Where/How did you learn to fix/mod your car?

[AnthonyS]

What little knowledge I have, I had learned from my Dad. Back in the day, you learned to fix your own cars. So, I was taught, but my Dad wasn't the most pleasant to be around while he worked on cars. I would be the "Go-Fer". If I couldn't find the tool he wanted, he'd get all bent and throw things because he would have to stop what he was doing to find it. And the tool was NEVER where he told me it was. LOL After a while I lost interest in being the Go-Fer.

I must say I LOVE the How-To's on this forum. Everyone that I have looked for, helped me with what I needed to accomplish.

With all the wealth of knowledge on this forum, I'm curious to know how or where everyone learned to fix/mod their Xterra?

Are you a full-time mechanic and learned on the job?

Over the years learned from friends/family?

Went to a trade school to be a mechanic?

I consider myself a novice/tinkerer. I can do oil changes, fix flats, replace an alternator, starter, battery, drive belts, brakes, ball joints, cap/plugs/wires, wheel bearings and I did my t-belt, tensioner, etc with help from a friend and seasoned mechanic.

But when it comes to working knowledge of the engine and everything else, I shy away from. Not that I don't want to learn. I would prefer that. I don't mind being hands on and getting dirty. Some books get you started and half way thru you have questions that the books don't answer. OR... you're working on a job and things are going well until you break something. Now you're f@#$ed cuz you don't have the right tool(s) to fix the break.

I had thought about taking a night class in Auto Mechanics, but finding the right school and having a class to fit my schedule as well as the cost of the school.

 

[NMTerras]

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, Anthony. I learned rudimentary stuff from my dad, working on Datsuns (240Zs) when I was a teenager, and being the tool-getter and official bystander. I will say, though, the tools were always where he said they were (my Dad a scientist and uber-organized. He had outlines of all his hanging tools drawn on the pegboard, like that). I spent most of the next couple of decades doing simple stuff, when it had to be done, while I went to college, worked and had a family. It's only been in the last few years, thanks in equal parts to mechanically expert friends, as well as the wealth of information on forums like these, that I've taken the next step to become intermediate-ish...DIY how-to's are invaluable!

[edit] - IT shut down my server midpost. To continue...and the last thing I found increased my knowledge/know-how was just getting down and dirty with this build. With every new project comes new knowledge, and things get easier. Still rely on a friend for welding, but hopefully not for long...And i have to say I think the learning curve would not be nearly as steep without the wealth of knowledge available from fellow X'rs. Hit a roadblock, ask someone here!

 

[J Everett]

My dad taught me engine basics rebuilding old outboards when I was a kid and a teenager. I've pretty much taught myself everything else through a combination of being too cheap to pay someone else to do it and reading as much information as I could online and in magazines and books. Most of my practice has been with sport compacts (Civics, Neons, Focus). My bro-in-law used to autocross a Neon SRT-4, and while he sourced out most of his engine work, I did a lot of the suspension stuff. Learned a hell of a lot from that, like how different alignment settings affect the handling and such.

 

[RATTFINK]

I learned from the internet, books, TV, and friends. Still learning A LOT.

My Dad is not mechanically inclined. He is more into carpentry, gardening, and wood working... so I had to learn on my own.

 

[AnthonyS]

I learned rudimentary stuff from my dad, working on Datsuns (240Zs) when I was a teenager, and being the tool-getter and official bystander.

I also learned on the early Datsun's.... I had a 200SX and my dad had a few Datsun 210. That was his beater car to get back and forth to work with the NYPD. With his knowledge of engines, he got a job working with the NYPD Launch Repair Shop on Randall's Island.

 

[AaronsX]

I have self-taught, and self-bought
I didn't know anything about my jeep besides how to drive it. I learned everything through CX, XN, all the helpful guys and gals at nXm, and friends. My dad doesn't really do auto stuff so I have actually taught him stuff, also I buy almost every tool I use. This explains why I have done every mod by hand (without power tools) Even when I rotate my tires I set it up on 2 jack stands and 2 jacks, use the lug bar in the trunk and have at it!

