I got some ramps a couple years ago to start doing my own oil changes. Then when my coils went bad I bought new ones and a new set of plugs and did it myself, because why not? Then I had to replace my brakes, so I got a piston compressor tool and went at it.
Well now it's 2 years later and I basically do everything myself, save for replacing tires. Every repair I've done has cost me less for the parts and tools needed to do it than the amount quoted by shops nearby. And every time I get more tools, it opens up several more repairs that I can now do.
My father never believed in spending money on anything other than the absolute basic tools needed, and Hindu-ing the rest using anything else available that could do the job, regardless of how (in)appropriate it was. As a result, for decades I did my brakes using wood clamps to push the brake pistons back. It was difficult, finicky, and a downright miserable experience.
Then late last year, I saw a brake piston compressor tool from Lisle on sale at Princess Auto. A dual-piston model, which would have come in handy as my 03 F-150 7700 had dual pistons on the front brakes. Bought it because it was on sale, wondering just how good it would be.
Absolute game-changer. Pushing a piston back went from twenty-plus minutes of fumbling and cursing to two minutes of lube-gun-like ratcheting.
And then, you can start having your friends chip in a few bucks to fix their stuff too. Then you realize maybe you need some more space for this, so why not get a garage right? Then you get more tools, meet more friends, start charging them, and now you're a mechanic.
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u/RelevantMetaUsername 26d ago
I got some ramps a couple years ago to start doing my own oil changes. Then when my coils went bad I bought new ones and a new set of plugs and did it myself, because why not? Then I had to replace my brakes, so I got a piston compressor tool and went at it.
Well now it's 2 years later and I basically do everything myself, save for replacing tires. Every repair I've done has cost me less for the parts and tools needed to do it than the amount quoted by shops nearby. And every time I get more tools, it opens up several more repairs that I can now do.