, with half the year being on winter roads.

How much does a set of impact tools and a compressor go for these days?

(On the plus side, I had no issues loosening the axle nut, which was supposed to be on with 130+ lb/ft of torque. I think my 36" breaker bar has been a very wise investment thus far).

clocker > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/26/2014 at 17:53

Your prep was good but missing a crucial step.

A few days before attempting any big mechanical work, use Deep Creep or PB Blaster to douse the hardware you'll be working on. Several applications, if possible.

That'll help with a lot of your troublesome fasteners.

When it's time to reassemble, use anti-seize and avoid the problem in the future.

jtso > BaconSandwich is tasty.
04/26/2014 at 23:57

I don't have a garage, so I don't know much about shopping for compressors. In addition to the big breaker bar, a pipe wrench can help with stubborn, rounded off fasteners. I've found a propane torch more helpful than penetrating oils for breaking rusted bolts. Obviously don't try both at the same time.

For ball joints, I've had better luck with a lever type tool like this than a puller: http://www.minimania.com/part/07-035/Ba…

BaconSandwich is tasty. > clocker
04/28/2014 at 10:31

I had some PB blaster, but kept forgetting to apply it beforehand. I do imagine it would have helped a bit.