Much respect for this CHEVROLET (GMC) owner. He gave it his best college try (he even bought decent parts) and then took it to a pro when it didn't go the way he had planned. Many just put it together (sort of) and drive it because they're too proud to admit defeat. It takes just as much of a man to set the pride aside and take it to someone who will do it right. Hopefully we're all laughing with him and not at him.
Had a guy that couldn't bleed the brakes on his 2500 HD 6.0 silverado...he put brand new rear calipers. Yeah on the wrong side/bleeders pointing down. Brake lines were about to go too so...but yeah.
offered a $60 brake special once.... girl brought in a white impala. then she comes unglued because i charged her the state sales tax!!! a week later i get a white impala in... Gee, this car looks familiar!! It was her dad. He said she was too embarrassed to come back and get the rear brakes done too ! i smiled pretty good on that one!
Had this happen with a steering box on a Dodge Durango... man was I embarrassed. Although that had more to do with not having a press to get the pitman arm off the box (I broke my puller on the darn thing!). One of many reasons I traded that thing away. Good riddance!
I never half ass anything I do. But jobs usually end up taking me way fucking longer than the should, and I always get way deeper than I initially anticipate. Still haven't had to ask for help yet though lmao. But I've had to struggle thorough jobs blindingly frustrated many a time
@@RedfishCarolina Need a bigger dead blow hammer if the 10 lb one isn't budging the drum. The brake hardware pins will usually give up within 20 blows.
Maybe 40 years ago, working in a Ford dealer, I had a rookie working in the stall next to me. One day he asked me what to do about a grease fitting that wouldn't take grease. I walked over and explained that brake bleeders don't require grease.
Thank the lord the valve was closed because grease in the brake plunger would be bad. Especially if pushed all the way up to the master cylinder which is what he surely would have done if he could. He was an especially adept student having never serviced brakes before.
Same thing happened to me about 35 years ago, new guy, first day at work, hey why won’t this fitting take grease, I let the service manager know, new guy didn’t come back to work after lunch.
It's basic math, mistakes are a small percentage of the total numbers of the things u do, so if u do nothing then the mistakes percentage multiplied by zero will equal zero lol, an old saying says best way to not make mistakes is by doing nothing ...
I had a friend who wasn't a mechanic but worked on his cars and some of his friends cars said to me " I'm getting better at fixing brakes" wtf? It's something you don't want to be bad at. It's amazing that bolt didn't break with the size of those hammer marks.
I've been wrenching & restoring as a hobby for over 40 years. So I gotta say it's refreshing to see a Tech on CZcams that doesn't have a damn God complex. So many Techs are predispositioned to assume the customer is an idiot. Granted many are, but treat people right...until they don't treat you right.
This one springs to mind. I was changing the "S" bend under my kitchen sink. Put a tray under it to drain into as I pulled it out. Captured all the "water" in it beautifully. Stood up and put the drain tray on the bench, got busy for a moment and then decided to tip the contents down the drain, straight into my under bench cupboard. Still shake my head at that one and it was about 20 years ago.
I have done the exact same thing, only the drain was clogged and the sink half full before I pulled the trap and drained it into the bucket. I'm glad to find out I'm not the only one to do that particular dumb thing.
He who is without sin, or who hasn't made simple mistakes, let him cast the first 10mm socket. I can feel it though. I've been there. It's probably hot out, he's in an apartment parking lot with a set of Stanley tools from Walmart, that set didn't come with a 12mm socket so he's gotta use a pair of Hazard Frought vice grips and a hammer. He's probably dehydrated from laying on scorching hot asphalt so he's seeing little black spots everywhere now, he's gotta get to work in an hour and he's just about at the end of his rope. His 6 year old boy Billy is standing there watch Daddy fix the truck and he doesn't want to absolutely lose his sh** so he's trying with all his might to remain calm and collected so as not to disappoint the boy and make him see his father and a raging maniac for the rest of his childhood. His hammer is missing because his wife used it last week to hang dollar store decorations in the bathroom and never returned it, so he grabbed a brick from alongside the parking lot curb and he just starts to go to town on the old Shevvy. Feel you bro. Not that I have, um, much experience in this matter.
Brings a story to mind…several months ago, the shop I work at hired a guy who’d just left the Honda dealership, and that’s all he’d worked on. He’s a very talented mechanic, he’s adapted to working at an independent shop very well, obviously he’s much more experienced with Honda’s and JDM stuff, but pretty well excels at anything he’s given. That being said, one of the first jobs he got was brakes on a GMC Sierra, which happened to be from Vermont I believe (so it was rusty, and would make sense that the rotors where seized on), and, being that he’d been a dealer tech and had never really messed with anything other than Honda’s, he didn’t know that there where set screws in the rotors…so he’s over there beating he hell out of these rotors, cussing up a storm, going around the shop asking for the biggest hammer, eventually one of the other techs goes over, assumes he’s already removed the set screws, and starts beating on these rotors as well…so they’re both over there hammering and swearing for about 5 minutes when the other tech finally notices the set screws are still in. I about died laughing when I realized what had happened and they both turned beet red.
Yep, Honda is one of the makes which have set screws. I think what happened is he knew that and just assumed the GMC didn't use set screws in the rotors (I would have assumed the same thing, but hopefully I would have noticed).
Ah people make mistakes and get frustrated especially when they aren’t knowledgeable about it and aren’t experienced. I’ve been there myself multiple times.
Yup, we've all "been there, done that." I was 16 working on my moms newly restored and painted bright orange MGB. Cute car. Was filling up the brake fluid tank. Got done and closed the hood. Bang! I had left the brake fluid can on top of the engine and the brake fluid can made a massive dent into the hood. Oh, my heart dropping was priceless. Taught myself a lesson that day...... When closing the engine hood, Panic Will Happen before you close any hood Ever again. That was 35 years ago. The panic stayed. Every. Single. Time.
“If you haven’t done a stupid thing, you probably haven’t done anything” Eric O Spent the hours trying to get the lower bolt of a PCV valve on a Jeep Wrangler pentastar. Rubbed my hand and knuckles raw against the firewall mat. Only to realize I could just remove the wheel well liner. After that it took longer to put my tools away than to tighten it down. I felt dumb.
Saw a guy do a full race build on his B18A Honda engine. That last step was putting in the oil pressure sending unit at which point he cracked the block wide open with too many ugga duggas.
I had a jeep that was missing the liner and while on the lift, the tires sag a lot so I had plenty of space for the EGR tube which I needed to remove to do intake and valve cover seals. I thought I would not be able to reach it when I first had a look at it lol. Wasnt an overlook but may had me stuck for a few if I didn't look to the side.
I just had that kind of moment with my 4wheeler. I was replacing both CV axles and didn't realize that the two axles were slightly different lengths until one side was fully reassembled and I was struggling to install the knuckle on the other side, and finally compared the two old axles I pulled out and noticed my mistake. That mistake took me three hours to sort out.
Only the maker knows where all the flaws are. Go ahead and take the compliments and appreciation where you find them. This has been a really hard one for me to swallow but getting better at it.
Years ago I learned the hard way to look for those screws holding on the brake rotors. Not too long ago I learned about the threaded holes in some drums and rotors where you can screw in a bolt to push the bugger off, 'cause they are made to fit tight on the hub. Once I have the right size bolts, they become designated tools and are kept with my brake tools. Good on you for doing a thorough job and not berating the DIY'er too badly.
Eric no matter what you do it’s always a good video. Remember even though you can do it others are still learning and it could be your video they learn from.
Did a timing belt on a 2000 Honda CR-V, was rotating the harmonic balancer while doing a valve adjustment for my first time. Got everything back together and said a prayer before I turned the key. Turned the key and it started to turn over and BANG and it completely stopped attempting to turn over. Thought for sure I bent the valves and the engine was shot...Turned out I had left my 1/2" ratchet on the harmonic balancer and the ratchet had just slapped the CV axle. After that heart attack, I removed the ratchet and it all ran great. Thank god nobody was around at the time.
@@missingdll2976 Yeah, the most recent time I did one I had an impact wrench and it made the job a lot easier. The spare engine had been sitting for a while in a coastal environment and there was just no way, though, even the impact wouldn't break it loose. I split two sockets trying to get it loose by hand. I decided there was nothing for it but to drill it, and partway through that process it loosened up. Dunno why, maybe removing a chunk from the center reduced the binding forces.
I read a story of ship engine disasters. A mechanic left his socket on a gear for the valve timing. Shredded the engine. Your day could have been much, much worse.
