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submitted 1 year ago by OceanSoap@lemmy.ml to c/casualconversation@lemmy.world

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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?

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[-] boonhet@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago

This shit happens. You still did the majority of the work and should feel proud of yourself.

I've done smaller engine repairs and such, but still took my car to a shop when replacing an ABS sensor ring because I could NOT get the half axle nut off. Over the years, I reckon between all my cars I've owned it's been ~300-500 hours of me working on them (sometimes with help) and a total of ~15 hours of paid labour.

[-] bane_killgrind@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

So I'm not meaning this in a mean way, but don't you have any friends that you could collaborate with? Even someone to chat with and search up youtube while you are under the car would have been fine.

[-] OceanSoap@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

I moved here a year ago, and ive made friends, but they're all women. I work mostly with men, but they're not into fixing cars, and im not close enough with any of them to reach out and ask for help on a weekend. I did consult a friend in my hometown, but there's little he can do over the phone.

Luckily I only had to get under the car once, to try ad get the wrench I dropped out of the undercarriage. I didn't find it and got so filthy. The job was done under the hood. :)

[-] toasteecup@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

I've had similar experiences with my hobbies. It sucks feeling like the last thing has defeated you but that's what your car wants you to think. It wants you to give in give up let the shops handle it for you and spend money but nah dude!

You put that evil plan to rest!

Ok seriousness, You did the work and you accomplished a lot! Now you're getting the final task dealt with an teaching that car whose boss. Be proud of yourself. It doesn't matter how long the project took or what you had to do to finish it, it matters that you did what needed to be done and didn't give up.

[-] malloc@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Look forward to fresh content on “just rolled into the shop” 😂

Jk - sounds like you got it installed by yourself though! Congrats. Only thing I have touched on my car is cleaning the battery terminals.

[-] Zerlyna@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

I think you did an amazing job!

[-] ihavenopeopleskills@kbin.social 0 points 1 year ago

Idn't workin' on cars fun?

Srsly tho, happens to the best of us. You'll get better as time goes by.

[-] OceanSoap@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago

Ha, fun. I felt pretty cool getting in there and digging around though. Everything hurts now, including the palms of my hands. And I had to trim my fingernails down so I could feel around down there, lol.

Thanks for the encouraging words, I feel a lot better.

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