Replaced well pump last night, lol.

[BubbaGumpShrimp]

Not a one person job . Pulled up 300' of hose/wires and replaces the pump with my Dad. I've got to say...I'm glad that my house has city water.

[Fatheroffour]

I know the feeling. My last house was on well. It's fun getting up and ready for work only to find out there is no water. Then come home from work and have to figure out why and fix it.

[BubbaGumpShrimp]

Yup. The joys of home ownership. What I have to look forward to with the house is that back in the mid-late 90's, plumbers used a crappy "blue pipe" to run the city water into the houses. Over time, that pipe degrades and fails. My neighbor had to replace his last year. To my knowledge, my house still has the original pipe. That's a ~$1,500-2,500 job. I'm thinking that I'll be breaking out the shovel and doing that one myself, lol.

[jamessick]

I replaced the alternator in my step-daughters Jeep. I know about 25% what other "guys" know about car, but dang I do fine work.

[Trevor]

Pulled up 300' of hose/wires and replaces the pump with my Dad. I've got to say...I'm glad that my house has city water.

I'm glad you have a Dad who's willing to step up and be there for his son. I have one and hope the old man sticks around a long time still.

[BubbaGumpShrimp]

I replaced the alternator in my step-daughters Jeep. I know about 25% what other "guys" know about car, but dang I do fine work.

Yup. I've owned several high mileage vehicles over the years. I've only had one catastrophic failure (a transmission). The vast majority of repairs that the average used vehicle owner will come across can be accomplished with basic hand tools, a Haynes manual, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

Pulled up 300' of hose/wires and replaces the pump with my Dad. I've got to say...I'm glad that my house has city water.

I'm glad you have a Dad who's willing to step up and be there for his son. I have one and hope the old man sticks around a long time still.

I'm still living with my parents. It was due to their taking me in that I was there to help them with their well (saved them over $2k):mrgreen: . My house...that I have yet to get access to...has city water/no well.

[BartSimpson]

The vast majority of repairs that the average used vehicle owner will come across can be accomplished with basic hand tools, a Haynes manual, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

What color is the sky on your planet? You can do the majority of repairs on your average vehicle?

Maybe after you plug the specialized computer into the specialized port, opened by the special tool for the special fastner, located in the special place known only to those who go to the special school.

It's not 1975 anymore, Bubba.

And for what it's worth, having a receipt in the file is good insurance - particularly when it comes to life safety items, like brakes, where failure is not an option.

[BubbaGumpShrimp]

The vast majority of repairs that the average used vehicle owner will come across can be accomplished with basic hand tools, a Haynes manual, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.

What color is the sky on your planet? You can do the majority of repairs on your average vehicle?

Maybe after you plug the specialized computer into the specialized port, opened by the special tool with the special fastner, located in the special place known only to those who go to the special school.

It's not 1975 anymore, Bubba.

And for what it's worth, having a receipt in the file is good insurance - particularly when it comes to life safety items, like brakes, where failure is not an option.

Many people these days lack the will, mechanical aptitude, and willingness to work on their own vehicle. Hey...that's why repair shops are there. For people like me that have tools, a willingness to get dirty, and place to work...it's a good opportunity to save a buck (or hundreds...in many cases).

If you're talking a new luxury vehicle...then yeah...the moment you drive it off the lot you're relegated to the idea of paying $100+/hr (just for labor) for someone else to do it. I'm talking about vehicles that the AVERAGE person drives (5+ years old, under $15k...and not a computer on wheels). i.e. Pickup trucks, SUV's, compact cars, standard sedans, etc.

And yes...I'm talking about general maintenance. Things like engines (internal), transmissions, and chasing down electrical gremlins are beyond the abilities of the average person (including myself).

When I take my vehicles to the shop now...99% of the time...it's because: 1. My time is valuable and I'd rather not spend it wrenching in the garage, or 2. I just don't feel like messing with it .

In the past 10 years...I have had to take a vehicle to a garage only four times because I was unable to fix something.

Repairs I have made in the past 10 years (everything from an old Mercedes diesel, to a '99 Camaro SS, to Hyundai's, Jeep's, and Honda's). The jobs listed below are just the ones that come to mind:

-OBD I/II diagnostics. Diagnosed and replaced oxygen sensors (multiple).
Replaced batteries (multiple), battery cables (multiple).
-Replaced suspension components. To include shocks, springs, control arms, and bushings.
-Brakes. Old style drums and shoes. Newer style rotors and pads. Emergency brake cable.
-Solder/repair damaged wiring.
-Drivetrain. Driveshaft with output to transfer case. U-joints.
-Alternators (multiple).
-Power steering pumps and hoses (multiple).
-Replace speedometer gear on transfer case (changed vehicle tire size...compensated).

I have a fraction of the abilities of my father (not a mechanic). The mechanical abilities of many people in his generation floor me. i.e. Tear down and rebuild engines, automatic transmissions, etc. The automatic transmission job (in an Acura) floored me. To see the amount of parts that came out of that transmission all go back in there just right was pretty impressive.