After reading many posts I've realised I'm in a world of 'ed china's' whereas I'm from the 'Norman Wisdom' diy school of 'fiddling about'. Still, with all this knowledge on tap I might make 'Mr Grimsdale' level.
General Level of expertise.
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General Level of expertise.
You all have a technical knowledge way beyond mine. Even if I could try the fixes to some of the problems I wouldn't have the kahunas in case I made things worse. I would need a responsible adult with me to keep me right..
chromycroma
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Fiat croma elearn workshop manual is very good for home repair very detail step by step
Fiat croma elearn workshop manual is very good for home repair very detail step by step
I'm no mechanical expert - I'll have a go if I reckon I could learn how to do it.
I have a bit of a positive mental attitude thing, since I went back to uni and did a degree at a later age - the expert who knows all about it has just the same blob of brain cells in his head and once knew absolutely nothing about anything - everyone has to learn everything they know, and nobody is born knowing anything. So if they can do it, so can you.
The only practical thing that holds me back is the tools - it would cost me more for the brake tools needed to mess with them that I would need to pay a garage to do it. Plus brake fluid is pretty hazardous stuff, and mistakes involve melted car paint and skin, plus brake failure. With some things you do need to start off under someone else's watchful eye. Electrics and nuts and bolts are no problem though.
I have a bit of a positive mental attitude thing, since I went back to uni and did a degree at a later age - the expert who knows all about it has just the same blob of brain cells in his head and once knew absolutely nothing about anything - everyone has to learn everything they know, and nobody is born knowing anything. So if they can do it, so can you.
The only practical thing that holds me back is the tools - it would cost me more for the brake tools needed to mess with them that I would need to pay a garage to do it. Plus brake fluid is pretty hazardous stuff, and mistakes involve melted car paint and skin, plus brake failure. With some things you do need to start off under someone else's watchful eye. Electrics and nuts and bolts are no problem though.
Like Ed I started by fiddling about with Vee Dub Beetles, but sadly that is where the similarity ends.
I think I am more at the Pimp My Ride level.
I think I am more at the Pimp My Ride level.
Well all I can say is that nobody starts their life, let alone car DIY with any knowledge.
I guess the first important driver is the desire for knowledge and experience in whatever it is, be that arts, crafts, painting, languages or car maintenance.
Given the desire for car DIY then next steps, ability and time to conquer will vary drastically from person to person.
Most of us in the car DIY learnt by experience. Changing that first sidelamp/headlamp bulb. And from here the desire/lust/quest will either fade of expand.
What limits most common sensed people with any DIY project is tools. If you are determined to try the DIY than tools is not an issue. It is an expectation and expense that once invested in will serve you for many many years into the future. You start with the simple screw driver set, then the spanner set, then the socket set, and then more specialised tools. Also not all tools have to be purchased. A clutch alignment tool can actually be created from a variety of bits in your tool box, loads of insulating tape or hose sections, etc.
For most car maintenance there is no rocket science. Just simple understanding, a moderate practical ability and a will.
The one clue/tip/advice that I even have to remind myself of is pause, think about what you are trying to do and mentally work through the job before starting it. You won't get the walkthrough 100% right but with 90% right you can then focus on the last 10%.
I guess the first important driver is the desire for knowledge and experience in whatever it is, be that arts, crafts, painting, languages or car maintenance.
Given the desire for car DIY then next steps, ability and time to conquer will vary drastically from person to person.
Most of us in the car DIY learnt by experience. Changing that first sidelamp/headlamp bulb. And from here the desire/lust/quest will either fade of expand.
What limits most common sensed people with any DIY project is tools. If you are determined to try the DIY than tools is not an issue. It is an expectation and expense that once invested in will serve you for many many years into the future. You start with the simple screw driver set, then the spanner set, then the socket set, and then more specialised tools. Also not all tools have to be purchased. A clutch alignment tool can actually be created from a variety of bits in your tool box, loads of insulating tape or hose sections, etc.
For most car maintenance there is no rocket science. Just simple understanding, a moderate practical ability and a will.
The one clue/tip/advice that I even have to remind myself of is pause, think about what you are trying to do and mentally work through the job before starting it. You won't get the walkthrough 100% right but with 90% right you can then focus on the last 10%.
I work on the principle that if someone put it together then I can take it apart and mend it.
Even the bits they don't want us to take apart.
I agree about the tools. All I would add is don't buy cheap - you don't need Snap-On either - but quality tools will last and you will have fewer scraped knuckles too.
I still have most of the spanners and sockets I bought in the 80's during my motor racing days.
Even the bits they don't want us to take apart.
