I Was Just Threatened to Not Tell Anyone This
Summary
TLDRThis video script serves as a guide to help viewers avoid common automotive repair scams. It covers how to identify when car struts and shocks genuinely need replacement, rather than being persuaded by dishonest mechanics. The narrator demonstrates how to check for worn struts by inspecting the rubber mounts and performing a simple test. They also discuss the importance of not falling for unnecessary brake jobs, front-end alignments, and the myth of 'lifetime' transmission fluids. The script concludes with a demonstration of a new air compressor, emphasizing the importance of using the right tools to avoid causing damage during routine maintenance.
Takeaways
- 🔧 Common car repair scams include overselling of struts and shocks, which don't necessarily need replacement unless severely worn out.
- 🚗 For lightweight cars like the Matrix, original struts can last a long time, and the 2007 model shown still had its original struts.
- 🔩 To check strut health, inspect the rubber mount for rips and wiggles; a simple push test can reveal if the rubber is compromised.
- 📸 A preventative measure against dishonest mechanics is to take pictures of dry struts to compare against any claims of oil leaks.
- 🛠️ Modern cars may not show obvious signs of worn struts like bouncing; instead, look for steering wheel shake at high speeds.
- 🔄 Even wear on tires can indicate that struts are functioning correctly, as uneven wear could suggest strut issues.
- 🧰 Mechanics often overstate the need for brake jobs, but a firm brake pedal and thick brake pads usually mean brakes are fine.
- 🛑 If brakes squeak, it's not always a sign of wear; high-quality, noise-free brake pads like Akebono can be a solution.
- ⚙️ Front end alignments are not always necessary; check for even tire wear and straight driving without pulls to assess the need.
- ⚖️ Use a torque wrench when reattaching wheels to avoid warping rotors or damaging bearings with excessive force.
- 🛑 Contrary to 'lifetime fluid' claims, transmission fluid should be changed every 30-40,000 miles to prevent premature wear.
Q & A
What is a common rip-off in car repairs that the speaker warns about?
-A common rip-off is telling car owners they need new struts or shocks when they may not be necessary, especially if the car is lightweight and the struts have not worn out significantly.
How can you check if your car's strut mounts are in good condition?
-You can check the strut mounts by looking at the top where the mount holds the strut together with bolts onto the car's frame. Ensure the rubber isn't ripped and that there is no excessive wiggling when pushing up and down.
What is a simple test to check the condition of struts from the bottom of the car?
-A simple test is to use a jack to lift the car and observe if the strut mounts are falling down, which would indicate they are broken.
Why does the speaker not replace the dust shield despite it being ripped for over six years?
-The speaker does not replace the dust shield because it requires taking the entire assembly off, which is not worth doing for something as minor as a dust shield that doesn't significantly affect the strut's performance.
What is the speaker's advice on dealing with mechanics who claim struts are leaking oil?
-The speaker advises taking a picture of the dry struts before going to a garage. If the mechanic shows wet struts claiming they are leaking, they may have sprayed oil on them, indicating dishonesty.
How can you perform a dynamic test to check if your car needs new struts?
-Perform a dynamic test by driving the car, especially at higher speeds, and noticing if the steering wheel shakes or rattles when hitting bumps. If it does, the struts might be worn out.
What is a sign that your tires may be unevenly worn, possibly indicating a strut issue?
-If the tires are worn unevenly, with one side or the other cuffed, it could mean the struts are wearing out.
Why does the speaker suggest not being sold on the idea that you need brake jobs frequently?
-The speaker suggests that brake jobs are often not needed as frequently as suggested. If the brake pedal is hard, the car doesn't shake at high speeds when braking, and the brake pads are still thick, they likely do not need replacement.
What is the speaker's opinion on the need for frequent front-end alignments?
-The speaker believes front-end alignments are not often necessary unless there is uneven tire wear or the car pulls to one side while driving. They argue that many mechanics will try to sell unnecessary alignments.
Why does the speaker recommend changing transmission fluid even if it's labeled as 'lifetime'?
-The speaker recommends changing transmission fluid because, despite being labeled as 'lifetime,' it can still get dirty and cause wear. They suggest doing so every 30,000 to 40,000 miles to extend the transmission's life beyond the typical warranty period.
