Wishful Thinking?

Good advice

 

I applaud you for wanting to get your hands dirty, most women still think AAA or the local shop will be there to bail them out so they don't need to know how to fill a tire or how to even open the hood.

When I started I had no knowledge of cars except the Lamborghini Countach was the shit........
I ended up with a POS Firebird with blown head gaskets and a bad front end, scrapped it and ended up with various other cars in different forms of "shit" before I got my 4x4 and later my Celica. I started working at a fast lube shop in high school and took autoshop.....yeah, that long ago when you learn job skills in high school.

I learned by reading manuals and identifying the parts first and then reading the section I needed front, back, sideways, and upside down until I could do the operation in my sleep, then I proceeded to do the work......most importantly I TOOK MY TIME.

Start small, not an oil change right away, not a trans service either. go into the owners manual and get familiar with where the dipstick is, what tyre pressure is needed, where the VIN is etc.
then do something like jack up the truck and remove a wheel. use the service manual to ID the parts behind the wheel.......then progress further.

when it comes to mechanics, baby steps.........too often I see the UTI idiots who are "master ASE" certed get confused performing an oil change.

don't be afraid, but, don't attempt to build a trophy truck on the first day either.

after 20 years of this crap I wish I could instill this in the new generations.....

Good luck, OH, with mechanics...there is NO SUCH thing as a stupid question. ask away we will help.

 

What about for draining fluids?

 

Thanks! I've been looking at manuals and youtube, and of course, TW.

 

That's a good point. I'm not entirely sure what the best plan would be for you there. Luckily for me a small part of my driveway is flat, so I try and do most of my work there. Hopefully someone else can chime in with an idea. Maybe use your mechanic friends shop for that?

 

Would be ideal, but they're not always available when I wish they were haha.

 

Careful with youtube a lot of bs on there and things to lead you down the wrong path, watch the vid, then read the book is my suggestion.

it is kinda like going to the can, you don't crap first, wipe, then pull down your pants.

 

But that's how we do it in the Navy. Is that wrong?

 

typical Navy...must be a Boatswain's mate......

 

You tube is great, but I'll watch several different videos, from different people.
Reading the book is a good choice for sure. Ask lots of questions.
There's never a dumb question..
Before I tear something apart, I take lots of pictures, so I remember how stuff goes back together.

 

Ah....yes... the taking pictures is a great idea. One of my buddies is free next week and said hed hep me with some stuff, he's a little less patient than my other bud, but he doesn't mind if I ask questions.

 

just make sure he lets YOU do the work.

nothing beats hands on.

 

I've made it very clear that I want to do the work. They're cool with that.

 

I am sure, but, you know us guys can be, all billy badass and shit..............
thats why women shoot better than men.....no tiny cock syndrome

 

Here's a list I've made of the general maintenance things that need to be done, and I'd like you alls opinion on how I can organize these things in such a way that makes sense as far as where they are located so I'm not wasting time.

Changing engine oil
Changing oil filter
Check/drain/refill brake fluid
Check/add coolant (does this need to be flushed regularly like other fluids?)
Check/drain/replace power steering fluid
Clean/inspect brakes/pads/discs/linings/drums
Grease caliper pins
Grease driveshaft zerks
Inspect ball joints/dust covers
Inspect drive shaft boots
Inspect steering linkage/boots
Tighten chassis nuts/bolts
Inspect/lubricate propeller shaft
Re-torque shaft bolt
Active height control gas chamber (WTF is this?!)
Check brake line/hoses
Drive belts
Inspect exhuast pipes/mountings
Radiator core/cond.
Steering gear box/linkage/boots

 

I started taking pictures when I took my sway bar off, in case I wanted to put it back on. Lol that didn't happen
When i did my coilovers by myself,pictures helped a lot, even though I had helped a few other members do swaps.

Absolutely right

 

What's the reasoning for taking the sway bar off?

 

brakes bleeds/fluid swaps are not easy, there is a procedure and you might need to have the actuator reprogrammed, fail to do it right and brakes will be soft or just not work

coolant, once a year i say, most books call for mileage.......i would not go more than 2 years on coolant.

power steering is easy......just super messy

personally i would start with an oil change, get a flashlight and look for issues as you perform the oil change, from the hood you can check ps fluid,trans oil,belt,air filter, window water, battery, brake res and fluid DO NOT add brake fluid to res. if it is low inspect brakes first.

from the drain bolt you can check drive line and chassis points for leaks or damage, which means you have just killed half the list.

DO NOT mess with the Active height control......if you have that type of suspension it is only serviced if the shocks are leaking.

 

It's a heated debate related to people with aftermarket suspension. Leave yours on and don't worry about it.

 

IFS (independent front suspenion)
Taking it off makes it more independent (not linked together)
Not recommended for stock coilovers...
Im running Icons with a 650# springs