Great video DON’T toss it !!! This content is the best thing ever to instill humility. Failure is sometimes the very best teacher, especially when it’s something SO simple. THANKS for posting and leaving it up.😎 I had a similar problem years ago when I missed the little 8mm bolt in the center of an early S series Saturn. What makes it even more hilarious is there is an arrow in the casting pointing to the recess where the head of the bold is buried so make certain that NOBODY WOULD MISS IT !!! 😳🤨🤪
Dude, I've made this exact mistake before. Beat on that rotor until my arm turned to jelly. My grandpa walked by, looked at it for a second, and said "you know that would be a lot easier if you took the screw out, right?" I felt like such an idiot. He had a good laugh at my expense, and I've never made that same mistake again. I miss that old man. Lol
Since today is Father's Day and I miss my late Father, I will relate a true story of his effort at garage independence. He was no stranger to oil changes having done his own on everything from inboard boat motors, to lawn mowers and many different car engines over the decades. Mechanics was not his strong suit as he was an academician and educator. He, nonetheless, would try almost anything. He bought a brand new, first year Ford Escort. Transverse engine. Something never before seen by him. At the first proper interval, drained the oil, changed the filter refilled the crankcase. He calls me at work to ask what color the engine oil should be and to ask why he can't see the fill level on the dipstick. He had drained the transmission and doubled the crankcase oil to 9 quarts. I do miss him.
Thanks for your story. My dad was more skilled than me, so my stories aren't the same. Still, he was a great dad and some of my fondest memories are about working on vehicles. I miss him.
Hahaha! I picked up two used motorcycles 4 years ago.i stripped one down and went through it cleaning, replacing and adjusting things. It was my first time working on a bike. The first one came out good , it was my test bike to see if I wanted to realy get involved in the bikes. I sold the first one and used the proceeds to purchase the parts that the other bike would need. I was floating on cloud nine, so damned happy that it was easier than I had thought it would be. I wanted to check the engine first, so cleaned up the exterior of the engine to make it easier to see any leaks. I bought new crush washer, the good oil, I even flushed the engine. I did some other minor stuff, and then started refilling the oil. Within 15 seconds, my knee pads were soaked in oil; I forgot to put the oil pan bolt back in. 2litres of oil wasted. The air was blue with all the swear words I was spitting out. I had to eat crow when my wife came out to see what all the fuss was about😭
As someone who lives in the rustbelt and does his own brakes and rotors, I really appreciate the amount of anti seize you used behind that rotor. First time I replaced mine I found the last mechanic didn't use nearly enough (or none at all) and I had to spend 30 minutes a piece whacking away at them to get them free.
I was just thinking he put about ten times as much as is smeared on every single item in my roadside tool bag. That stuff can coat unbelievably well. I wish Ford had used as much on my entire Focus as he did on those wheels.
It wasn’t a bad video at all. If nothing else, it reminds us that when something isn’t going quite right, to slow down and check the simple things. I’m a senior who tries to do brake jobs and such myself. I too have forgotten that screw and sworn a bit until I finally remembered it was there. The older I get, the more often these things seem to happen.
Let me count how many times I soldered a wire but forgot to put the shrink wrap on before i soldered the wires together. I have done it on the same wire at least once (ie soldering a wire 3 times instead of once). Thankfully i don't fix things for a living and have never had to explain a simple stupid error to a customer (my wife on the other hand).
Have you tried to fix your mistake by splitting a shrink wrap the long way to fit it over your work to only find out it doesn’t shrink like you thought it would 🥲
Certainly a learning moment for some viewers and also for the owner who could not get the rotors off. He must be young. I do give him credit for trying, but he needs to watch your videos for tips. Yes, I too have done dumb things when learning, but I did learn and have taught others. Glad you didn't trash this video!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
I did rotors on my Honda Pilot. My daughter's boyfriend is an Auto Mechanic and warned me about the #3 JIS screws holding the rotors on. I work on Japanese hvac units (I'm a Commercial HVAC tech) so I had the Impact bit and an Impact wrench powerful enough...man those were tight. For a minute there I thought I was stuck. Always enjoy your videos Eric! Thanks!
You could have been laughing at this customer, calling him a Silly Billy, but you were nice and classy and said we've all done stupid stuff. You were nice and understanding and you did a very thorough and tidy job fixing up those brakes for him. You're a class act and a nice guy. Love your videos.
We have all indeed done stupid stuff, just hiked a trail I did about ten years ago today in search of trout. Long story short, the water was low, the fish were small, and my assuming that the trail being labeled "loop" meant it goes back to the trail head. Nope! Checked GPS after about an hour of walking to discover that I was in fact headed to the state park 8 miles away, and would need to retrace every one of my steps. A bit of due diligence would have sent me disc golfing instead!
“If you haven’t done anything stupid, you haven’t done anything” Changing the front wheel bearings and fighting for a long time to get the new rotor on the hub. Swearing about wrong parts, etc and discovered that the seal from the old bearing was still stuck to the hub. Luckily, my youngest son had left a few minutes before I discovered this, so I only had myself laughing/crying at my stupidity.
I remember when I was 16 and the farmer next to our farm needed help changing his newly bought used 4 bottom plow with new points. He could not get the bolts broke loose. I broke them in half being almost rusted into already into. When he brought out the new plow points and bolts the threads did not look right and the nuts would not thread on in the right direction. First time I ever saw left handed threads on a bolt. That was the reason we could not get the old bolts to unthread. Always remembered that learning lesson. I made a good living working on equipment and was able to retire at 58 because all I learned growing up on a farm. I also learned that trying to make a living on 120 acres was not going to make it for a good life with beans going for $6 a bushel.
This was the funniest South Main Auto ever! I cannot remember any stupid thing I've ever done because I mentally block all my mistakes, so they don't torture me.
"Successfully" removed an alternator from a '96 cavalier... for a few hours. After FINALLY getting the new one on, a guy comes along and explained the to me how I could've saved time had I simply taken the TENSION off.
I remember changing alternators on my '94 Cavvie. Everything is back together except the serpentine belt. Buddy insisted he wanted to install the serpentine belt. OK, FINE, Mr. Hotshot, go for it. 3 cigarettes later, I'm standing 20 feet away from him, trying not to laugh hysterically (and failing) as he was cursing enough to make a sailor blush. He was loud enough that his neighbor, who had very little idea on how to work on cars, came over to see what was up. So Mikey and I stood there watching our friend try in vain to install one silly serpentine belt on a 2.2L. 4th cigarette down, I ask, "Do you want me to do it?" "NO! I GOT IT!" So I lean over to Mikey, the neighbor, who had just bought a '92 Cavalier 2.2L of his own, and said, "remember when you bought your Cavvie two weeks ago, I popped the hood on it, looked at your engine for 3 seconds, and told you the serpentine belt was installed wrong?" "Yeah." "Do you remember which way I showed you it went on?" "Yup. Right after you showed me, I went home and practiced a few times. There's a picture on the metal cross piece (upper radiator support) isn't there? Mine has it, does yours?" "Yup." "And he can't follow the picture?" "Nope." "Dave, it goes around the crankshaft. Left side of the belt goes around the power steering pump. Right side of the belt comes up, goes backwards around the water pump, over the tensioner, and then you put the breaker bar on the tensioner and slip the belt over the alternator pulley." "I KNOW WHAT TO DO! I WISH YOU GUYS WOULD JUST SHUT UP AND LET ME DO IT!" I beamed with pride, because I taught this kid that just bought his first car how to properly install his serpentine belt, and not only did he practice at home later that day so he would know how to do it himself, but he had actually memorized the belt routing. Yet this other guy, who has almost as much experience working on cars as I did at the time, was completely clueless, even with the OEM diagram. I actually pushed him out of my way, yanked the breaker bar out of his hand, and said, "I got stuff to do today, I can't wait for you." 45 seconds later, belt installed, and Mr. Hotshot standing there dumbfounded. Haven't had the car since 2011, and I still have that belt route memorized. lol
Never throw any videos in the trash we enjoy all the jobs no matter how small or insignificant!! Keep them coming!! And I think we have all done something like this before… I know I have… when I was just a young gun I did a brake job and when I got done one of the sides was making an awful racket so I pulled the tire off and to my surprise I forgot to tighten the caliper bracket bolts and it was just this side of fallen off! Lesson learned…torque everything twice because twice is nice!!
Good video to remind us all, try your repairs, you will learn something about the subject and something about yourself to improve upon. The dumbest thing I do is not to plan well enough for the project at hand. Research the project, having proper parts and tools come to mind and having the right attitude to hold down the temper. Eric, thanks for the lessons you teach.
Found your channel about a month ago and been binge watching 😁. I'm in Missouri...we use salt but we don't get near the snow you do. Man...the rust/corrosion that is on a lot of the cars in your videos is crazy.
My bone head maneuver? The passenger window in my Honda Element would not move. I’ve had window regulators go bad in other cars so I just assumed it was bad. I tore the whole passenger door apart and installed a new Honda regulator. It still did not work. It finally dawned on me that someone had pushed the child proof lock button on the driver’s door. I bet you saw this one coming. Salvation came, several years later, when the passenger regulator did go bad in the other Element. The “broken” part was put back to work. Oh well.
