How did you guys learn to repair and upgrade cars? I've

>>17125470
Scotty Kilmer. Then if you need to replace a part on your car search it up on YouTube.

>>17125470
Just dig in you stupid cunt, just unscrew your radiator hose clamps and go driving and you'll have a project car.

>>17125470
Im no master mechanic, nut gor what its worth:

Buy a shitty car, and just go at it. You will never tear into an expensive machine until youre confident in your abilities, and you only really learn these things by watching and doing. If you dont have someone to watch, you just have to go for it.


Shop manuals are good, youtube is helpful at times, but nothing teaches you more about a system in your car than messing up a job, and getting it right the second time. Just start small and dont do engine/trans work until youre comfortable with the basics of using your tools.

Good luck anon, maintaining and repairing a car can be very rewarding. Stick too it!

OP here,

I want to start off by being able to service a car, with the goal of being able to restore one.

Been thinking of buying a shitty car for <£500, buying a set of tools and fixing it up for experience. Does this sound like the way to go? Thanks for replies so fad

>>17125531
My advice would be to find a running/driving car thats due for a bunch of fluid changes and the like.

Consider starting off with a cheap set of sockets, wrenches, 2 of both standard and phillips screwdrivers (one short and one long of each). Id recomend against buying a cheap jack and stands. Its worth spending a few bucks for on the safety stuff.

The best jobs to start with are going to be fluid changes, belt changes, and wheel rotation. Once youre comfortable with lifting the car and removing wheels, then brake pads and brake bleeding are a logical next skill to learn. Once you get comfortable with removing heavy bolts like those in the brakes, you'll want to invest in learning how to use a torque wrench so you dont under/over tighten anything responsible for keeping your car safe while in use. After that, jobs other than electrical work are basically just applying your skills in new ways.

Youll naturally aquire tools as you need them, so dont feel the need to break the bank all at once.

Also obligatory: ALWAYS USE JACK STANDS

>>17125641
Thanks for the advice. Why Jack stands?

Can Jack stands help me get under the car? I have a garage, but I don't want to go through the money and effort to installing a hydraulic lift or digging out a space underneath the car

>>17125663
jackstands are used to hold the car up . when you lift it with a jack, you will want to put down jackstands because it is unsafe to get under it while only using the jack.

>>17125641
Not OP, but how much should I be looking to spend on a jack and set of stands?

>>17125470
Youtube is a good place to start.
>>>/t/725510

>>17125470
>car breaks
>buy repair manual or find directions online, hayne's manuals, service manuals, shop manuals, online forums, whatever
>buy tools and parts
>fix broken thing

>>17125727
I spent like $80/pair on my jack stands and something like 100 on my jack, but it's aluminum so it cost a little more. At least, if I remember correctly. Is there a dedicated tool store near you?

>>17125747
Yes I think there is. Thanks for the info I'll have to take a look at what they have.

Around 13 years old, parents slit up, stayed with my mom. Had to learn how to repair my moms shitbox since she couldn't afford to pay a mechanic when shit broke.

Easy shit at first like oil changes and tune ups.

Then belts, starter, cv axles and brakes before I turned 15.

29 now, I can do pretty much anything aside from rebuilding an auto trans, never had to, never want to.

Worked in a shop for awhile, never again, it's shit pay and labor intensive fixing everyones shit boxes all the time, I'll never turn a hobby into work ever again.

Getting a Chevy Corsica on the cheap from a relative, it needs all new brakes, and there's an issue with the exhaust that hasn't been diagnosed yet. I tracked down a service manual from it and I'm planning on working on it with my dad. This is my first attempt at something like this, but it doesn't sound too bad. Any thoughts?

All I know I learned form wrenching on my shitbox volvo.

I could do a complete tear down and rebuild of 90's 240's at this point thing is such a shit heap.