Hoist hire

I'm sure many of us have drooled over this idea. Getting access to a hoist to do all your own car work.

With most lowered cars (especially Euro's with their hinged sump guards), it's very difficult to get the clearance to do a 2 second job like an oil change. It's even harder to have a look under the car for leaks.

Tranny oil changes (which are easy) become behemoth tasks that are best left to the professionals, to avoid the mess.

I found this site on the net. http://www.diyauto.com.au/services/

The guys rent out hoists for $21.50. I know I'd do a better job with my cars than any mechanic would.

Do any other places like this exist? Or is it possible to get hoist access anywhere?

Does anyone in Melbourne have a hoist they don't mind letting out for a fee or slabs?

I know most workshops probably wouldn't allow it for public liability reasons. Or even because it robs them off business. But it's one hell of an idea though.

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by Shounak

I know I'd do a better job with my cars than any mechanic would.

Does anyone in Melbourne have a hoist they don't mind letting out for a fee or slabs?

I know most workshops probably wouldn't allow it for public liability reasons. Or even because it robs them off business. But it's one hell of an idea though.

I would just so you can show me how your a better machanic than me

aside from the liability issues, I wouldnt want some weekend wanna be stuffing up their car and leaving it stranded in my shop not to mention the mess and all the light fingered mates that tend to follow this type of favor

you can buy hoists for a couple of grand installed why dont you get one and rent it out to your mates for slabs

Any mechanic was a big call, but I would definitely say most. The reason being agency problems.

When I do an oil change on my car, I let every bit of oil drain, lube the filter gasket and do everything perfectly. I'm so with my cars that I even torque the spark plugs with a torque wrench.

I know with coolant flushes, a lot of mechanics don't drain the system fully, yet their own cars get treated differently.

I'd take more care with my personal car than most mechanics would take with mine.

And yeah, the points you mentioned probably would prevent it from happening. But clear guidelines would curtail that to an extent. You tell people they've got it for half an hour and then they either leave or keep paying.

Mess I think would be limited, but who knows.

Just saying if it was there it'd be awesome. Not suggesting every mechanic start renting out his/her premises. But purpose built DIY places sound awesome.

Hoists need a fair bit of room. I don't have the height clearance in my garage, nor do I have the width.

If I had a bigger garage I would give it some serious thought.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by Shounak

Any mechanic was a big call, but I would definitely say most. .

.......... even saying most is a big call.

Originally Posted by Shounak

When I do an oil change on my car, I let every bit of oil drain, lube the filter gasket and do everything perfectly. I'm so with my cars that I even torque the spark plugs with a torque wrench.

I know with coolant flushes, a lot of mechanics don't drain the system fully, yet their own cars get treated differently.

I'd take more care with my personal car than most mechanics would take with mine.

And yeah, the points you mentioned probably would prevent it from happening. But clear guidelines would curtail that to an extent. You tell people they've got it for half an hour and then they either leave or keep paying.

Mess I think would be limited, but who knows.

Just saying if it was there it'd be awesome. Not suggesting every mechanic start renting out his/her premises. But purpose built DIY places sound awesome

How many things can I see wrong with this! How many times does a 30 minute job turn into 3 hours ...... How many numbnuts out there who think they are better than everyone else drops a car on their head ..... Who sues who?

I am booked in at 12.00 but the twit cant get his car off because he's stuffed up the brakes!



| [/url] |

Saying most isn't a big call. There is difference between oil many mechanics treat their own cars and customer cars.

I've seen partially drained sumps, cooling systems, etc. I'm also referring to simple jobs such as fluids etc, where it's not a matter of skill, due diligence.

I covered the time issue above. You keep billing the person at the agreed rate, even have a penalty rate or just kick em out if the booking before them is up.

Dropping car on head is where the trouble starts. Why don't you email the mob above and ask them what happens when it occurs? I'd think that the customer has limited use of the actual hoist, rather they get use of the car once it's been put on the hoist for them.

Who knows. I've never used the mob above. I simply think it'd be cool if there was a similar here in Melbourne. I'd quite happily pay $21.50 to do my own services on a hoist.

[ea90gl]

obviously a hoist will help alot but Ive done plenty with trolley jacks, jack stands, wheel choks and car ramps yes even the nasty auto trans/ diff changes by myself (another trans change coming up : ) I'm sure you can manage

[The Yeti]

Originally Posted by auslandau

.......... even saying most is a big call.



How many things can I see wrong with this! How many times does a 30 minute job turn into 3 hours ...... How many numbnuts out there who think they are better than everyone else drops a car on their head ..... Who sues who?

I am booked in at 12.00 but the twit cant get his car off because he's stuffed up the brakes!