 

[KChurch86]

I started learning from my dad at an early age, he was always tinkering with something on his '84 Bronco and was always the DIY type of guy. If something on his truck, my mom's car, or a friend's car broke, he was the one to fix it. It was (and still is) cheaper to do the work yourself. I helped him do all kinds of stuff, and he was always more than willing to teach me instead of just have me stand around and watch. I did plenty of watching, but I was also paying close attention and learning while doing so.

I helped him do countless brake jobs and oil changes, spark plugs/wires/caps/rotors, shocks/struts/springs, I usually only watched him do body work and paint work though. I helped him do a complete motor swap/rebuild in the Bronco as well. The older I got, the more he taught me, because I was bigger/stronger/steadier to do more intensive work, and once I hit a certain age we'd split the workload 50/50.

I guess I've always been mechanically-inclined, I've always wanted/needed to know how stuff works - that's what always interested me as a kid, and still does. I plan on bringing up my son Gus the same way if he's interested. So far, he seems to be a lot like me when I was little (so I'm told) so that's a good starting point.

As far as learning to wrench on my X, I guess learned from reading the how-to's on the "other" sites. Before I used any car forum though, Google was my best friend when it came to general repair information on my past rides. The first thing I'd buy when buying a vehicle was always a Haynes manual, and I always loved reading my dad's old Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off Road magazines (I think he's got every issue for at least the past 25 years).

Really though, once you learn how to do a job in general, it's going to be pretty much the same on any vehicle, other than that manufacturer's specifics. If you're able to identify a part by looking at it, and you know what car's system the part is from, then you have a good idea of where to look or where to start tracing lines/hoses/wires, etc. to get to it.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Mostly through my dad and his old YJ. He rebuilt his engine when it crapped out on him 9 years ago and most of that knowledge got transferred to me. After that, my step-dad rebuilt a Toyota Land Cruiser that I learned a little more off of. Today, I've got friends all over the place talking about cars. Baja SAE has been one of the biggest contributors to my vehicle knowledge.

 

[AaronsX]

Y'all are some lucky people! I really wish my dad was into rebuilding cars and all but he's amazed at how I can figure most the stuff out on my X from playing with it or a X forum.

 

[TKDx00]

Learned by doing. Growing up the older boys were into muscle cars. They let me watch and I went home and took apart things. As I got older I started on lawn mowers and mini bikes. Then bought my first car @ age 20, a 1980 Toyota Celica liftback 2brl 4cyl 5spd. Broke down the engine bored it 30% over, new pistons, headers etc...etc. been messin with engines and stuff ever since.

 

[layzangler]

My friends were always working on something when I was growing up. My dad was never around to teach me, but he knows a little of everything. Started working on old Chevy and Ford stuff. I am always learning though. If anything needs fixed I will try and do it myself. If I mess up I will ask friends for help, and if I realy mess something up there is always the shop. I love to read DIY's and mod threads. If you are too scared to try and work on your own stuff you will never learn.

 

[Cyclemut]

I helped my Grandpa build a S/B Chevy when I was around 10 or so. He told me never to become a mechanic, but he was so cool that I knew it was what I wanted to do, no matter what.

I went to trade school, got a degree, got ASE certified in a couple of areas and eventually was certified as a Master after a couple of years in the business. Worked in several different dealerships, specializing in differing areas as the years went on. Did everything from rebuilding automatic transmissions for Chevy to driveability for Nissan. Became a Nissan Senior Tech after realizing that Nissan is where it's at.

But started working part time in a garage when I was 14 in barter for trading work on my motorcycle (I wasn't good at rebuilding carbs or setting valves until I was 15, the guys at the shop taught me how quickly enough) and those mechanics showed me the ropes. Swapped my first cam when I was 15 under the watchful eyes of those guys. Took me all day to do it, but I was so proud of myself when that car was running that night. It was a good thing too, because I had bought it so that my recently divorced mom could go to work (her POS ex took the only car). She drove that car ('77 Ford Maverick) for 4 years after that, me fixing everything that went wrong with it thereafter.