Honestly for a DIY car guy, working on your own stuff - especially anything even kinda sorta old. An air hammer is invaluable, as well as a small propane torch. The number of seized bolts/parts i was able to remove and save because of the tools is unreal. ... Unfortunately the number of bolts and parts I destroyed and stripped and caused myself countless more hours of work before I got an air hammer and torch is much higher 😅
Nice I love how you give just the right amount of criticism towards the owner of the truck. Just enough that he will probably laugh if he sees the video and not be pissed at you. Lots of respect for you keep it up!
I love your videos, I like the last few words LOL. You are definitely for real that some funny things happen, I remember being really POd and then saw my mistake and had to laugh at myself. Thanks again for the entertainment at the same time teaching us something.
In my day, that rotor screw was Phillips head. Not always easy to get out. I put antiseize on those threads, justlike I do between rotor/hub. (I moved out of the rust belt decades ago but my mechanic-time brain can't forget.) Also, a DIY'er with a bit in a ratchet can have a hard time compared to somebody using impact tools, when it comes to rusty things. Cordless impacts are changing that game for the shadetree. Got my first air compressor about ten years ago and impact guns and an air hammer really were game changers!
And that's why I always go look at a couple of CZcams videos of how to do what I want to do even though I've done it before and think I know how to do it. Thanks Eric, don't throw this video in the bin, there is always somebody out there that needs your expertise.
One of my never to forget as long as I live frustration lessons was trying to change the diff oil in my car right before a planned trip. Undid the drain plug and drained out all the oil. Put the drain plug back in and tried to undo the fill plug but she was seized in there tight. I spent few hours of beating my head against a wall trying to get the fill plug out including using a puny little butane torch in desperation that couldn't even warm the area. I was advised to take to it with a cold chisel and mallet to force it to turn, which eventually got that sucker out after peeling half the face off it. Lesson learnt from that day 25 years ago, never remove a drain plug first! That way if the fill plug is stuck at least the oil is still in there and the vehicle still be driven.
Since only ‘spannering’ on my cars in the later years of my life this is one of the most important pearls of wisdom I have learned...luckily never had ‘that one’ that doesn’t undo...but I have always checked the full plug first.. not sure who it was that mentioned it first.. maybe on this channel...
WD or PB and a hammer will work to if you don't have air. At least it has for me more than once. They can start coming out and tighten up. Stop. Soak it again and work it back n forth. They can strip.
@@dustintunis9347 Yep, also they are handy for doing brake jobs, as they hold it all together nice and just perfect, but if they strip ect, they're getting tossed. Wood drill bits work appearantly in a pinch i've found out.
I did the front brakes on my mule van (2005 Chevy Venture). I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.. I went to Princess Auto to buy a cheap C clamp to compress the brake cylindre, but otherwise it was all simple tools on hand and I think cost me less than $100 total for rotors and pads for both front wheels. I think there was a video on exactly my vehicle that showed the process. I want to be able to do as much work as possible myself, on that van. The less I have to spend to keep it running, the better. It's 25% rust anyway. lol
I really enjoyed this video, I do enjoy a video sometimes that is short and sweet. Nice job cleaning and fixing everything up for the guy. I really appreciate how you always give the extra effort and do everything thoroughly. Well done as usual 👍🛠️
I put the friction plate the wrong way round in a clutch job. Threw the gearbox in, subframe, battery, driveshaft, start up......no clutch! 😠🤦 Take gearbox out for the second time..... 😁
When doing my first drum brake repair, I pulled one of the rear drums off, then asked my mate to step on the brake pedal so that I could see how the brakes operate. Ask me how I know that brake fluid stings when you get it in your eyes. Nearly 50 years later I reckon that I could still describe the taste of brake fluid - yuck!
Yup - remember doing my first drum brake job and was trying SO HARD to not let that piston open up or drain... I DID NOT want to get air in the system... then when trying to install the new shoes and springs, I pushed the piston right out... NOW we have to bleed the system! Arrrrgh.
Man you make things look so easy with your knowledge, that kid could have watched any Utube vid on changing brakes they are not hard to a practical person.......love your channel. 👍🇺🇸
I can do anything, I just watched it on CZcams! I love this, people underestimate skilled labor and think it’s all about the general knowledge of what needs to be done. 50% of mechanical work is knowing all the shit that you can’t learn for watching it done, you have to actually do it yourself. Props for trying kid.
Many years ago I pulled a 4 speed transmission and changed the clutch on my Demon. Did it with hand tools only on a wooden rack in the back yard. Was all finished and putting the tools away when I found the pilot bushing on the ground! That transmission came out and went back in MUCH quicker the second time!
Well that's just good planning; you saved yourself some time there by pre-loosening all your fasteners on the dry-run. Clutch change would have taken longer to complete if you hadn't taken it all apart beforehand 😜
You did the right thing putting it together with the hardware. Tell him that the liability would fall on you as the business if something were to happen down the road because you didn't put it together properly. Good job buddy. 👍
Oh boy, have I done this before. Buddy of mine and I beat all the rust of his rotor with a rubber mallet until we gave up. Threw the wheels back on, and as soon as it touched the ground off the jackstands by buddy said "hey, uh, do you think it mattered that I had the parking brake on?" Lmao great stuff as usual, keep up the good work Eric
I thought that as soon as this started, and was a bit surprised that it ended up being the case. I feel for this guy though, I have done things I believe far sillier that someone else needed to correct. When you have the blinders on you miss the obvious all too often.
Those screws always had a tendency to seize during my time as a mechanic. Thank God for my impact driver with multiple bits.. Saved my bacon many times
Good call on putting the hardware in for him. I wouldn’t have been able to leave the hardware out myself either. Always do the right thing even if the customer doesn’t want it in a circumstance like that.
@@kiwiingenuity1677 the old Chrysler products were notorious for left hand lugs on the left side, I think it was, anyway on one side, every young guy changing tires in the service station found out the hard way. Lol 😂
@@donjohnson9688 yes, i have an old dodge van solid front axle under a car dolly, it took me 2 lug studs to figure it out, lol, it now has all right hand threads, lol
Keep making videos's. I just learned something from this. I don't have an air chisel/hammer. When I have issues with stuck parts like rotars. I will be adding to my tool box. I'm a "Shade Tree Mechanic" that does work on vehicles from time to time. I do like that you gave the customer slack for doing it himself. Per your dialogue, you said young man. Maybe let him know a few tricks on what he could do next time. Thank you. David
I think it's a great video. Very informative. I helped a buddy once who couldn't get a wheel bearing off because he had left several bolts in and the rental puller simply wouldn't push the bearing off the axle splines with those bolts still in
Well that makes me feel not so bad cuz I've done some pretty silly things myself in the past I hope that guy doesn't feel too bad sometimes it's just easy to miss something simple. Maybe if you're tired or not thinking well that day or distracted I can turn into a really bad day
Had an old Ford where the wheel came off while driving and the drum was ruined. Went to the salvage yard and got a used on for $20 than had it turned for another $10. Thought I was doing well but I cracked it putting it on. Felt really bad. Went to the auto place to fork out for a new drum. Felt really stupid when he put the new drum on the counter and said that would be $12.50!
As a teenager I change the back tire of the truck and drove about a mile down the road when when the tire come off at passed my truck with my girlfriend sitting next to me. It kind of bounced in slow motion for quite a ways. Forgot to tighten the Lugnuts but fortunately I still had 2 good holes so I took Lugnuts off the other tires and bolted up just enough to get to the tire shop.
Years ago I had a 1981 half ton ford pickup.I worked in a truck repair shop. The pickup little drum's Manny 8 inch round. Thay were $65 the large heavy truck drum's were $55. Also I had A 1979 thunderbird which had three larger brakes
Loved the video. Glad you did not toss it out. Got some reinforcement that I am, so far, doing my brakes correctly when I change them. I changed a strut once only to still have the rattle then discovered the REAL rattle...the lower control arm bushing. Man was that an expensive mistake, it is also when I discovered your Channel. With your help I figured out other stuff to check that can rattle when worn out. So to that I say thank you. I am a very loyal fan!
When I was 16, I rebuilt my first engine. Self taught, lol. When I put the brand new rings on the pistons, I inspected the cylinders. They were smooth as glass, so I thought, “wow, they’re perfect!” I didn’t know about honing/crosshatching, hahaha. To this day, almost 35 yrs later, I’ve never owned another car that burned that much oil.
When I took shop class in the ninth grade we were going through the automotive phase of the class and rebuilding an engine. The joke throughout the classmates was rebuilding the engine all nice and purdie, cleaning the area up, and see a piston/connecting rod sitting on the work bench.
Teaching son how to change a tire. Stomping on the bar to get the seized lug nut to crack loose. Could not crack it loose. 5 minutes later realized I was righty tightying and not lefty loosening. Stripped the stud threads. Happy Fathers Day to all other DIY dads!
