Car Repair should i Bring it in
Whether it be giving a brand new car an oil change or an old relic a complete overall, the question of whether DIY is worth your safety and time is not always that clear. In the relative scheme of things, what looks like an "easy job" can become a nightmare for many reasons. Here are a few:
Snapping the bolt: You haven't even started the job of taking the brake calipers off to change pads and already you snapped or rounded out a rusty lug nut as you take the wheel off the car. Or, you are changing a water pump and saving hundreds and you snap a bolt in the block that can take hours to drill out and tap new threads.
Potentially Cancerous/ Carcinogenic Chemicals: Those brakes and parts need to be clean and since you do not own a shop that is well ventilated and equipped, you're running the risk of breathing in all those toxins from the aerosols.
Jack Failure: You set yourself up to change a tire or change the oil and the jack comes off the chassis, or (more common in NYC street work) the guy in front of you taps your bumper as he is pulling out causing the jack to tip and the car crashing down.
It might not be worth your time and money: Specialty tools you need for some jobs you may never need again or won't use often enough to make them worth buying. Doing a hub bearing on a Toyota Camry might cost you $200 with parts and service, but do you want to invest hundreds into a bearing press for a job you'll do in 10 years from now? In addition, today's cars are becoming increasingly difficult to repair without a lift because manufacturers are making the engine compartments tighter and tighter. There was a time when changing an alternator was two bolts and three wires. Now, some cars make it necessary to move the air conditioning compressor and work from beneath the car in close quarters.
While many weekend mechanic derive great pleasure in working on their cars, we must examine why they do. Because to some car repair is like knitting, not too difficult once you've got the hang of it and quite relaxing when things are going well. Because of the design of today's cars, the increased awareness of the threat of carcinogenic products used in auto repair and the overall cost/benefit, its looking like another wonderful hobby is going the way of developing pictures in your own dark room.
