I'm opposite of that, I read it once and I understand it, remember it and can apply it.

However if you ask me to write an essay, be creative, or w/e else I'm useless.

I'd say I'm mechanically inclined though. I'm weird. lol

 

The only thing I've found over the years that an ASE cert is good for is adding a level of comfort for first time customers.

 

The Factory Service Manual is usually worth it if you intend to do a decent amount of work to your vehicle.

If I recall I paid less than $100 for mine. That very quickly can be amortized over the number of times you refer to it. Time is money.

 

yeah you said it makes for a good interview though

 

Thanks guys, I usually like to have something in the car with me as well as use the forums. I've already learned so much reading through the Tech and how-to's.

 

Yes, I too have only a driveway and winter weather really sucks for wanting to do stuff!

It's too bad the fix-your-own garage bays you could rent aren't around any more most places. But I think that's directly because cars have become so much more complex in the last 30 years, so there isn't as much of a market/profit for them.

 

I do basically all my own work. keeps me sane. If I'm not tinkering on something, I get depressed. Jeeps, especially 2001 & older models are simple. There is so much information around to help with just about any problem. Plus, there are so many, that you're most likely not the first person whose ever had your particular disaster of the moment.

Fords, on the other had, give me hives from past experience. The engineering is always too clever by half and ends up being overly difficult to maintain. (Try removing the interior plastics on a Ford.) Though, I just picked up an absolutely cherry 97 F150 4x4 Lariat with the 5.4L motor for cheap. The 4x4 didn't work and the brakes were terrible. The PO, (my best friend's widow) had taken it to several shops for the brakes and they told her they didn't see anything wrong with it. (She wasn't aware that the 4x4 was out.)

As soon as I got it home and looked at it I knew what was wrong with the brakes. It has rear drums and the adjusters had worn to the point that they weren't contacting the starwheels. A quick adjustment with a hammer on each side and the brakes are now great again.

Fixing the 4x4 required a few google searches and reading a couple threads on an F150 forum to figure out that it was probably one of the front end vacuum solenoids. I tested them and sure enough, the one that engages the front locker was seized. $49 at the local Ford dealer and the truck is now capable of pulling itself out of its muddy parking spot. (Although the Cherokee did fine the two times I had to pull it out before I figured out what was wrong with it.)

 

Mostly legal reasons. Way too many ways to be sued with those.

 

What about small storage rental places? They're not too expensive and some even have power.

 

Yeah, insurance for that sort of operation these days would probably be through the roof.

 

probably similar to insurance costs on an offroad park. Friend of mine has 200 acres and wanted to open a park, he was quoted something like 20 000$ for insurance... thats per month by the way...

 

that 19x what my jeep is worth lol

 

When I started turning a wrench I did it all in my drive way. Or in a random parking lot were I broke down. So that excuse don't work with me and I had no one to show me the ins and outs. As time went on I got into Jeeps for there well known quality. Soon I met Jeep people and they answered any ?'s I had and gave me a hand when I needed it. Now I return the favor to any other Jeeper I come across. That's how it works. Its a Jeep thing if your not interested then why are you here?

 

and you cant argue with that

 

LOL. Get over yourself. Nobody popped out of their momma's womb knowing how this stuff worked.

People somewhere along the way helped to educate you on what you needed to know. Either return the favor or don't, but don't look down your nose on people who don't know as much as you do. Once upon a time, you were right where they are.

Jesus, this place cracks me up sometimes. More insecure *****-waving going on here than a middle school gym locker room...