This is a wonderful video, thank you for posting it. I too have made plenty of mistakes. Ooodles and oodles of them. I understand how it was for your customer and I feel for him. Luckily, he won in the end: he brought the truck to you for a proper repair.
I am a long time subscriber, and I enjoy your work and comments along the way. I appreciate how you didn't embarrass the young man who attempted this job, and you showed maturity in recognizing that we have all made mistakes and needed a "helping hand" in showing us the way. I cannot express enough that I sure liked your attitude, and you made it about "us" and not about "him." Good job.
Oh man I have been in those shoes. We've all been frustrated and dragged through the mud and no one likes to be hit when their down. Live, learn and move on I say :)
I know this is an old video, but I hope you explained it to him. I know mechanics make their money from doing the work, but we need to keep encouraging the diy attitude for as long as we can.
Loved this video, sometimes the smallest things can be a life changer. I had to replay the part about frustration and where it led to a couple of times. You just never know where it's going to go to.
@@okkrom I and another person put in a clutch plate backwards once, after we started it up and car wouldn't move - we were asked 'did you put the clutch plate in correctly' we looked at each other, dismantled it all and sure enough it had front this way on the damn thing - and we never noticed.
@@wonniewarrior Just that some clutch disks can be kind of ambiguous if you're not super observant taking it apart and hopefully the old one is not blown up beyond recognition. So empathy more than anything else.
We’ve all done plenty of stupid things, my personal favorite is when a friend asked for help pulling his engine for rebuild. He unbolted it, disconnected everything and we lifted it off it’s mounts but it wouldn’t budge more than 6”. We looked and looked and couldn’t find what we missed. So our solution was to just give it a big jerk(with a skid steer) and figure out what was catching the hard way…….. I never would have guessed a throttle cable had as much strength as it did and the engine was inches from taking out the windshield of the skid steer.
@@michaelvangundy226 nah, just an impact hammer. But even a regular hammer will do in a pinch - you're just trying to vibrate and shake it up so the rust will release the threads. A needle scaler doesn't really have the force of impact to be all that effective. But if you don't have an air supply handy, a simple impact driver and hammer is also a good go-to tool combo. :-)
Many years ago I worked as an auto mechanic (known today as an automotive technician... ha). The vast majority of the brake jobs I did back then were drum brakes. I really learned to appreciate the simplicity of disc brakes as time and vehicles progressed. After several years of that, I changed careers for better benefits, etc. But I've still been wrenching on all of my own vehicles for a few decades now. Several years ago, I replaced the brake pad and rotors on my Chevy truck. It was the first time I ever saw disc brakes with the torx screw. But of course, I DID notice it! Add a little WD40 (or the penetrating oil du jour), wait a few minutes and then break it loose. No big problem. I was tempted to leave the screw out, because let's face it; it has no real purpose. Once the wheels are on the truck, that rotor isn't going anywhere of its own volition! LOL
Much respect for this CHEVROLET (GMC) owner. He gave it his best college try (he even bought decent parts) and then took it to a pro when it didn't go the way he had planned. Many just put it together (sort of) and drive it because they're too proud to admit defeat. It takes just as much of a man to set the pride aside and take it to someone who will do it right. Hopefully we're all laughing with him and not at him.
Had a guy that couldn't bleed the brakes on his 2500 HD 6.0 silverado...he put brand new rear calipers. Yeah on the wrong side/bleeders pointing down. Brake lines were about to go too so...but yeah.
offered a $60 brake special once.... girl brought in a white impala. then she comes unglued because i charged her the state sales tax!!! a week later i get a white impala in... Gee, this car looks familiar!! It was her dad. He said she was too embarrassed to come back and get the rear brakes done too !
i smiled pretty good on that one!
Had this happen with a steering box on a Dodge Durango... man was I embarrassed. Although that had more to do with not having a press to get the pitman arm off the box (I broke my puller on the darn thing!). One of many reasons I traded that thing away. Good riddance!
Pssh, I have a torch. I’m keeping my pride! It’s just a matter of how many extra parts do I have to replace. . .
I never half ass anything I do. But jobs usually end up taking me way fucking longer than the should, and I always get way deeper than I initially anticipate. Still haven't had to ask for help yet though lmao. But I've had to struggle thorough jobs blindingly frustrated many a time
I tried to pull my rear rotors with the parking brake set for 45 minutes.
Did that with my rear drums once lol
We have all been there
Been there.
@@RedfishCarolina Need a bigger dead blow hammer if the 10 lb one isn't budging the drum.
The brake hardware pins will usually give up within 20 blows.
We’ve all done it at least once
Maybe 40 years ago, working in a Ford dealer, I had a rookie working in the stall next to me. One day he asked me what to do about a grease fitting that wouldn't take grease. I walked over and explained that brake bleeders don't require grease.
They DON'T??? Oh my! Could that be why my brake pedal takes 15 minutes to return each time I have to stop with both feet...?
😂
Thank the lord the valve was closed because grease in the brake plunger would be bad. Especially if pushed all the way up to the master cylinder which is what he surely would have done if he could. He was an especially adept student having never serviced brakes before.
Same thing happened to me about 35 years ago, new guy, first day at work, hey why won’t this fitting take grease, I let the service manager know, new guy didn’t come back to work after lunch.
Lol, I did that to my Volkswagen bug when I was 15….😆😂🤣
Props to the truck owner for even trying. So many people dont even bother these days. Good job truck owner.
“If you haven’t done anything stupid then you haven’t done anything at all” that is honestly very great to hear. I thought I was the only one
It's basic math, mistakes are a small percentage of the total numbers of the things u do, so if u do nothing then the mistakes percentage multiplied by zero will equal zero lol, an old saying says best way to not make mistakes is by doing nothing ...
I’ve done smart 💩and I’ve done dumb 💩😎
Yep
I have done a lot.
So therefore one could assume I’ve done a lot of stupid things.
Your right!
13:00
"If you haven't done a stupid thing you probably haven't done anything at all" Classic!
When I used that excuse was told you must have done a lot in your life!
I had a friend who wasn't a mechanic but worked on his cars and some of his friends cars said to me " I'm getting better at fixing brakes" wtf? It's something you don't want to be bad at. It's amazing that bolt didn't break with the size of those hammer marks.
That goes along with what they used to tell me at works sometimes--if you ain't screwing up, you ain't getting anything done.
"If you haven't done a stupid thing - you probably haven't done anything at all"
Words of wisdom right there.
I've been wrenching & restoring as a hobby for over 40 years. So I gotta say it's refreshing to see a Tech on CZcams that doesn't have a damn God complex. So many Techs are predispositioned to assume the customer is an idiot. Granted many are, but treat people right...until they don't treat you right.
So true!
This one springs to mind. I was changing the "S" bend under my kitchen sink. Put a tray under it to drain into as I pulled it out. Captured all the "water" in it beautifully. Stood up and put the drain tray on the bench, got busy for a moment and then decided to tip the contents down the drain, straight into my under bench cupboard. Still shake my head at that one and it was about 20 years ago.
I have done the exact same thing, only the drain was clogged and the sink half full before I pulled the trap and drained it into the bucket. I'm glad to find out I'm not the only one to do that particular dumb thing.
I did the same thing.... more than once.
Guilty.
Yup, ✔
Yes, done that, being a plumber you do it once and learn your lesson.
He who is without sin, or who hasn't made simple mistakes, let him cast the first 10mm socket.
I can feel it though. I've been there. It's probably hot out, he's in an apartment parking lot with a set of Stanley tools from Walmart, that set didn't come with a 12mm socket so he's gotta use a pair of Hazard Frought vice grips and a hammer. He's probably dehydrated from laying on scorching hot asphalt so he's seeing little black spots everywhere now, he's gotta get to work in an hour and he's just about at the end of his rope.
His 6 year old boy Billy is standing there watch Daddy fix the truck and he doesn't want to absolutely lose his sh** so he's trying with all his might to remain calm and collected so as not to disappoint the boy and make him see his father and a raging maniac for the rest of his childhood.
His hammer is missing because his wife used it last week to hang dollar store decorations in the bathroom and never returned it, so he grabbed a brick from alongside the parking lot curb and he just starts to go to town on the old Shevvy.
Feel you bro.
Not that I have, um, much experience in this matter.
I will if I can find a 10mm socket ...
@@daveklassen7052 A 7mm will do in a pinch.
Well said!
You didn't mention that the weather app on his phone said severe thunderstorms in 35 minutes were going to hit.
We've all been through it.