Outlines
🔧 Car Repair Scams and DIY Tips
The speaker addresses common car repair scams, particularly focusing on the unnecessary replacement of car struts and shocks. They explain that while these parts do wear out over time, they often last longer than mechanics suggest, especially in lightweight cars. The speaker demonstrates how to check the condition of strut mounts and provides a simple test to determine if struts are worn out. They also discuss the importance of inspecting the struts for oil leakage and the potential for dishonest mechanics to fake leaks to sell unnecessary repairs. The speaker advises taking pictures of dry struts as evidence and advocates for checking these parts oneself to avoid being ripped off.
🛠 Avoiding Unnecessary Brake and Alignment Services
The speaker continues by discussing the frequency of being upsold on brake jobs and front end alignments. They explain that if the brake pedal feels solid and the car doesn't pull to one side while driving, an alignment is likely not needed. The speaker also emphasizes checking brake pad thickness and rotor condition before agreeing to brake service. They mention their preference for quiet, high-quality brake pads like the Echo Bono pads and suggest that cheaper, noisier alternatives are available for those who don't mind the noise. The speaker concludes this section by demonstrating the correct way to tighten lug nuts when reinstalling a wheel, using a torque wrench to avoid damaging the rotors.
🚗 The Myth of 'Lifetime' Transmission Fluid
In the final paragraph, the speaker dispels the myth that transmission fluid is a 'lifetime' fluid that never needs changing. They explain that while transmission fluid doesn't get as dirty as engine oil, it still accumulates dirt and needs periodic replacement to prevent excessive wear. The speaker argues against the idea of planned obsolescence and shares their practice of changing transmission fluid every 30,000 to 40,000 miles to extend the life of the transmission. They also touch upon the maintenance practices of dealerships and the potential for them to profit from selling transmissions or vehicles after the warranty period ends.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Struts
💡Shocks
💡Rip-offs
💡Dust Shield
💡Leak
💡Brake Pads
💡Rotors
💡Alignment
💡Transmission Fluid
💡Tire Wear
Highlights
Common rip-offs in car repairs include unnecessary strut or shock replacements.
Struts and shocks can last a long time, especially on lightweight cars like the Matrix.
Original struts can last over a decade, as shown on a 2007 Matrix.
Check the condition of strut mounts and rubber to assess if struts need replacement.
Perform a simple test by jacking up the car to see if strut mounts are broken.
A dust shield's condition does not necessarily indicate the need for strut replacement.
Be cautious of mechanics using spray oil to fake strut leaks as a scam.
Perform a dynamic test by driving at high speeds to check for strut issues.
Even tire wear can indicate that struts are functioning properly.
Brake jobs are often recommended when not needed; check brake pad thickness and rotor condition.
Use high-quality brake pads like ACDelco or ceramic ones for noise reduction.
Front end alignments are not always necessary; check for even tire wear and straight driving.
Mechanics may use high torque tools improperly, potentially damaging rotors; use a torque wrench instead.
Transmission fluid should be changed periodically, despite claims of 'lifetime' fluids.
Avoid overpaying for unnecessary repairs by learning to check car parts yourself.
The video also includes a review of a new air compressor for car maintenance tasks.
