Repairs – How hard? Scale of 1-10

[H.M.]

Hey what do you think about this?

Common repairs for owner/shadetree mechanic – how hard are they on a scale of 1-10?

I’m considering all aspects of the repair: length of time, weird positions you have to squirm into, likelihood of rusted bolts that stop the entire job(suspension work), potential for destruction of car if you mess something up…

As a starting point, what about this:

1 Oil change. Rotate tires. Spark plug replacement.
2 Set ignition timing. Flush & refill radiator.
3 Brake pad replacement.
4 Stereo replacement. Valve job. Radiator replacement.
5 Strut replacement. Axle replacement. A6 runners on A4 engine. Cat back replacement.
6 Suspension bushing replacement. Engine seal replacement.
7 Rear drum to disc conversion. Large disc brake conversion. Camshaft replacement.
8 5 lug conversion.
9 Timing belt replacement
10 Engine swap. Tranmission swap.

Where do other jobs fit? I've never done a heater core - heard it's hard.

[deevergote]

It really depends on your level of competence and experience, what tools and workspace you have available, and how easily you give up. What's "hard" for some people may be absolute cake for others.

[buzz11]

It really depends on your level of competence and experience, what tools and workspace you have available, and how easily you give up. What's "hard" for some people may be absolute cake for others.

very true. every job takes less time and is easier to do if we all had a garage, our own lifts, air tools, and a buddy to help out.

[alan lx]

It really depends on your level of competence and experience, what tools and workspace you have available, and how easily you give up. What's "hard" for some people may be absolute cake for others.

True this. Example: a family member has a car lift. I used it to replace some control arm bushings. I was not looking forward to doing (mostly because it was first time I had did it esp. On these cars). Having the lift, made it like a walk in the park. I had one side done in about 15 minutes.

[crazymikey]

1 Oil change. Rotate tires. Spark plug replacement.
2 Set ignition timing. Flush & refill radiator.
3 Brake pad replacement.
4 Stereo replacement. Valve job. Radiator replacement.
5 Strut replacement. Axle replacement. A6 runners on A4 engine. Cat back replacement.
6 Suspension bushing replacement. Engine seal replacement.
7 Rear drum to disc conversion. Large disc brake conversion. Camshaft replacement.
8 5 lug conversion.
9 Timing belt replacement
10 Engine swap. Tranmission swap.

Where do other jobs fit? I've never done a heater core - heard it's hard.

1) Rate that a 1. Easy. Basic tools, jack and enough competence required to be able to breathe.

2) I haven't had to do timing, but a rad flush is just about as easy as an oil change. Rate that one a 1.5

3) If your bolts come off easily for your brake calipers, the job is super easy. I rate it a 1. I've yet to deal with drums on a CB, but I hate drum brakes anyways. If you're doing front and rear discs, it's as simple as removing the caliper, popping out the new pads, putting the new ones in, lube up your sliders and put it back together. Rotors on the other hand....that's a whole new nightmare.

4) I'll say a 3 for stereo replacement. It requires removing the centre console, dash bezel and the radio is a pain to get out sometimes. Speaker replacement is very easy too. I've never done a valve job, and a rad replacement is quite simple. If the car has AC, it's a little harder because some of the lines and stuff are attached to the rad, but on a non AC car it's a piece of cake.

5) I'll say 5 for strut replacement. It is possible to do it by yourself, but it's much easier with a second person. Replacing struts requires removing the springs from the struts. That can be dangerous, even using a spring compressor. Doing an axle is pretty simple too, but the hardest part of the entire job is getting the 36mm nut cracked loose. Never done the runner swap, and the cat is bolt on, so that's pretty straight forward.

6) Haven't done bushings yet, but they are fairly straight forward. Some can be a real pain though. For engine seals, I've only had to do upper & lower plug tube seals and that was a 40 minute job.

7 through 10 I have not personally done, so can't provide any more input.

[GeoffM]

2) I haven't had to do timing,

Literally the hardest part about it was buying the timing gun, then remembering I had to do it. Once it's plugged in and you start watching the marks it becomes very easy.

[crazymikey]

Timing my VW was like trying to build a grandfather clock.

[GeoffM]

Timing my VW was like trying to build a grandfather clock.

Building grandfather clocks: An Ancient German tradition.

[buzz11]

the 5 lug conversion depends on the condition of each part and which route you want to go( all prelude, oddysee, 5lug accord..) the rear conversion was pretty easy. i would rate less than a 5. Fronts were harder because I kept running into problems ( balljoints, caliper issue, cv joint replacement) I went for the prelude and itr rear setup. For the fronts, i went with the oddysee splindle. I would rate a 6 for the fronts..but that's just me...

[crazymikey]

Building grandfather clocks: An Ancient German tradition.

Ancient German tradition: See also; Volkswagen

[NightmareCB7]

I pulled the engine and trans out of my wagon in less then 3 hours by myself. I was taking my time too.

[crazymikey]

^ 1-10 rating for the OP?

[NightmareCB7]

Pita 9/10 when doing it by yourself in gravel. The hardest part was to tilt the engine to clear the trans mount and crank.

[thepowderblue]

Everything is easy to do on out cars.