Brings a story to mind…several months ago, the shop I work at hired a guy who’d just left the Honda dealership, and that’s all he’d worked on. He’s a very talented mechanic, he’s adapted to working at an independent shop very well, obviously he’s much more experienced with Honda’s and JDM stuff, but pretty well excels at anything he’s given. That being said, one of the first jobs he got was brakes on a GMC Sierra, which happened to be from Vermont I believe (so it was rusty, and would make sense that the rotors where seized on), and, being that he’d been a dealer tech and had never really messed with anything other than Honda’s, he didn’t know that there where set screws in the rotors…so he’s over there beating he hell out of these rotors, cussing up a storm, going around the shop asking for the biggest hammer, eventually one of the other techs goes over, assumes he’s already removed the set screws, and starts beating on these rotors as well…so they’re both over there hammering and swearing for about 5 minutes when the other tech finally notices the set screws are still in. I about died laughing when I realized what had happened and they both turned beet red.
Hondas have set screws in their rotors
Hahahaha what @@bensonzhang550 said, Honda is the one manufacturer that puts set screws in the rotors! Talk about falling down on the job! LOL
Yep, Honda is one of the makes which have set screws. I think what happened is he knew that and just assumed the GMC didn't use set screws in the rotors (I would have assumed the same thing, but hopefully I would have noticed).
Great to see you continue to care about those of us who try D.I.Y. and fail. Thanks for fixing our mistakes.
I removed all the lug nuts and couldn't get the wheel off, until I jacked up the car. Then it came off no problem.
Chicken dinner :)
Removed all her clothes, couldn't get the nut off. After hell of a battle finally whipped that nut waved bye to her and left.
LMAOOOO
🤣🤣🤣
😄👍🏽
So true. If you haven't made any mistakes, then you probably never did anything.
Put on a chewed-up rotor
@@georgeshadrick3916 y
T
Ah people make mistakes and get frustrated especially when they aren’t knowledgeable about it and aren’t experienced. I’ve been there myself multiple times.
When I used that excuse was told you must have done a lot in your life!
Best quote ever
nah man, love watching the brake jobs on the different vehicles even same ones.... never gets old, easy to screw up if you're not paying attention.
Yup, we've all "been there, done that."
I was 16 working on my moms newly restored and painted bright orange MGB. Cute car. Was filling up the brake fluid tank. Got done and closed the hood. Bang! I had left the brake fluid can on top of the engine and the brake fluid can made a massive dent into the hood. Oh, my heart dropping was priceless. Taught myself a lesson that day...... When closing the engine hood, Panic Will Happen before you close any hood Ever again. That was 35 years ago. The panic stayed. Every. Single. Time.
"Remember folks, if I can do something stupid, you can, too."
Yeah, that's what I thought.
funny but so true!
Always told people, it isn’t a mistake, it was a learning opportunity
@@762531971 "An inconvienance is an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton
“If you haven’t done a stupid thing, you probably haven’t done anything” Eric O
Spent the hours trying to get the lower bolt of a PCV valve on a Jeep Wrangler pentastar. Rubbed my hand and knuckles raw against the firewall mat. Only to realize I could just remove the wheel well liner. After that it took longer to put my tools away than to tighten it down. I felt dumb.
Hahaha you should have seen my face when I realized what I could get to with the fender liners removed on a JK.
Or when you miss a bolt on an oil pan or valve cover. That's always fun.
Saw a guy do a full race build on his B18A Honda engine. That last step was putting in the oil pressure sending unit at which point he cracked the block wide open with too many ugga duggas.
I had a jeep that was missing the liner and while on the lift, the tires sag a lot so I had plenty of space for the EGR tube which I needed to remove to do intake and valve cover seals. I thought I would not be able to reach it when I first had a look at it lol. Wasnt an overlook but may had me stuck for a few if I didn't look to the side.
@@InsideOfMyOwnMind oh you gotta be kidding. Probably one of those guys that uses a 3 foot breaker bar and 5 foot pipe on an oil drain plug
Good to know that you can apply vibration and loosen up the torx screws.
I just had that kind of moment with my 4wheeler. I was replacing both CV axles and didn't realize that the two axles were slightly different lengths until one side was fully reassembled and I was struggling to install the knuckle on the other side, and finally compared the two old axles I pulled out and noticed my mistake. That mistake took me three hours to sort out.
The very first thing my instructor said to us in trade school.... " A good mechanic is one who has made a lot of mistakes....ONCE !"
yeap you learn by doing it as in hands on is best teacher
Absolutely! I am a millwright and I tell all my apprentices that it's good to make mistakes but only if you LEARN from them! 👍
@@billyjustbilly7923 As a machinist for over 22 years And live to tell about it.
@@whereswaldo5740 nice! I got my machinist ticket 27 years ago! Love the trade. Just wish it paid more.
If a good mechanic makes a lot of mistakes once, I'm the best there ever was. 😏😃
You're as bad as me in thinking some videos aren't good enough. It was absolutely fine.
Big Clive I love your videos too.
Quite a compliment coming from a master class video producer..
Only the maker knows where all the flaws are. Go ahead and take the compliments and appreciation where you find them. This has been a really hard one for me to swallow but getting better at it.
hello.
And, if someone learned about the bolt that holds some rotors on, it was worth it.
Years ago I learned the hard way to look for those screws holding on the brake rotors. Not too long ago I learned about the threaded holes in some drums and rotors where you can screw in a bolt to push the bugger off, 'cause they are made to fit tight on the hub. Once I have the right size bolts, they become designated tools and are kept with my brake tools. Good on you for doing a thorough job and not berating the DIY'er too badly.
I should have read this before yesterday. My post is somewhere here.
Eric no matter what you do it’s always a good video. Remember even though you can do it others are still learning and it could be your video they learn from.
“If you haven’t done anything stupid, you haven’t done anything” 😂
Did a timing belt on a 2000 Honda CR-V, was rotating the harmonic balancer while doing a valve adjustment for my first time. Got everything back together and said a prayer before I turned the key. Turned the key and it started to turn over and BANG and it completely stopped attempting to turn over. Thought for sure I bent the valves and the engine was shot...Turned out I had left my 1/2" ratchet on the harmonic balancer and the ratchet had just slapped the CV axle. After that heart attack, I removed the ratchet and it all ran great. Thank god nobody was around at the time.
@@MrBirdnose i am fortunate enough to have a Milwaukee M18 1/2" electric impact, zips that bolt off without any hesitation. Love that thing
@@missingdll2976 Yeah, the most recent time I did one I had an impact wrench and it made the job a lot easier. The spare engine had been sitting for a while in a coastal environment and there was just no way, though, even the impact wouldn't break it loose. I split two sockets trying to get it loose by hand. I decided there was nothing for it but to drill it, and partway through that process it loosened up. Dunno why, maybe removing a chunk from the center reduced the binding forces.
I read a story of ship engine disasters. A mechanic left his socket on a gear for the valve timing. Shredded the engine. Your day could have been much, much worse.
lol..i bet your heart stopped for that split second
Doing timing without turning over the engine more times than absolutely necessary by hand? you're a braver man than me :)
I have a lot of respect for the GMC owner. Give it your best shoot, then admit defeat and take it to a pro. (Best channel ever)
Great video DON’T toss it !!! This content is the best thing ever to instill humility. Failure is sometimes the very best teacher, especially when it’s something SO simple. THANKS for posting and leaving it up.😎 I had a similar problem years ago when I missed the little 8mm bolt in the center of an early S series Saturn. What makes it even more hilarious is there is an arrow in the casting pointing to the recess where the head of the bold is buried so make certain that NOBODY WOULD MISS IT !!! 😳🤨🤪
Dude, I've made this exact mistake before. Beat on that rotor until my arm turned to jelly. My grandpa walked by, looked at it for a second, and said "you know that would be a lot easier if you took the screw out, right?" I felt like such an idiot. He had a good laugh at my expense, and I've never made that same mistake again. I miss that old man. Lol
Since today is Father's Day and I miss my late Father, I will relate a true story of his effort at garage independence. He was no stranger to oil changes having done his own on everything from inboard boat motors, to lawn mowers and many different car engines over the decades. Mechanics was not his strong suit as he was an academician and educator. He, nonetheless, would try almost anything. He bought a brand new, first year Ford Escort. Transverse engine. Something never before seen by him. At the first proper interval, drained the oil, changed the filter refilled the crankcase. He calls me at work to ask what color the engine oil should be and to ask why he can't see the fill level on the dipstick. He had drained the transmission and doubled the crankcase oil to 9 quarts. I do miss him.
Thanks for your story. My dad was more skilled than me, so my stories aren't the same. Still, he was a great dad and some of my fondest memories are about working on vehicles. I miss him.
Done the same thing on the first 4 runner I seen cause the service Manager was yelling hurry up. Jokes on him, job took twice as long
Hahaha! I picked up two used motorcycles 4 years ago.i stripped one down and went through it cleaning, replacing and adjusting things. It was my first time working on a bike. The first one came out good , it was my test bike to see if I wanted to realy get involved in the bikes. I sold the first one and used the proceeds to purchase the parts that the other bike would need. I was floating on cloud nine, so damned happy that it was easier than I had thought it would be. I wanted to check the engine first, so cleaned up the exterior of the engine to make it easier to see any leaks. I bought new crush washer, the good oil, I even flushed the engine. I did some other minor stuff, and then started refilling the oil. Within 15 seconds, my knee pads were soaked in oil; I forgot to put the oil pan bolt back in. 2litres of oil wasted. The air was blue with all the swear words I was spitting out. I had to eat crow when my wife came out to see what all the fuss was about😭
I had an older customer that had his first front wheel drive car, and he miss took the oil cap for the radiator cap, it messed things up a bit.