Its bad enough booking customers in for 1st thing in the morning and having them turn up at 11.30 and wondering why there car will have to wait till you finish the job on the hoist when you told them on the phone you would do it while they wait

I would say "some" mechanics at best, most mechanics look after customers cars as there own if not better, I know I always did.

Then brilliant. You'd be a mechanic I'd happily take my car to.

But I've had so many screw ups with mechanics in the days I didn't know so much, that I decided to learn myself. I've had many mechanics just not do the job properly.

My mums last car (an MGF with crappy clearance) needed an oil change and its pads were down to metal and scoring the discs. It was also leaking coolant form the bottom.

I decided to give our local mechanic a shot and booked the car in for a minor service. Expecting him to find that and a few other things wrong. The invoice said he checked brakes, for leaks etc.

Skip forward a bit, I've seen Ultratune mechanics let a sump partially drain before doing it back up.

I don't need to take those risks, the XR8 gets its services done at Ford because of the stamp, but the rest of the work I do myself and even did so during warranty period.

I know a few mechanics and I would disagree that they treat customer car like their own, but you could argue that it's just them. What I can say though is that I baby my car much more than another mechanic would. I tick every box, dot every I and cross every T when working on it.

I'm not suggesting you open your workshop up to the general public, nor am I personally attacking you. Merely saying that the availability of hoist hire would be a service I would happily pay for.

[reece1]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

Its bad enough booking customers in for 1st thing in the morning and having them turn up at 11.30 and wondering why there car will have to wait till you finish the job on the hoist when you told them on the phone you would do it while they wait

I would say "some" mechanics at best, most mechanics look after customers cars as there own if not better, I know I always did.

well said, in our area we deal with alot of mechanics and i would say at least 90 percent are doing the right thing by there customers if not more. most mechanics works on repeat buisness so its in our interest to do 100 percent

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by Shounak

Any mechanic was a big call, but I would definitely say most. The reason being agency problems.
I'd take more care with my personal car than most mechanics would take with mine.

As others here have pointed out, it is a big call saying this.

Just wondering… what is your background in the trade / industry?

It's not a big call at all. I know a few mechanics and used to go out with a chick whose dad owned a workshop, I know what goes on behind the scenes.

I mentioned some problems I've seen above. The reason I say this is that I would not neglect anything on my car.

My experience is irrelevant. I'm not questioning skill, simply diligence. It's not as if you need a huge amount of skill to do an oil change and check over for leaks.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Shounak

My experience is irrelevant.

You dont have any,thats why its irrelevant..

Originally Posted by Shounak

It's not as if you need a huge amount of skill to do an oil change and check over for leaks.

On the one hand your better than a trained professional,yet on the other it doesnt need a great deal of skill?

Tell me how a mechanic would do a worse job of an oil change than you?

[mik]

Originally Posted by The Yeti

I would just so you can show me how your a better machanic than me

aside from the liability issues, I wouldnt want some weekend wanna be stuffing up their car and leaving it stranded in my shop not to mention the mess and all the light fingered mates that tend to follow this type of favor

you can buy hoists for a couple of grand installed why dont you get one and rent it out to your mates for slabs

on the other hand we wont mention the odd light fingered mechanic out there will we but yes you are right, and the hoist is worth far more labour wise than 20 odd buks an hour, just not a viable option imo.

[ZA-289]

yeah, that sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

[azaxr8]

Hoist hire would be a great idea. But all these posts are a waste of my time. Theres no doubt theres alot of dodgy mechanics out there. Trust nobody right?

Sure this site might have a few good mechanics but there rare and far between. If you can do it yourself and save a $500 fee for them just seeing your car parked out the front then doing a half-as5ed job for $21.50 thats the way to go.

[nugget378]

mate your making a mountain out of a molehill,ffs every bit of oil and coolant does NOT have to be drained out anyway,and if you reckon it does no wonder your posting this dribble..
what are you going to do when something major blows up,youll start another thread here asking for the cheapest mechanic in town thats what,or maybe since you have "helped" heap of mates that are mechanics do "stuff" you'll rebuild your gearbox if it ever goes to crap..seeing as your better than *most*

You claiming that little gem makes you look more stupid than most..

Originally Posted by nugget378

mate your making a mountain out of a molehill,ffs every bit of oil and coolant does NOT have to be drained out anyway,and if you reckon it does no wonder your posting this dribble..
what are you going to do when something major blows up,youll start another thread here asking for the cheapest mechanic in town thats what,or maybe since you have "helped" heap of mates that are mechanics do "stuff" you'll rebuild your gearbox if it ever goes to crap..seeing as your better than *most*

You claiming that little gem makes you look more stupid than most..

Again, read carefully. I didn't say I was better than most, I said that I would do a better job than most.

If my gearbox blew, I'd buy another one and whack it in myself. I might come on here for some advice, if it was called for.