Transcripts
rev up your engines
lately I've seen so many people being
ripped off by repair shots then I'm
going to show you some really common
rip-offs and how you can avoid them now
one of the most common rip-offs is
telling you you need struts or shocks in
your car now sure they wear out over
time but they have to be pretty far gone
for you to actually need new ones and
guys are always trying to sell you them
the style with a lightweight car like
this Matrix they don't weigh much so
they can last a really really long time
this is an 07 still got the original
ones on now they do wear out but here's
how you can figure it out yourself the
strut mounts are on the top the strut
mount holds are struck together bolts
onto the frame of the car there this
rubber isn't ripped and when we push it
up and down you can see the rubber isn't
wiggling up and down
if it was broken yeah then you'd see the
rubble moving you'd have to replace at
least the mount and here's a simple test
that you can check from the bottom you
just get a jack another jacket up if you
see these falling down it means they're
broken that way but as you can see
we're jacking it up in the air
the wheels are now off the ground broken
off and falling and no they're still
silent that one for that one and as we
go to the other side
we'll check this one out check it out
it's bone dry too now this car's so old
you can see the dust shield here has
ripped and fallen off it's coming apart
it's just a dust shield as you can well
imagine it really doesn't do much of
anything because this one's been ripped
for over six years and the dust hasn't
gotten and ruined the seal so it's
leaking so it's not leaking now the
reason that I didn't put another dust
shield on is this I would have to take
the entire assembly off I would have to
take the strut mount and the spring off
put a new dust shield on put it back
together again which I am not going to
do for something as stupid as a dust
shield now on the other hand if I was
doing a strut job I saw this is ripped I
would buy a strut and I would buy a lost
Shield rubber boot that goes over the
top now it's not a perfect seal anyways
it just sits there so it's not all that
important but if you're going to do the
job you might as well do it right it
doesn't need struts I'm not going to do
it but eventually when I do wear on
start leaking yeah I'll get a new strut
and I will get a new rubber boot to keep
the dust off now one of the main reasons
I'm showing you how to check it is
because of this a crooked mechanic can
have a little bit of spray oil you can
spray oil on here and then say Oh look
look it's leaking it's leaking well
before you go to any garage just take a
picture of the struts right and you see
they're dry then if they say look
they're leaking and they show you
they're wet they're Crooks who sprayed
it on don't deal with them and report
them to the Better Business bro I've
seen people do this for ages and ages so
just check it yourself it's so easy to
do now this car rides fine so I know
there's nothing wrong with the struts
right if you have a really really old
car and it's worn it'll bounce up and
down it'll bounce up and down then you
know the struts are worn you can push on
the car it'll bounce up and down this
doesn't bounce at all there's nothing
wrong with them right but today's cars
the more modern ones they might not
necessarily bounce up and down on them
that much but this is what will happen
when they're actually warm driving down
the road and the steering wheel will be
fine single 50 60 miles an hour but then
when you hit bumps it'll start shaking
and rattling and when you get to a
smoother out it'll smooth out again
that's a dynamic test you can do
yourself but you always do have to also
make sure that your car is structurally
sound because it may not be the struts
if it does that at high speeds and
starts bouncing around it can be
something in the front end so you can
always do this test three and nine
o'clock pull on it
if it wobbles you probably got a bad tie
rod and then 12 o'clock and six o'clock
if you pull on it could be a ball joint
or something's worn but if it's straight
like this and it's not wobbling at all
and you do start to lose control when
you hit bumps in the highway you're
going to need new struts and also look
at your tires these are evenly worn
there's the same wear the whole way
across if it's all cuffed on one side or
the other that could mean that your
struts are wearing out too you notice
this little dot here okay that's a tire
plug I
years ago no no
break
and break rotors people tell you you
need a brake job way more than you often
do it's so simple and for this I'm using
this cool little new air compressor I
got it's small and it's oil free but
we're going to see how it works because
it does have two cylinders so it can
pump pretty fast so take off the chair
and talk about brakes here
we'll just pull off the wheel until that
little compressor works
so far so good
it works so good it didn't even have to
turn itself on that little air tank was
enough to take off the wheel I gotta say
it's a little tank but it took off one
wheel without even running itself guys
are forever's trying to sell brake jobs
if your brake pedal does not sink if
it's nice and hard and when you're on
the highway going say 65 70 and you hit
the brake hard the steering wheel
doesn't shake and you look at the brake
pads and they're still pretty thick
right if they get thinner than like a
dime yeah it's time to change them but
even then it can still go eight ten
thousand miles or more but you might as
well change the map but it doesn't shake
at high speeds and when you look at the
rotors
they look fine like this they always get
superficial rust but up north a lot of
times you'll see the inside will be all
rotten away from the salt on the road if
it is all rotten away yeah you want to
change the rotors but if they're solid
and they don't shake on the highway you
don't need pads you don't need anything
people are forever trying to sell you
stuff to say oh look your brakes are
making noise a lot of brakes will squeal
every now and then and if you look at