Oops!
The guy probably thought "If he can do it, than I can do it!" Turns out later that "Well, I can't do it, so HE can do it!"
As someone who lives in the rustbelt and does his own brakes and rotors, I really appreciate the amount of anti seize you used behind that rotor. First time I replaced mine I found the last mechanic didn't use nearly enough (or none at all) and I had to spend 30 minutes a piece whacking away at them to get them free.
I was just thinking he put about ten times as much as is smeared on every single item in my roadside tool bag. That stuff can coat unbelievably well. I wish Ford had used as much on my entire Focus as he did on those wheels.
It wasn’t a bad video at all. If nothing else, it reminds us that when something isn’t going quite right, to slow down and check the simple things. I’m a senior who tries to do brake jobs and such myself. I too have forgotten that screw and sworn a bit until I finally remembered it was there. The older I get, the more often these things seem to happen.
“The oldest kid, he’s not even YOURS!” Hahaha
Neither is the youngest kid!!! Just sayin'!!
It's interesting that he cracks that joke on Father's Day 2021... 😁
Funniest “F”ing thing I’ve heard in a long time!!
all because the rotors wouldn't come off LOL...
@@rayworx "Don't worry, you can still celebrate Father's Day. One of the five kids is yours... just can't remember which."
Let me count how many times I soldered a wire but forgot to put the shrink wrap on before i soldered the wires together. I have done it on the same wire at least once (ie soldering a wire 3 times instead of once). Thankfully i don't fix things for a living and have never had to explain a simple stupid error to a customer (my wife on the other hand).
Yup. I've done that. I flared a brake line without putting the fitting on too. Start over....YES! The second flare never goes as smooth either.
Have you tried to fix your mistake by splitting a shrink wrap the long way to fit it over your work to only find out it doesn’t shrink like you thought it would 🥲
LMAO I just did that 2 days ago putting lights on my tractor.
Been there, done that!
I've forgotten that when I just used used the last terminal/butt connector, remembered right after I crimped it.
Certainly a learning moment for some viewers and also for the owner who could not get the rotors off. He must be young. I do give him credit for trying, but he needs to watch your videos for tips. Yes, I too have done dumb things when learning, but I did learn and have taught others. Glad you didn't trash this video!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
I did rotors on my Honda Pilot. My daughter's boyfriend is an Auto Mechanic and warned me about the #3 JIS screws holding the rotors on. I work on Japanese hvac units (I'm a Commercial HVAC tech) so I had the Impact bit and an Impact wrench powerful enough...man those were tight. For a minute there I thought I was stuck. Always enjoy your videos Eric! Thanks!
You could have been laughing at this customer, calling him a Silly Billy, but you were nice and classy and said we've all done stupid stuff. You were nice and understanding and you did a very thorough and tidy job fixing up those brakes for him.
You're a class act and a nice guy. Love your videos.
its called being humbled by something as equally stupid
Absolutely. My thoughts exactly.
Eric,you may need to modify your"If I can do it you can do it."
We have all indeed done stupid stuff, just hiked a trail I did about ten years ago today in search of trout. Long story short, the water was low, the fish were small, and my assuming that the trail being labeled "loop" meant it goes back to the trail head. Nope! Checked GPS after about an hour of walking to discover that I was in fact headed to the state park 8 miles away, and would need to retrace every one of my steps. A bit of due diligence would have sent me disc golfing instead!
This is what I'd want in my mechanic
“If you haven’t done anything stupid, you haven’t done anything”
Changing the front wheel bearings and fighting for a long time to get the new rotor on the hub. Swearing about wrong parts, etc and discovered that the seal from the old bearing was still stuck to the hub. Luckily, my youngest son had left a few minutes before I discovered this, so I only had myself laughing/crying at my stupidity.
I remember when I was 16 and the farmer next to our farm needed help changing his newly bought used 4 bottom plow with new points. He could not get the bolts broke loose. I broke them in half being almost rusted into already into. When he brought out the new plow points and bolts the threads did not look right and the nuts would not thread on in the right direction. First time I ever saw left handed threads on a bolt. That was the reason we could not get the old bolts to unthread. Always remembered that learning lesson. I made a good living working on equipment and was able to retire at 58 because all I learned growing up on a farm. I also learned that trying to make a living on 120 acres was not going to make it for a good life with beans going for $6 a bushel.
This was the funniest South Main Auto ever! I cannot remember any stupid thing I've ever done because I mentally block all my mistakes, so they don't torture me.
"Successfully" removed an alternator from a '96 cavalier... for a few hours. After FINALLY getting the new one on, a guy comes along and explained the to me how I could've saved time had I simply taken the TENSION off.
I can see how that would've helped. 😂
Guilty of that one. Lol
Damn and you got it back on like that..?? Hats off to you sir 👏🏽
@@MrMexicutioner18 - Thanks. I can appreciate that now.
I remember changing alternators on my '94 Cavvie. Everything is back together except the serpentine belt. Buddy insisted he wanted to install the serpentine belt. OK, FINE, Mr. Hotshot, go for it.
3 cigarettes later, I'm standing 20 feet away from him, trying not to laugh hysterically (and failing) as he was cursing enough to make a sailor blush. He was loud enough that his neighbor, who had very little idea on how to work on cars, came over to see what was up. So Mikey and I stood there watching our friend try in vain to install one silly serpentine belt on a 2.2L. 4th cigarette down, I ask, "Do you want me to do it?"
"NO! I GOT IT!"
So I lean over to Mikey, the neighbor, who had just bought a '92 Cavalier 2.2L of his own, and said, "remember when you bought your Cavvie two weeks ago, I popped the hood on it, looked at your engine for 3 seconds, and told you the serpentine belt was installed wrong?"
"Yeah."
"Do you remember which way I showed you it went on?"
"Yup. Right after you showed me, I went home and practiced a few times. There's a picture on the metal cross piece (upper radiator support) isn't there? Mine has it, does yours?"
"Yup."
"And he can't follow the picture?"
"Nope."
"Dave, it goes around the crankshaft. Left side of the belt goes around the power steering pump. Right side of the belt comes up, goes backwards around the water pump, over the tensioner, and then you put the breaker bar on the tensioner and slip the belt over the alternator pulley."
"I KNOW WHAT TO DO! I WISH YOU GUYS WOULD JUST SHUT UP AND LET ME DO IT!"
I beamed with pride, because I taught this kid that just bought his first car how to properly install his serpentine belt, and not only did he practice at home later that day so he would know how to do it himself, but he had actually memorized the belt routing. Yet this other guy, who has almost as much experience working on cars as I did at the time, was completely clueless, even with the OEM diagram. I actually pushed him out of my way, yanked the breaker bar out of his hand, and said, "I got stuff to do today, I can't wait for you." 45 seconds later, belt installed, and Mr. Hotshot standing there dumbfounded.
Haven't had the car since 2011, and I still have that belt route memorized. lol
I've bought several cans of brake clean and not a one made that sound.
I buy cases of brake clean and none of em make that sound
There's your problem fella. They didn't come from Napa. Lol
That's how you can identify a counterfeit.
@@tomploeg2260 Not a sponsor. :-P
I’m still trying, but they never do it for me.
Never throw any videos in the trash we enjoy all the jobs no matter how small or insignificant!! Keep them coming!! And I think we have all done something like this before… I know I have… when I was just a young gun I did a brake job and when I got done one of the sides was making an awful racket so I pulled the tire off and to my surprise I forgot to tighten the caliper bracket bolts and it was just this side of fallen off! Lesson learned…torque everything twice because twice is nice!!
Made me cry lmao
"The oldest kid is not yours"........ pure reality.
Yeah . . . lol . . . that WAS funny.
Well that's better than it being the youngest lol
@@dodgeplow Or all seven of them.
Happy Father’s Day Eric!
At least we got a shot of brake kleen out of the deal!
I was watching another viddeo where they pulled out a black (CarQuest?) can of brake clean I was disappointed in the lack of a sound effect.
@@cgmoog He forgot to put it on the charger the night before
Good video to remind us all, try your repairs, you will learn something about the subject and something about yourself to improve upon.
The dumbest thing I do is not to plan well enough for the project at hand. Research the project, having proper parts and tools come to mind and having the right attitude to hold down the temper.
Eric, thanks for the lessons you teach.
