I mostly advocate for guys to do their own work, start with an oil change and continue investing in tools and knowledge 'till you can do most work yourself.

Here's the problem, so many people are afraid of dirty grease monkeys. On a national basis grease monkeys are revered nicely between lawyers and pond scum for business integrity. This should not be the case. Another guy on this site has put his life, his families life, and the lives and well being of everybody else on the road into jeopardy because he didn't trust his mechanics word that he needed new brakes.

Most techs are honest and well trained.
Yes their pay is based on what you buy from them. So is a doctors but if he tells you you need kemo you take it. The fact is there is enough work that is necessary that a tech doesn't need to be dishonest. It doesn't mean there aren't thieving pricks out there but ask around and you can find good ones.

Living in fear of techs is foolish and dangerous. Learn to do your own work if you can't afford or trust the techs near you. the best way is to arm yourself with knowledge, if you think you are being griffted ask for estimates from multiple shops. Most will at least estimate for free. And you can always ask to be shown the problem, the new and used parts.

And please remember the price of a vehicle does not end with the purchase, it includes maintenance and consumable parts.(brakes, tires, fluids, filters etc.)   Notice when the car mags do long term test of vehicles they include additional costs.

Please maintain your vehicles for the sake of your loved ones and the loved ones of everybody whom you share the road with. Thanks

   You make some good points.A person should not do something they aren't capable of,so a mechanic is a necessity.
   Find a qualified mechanic you feel comfortable with and use them whenever you must.It takes more than a garage and tools to make a mechanic,and as you said being armed with knomledge when you "interview" a mechanic is a must.

Another guy on this site has put his life, his families life, and the lives and well being of everybody else on the road into jeopardy because he didn't trust his mechanics word that he needed new brakes.

You know, I think enough is enough with this:

MY BREAKS WORK FINE, SO STOP PREACHING!!!

Are you going to get into religion next?

You're getting real obnoxious with this, not to mention the fact that you're trying to tell me to DO IT MYSELF!

Moderators, sorry if I went over the line here, but this is totally out of line.

FYI, it's BRAKES. Better hope they don't break.  I think everyone should also lighten up.

Ok,
I really wanted to keep my mouth shut, or in this case my keyboard...


I followed the thread on did the big tires save my life from the start just to see what people said actully helped and not the damn drama about needing brakes....

I liked this place up intill now, I hate the drama crap...
It's really stupid in a forum about viecles...

Ok cool,
you have a disagreement with not getting the brakes fixed, but damn, thats not what the post was about !

 I have had plenty of mechanics say i need this or that then when i say i cant afford to do it all, they oh well i guess i could cut the rotors one more time or i guess i could drill out this or do that for alot cheaper then their first estimate price, when they figure out they aint getting the money they trying to con you out of.....

Um. It's really not that hard to look at your break pads / shoes / lines yourself and see if they need replacement / repair. You can either take the tires off yourself, or have one of the break places inspect it for free. If they recommend something be replaced, have them walk you out to the car, and show you the part. If the pads are thin - replace them. If there's break fluid leaking out, that's pretty obvious too.

Not really sure I understand the drama, but it sounds to me like each of you has expressed their opinion and no one is budging here. So it's time to agree to disagree. I encourage each of us to move on if we've already said what we have to say.

Um. It's really not that hard to look at your break pads / shoes / lines yourself and see if they need replacement / repair. You can either take the tires off yourself, or have one of the break places inspect it for free. If they recommend something be replaced, have them walk you out to the car, and show you the part. If the pads are thin - replace them. If there's break fluid leaking out, that's pretty obvious too.

Not really sure I understand the drama, but it sounds to me like each of you has expressed their opinion and no one is budging here. So it's time to agree to disagree. I encourage each of us to move on if we've already said what we have to say.

I totally agree hole heartedly....

ontopic:
it IS hard to find a mechanic you trust.  I called to price check changing my glowplugs and was quoted $250.  Meanwhile I can do the job myself for $50.   


offtopic:
some people are great with cars, some are good and some just dont want to do that sort of thing

everyone has an opinion and not everyone is going to agree with it
(you dont see me complaining that my tracker was turned down in "readers rides")


hakuna matata... dont worry be happy 



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I totally agree hole heartedly....

I believe that should be whole not hole. Butt whate doo eye no? 



I agree, people need to lighten up a tad bit about this. JoeCool, most line mechanic's do know what they are doing but not every one needs the services of one. And Ira, like was posted it is easy to inspect your own brakes.

Read the positive posts and understand that people are giving you good advice. And ignore those stating you are a death threat. Sure you may need to have your brakes gone through before you drive again but then again, you may not.

I know how to do a brake job and what to check but have still driven a rig past the time it needed a brake job. Am I a criminal for doing this? 



And IRA, it may help if you spell BRAKE correctly.

(you dont see me complaining that my tracker was turned down in "readers rides")

That's not a tracker it's a rollerskate with a bad nose job.

Hey, I don't have much room to talk as I now own something like that. Even has dark windows and graphics on the side.

I am open minded enough to see when to laugh and when to just walk away.

Quote from: Gen-Erix on December 15, 2007, 06:44:10 PM

(you dont see me complaining that my tracker was turned down in "readers rides")

That's not a tracker it's a rollerskate with a bad nose job.

Hey, I don't have much room to talk as I now own something like that. Even has dark windows and graphics on the side.

I am open minded enough to see when to laugh and when to just walk away.

i would normally take offense to such a comment... but then i realize where your heads at

i would normally take offense to such a comment... but then i realize you got your head up your butt 

No, that's not me. That is cal mini.

Quote from: Gen-Erix on December 15, 2007, 07:08:18 PM

i would normally take offense to such a comment... but then i realize you got your head up your butt 

No, that's not me. That is cal mini.

im not cool enough to be in the loop for that joke   

Quote from: thcrw739 on December 15, 2007, 05:32:11 PM

I totally agree hole heartedly....

I believe that should be whole not hole. Butt whate doo eye no? 



I agree, people need to lighten up a tad bit about this. JoeCool, most line mechanic's do know what they are doing but not every one needs the services of one. And Ira, like was posted it is easy to inspect your own brakes.

Read the positive posts and understand that people are giving you good advice. And ignore those stating you are a death threat. Sure you may need to have your brakes gone through before you drive again but then again, you may not.

I know how to do a brake job and what to check but have still driven a rig past the time it needed a brake job. Am I a criminal for doing this? 



And IRA, it may help if you spell BRAKE correctly.

Oh No !
 call the improper spelling and context police

im not cool enough to be in the loop for that joke   

Hey, check your pm's.