them and they're still thick they're not
leaking they work fine you can just
ignore it now these don't squeak at all
because I use those ACA Bono pads I like
the echo Bono pads they don't make any
noise at all but let's say your car look
like this and it squeaked and it drove
you nuts you could just replace your
brake pads with the acabono AK ebono
Japanese made pads and then they won't
make any noise it's a noise bothers you
that's why if you care about noise buy
quality brake pads or quieter like a
bonus Ceramics are extremely quiet they
don't make any noise now if you don't
care about noise you go to AutoZone you
can buy the cheapest pads actually
they're often harder and that will
actually last longer the only thing is
they're so hard they make a lot of noise
a lot of people don't like noise but if
you're the type of person you don't care
about noise you turn the radio up you go
by the 19 pads at AutoZone they'll work
perfectly fine it's just that they'll
probably make a lot of noise it drives
most people crazy so don't be sold a lot
of crap because somebody's trying to
make money off you and of course another
thing related to this is guys always
trying to sell your front end alignments
this Matrix has never had a front end
alignment it's an 07 the tires wear
evenly it goes down the highway straight
it doesn't pull one way or another it's
not something you really need all that
often your tires are unevenly where this
is evenly worn they're all tires but
they still got tread left on them it's
all worn out unevenly yeah you probably
need an alignment if you're driving down
the road and the car pulls to one side
or the other not realize streets drain
and whatever way they drain your car is
going to go a little bit that way like
if they drain to the right you let go to
the wheel will go a little bit to the
right if it drains to the left it'll go
a little bit way to the left but if
you're going down a flat road and it
pulls one way or another you're going to
need an alignment in most cases you know
unless you've got a flat tire it's going
to pull that side or you got a problem
in the front end and I already showed
you how to check that see if it's got
play if you have no play when you jack
it up it doesn't pull the tires are
wearing even you do not need a front and
alignment and guys you're just going to
try to sell you that all the time that's
a game that mechanics play not gonna put
the tire back on but here's another
reason you will learn how to do stuff
yourself because a lot of guys you use
one of these impact wrenches to put it
back on all right it's fine to take it
off you're just taking it off but if you
use something like that that puts out as
much a thousand foot pounds of torque
you can end up warping the rotor wearing
and bearing inside and everything so
what you want to do is you want to get a
torque wrench and in this case 77 foot
pounds or so then we'll carefully put
the wheel back on so we don't warp
anything
all right if you line them up
and then first you just want to put some
on finger tight
now that's on finger tight we'll put the
Jack down with the emergency brake on
I know you all tighten them until they
click
okay that one's done
and you do a cross ball padding one side
can cross through the other
back over the other side
and then down to the left and there's
another trick if you got nice Wheels
like this these Center hubs get a little
silicone clear sealer on the little lips
you can see where it sits on
put a little clear silicon sealer on
a few of these lips because then
it won't fall off later on if you hit a
big bump they get old they can get a
little bit touched so when you snap them
on line them up like this
now it's snapped in place and it won't
fall off now I'm going to switch gears
and warn you about maintenance item that
they tell you you don't need anymore and
that is while your transmission has
lifetime fluids in it you don't need to
change it ever now sure transmission oil
doesn't get as dirty as engine oil
because then jaw is in the engine it's
burning gasoline impurities getting you
got to change it every 5 000 miles or so
if you use pure synthetic oil but
transmission fluid will eventually get
dirty dirt is friction it will wear your
transmission out so why do they say it's
a lifetime fluid well they mean that the
fluid is good for the lifetime of the
transmission but of course ask them what
the warranty of the transmission
probably 50 60 000 miles right I mean my
old Celica is a 94. it's got 240 000
miles on it it still shifts fine because
I changed the fluid every 30 40 000
miles the dealerships would just love it
if your transmission went out after the
warranty period was over then they could
sell you thousands and thousands of
dollars of work or a remanufactured
transmission for thousands and thousands
of dollars or say oh yeah just buy
another car you need another car right
planned obsolescence at its best now the
old-fashioned transmission is like in
this Matrix are really trying to plug
you could drop the pan and clean it if
you wanted but you could change the
drain plug and then just add the fluid
and the dipstick off
so that closes the case on how not to
get ripped off by dishonest chops hey
they've got overhead they've got to pay
insurance they have to Mint money in
order to keep themselves going and make
a hefty profit guys are always trying
them they will probably continue add
infinitum trying to rip people off and I
do have to say
so far I'm pretty impressed let's run
this impact a little while to see how
long it'll run before it starts pumping
again
thank you
okay that goes and really for an air
compressor it's pretty quiet and the
design is all made out of plastic or
contortional a lot quieter than metal
the only thing I'm worried about is will
it hold up over time so I'm going to use
the heck out of this thing so how long
you last now we'll wait till it shuts
off
and it's shut off there it goes
so if you never want to miss another one
of my new car repair videos remember to
ring that Bell
please
[Music]
foreign
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