Found your channel about a month ago and been binge watching 😁. I'm in Missouri...we use salt but we don't get near the snow you do. Man...the rust/corrosion that is on a lot of the cars in your videos is crazy.
My bone head maneuver? The passenger window in my Honda Element would not move. I’ve had window regulators go bad in other cars so I just assumed it was bad. I tore the whole passenger door apart and installed a new Honda regulator. It still did not work. It finally dawned on me that someone had pushed the child proof lock button on the driver’s door. I bet you saw this one coming.
Salvation came, several years later, when the passenger regulator did go bad in the other Element. The “broken” part was put back to work. Oh well.
Same thing here
i try to test first more these days , than just going with my gut. voltmeter could have saved u some time probably.
I learned something, using an air hammer around the screw to loosen it.
It’s a very good trick, especially if you’re in the Rust Belt.
Hammer and punch works similarly.
Old millwright trick to take a ballpeen hammer and rap around rusty bolt to vibrate and break loose rusted corroded parts for easier removal ...
Shake n brake works great too
Honestly for a DIY car guy, working on your own stuff - especially anything even kinda sorta old.
An air hammer is invaluable, as well as a small propane torch.
The number of seized bolts/parts i was able to remove and save because of the tools is unreal.
...
Unfortunately the number of bolts and parts I destroyed and stripped and caused myself countless more hours of work before I got an air hammer and torch is much higher 😅
Nice I love how you give just the right amount of criticism towards the owner of the truck. Just enough that he will probably laugh if he sees the video and not be pissed at you. Lots of respect for you keep it up!
I love your videos, I like the last few words LOL. You are definitely for real that some funny things happen, I remember being really POd and then saw my mistake and had to laugh at myself. Thanks again for the entertainment at the same time teaching us something.
"the oldest isn't even yours, all because of a brake job" LOOL
Boy, that escalated quickly… I was LMAO
Or, worse... "actually that one IS yours.."
😂 man that went from 0 to 💯 quick fast and in a hurry 😂😂
Wow, that hypothetical discussion escalated really quickly.
Just like real life!
@@flagmichael if it happens to you; it's strong evidence that you've made some pretty terrible decisions
In my day, that rotor screw was Phillips head. Not always easy to get out. I put antiseize on those threads, justlike I do between rotor/hub.
(I moved out of the rust belt decades ago but my mechanic-time brain can't forget.)
Also, a DIY'er with a bit in a ratchet can have a hard time compared to somebody using impact tools, when it comes to rusty things. Cordless impacts are changing that game for the shadetree.
Got my first air compressor about ten years ago and impact guns and an air hammer really were game changers!
And that's why I always go look at a couple of CZcams videos of how to do what I want to do even though I've done it before and think I know how to do it. Thanks Eric, don't throw this video in the bin, there is always somebody out there that needs your expertise.
One of my never to forget as long as I live frustration lessons was trying to change the diff oil in my car right before a planned trip. Undid the drain plug and drained out all the oil. Put the drain plug back in and tried to undo the fill plug but she was seized in there tight. I spent few hours of beating my head against a wall trying to get the fill plug out including using a puny little butane torch in desperation that couldn't even warm the area. I was advised to take to it with a cold chisel and mallet to force it to turn, which eventually got that sucker out after peeling half the face off it. Lesson learnt from that day 25 years ago, never remove a drain plug first! That way if the fill plug is stuck at least the oil is still in there and the vehicle still be driven.
That's really good advice right there.
@@DaddyBeanDaddyBean Yup. I haven't had this happen but I heard that advice long ago and never forgot it. Someday it'll come in handy.
Ill never forget this. It seems simple to remember, just haven't thought about it that way before.
Somewhere down the road you'll probably save lots of people unnecessary grief with that story.
Good on you.
Since only ‘spannering’ on my cars in the later years of my life this is one of the most important pearls of wisdom I have learned...luckily never had ‘that one’ that doesn’t undo...but I have always checked the full plug first.. not sure who it was that mentioned it first.. maybe on this channel...
The most valuable lesson here was massaging around the screw on the rotor to get it to move, good one.
I learned something new there, Its nice to know. I thought he would of had to get the blow torch out and heat it up.
WD or PB and a hammer will work to if you don't have air. At least it has for me more than once. They can start coming out and tighten up. Stop. Soak it again and work it back n forth. They can strip.
Or just drill them out of they're being stubborn. They are really just there for safety on the assembly line.
@@dustintunis9347 Yep, also they are handy for doing brake jobs, as they hold it all together nice and just perfect, but if they strip ect, they're getting tossed. Wood drill bits work appearantly in a pinch i've found out.
@@baileyhatfield4273 Yeah they're like butter to drill out. Luckily.
I did the front brakes on my mule van (2005 Chevy Venture). I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.. I went to Princess Auto to buy a cheap C clamp to compress the brake cylindre, but otherwise it was all simple tools on hand and I think cost me less than $100 total for rotors and pads for both front wheels. I think there was a video on exactly my vehicle that showed the process. I want to be able to do as much work as possible myself, on that van. The less I have to spend to keep it running, the better. It's 25% rust anyway. lol
I really enjoyed this video, I do enjoy a video sometimes that is short and sweet. Nice job cleaning and fixing everything up for the guy. I really appreciate how you always give the extra effort and do everything thoroughly. Well done as usual 👍🛠️
When you tap the seal into the hub and then find the bearing you just packed.😁
HA!
I've been a mechanic for 48 years. I only quit leaving rotors out when I put distributor caps on when coil on plug came around.
I put the friction plate the wrong way round in a clutch job. Threw the gearbox in, subframe, battery, driveshaft, start up......no clutch! 😠🤦 Take gearbox out for the second time..... 😁
Good one ya I've done that one
Or when i put a wheel bearing in a Honda odyssey with the magnetic side in...
When doing my first drum brake repair, I pulled one of the rear drums off, then asked my mate to step on the brake pedal so that I could see how the brakes operate. Ask me how I know that brake fluid stings when you get it in your eyes. Nearly 50 years later I reckon that I could still describe the taste of brake fluid - yuck!
brake fluid is THE WORST just because it is so corrosive
@@patonbike Feels impossible to clean off too. I'll still go with gear oil as the worst though because of the stink.
Yup - remember doing my first drum brake job and was trying SO HARD to not let that piston open up or drain... I DID NOT want to get air in the system... then when trying to install the new shoes and springs, I pushed the piston right out... NOW we have to bleed the system! Arrrrgh.
@@rangerrick8220 Been there!!!!!!!!!!
Not tried brake fluid.. how does it compare to coolant? Had the misery of tasting that a couple of times..
Man you make things look so easy with your knowledge, that kid could have watched any Utube vid on changing brakes they are not hard to a practical person.......love your channel. 👍🇺🇸
I can do anything, I just watched it on CZcams! I love this, people underestimate skilled labor and think it’s all about the general knowledge of what needs to be done. 50% of mechanical work is knowing all the shit that you can’t learn for watching it done, you have to actually do it yourself. Props for trying kid.
Many years ago I pulled a 4 speed transmission and changed the clutch on my Demon. Did it with hand tools only on a wooden rack in the back yard. Was all finished and putting the tools away when I found the pilot bushing on the ground! That transmission came out and went back in MUCH quicker the second time!
Always goes faster the second time!
Well that's just good planning; you saved yourself some time there by pre-loosening all your fasteners on the dry-run. Clutch change would have taken longer to complete if you hadn't taken it all apart beforehand 😜
I just ran without a pilot bearing when I made that same mistake. Ruined a freshly built transmission in less then 10k kms
Oops
thats a good one
Glad you didn’t throw the video away, thanks for posting it.
You did the right thing putting it together with the hardware. Tell him that the liability would fall on you as the business if something were to happen down the road because you didn't put it together properly. Good job buddy. 👍
Oh boy, have I done this before. Buddy of mine and I beat all the rust of his rotor with a rubber mallet until we gave up. Threw the wheels back on, and as soon as it touched the ground off the jackstands by buddy said "hey, uh, do you think it mattered that I had the parking brake on?"
Lmao great stuff as usual, keep up the good work Eric
Don't understznd !!!
Making the stupid mistakes is how you learn!! Man have I learned over the years!!
"that's what frustration looks like, folks...." (I love it, Eric)
Next thing you find out your not the father. All because you couldn’t get the rotors off lol
I thought that as soon as this started, and was a bit surprised that it ended up being the case. I feel for this guy though, I have done things I believe far sillier that someone else needed to correct. When you have the blinders on you miss the obvious all too often.
Those screws always had a tendency to seize during my time as a mechanic. Thank God for my impact driver with multiple bits.. Saved my bacon many times
Good call on putting the hardware in for him. I wouldn’t have been able to leave the hardware out myself either. Always do the right thing even if the customer doesn’t want it in a circumstance like that.
The guy would have brought the truck back in a week complaining, It sounds like an ice cream truck going down the road.