Working on cars for friends and professionally ever since has landed me in some good spots for some good people.

I still enjoy working on cars, although it's getting hard on my body. I'm hoping that after I graduate from school that I can go back to doing it as a hobby, not for a living.

 

[Muadeeb]

My dad was the 'take it to the shop' kinda person, although in he says in his younger days he worked on his own cars. I learned mostly from reading forums, watching videos on YouTube and pouring over the FSM for countless hours. I'm to a point now where I feel I can tackle any job if I have a good guide and can find the right tools. It also helps that the X is a fairly easy vehicle to work on.

 

[AnthonyS]

Love the info you guys bring to this forum. Everyone from self taught to trade schooling. AWESOME!!! Thanks for being apart of my thread.

I'm definitely interested in learning. I'm just a better student when I'm instructed versus reading a service manual. As long as there's decent step-by-step photos, I could do ok. But if it's reading specs and such, it's all foreign to me. I may as well be reading a different language.

I managed to do my own headliner. I realize that's not a technical job, but I did it myself. It wasn't quick either. It took 4-5hrs. My biggest problem is confidence. Lack of knowledge too. I fear either breaking something or putting it back together and making a bigger mess. LOL

 

[gorillamel]

My dad was the 'take it to the shop' kinda person, although in he says in his younger days he worked on his own cars. I learned mostly from reading forums, watching videos on YouTube and pouring over the FSM for countless hours. I'm to a point now where I feel I can tackle any job if I have a good guide and can find the right tools. It also helps that the X is a fairly easy vehicle to work on.

Ditto this. My parents were the academic/book smart type. Not the get your hands dirty type. I am something of the black sheep of the family in my passion for my X, mechanics, outdoor stuff and wheeling, haha. I learned basically by doing it myself, looking at the how-tos and trial and error. I may ask my mechanically-inclined friends some questions or for assistance, but overall, I learn on my own.

Oh and I should add- I still suck at it, too. Hahaha!

 

[TKDx00]

...I'm definitely interested in learning...

Great statement!!!

My biggest problem is confidence. Lack of knowledge too. I fear either breaking something or putting it back together and making a bigger mess. LOL

One of the older guys while I was growing and later in life (20 yrs later)a mechanic buddy of mine said the same exact thing. So imma say it to you maybe it'll help...AHEMMM... Ask yourself 2 questions and be honest to yourself with the answers:
1- Do you mind getting your hands dirty?
2- Do you have the patience?

If you can answer yes to both questions honestly...there's nothing you can't fix.

Good luck.

 

[NMTerras]

^^^or maybe no to the first and yes ti the second?


Sent from my brain using technology

 

[akinc]

I've learned by doing and reading a lot of how tos, google, fsms and the like. Dad left when I was little so I had to rely on my sister's boyfriend, he built and raced go carts. Plus as I got older my friends and I were always tinkering on each other's cars and trucks. So we just learned from each other. If you mess something up, most of the time you can fix it yourself. Just think about and work out a plan and go with it.....

 

[mdphotos]

Learned everything from the inter-webs, texting fellow X'ers, some random help from my grandpa, and figuring it out on my own

And when I say everything I'm referring to the infinitesimally small amount of knowledge that I pretend to have from time to time.

 

[capt_lou]

Started like most by being the gopher for my dad while he tried to keep his cars on the road. During my 20-30's I did little jobs, like brakes and oil changes, but everything else went to the shop.

Fast forward to a couple years ago when i got my X and wanted to learn everything about it. I scoured the web looking for How-to's.

I do get some anxiety right before I tackle any big job like my PML, replacing the UCA's, Timing Belt etc.

Now that I have a bad rear main seal leak, I am starting to prep and think that I can tackle that. Maybe in july or late august I will take a few days off and just start to rip into it.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Added "ripping out the OEM starter out of a F150" to the list.

For those of you who have never done it: its only 3 bolts, yet still a 2 man project. U-joints are a must.