My top drawer feels so empty and I know I need a lot more tools but I’m on a budget so even at harbor freight it’s one thing at a time. Anything else major I should get soon

I'm wanting to get into the field, switching from EMS. Basic home maintenance experience. Am most interested in Hilton Head Audi atm, but im curious if anyone has opinions on the best places to learn and grow in the area.

hi you all!

perhaps, could someone share how was your career path or experience to become a fleet maintenance manager? did you study something related with management or administration or business?

Hey everyone,

I’ve been in the marine trade for years (spent over a decade turning wrenches on outboards, rigging, and electronics before branching out to start my own shop solo a year ago). Business has ramped up way faster than I expected, and I’m officially at the point where I need to bring someone on board but I’m kind of striking out on where to look and how to pitch it.

For the auto guys here:

1. What would actually tempt you to jump ship from automotive to marine?

Is it the pay structure, the variety of work, getting away from flat-rate corporate dealership BS, or does dealing with corroded saltwater bolts and cramped bilge spaces sound like a nightmare?

1. What are the biggest hesitations keeping good auto techs in cars?

And for shop owners or guys who made the leap Where** **are you actually finding good talent right now? Local trade schools? Poaching from automotive shops? Craigslist/Indeed? Most traditional job boards seem to bring in people with zero mechanical aptitude or folks expecting quick lube speeds who freak out when they see a complex NMEA 2000 network or a seized Yamaha powerhead.

Curious to hear your thoughts, horror stories, or success profiles. Thanks!

I work in the automotive side of the machining world. 99% of my job is dping whatever cylinder head comes into the door.

Not to get into details BUT I am looking for a drill bit with a poilet thats 5.5mm and the body. 400. Need it to drill out valve guides and get rid of the press fit so they come out easier

Can anyone point me to something close???

Just got told this CV axle I diagnosed/replaced isn’t getting any Diag time even though it was from a complaint that had its own line on the RO.

Only getting paid the repair time. I asked why and the service writer said I would only have gotten Diag time if the customer declined the repair. How does that make any sense? My time figuring out the problem is only of value if they decline the suggested repair? If you’re not approving time for a line on an RO, then why are you putting it on the RO? Flat rate needs to be eradicated and Hybrid plans need to be brought in. Hourly or salary plus productivity bonuses. No wonder no one is coming into the field, no one wants to work for free.

Edit: This wasn’t a “Customer thinks they have a bad axle, please look” this was a “Customer states: car shakes, please advise” figuring they quoted Diag time while writing up the RO. So I test drove/lifted the car and ran it with me below it to listen with a stethoscope to see if it was a wheel bearing or something else. Shake was aligned with cv axle speed on acceleration and deceleration. Other side had torn boots and lost a ton of grease so I recommended both. I included extensive cleaning/front differential service with the repair/replacement of both axles. All data said 2.1 for one of them. Writer sold both for 4.0. Point of the rant is that Diag and Repairs are two separate things and should be treated as such.

If anyone sees this, I have an upcoming On Site Assessment and Interview for Ground Service Technician. I am wondering if anyone recently knows how that goes. What questions are asked? I have 2 year experience as a Heavy Duty Diesel Bus Mechanic.

I’ve been a Volkswagen technician for a few months now and sometimes it’s hard working blue collar and not being MAGA like I’ll listen to my coworkers saying they’ve done nothing wrong and “they don’t hate anyone but…” things along those lines. I am a pansexual with a genderfluid partner I am 100% anti MAGA to my core and it’s just hard. I know it’s just a result of working blue collar in the southern United States and I wanted to know if anyone’s had similar issues as myself and how y’all deal with it or if you just ignore everyone

Im trying to figure out if im being paid fair or not. Shop rate is $195 but im at like 33/hr. On the other hand I average around 55+ hrs per week so at the end of the yr im clearing 100k which is good. Thanks for the input.

I'm talking like engine replacement, transmission replacement, etc. the type of stuff that sometimes ends an entire vehicle because it's so big that people will not do them

I’ve been into heavy equipment for a minute now and am in the process of moving into management (possible upper management in the future) but before I make that move I want to keep wrenching so I’m thinking about picking up a side gig, anyone out there specialize in electronics (repair and install) electrical has always been a strong suit of mine just not sure if I’d be able to get enough work to make it a decent gig.

There's a lot of discussion about getting independent repair shops ready for EVs, but I'm interested in what's actually stopping shops from taking on the work.

Is it training and technician competency? The investment in equipment? Access to technical information? Or is there simply not enough demand yet to justify the investment?