But nice hypothesizing about what I would do if certain manufactured events happened. I'm sure it's bang on.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Shounak

Again, read carefully. I didn't say I was better than most, I said that I would do a better job than most.

No you wouldnt,I suppose they did an apprenticeship for nothing..

Originally Posted by Shounak

If my gearbox blew, I'd buy another one and whack it in myself. I might come on here for some advice, if it was called for.

Really..

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11221933

Now as for the topic at hand,I dont see a hoist as being a big deal for small things like oil changes,I do fine with my trolley jack and stands,for bigger jobs underbody,maybe... but I get by..

[v8boss]

Originally Posted by nugget378

No you wouldnt,I suppose they did an apprenticeship for nothing..

Really..

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11221933

Now as for the topic at hand,I dont see a hoist as being a big deal for small things like oil changes,I do fine with my trolley jack and stands,for bigger jobs underbody,maybe... but I get by..

maybe I'm getting old. Ive been known to put a car up just to change a bulb! Couldn't do without these babies. But you are right Nugget. There are some guys on here doing awesome work without any of these niceties, including yourself. Daveman springs to mind. Look at his thread to see what can be achieved.

[FPV GT40]

Originally Posted by nugget378

No you wouldnt,I suppose they did an apprenticeship for nothing..

Really..

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11221933

Now as for the topic at hand,I dont see a hoist as being a big deal for small things like oil changes,I do fine with my trolley jack and stands,for bigger jobs underbody,maybe... but I get by..

I am not sure I get your point...of course he would do a better job as you do not to complete an apprenticeship to be able to drain fluids out of your car, I am sure I do a better service on my car than most mechanics would, as they will simply not take the time to drain all of the oil out, as they are trying to rush through as many cars as they can in a day(I often leave mine drain overnight) as they have no vested interest in the car. This trying to maxemise profits thing obviously leads to them not inspecting everything correctly at times.

It is my car and I carry myself and my family in it, so I make sure it is 100%, if a hose shows the slightest wear or softeness it gets replaced, all filters get replaced as required, oil and filter gets changed every 5000km or prior to track days regardless of milage. As the above mechanic has already admitted he does not have the time do do this or he would have to charge heaps for the work(as he is not getting as many cars done in a day). So by doing it yourself you do not have these restrictions, and you can take your time and obviously do a better job than what a mechanic will, nothing to do with apprenticeships or skill. If you need an apprenticeship to change some oil and lube your vehicle you have some serious issues.....

I am not really sure what you are on about, you saying you prefer to use a trolley jack and car stands over a hoist??? Of course you can get away with out one, we all do, but if that is your way of looking at things why do you need a bed when you can sleep on the floor?? Or why use a boat when you can swim, why use stove when you can make a fire, why use a lighter to light the fire when you can rub two stones together....I have a feeling you just want to be argumentative in this topic.

This person has simply come up with a good idea and a possibly better way of doing things and he is sharing it with the Ford community that get on this forum, and yes I been using a trolley jack and stands for 25 years, but would still love to use a hoist, and one day will own one as soon as space permitts, but I guess you would not be interested to come over and use it would you???

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by FPV GT40

I am not sure I get your point...of course he would do a better job as you do not to complete an apprenticeship to be able to drain fluids out of your car, I am sure I do a better service on my car than most mechanics would, as they will simply not take the time to drain all of the oil out, as they are trying to rush through as many cars as they can in a day(I often leave mine drain overnight) as they have no vested interest in the car. This trying to maxemise profits thing obviously leads to them not inspecting everything correctly at times.

It is my car and I carry myself and my family in it, so I make sure it is 100%, if a hose shows the slightest wear or softeness it gets replaced, all filters get replaced as required, oil and filter gets changed every 5000km or prior to track days regardless of milage. As the above mechanic has already admitted he does not have the time do do this or he would have to charge heaps for the work(as he is not getting as many cars done in a day). So by doing it yourself you do not have these restrictions, and you can take your time and obviously do a better job than what a mechanic will, nothing to do with apprenticeships or skill. If you need an apprenticeship to change some oil and lube your vehicle you have some serious issues.....

I am not really sure what you are on about, you saying you prefer to use a trolley jack and car stands over a hoist??? Of course you can get away with out one, we all do, but if that is your way of looking at things why do you need a bed when you can sleep on the floor?? Or why use a boat when you can swim, why use stove when you can make a fire, why use a lighter to light the fire when you can rub two stones together....I have a feeling you just want to be argumentative in this topic.

This person has simply come up with a good idea and a possibly better way of doing things and he is sharing it with the Ford community that get on this forum, and yes I been using a trolley jack and stands for 25 years, but would still love to use a hoist, and one day will own one as soon as space permitts, but I guess you would not be interested to come over and use it would you???

