PSA, always check the work done by mechanics

rossgoldie

rossgoldie

New member
So today I began to change my steering rack bushings with new Energy ones before getting an alignment. Note that my rack was swapped out for a new one by a mechanic about 4 years ago.

As I am undoing bolts, I see that the lower driver side bolt on the rack HAS NO WASHER. The sleazeball mecahnic forgot to put the washer back on for the nut and thats why that bushing is shot to hell. Also, the lower bolt for the "D" bushing was over torqued by probably 100 lbs. My socket snapped in half when I tried to take it off. Now I have to go pay another mechanic (at least I know and trust this guy) to take them off for me because my tools are just not up for the job anymore.

Oh and one more thing, one of my diff mounts is also missing a washer, I don't know how he lost that one but hey, that's more money I have to spend because the bushing is completely trashed now and the online parts stores only seem to sell the whole assembly for ~$90

TLDR; Make sure your mechanic isn't an idiot and knows how to swap a steering rack.

/rant
 
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rossgoldie said:
So today I began to change my steering rack bushings with new Energy ones before getting an alignment. Note that my rack was swapped out for a new one by a mechanic about 4 years ago.

As I am undoing bolts, I see that the lower driver side bolt on the rack HAS NO WASHER. The sleazeball mecahnic forgot to put the washer back on for the nut and thats why that bushing is shot to hell. Also, the lower bolt for the "D" bushing was over torqued by probably 100 lbs. My socket snapped in half when I tried to take it off. Now I have to go pay another mechanic (at least I know and trust this guy) to take them off for me because my tools are just not up for the job anymore.

Oh and one more thing, one of my diff mounts is also missing a washer, I don't know how he lost that one but hey, that's more money I have to spend because the bushing is completely trashed now and the online parts stores only seem to sell the whole assembly for ~$90

TLDR; Make sure your mechanic isn't an idiot and knows how to swap a steering rack.

/rant
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If you want something done right. Do it yourself. I live by this on everything.
 
It is good advice. It makes me feel sad for people who have no automotive knowledge. They are bound to get screwed over by a mechanic at least a couple times.
 
JayRolla said:
Ive never used a lift in my life and I have done everything to a car possible you can do other than fully building a motor or trans. Lifts are not needed, but a luxury.
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A pretty darn fine luxury though!

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk
 
Believe me, if you have the courage and will, you can do it.

I sold a pair of AC vents on ebay and the buyer later emailed with a few questions. He wanted to know how to do the lower ball joints. I then advised him on how to do it and offered all the support over the phone. Guess what... he got the lower ball joints done. He admitted, before this, he knew nothing about 4runners! Then he got the rear brake shoes replaced.... so yes, DO IT YOUR SELF AND SAVE A LOT in $$$$ AND HEADACHE.
 
nissanh said:
Believe me, if you have the courage and will, you can do it.

I sold a pair of AC vents on ebay and the buyer later emailed with a few questions. He wanted to know how to do the lower ball joints. I then advised him on how to do it and offered all the support over the phone. Guess what... he got the lower ball joints done. He admitted, before this, he knew nothing about 4runners! Then he got the rear brake shoes replaced.... so yes, DO IT YOUR SELF AND SAVE A LOT in $$$$ AND HEADACHE.
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It's just the fact that I cracked my socket head in half so I can't get a bolt off, I normally do all my own work save for big stuff like transmission rebuilds (which went to a qualified performance shop).

Time to start saving for a quality socket set instead of the Husky one iv'e been using for a couple of years
 
I work with a couple dozen mechanics on the daily. Some are amazing, some are lack-luster. You never know who the service writer is going to push the car to.

I agree with JayRolla.
 
nissanh said:
Believe me, if you have the courage and will, you can do it.
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I agree with this. I have little to no mechanical skill, but I'm very proud of the fact that I've done all the work on my current 4runner. its horribly intimidating when you attempt to put a lift on, or a trans cooler and gauge, a radiator..... but the feeling you get when you accomplish it is great. and with this forum and youtube, hell it's almost easy. plus, it gives an excuse to buy tools
 
ralatkins said:
I agree with this. I have little to no mechanical skill, but I'm very proud of the fact that I've done all the work on my current 4runner. its horribly intimidating when you attempt to put a lift on, or a trans cooler and gauge, a radiator..... but the feeling you get when you accomplish it is great. and with this forum and youtube, hell it's almost easy. plus, it gives an excuse to buy tools
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Hehe, indeed.

Here's another horror story. My mom has a 2004 4Runner, V6. It's been rock solid for 300k miles. She took it in for a full service, all fluids, had to replace something on the front axle, boot I believe, and serpentine belt. Next day, driving down the road the belt shreds itself thanks to it not being installed properly, a piece of it wraps around the fan (I think, maybe one of the pulleys) and flaps all over the place. It knocks a coolant line off and the engine overheats.

They fixed it again, no charge, the next day it starts running really rough and CEL comes on. Take it back, blown head gasket.

The shop at least did admit it was their fault and is taking care of it, but still. This crap is why I'm taking a week off sometime this summer to do a bunch of stuff to my '02. I'm no master mechanic, but damn, I can put a belt on without screwing it up.
 
