Car service

neilmcl

fred246 said:

I don't have any problems. I have a nice flat drive without any gravel. I do jack the car quite high at times.

And you think that's safe, unbelievable.

fred246

You can't get an axle stand in unless you jack it up. It's what you are supposed to do. Perfectly safe.

MinuteNoodles

As a former mechanic who has worked for Land Rover and NIssan main dealers I just don't feel you can do any job properly underneath the vehicle on axle stands. Sure doing things you can access from the side is fine such as brakes and suspension but if you need to be underneath it really isn't that good. I'd certainly not want to be changing an exhaust for example and even crawling underneath to undo sump plugs or filler plugs on a gearbox is a right pain. I can't imagine you being able to inspect stuff like subframe bushes and front to rear brake and fuel lines properly.

fred246

It's not the fastest way but I don't have to be fast. Perfection in workmanship and money saving are my goals not speed. In a garage speed is very important.

AdrianC

Yes, you CAN do it. You can do a full restoration on axle stands on a drive...

That doesn't mean it's the best way to do it, does it?

Hell, I've changed engines and gearboxes in snow and mud before now.

Scrapit

MinuteNoodles said:

As a former mechanic who has worked for Land Rover and NIssan main dealers I just don't feel you can do any job properly underneath the vehicle on axle stands. Sure doing things you can access from the side is fine such as brakes and suspension but if you need to be underneath it really isn't that good. I'd certainly not want to be changing an exhaust for example and even crawling underneath to undo sump plugs or filler plugs on a gearbox is a right pain. I can't imagine you being able to inspect stuff like subframe bushes and front to rear brake and fuel lines properly.

Any job? Thats a bit much.

EssexExile

AdrianC said:

Hell, I've changed engines and gearboxes in snow and mud before now.

Crikey Adrian, that has taken me back! I'm so glad I can afford to pay people to do that sort of thing nowadays. I don't make them do it in the snow & mud though!

greatcrested

I wouldn't go near halfords or kwickfit.

Main dealership maybe but the cost dear. On account of the quality coffee and biscuits while you wait!

I've had several new golfs and A3s and would recommend finding an independant VAG specialist. Most cities have an ex-VW/Audi trained engineer who's set up his own business, keeps up to date with training, knows the cars and charges reasonable. Usually no coffee though, or if there is it's instant....

molerat

I certainly wouldn't want to remove my car's huge undertray on my back in the rain on the drive which is necessary to change the oil and filter.  Maybe you could suck the oil out the dipstick hole but you ain't gonna get at the filter from the top !

fred246

My car has got a huge undertray. I can understand why you would think it would be difficult but actually it isn't. There's no need to work in the rain. The bbc weather forecast is very accurate short term so if you see a sunny symbol with 1% rain that's the day to service your car. I believe mobile mechanics use gazebos to ensure dry weather. Just jack up one side at the front and put an axle stand in. Use a good torch and with a long extension bar remove the side bolts. Mine is hinged at the front so it only drops when you take the last nut off the back. Remove until service completed. Remove sump plug and filter. Lower the car with a bowl collecting the oil and take a break. Jack the car up again and put on new filter and replace sump plug. Replace undertray by locating the front first and then with a nut on the back it won't drop. Replace the bolts. Refill with nice new oil. I have done over 20 oil changes on that car so I am used to it now. If you took a car to a garage for 20 oil changes you are unlikely to still have an undertray. At some stage somone would have binned it. I'd love to know what they do with all the parts they throw away. They must have a bin labelled 'parts we can't be bothered to put back'.