I agree about the tools. All I would add is don't buy cheap - you don't need Snap-On either - but quality tools will last and you will have fewer scraped knuckles too.
I still have most of the spanners and sockets I bought in the 80's during my motor racing days.
me
Me too, although I can't always find the particular spanner / socket / whatever when I need it though. Although even more strangely when I'm looking for something else the following week - there it is.
Talking of tools reminded me that I had some lovely new lining material for my box. Actually got round to putting it in. Funny how such simple things can be so satisfying.
I keep all my good tools in a 4ft+ high large multidraw pro cabinet in the back bedroom in the warm and dry. We are just waiting for the whole lot to come down through the floor and into the dining room
Despite being organised I still occasionaly can't find what I'm looking for. Last item to go adrift was a 1/4" drive 13mm long reach socket together with 6" extension bar. Last used when I did my Croma's front springs. It was on a towel on the workmate with some other tools when my neighbour pulled on the towel and they all fell to the ground. I thought we had rounded up all the tools that rolled down my 1:10 drive. Following morning I went hunting again but could not find the missing tools so I have to assume they rolled onto the pavement/road and somebody picked them up.
When one tries to look after and take pride in one's tools it certainly winds me up when any go missing or get misused when I lend something to somebody.
Despite being organised I still occasionaly can't find what I'm looking for. Last item to go adrift was a 1/4" drive 13mm long reach socket together with 6" extension bar. Last used when I did my Croma's front springs. It was on a towel on the workmate with some other tools when my neighbour pulled on the towel and they all fell to the ground. I thought we had rounded up all the tools that rolled down my 1:10 drive. Following morning I went hunting again but could not find the missing tools so I have to assume they rolled onto the pavement/road and somebody picked them up.
When one tries to look after and take pride in one's tools it certainly winds me up when any go missing or get misused when I lend something to somebody.
Sorry to make you feel bad, but the surrounding mess was a byproduct of me tidying out the garage which I have to say is all spic and span.
I keep all my good tools in a 4ft+ high large multidraw pro cabinet in the back bedroom in the warm and dry. We are just waiting for the whole lot to come down through the floor and into the dining room
Despite being organised I still occasionaly can't find what I'm looking for.
When one tries to look after and take pride in one's tools it certainly winds me up when any go missing or get misused when I lend something to somebody.
If it's in the back bedroom how do you get the tools to the car? Do you just take out what you need? That would never work for me as I would be constantly going back for the widget spacing tool that I would have forgotten. Or do you lift the whole thing down stairs?
Know what you mean about the tools. Most of mine are from the 80's. The only ones I have had to replace are the ones which have been lent out and not brought back.
Well I have a fairly comprehensive tool box I always car in the boot of the car (much to wife's amusement at cost in fuel to lug around and disgust when boot space is at a premium). So when doing any job on the car I initially analyse what I will need and fetch those tools from upstairs. e.g. 3/4" drive heavy duty, torque wrench, hose clip pliers, pullers, caliper tools, cam locks etc. etc.
90% of the time I get the require tool list correct. In fact over time my hit rate generally improves as there is nothing worse than having to break off, return to the house, get shoes of, climb the stairs, get distracted or just overheat in winter months, only to have to go back down, shoes back on and out into the cold again!
I think I've used my pretty comprehensive car tool box and spares to help more stranded motorists out on the roadside than I have done for myself. Rather ironic and even more ribbing from the wife! "For who's benefit are we lugging all these tools around for"? Thankfully they have come to our rescue on 3 occasions (?) over the last 40+ years and on each occasion I had us up and running again long before any breakdown service would have arrived. Two of these occasions were up in the Italian Dolomite mountains miles from anywhere.
I'm just dreading the day when out on the road the tool I need and have is back at home up in the back bedroom. Then I'll have to call the "Reindeer Appreciation Club" and ask for a tow.
90% of the time I get the require tool list correct. In fact over time my hit rate generally improves as there is nothing worse than having to break off, return to the house, get shoes of, climb the stairs, get distracted or just overheat in winter months, only to have to go back down, shoes back on and out into the cold again!
I think I've used my pretty comprehensive car tool box and spares to help more stranded motorists out on the roadside than I have done for myself. Rather ironic and even more ribbing from the wife! "For who's benefit are we lugging all these tools around for"? Thankfully they have come to our rescue on 3 occasions (?) over the last 40+ years and on each occasion I had us up and running again long before any breakdown service would have arrived. Two of these occasions were up in the Italian Dolomite mountains miles from anywhere.
I'm just dreading the day when out on the road the tool I need and have is back at home up in the back bedroom. Then I'll have to call the "Reindeer Appreciation Club" and ask for a tow.