I've been wrenching on vehicles since I bought my 68 Bronco at 16 years of age and that was almost 35 years ago. I've done some more involved jobs like pulling a transmission and transfer case on my Bronco but for the most part I've stuck to simple preventative maintenance items like fluid changes and tune-ups. It wasn't until recently that I've upped my game and started tackling more involved jobs like the Valve Cover Gasket replacement on our rigs, which isn't hard, just time consuming.

I'm definitely going to do all my own repairs for now on especially since there's so much information available on forums like this and YouTube.

I never would have thought I would start a YouTube channel for 3rd Gen 4runner repair videos but it's been fun and cool to know I'm helping others work on their rigs. I'm in agreement with others that doing your own automotive work is the way to go. It can be frustrating at times which may be the cause of swearing outbursts and you'll probably end up spending some of your hard earned money on tools, but the sense of accomplishment of doing your own repairs is awesome, not to mention the money you'll be saving. There are good mechanics out there but the person who's going to do the best job working on your rig is YOU.
 
As a full time automotive technician I hate to see posts like this. I have seen and fixed some messed up repairs jobs. Sadly there are a lot of mechanics out there, im not a mechanic notice i lable myself a technican, that do repairs half assed or just dont know what they are doing. There is a difference mechanics can slap on parts and turn a wrench, a technician has the knowledge and training to do a repair correctly. I take pride in what i do and never let a car i am repairing leave my shop unless its is 100% to what the owner of the vehicle is paying for. Sometimes that means it takes me more ti e or i need to redo something but its worth it to me. I want happy repeat customers and if a job is not done correctly that person is nit likely to come to me for futher service. All i can say is if you have a good shop or tech you trust that is golden so dont go to the cheapest shop or this shop for oil changes and that shop for brakes and this shop for major repairs, keep it all under one trusted roof. On one last note we are all human not programed robots and we do make mistakes, i have messed up belt installs before but have caught it most times, its all about taking your time but being quick and double checking all your work. Peace out.
 
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rossgoldie said:
It's just the fact that I cracked my socket head in half so I can't get a bolt off, I normally do all my own work save for big stuff like transmission rebuilds (which went to a qualified performance shop).

Time to start saving for a quality socket set instead of the Husky one iv'e been using for a couple of years
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Husky makes some pretty decent tools imo. I have a lot of Husky tools in my tool box and they have served me well for many years. I have alot of Craftsman also and even some Pitsburg from Harbor Frieght. Plus they all have a lifetime warranty. Get yourself a good set of impact sockets both sallow and deep from 10mm up to 30mm and a 33mm for doing front cv axles. I like Matco and Snapon myslef for quality but they price is stupid high. Impact sockets will not crack like chrome ones do. Take that Husky socket to Ho edopt and have it replaced free of charge.
 
Considering that the mechanic/tech is possibly working on flat rate, time is money.The luxury of being able to double check one's work doesn't always exist.

Home Depot is good about replacing their sockets, though if one buys a Rigid drill, etc. make sure to KEEP THE RECEIPT for warranty purposes...
 
AZ4Running said:
Husky makes some pretty decent tools imo. I have a lot of Husky tools in my tool box and they have served me well for many years. I have alot of Craftsman also and even some Pitsburg from Harbor Frieght. Plus they all have a lifetime warranty. Get yourself a good set of impact sockets both sallow and deep from 10mm up to 30mm and a 33mm for doing front cv axles. I like Matco and Snapon myslef for quality but they price is stupid high. Impact sockets will not crack like chrome ones do. Take that Husky socket to Ho edopt and have it replaced free of charge.
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They replace free of charge! Thats awesome. I've had that set for a lotta years though, is the refund lifetime? I do not have an proof of purchase.
 
AZ4Running said:
Husky makes some pretty decent tools imo. I have a lot of Husky tools in my tool box and they have served me well for many years. I have alot of Craftsman also and even some Pitsburg from Harbor Frieght. Plus they all have a lifetime warranty. Get yourself a good set of impact sockets both sallow and deep from 10mm up to 30mm and a 33mm for doing front cv axles. I like Matco and Snapon myslef for quality but they price is stupid high. Impact sockets will not crack like chrome ones do. Take that Husky socket to Ho edopt and have it replaced free of charge.
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I won't buy any more Husky tools. The only one I bought was a 1/2 to 3/8 impact adapter, it broke the very first time I used it. I have been using a craftsman 1/2 to 3/8 adapter that's not impact rated, never failed me.

I like looking at the classifieds for used tools since most have a lifetime warranty. Just bought a nearly new Mac 1/2 drive breaker bar with swivel head long handled for $80.
 
rossgoldie said:
They replace free of charge! Thats awesome. I've had that set for a lotta years though, is the refund lifetime? I do not have an proof of purchase.
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Never had a problem returning sockets, ratchets or wrenches. It shows you just how little it costs HD to get them from the factory to the store.

But as said before, if buying a Rigid power tool, don't lose the receipt.
 
LittleCaesar said:
Considering that the mechanic/tech is possibly working on flat rate, time is money.The luxury of being able to double check one's work doesn't always exist.

Home Depot is good about replacing their sockets, though if one buys a Rigid drill, etc. make sure to KEEP THE RECEIPT for warranty purposes...
Click to expand...

As a union luxury auto tech, yes we work on flat rate. Never once have I botched a job only to save time. If I quote 2hrs to replace something, and it takes me 3hrs to get it done right, it's taking me 3hrs and I lose. I know people pay a lot of money for me to work on their cars, and with that should come a high level of skill and attention to detail.
 
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