When I was a kid working at a tire shop, I twisted 3 "lug nuts" off before I realized Ford had created wheel covers that had fake lug nuts on them!
Yep and they also have left-handed lugnuts too lol
Let me guess, those 5 star hubcaps on the Aerostar minivan....
@@kiwiingenuity1677 the old Chrysler products were notorious for left hand lugs on the left side, I think it was, anyway on one side,
every young guy changing tires in the service station found out the hard way. Lol 😂
Yes, old mopars had opposite threading lugs on the driver's side
@@donjohnson9688 yes, i have an old dodge van solid front axle under a car dolly, it took me 2 lug studs to figure it out, lol, it now has all right hand threads, lol
Keep making videos's. I just learned something from this. I don't have an air chisel/hammer. When I have issues with stuck parts like rotars. I will be adding to my tool box. I'm a "Shade Tree Mechanic" that does work on vehicles from time to time. I do like that you gave the customer slack for doing it himself. Per your dialogue, you said young man. Maybe let him know a few tricks on what he could do next time.
Thank you.
David
I think it's a great video. Very informative. I helped a buddy once who couldn't get a wheel bearing off because he had left several bolts in and the rental puller simply wouldn't push the bearing off the axle splines with those bolts still in
Would pay good money to see the guy's face when you told him.
I'd like him to not tell the guy and then have the guy watch this video a d record his reaction... Lmao
Well that makes me feel not so bad cuz I've done some pretty silly things myself in the past I hope that guy doesn't feel too bad sometimes it's just easy to miss something simple. Maybe if you're tired or not thinking well that day or distracted I can turn into a really bad day
@@bustanut3888 even better
Had an old Ford where the wheel came off while driving and the drum was ruined. Went to the salvage yard and got a used on for $20 than had it turned for another $10. Thought I was doing well but I cracked it putting it on. Felt really bad. Went to the auto place to fork out for a new drum. Felt really stupid when he put the new drum on the counter and said that would be $12.50!
😂
As a teenager I change the back tire of the truck and drove about a mile down the road when when the tire come off at passed my truck with my girlfriend sitting next to me. It kind of bounced in slow motion for quite a ways. Forgot to tighten the Lugnuts but fortunately I still had 2 good holes so I took Lugnuts off the other tires and bolted up just enough to get to the tire shop.
Years ago I had a 1981 half ton ford pickup.I worked in a truck repair shop. The pickup little drum's Manny 8 inch round. Thay were $65 the large heavy truck drum's were $55. Also I had A 1979 thunderbird which had three larger brakes
Yup, I remember trekking around town to find parts for my van, scrap yard, auto parts, etc, I start with the internet now.
He's lucky he brought it in and you fixed all of the defects in his install. I can imagine those calipers falling off driving down the road.
Loved the video. Glad you did not toss it out. Got some reinforcement that I am, so far, doing my brakes correctly when I change them. I changed a strut once only to still have the rattle then discovered the REAL rattle...the lower control arm bushing. Man was that an expensive mistake, it is also when I discovered your Channel. With your help I figured out other stuff to check that can rattle when worn out. So to that I say thank you. I am a very loyal fan!
When I was 16, I rebuilt my first engine. Self taught, lol.
When I put the brand new rings on the pistons, I inspected the cylinders. They were smooth as glass, so I thought, “wow, they’re perfect!” I didn’t know about honing/crosshatching, hahaha. To this day, almost 35 yrs later, I’ve never owned another car that burned that much oil.
that's funny !
When I took shop class in the ninth grade we were going through the automotive phase of the class and rebuilding an engine. The joke throughout the classmates was rebuilding the engine all nice and purdie, cleaning the area up, and see a piston/connecting rod sitting on the work bench.
@@OcRefrigeration sho nuff!
@@donaldhollums3278 Extra parts! No need to worry, just put in the glove box in case you need another down the road...1/4 mile down the road.
Teaching son how to change a tire. Stomping on the bar to get the seized lug nut to crack loose. Could not crack it loose. 5 minutes later realized I was righty tightying and not lefty loosening. Stripped the stud threads. Happy Fathers Day to all other DIY dads!
Great video south main man keep them coming. And yes we all do dumb things over the years learning a little bit at a time saves you big bucks.
This is a wonderful video, thank you for posting it. I too have made plenty of mistakes. Ooodles and oodles of them. I understand how it was for your customer and I feel for him. Luckily, he won in the end: he brought the truck to you for a proper repair.
By doing this repair for the guy you actually have a customer for life.
Yup, he didn't trust shops, now he probably does.
yup, he might be alive now because you fixed his brakes. customer for life.
I am a long time subscriber, and I enjoy your work and comments along the way. I appreciate how you didn't embarrass the young man who attempted this job, and you showed maturity in recognizing that we have all made mistakes and needed a "helping hand" in showing us the way. I cannot express enough that I sure liked your attitude, and you made it about "us" and not about "him." Good job.
Oh man I have been in those shoes. We've all been frustrated and dragged through the mud and no one likes to be hit when their down. Live, learn and move on I say :)
I know this is an old video, but I hope you explained it to him. I know mechanics make their money from doing the work, but we need to keep encouraging the diy attitude for as long as we can.
Loved this video, sometimes the smallest things can be a life changer. I had to replay the part about frustration and where it led to a couple of times. You just never know where it's going to go to.
"Cylinder order is not firing order" My brain in the middle of the night after changing distributor and leads and it not go.
Did something similar. Buddy of mine burned a cat by inverting 2 coils on a ford escape.
@@okkrom I and another person put in a clutch plate backwards once, after we started it up and car wouldn't move - we were asked 'did you put the clutch plate in correctly' we looked at each other, dismantled it all and sure enough it had front this way on the damn thing - and we never noticed.
@@wonniewarrior At least you had one where you could look at it and tell which way it goes. It can be tough.
@@InsideOfMyOwnMind I am trying to decide if it a backhanded compliment or a subtle dig. Is there instructions for me to figuire it out ?
@@wonniewarrior Just that some clutch disks can be kind of ambiguous if you're not super observant taking it apart and hopefully the old one is not blown up beyond recognition. So empathy more than anything else.
Sometimes having the right tools combined with experience makes a world of difference.
We’ve all done plenty of stupid things, my personal favorite is when a friend asked for help pulling his engine for rebuild. He unbolted it, disconnected everything and we lifted it off it’s mounts but it wouldn’t budge more than 6”. We looked and looked and couldn’t find what we missed. So our solution was to just give it a big jerk(with a skid steer) and figure out what was catching the hard way…….. I never would have guessed a throttle cable had as much strength as it did and the engine was inches from taking out the windshield of the skid steer.
"And the first kid ain't even yours!.. all because of a brake rotor"
Truest thing I've heard all year
that air hammer trick is solid man, how did i never try that lol
Was that a needle scaler? I need what that was.
@@michaelvangundy226 nah, just an impact hammer. But even a regular hammer will do in a pinch - you're just trying to vibrate and shake it up so the rust will release the threads. A needle scaler doesn't really have the force of impact to be all that effective. But if you don't have an air supply handy, a simple impact driver and hammer is also a good go-to tool combo. :-)
Laughing my ass off at the random hammer dings in the rotor. You can tell he got to the stage of just whacking it in anger 😂🤣
Noticed the other side didn't have any hammer marks and that was the hard side. Air hammers on the other hand are worth their weight in gold.
Being a grown up means you stop before you get to that point. I have zero tolerance working with people who can't control themselves.
@@maplebones you gotta use a hammer to get them off sometimes
Glad that you put everything back the right way, we know it's the right thing to do.
Many years ago I worked as an auto mechanic (known today as an automotive technician... ha). The vast majority of the brake jobs I did back then were drum brakes. I really learned to appreciate the simplicity of disc brakes as time and vehicles progressed. After several years of that, I changed careers for better benefits, etc. But I've still been wrenching on all of my own vehicles for a few decades now.
Several years ago, I replaced the brake pad and rotors on my Chevy truck. It was the first time I ever saw disc brakes with the torx screw. But of course, I DID notice it! Add a little WD40 (or the penetrating oil du jour), wait a few minutes and then break it loose. No big problem. I was tempted to leave the screw out, because let's face it; it has no real purpose. Once the wheels are on the truck, that rotor isn't going anywhere of its own volition! LOL
LOL , I love all of the hammer marks on the rotor !
He was channeling the pent-up rage and frustration of a thousand home mechanics!
I’m sure those sloppy new pads did too 😂
Those aren't hammer marks, they are the new high performance brake cooling channels!!!
I would have expected those on the back side of the rotor 😀
He was ring testing it for cracks.
seeing a mechanic doing the brake job the way I do it, makes me confident in my amateur work. many thanks for the confidence.
Excellent stuff man, glad you kept the video. We've all been there, it's a good reminder.
Erik your videos are always helpful. Don’t trash any videos… they all have VALUE !!!👊🏼👍🏼😎🇺🇸