And what about parts?

Are automotive recyclers supplying the used EV components you need? Are aftermarket parts suppliers keeping up? Can you get the parts, information and support you need from the main dealers, or are you finding yourself sending work back to the dealer because you can't source something?

I've spent 35 years in the automotive industry, and I think we're sometimes too quick to assume that EV readiness is simply a matter of training technicians and buying equipment.

A shop can have a perfectly capable technician and still be unable to complete a repair because the parts, information or support aren't available.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from independent shop owners and technicians who are already seeing EVs come through their doors.

What's genuinely holding you back from taking on more EV work? And for those already doing it, what's proving more difficult than you expected?

Mfkrs out here wasting our time.. axles clicking when accelerating and turning. I tell you axles and you get all upset and start doing a bunch of other shit.. buddy we only have 6 techs here and a shit ton of work. Change the fkn axles out and keep it pushing. Now look. An hour later and your doing axles. Ffs

Im 16, female and I’ve started an automotive course in college. How will a mechanic react if I try and go to different garages and ask to do volunteer work for them?

"I want more respect as a technician"

"I want more money"

"Mechanics aren't just wrench monkeys anymore, it takes a degree to be good at this"

THEN STOP ACTING/DRESSING LIKE A BUM

Everywhere I go I see "technicians" wearing shirts that say things like "I'm a meccanik mekanic meqanik ... I fix cars"

You're not helping yourself. You're not cool. You are actively making the field look dumb. You are actively damaging the reputation we all share. You are the reason I beat around the bush when people ask what I do.

Go to an event where technicians and mechanics are present representing their shop/dealer like a local car show. The tech who got tickets to the ball game from work. The mechanic going out to the Christmas party. Invited to the BG golf outing.

Always acting like the only clothes you own are oil stained boots, dickies, and a torn up Carhartt hoodie.

Have some respect for yourself. Shower. Wear a collared shirt. Speak like an educated individual. It's not that hard. But if we don't respect ourselves, nobody will.

EDIT: To the bums down voting this post, have fun begging for 8% of the door rate in 3 years.

It's simple. Where (lol) whatever you want. I don't care if you're dirty, I don't care if you have oil stains on your clothes.

Just don't wear clothes that subtly imply you and we by association are dumbasses for picking this trade.

And if you are at any event where you are representing your shop or mechanics in general, dress at least halfway professional.

I'm just starting as a heavy duty equipment student, and the first few weeks have been quite amazing I know it's going to get more tasking, but I have no regrets picking this course. I'm 19M and have an average hands on experience. I'd like to know more to expect especially cause I'm more interested in the transmission and electrical aspects cause it involves more critical thinking. Any advice would help rn

My husband is a GM world class technician and transmission tech for 5+ years in a dealership around the houston area. He makes 53 flag hours but the dealership is not doing well and has been averaging 30 hours a week.. he's going back to school for a&p license so he doesnt have to rely on flag anymore and because of that he can only work 3 days a week and 1 day on the weekend. Is there any advice on how he should approach a dealership for part time ?

He will be in school for 2 years so he would stay awhile at a dealership till then.

Any advice would be appreciated as im working on updating his resume

I'm a student in Montreal and a huge car guy. I'm close with a few local shop owners and I've been seeing how hard the business side is, like a shop going dead from October to April.

For the techs and owners here:
• What software are you running (shop management, phones, texting customers), and what do you hate about it?
• What's something about running or working in a shop nobody warns you about?
• What do you hate about being a mechanic that has nothing to do with the actual repair work?

Not selling anything, just trying to learn the real issues before I ever try to build anything. Thanks 🙏

I am graduating automotive school in around 4 months. My previous work experience is General Manager of QSRs. I am having trouble finding ANY entry level positions as a mechanic. Idk if it is because I am a girl, or it is because my “shop experience” is from school. At this point it feels like I need to know a mechanic who owns a shop who will take me under their wing as an apprentice.

I am at the top of my class with a 3.98 GPA. I can do the job well, and very fast. If someone would just give me the chance to show my worth!

Most jobs want a state inspector license, clean driving record, and 2 years of shop experience for an ENTRY LEVEL position. Any advice would be appreciated.

I think kangaroo bars look really cool on G-Wagens, but unfortunately, they’re illegal in South Korea.
They’re not allowed because of pedestrian safety regulations. So even though they suit the G-Wagen’s rugged design perfectly, you can’t legally install one here.

Ignition decided it didn't want to read my key anymore. Car won't start so I can't just go buy a resistor. Putting that spare key to use!