The alternator on my car went kaput. Nowhere in my area would do the job for less than $800-something, and most places were quoting $900-$1k.
So I looked up how-tos on YouTube and it looked like something I, a woman with zero experience or knowledge of working on cars, could do.
I got a remanufactured alternator for $180 and got to work following the tutorials I’d found.
It certainly did not go smoothly, but I managed it. It took me 6 hours to get the alternator out, mainly because every goddamn bolt holding the parts in place were basically cemented in. I had to use my foot to stomp one loose because I didn’t have the strength in my arms.
Today I spent another 4 hours trying to put in the new one and all the parts back in place. And I did it!!
Except for the power steering belt. That fucker would not go into place, and trying to force the belt tensioner back took every ounce of strength I could muster.
All that work. All that time and effort and THE VERY LAST STEP to get my car up and running defeated me today. I had to get a task rabbit guy. He’s coming tomorrow to get my belt back on.
On one hand I feel proud that I made it this far. On the other I feel like a complete failure because it turns out I couldn’t complete the task myself.
Anyway, how was your weekend?
With car stuff it’s always “easy” in basic steps but it’s the knowledge and expertise how to handle all the exceptions to the process that is why labour costs what it does.
There’s tips and tricks for different car models but stuff like what to deal with a stuck bolt where even if I know what to do I probably don’t have the right tools.
I’m not sure getting the tools is worth the once every few years job.
It’s not too dissimilar from electronics work. Like laptop or cellphone repair. It’s easy… But what’s hard is troubleshooting when it all goes sideways on you.
Fuck 0’ model VW Beetles… that’s all I got to say. Shittiest electrical ever, and the entire car is held together by friggin plastic clips.
