The only time I use a beam style torque wrench is when setting the pinion bearing preload in a diff. You use it to read the turning torque as you crush the crush sleave. That's the only tool you can use for that that I know of.
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Any auto mechanics out there......
- Thread starter pica
- Start date
The only time I use a beam style torque wrench is when setting the pinion bearing preload in a diff. You use it to read the turning torque as you crush the crush sleave. That's the only tool you can use for that that I know of.
The more you know the less you get. We've got guys in our shop that have been there 10 years that somehow duck any warranty and check engine light job that comes in, all they want to do is hang brakes and do alignments all day. Ball-less management cater to these clowns because they need bodies in the shop. Things would be wayyy different if I was in a management position..... like those guys would be slinging brakes at the muffler shop down the street.
National Account labor times blow, too. We service a fleet of Terminix trucks and the last rear drum brake job I did (shoes, hardware, turn drums, clean & lube everything plus test drive paid a whopping .3 hours. Next one is going to be shoes and ship it for that little pay.
I'd also like to see that, and have the "book" give time concessions for vehicle condition, since the service writers never will. Labor times are computed on new cars, when the car is a ten year old salted up rotbox we're expected to complete the job as if the car were rust free. Yeah, sure
Yeah, as far as i'm concerned the book is just a guide. Factory warranty is what it is though. Basicaly you take it in the shorts on warranty for the opertunity to work on a customer pay car.
The book is just a guide but the SA's consider it to be the labor Bible.
The warranty time thing is crap, though. I didn't build it, I didn't buy it and I certainly didn't break it. Tell the CEO's if they want it fixed for a reduced rate then they need to come on down and do it themselves.
The warranty time thing is crap, though. I didn't build it, I didn't buy it and I certainly didn't break it. Tell the CEO's if they want it fixed for a reduced rate then they need to come on down and do it themselves.
lol. Went to Chevy school about 17 years ago. Became a paramedic/firefighter when I graduated, because people were a LOT easier to work on, I didn't have to spend my whole paycheck on tools, and I was making twice the money. Except cars don't have explosive diarrhea, I guess that's one advantage to being a mechanic.
After 30+ years of this I'm in the process of saying goodbye to this field. I've had enough. I will be going into teaching metal fabrication.
You know, if it wasnt for the physicle issues id have no problems with my job at all. I still find it challenging and mostly a.good time. I like having a stack of RO's full of electrical and driveability issues. As long as i can still make a good week i'm happy.
If it wasn't for the pay issues I'd be happier. Physically I'm still doing pretty well for being 46.... yeah my knees and ankles bother me but I still run circles around the young guys in the shop. I just expect to be paid for my efforts, efficiency and experience. Dealing with SA's and SW's who don't know how to properly price a job, give stuff away and shaft the tech is a daily chore and I'm tired of it.
I get a whole lot better pay working in auto parts than I ever did turning wrenches. My automotive experience landed me a better paying job in the store, so I didn't have to start at the bottom. Something to consider.
Back in the 80's I did the auto parts thing for a few years at a big chain parts store. Pay was crap but it was a fun job.... other than dealing with the DIY'er mentality.
Management offered me an assistant manager position and the pay was less than what I was making turning wrenches, so I politely declined the offer. Around here, at least, there's more $ in the shop than there is behind the counter.
Mike N. you're pretty lucky to only have your knees and ankles bothering you at 46. This profession has taken my neck, back, knees. I have arthritis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel and torn rotator cuff's. My ears ring constantly and the list goes on. When I was younger I was warned about what this profession will do to you over the years. I did not listen and are now paying the price for my mistake.