Thats not my point at all,who wouldnt want a hoist,my point is a blanket statement that every mechanic is dodgy is WRONG,same as saying all plumbers charge too much,if we did I'd be a millionaire..

Originally Posted by nugget378

No you wouldnt,I suppose they did an apprenticeship for nothing..

Really..

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11221933

Now as for the topic at hand,I dont see a hoist as being a big deal for small things like oil changes,I do fine with my trolley jack and stands,for bigger jobs underbody,maybe... but I get by..

You talk with such certainty. Yet, you STILL fail to understand my very basic point. I would have a better time trying to explain it to my 5 year old cousin.

I'm not questioning their skill you twit. Have a read of my posts.

I took the plunge and did it with my mate. I thought what the hell, why not just give it a crack myself and we did just fine.

That was a project car anyway, a $120 panel van. I would never take my own car to a cheap workshop. And yes, the job was properly done by me. Turns out it really isn't that hard.

Don't accuse me of things that are incorrect, if you don't have the basic facts. Keep your trap shut. You have no idea about my level of car knowledge, so I would say the personal references should end here.

Try change the oil on Euro cars, like my mums MG ZT. It has a 30cm hinged sump guard, which makes a hoist a must. To do a tranny oil change, it needs to be perfectly level and sufficiently high to again, drop the plastic.

Even then, I didn't say a hoist is 100% necesary for me. I simply said it would be awesome if a hoist was available. I cbf cleaning up a huge amount of mess with tranny oil changes, so I just pay to get it done.

I would find it preferable to do it with a hoist than to pay someone else to do it. Simple as that.

You're just digging yourself in, deeper and deeper. I reiterate, go have another read of my posts and let's see what you can come up with next.

Friggin thread vandal.

[nugget378]

Originally Posted by Shounak

You talk with such certainty. Yet, you STILL fail to understand my very basic point. I would have a better time trying to explain it to my 5 year old cousin.

I'm not questioning their skill you twit. Have a read of my posts.

I took the plunge and did it with my mate. I thought what the hell, why not just give it a crack myself and we did just fine.

That was a project car anyway, a $120 panel van. I would never take my own car to a cheap workshop. And yes, the job was properly done by me. Turns out it really isn't that hard.

Don't accuse me of things that are incorrect, if you don't have the basic facts. Keep your trap shut. You have no idea about my level of car knowledge, so I would say the personal references should end here.

Try change the oil on Euro cars, like my mums MG ZT. It has a 30cm hinged sump guard, which makes a hoist a must. To do a tranny oil change, it needs to be perfectly level and sufficiently high to again, drop the plastic.

Even then, I didn't say a hoist is 100% necesary for me. I simply said it would be awesome if a hoist was available. I cbf cleaning up a huge amount of mess with tranny oil changes, so I just pay to get it done.

I would find it preferable to do it with a hoist than to pay someone else to do it. Simple as that.

You're just digging yourself in, deeper and deeper. I reiterate, go have another read of my posts and let's see what you can come up with next.

Friggin thread vandal.

Yes mate Im certain any old lube mobile mechanic would do a hundred times better than you,a 22yr old wet behind the ears know it all with an inflated sense of ego..

[reece1]

deleted................................

[Hunter]

I think the service rental is a good idea but obvious issues perhaps... I hate getting under a car on stands, there's bugger all room and in summer its just a pain. Working on my Falcon would be infinitely EASIER and QUICKER if I had a hoist. Even if I could afford to spend $2-3k on a hoist, I couldn't fit one in our place cause the block is tiny!!

P.S. yes mechanics are 'experienced' but in MY experience most mechanics are dodgy. I can see why people would want to do their services themselves... in fact I hadn't taken my car to a mechanic for 3 years until recently I wanted some stuff done but didn't have time... car came back with some new noises and not everything I had asked for was done. At that point i realised why I didn't take cars to mechanics...

[v8boss]

Yes, we mechanics may not wait for every last drop to drain out before tightening the sump plug. Yes, not every last drop of coolant may have flushed from the radiator before refitting the drain plug. But I can tell you this right now, if we were to do services as fussily as this, we would never be able to charge out our labour time. If I was to do a service as slowly as that, your labour bill would be around $500 + gst, plus parts, maybe even more! The reason that mechanics don't do services like that is because we know that it doesnt NEED to be done like that. Do you think Ford or Holden would allow their mechanics to do services like that if the car shat itself because there was a tablespoon of old oil left in the sump?

By the way, where are the grease nipples on brake calipers?

[FPV GT40]

Originally Posted by v8boss

Yes, we mechanics may not wait for every last drop to drain out before tightening the sump plug. Yes, not every last drop of coolant may have flushed from the radiator before refitting the drain plug. But I can tell you this right now, if we were to do services as fussily as this, we would never be able to charge out our labour time. If I was to do a service as slowly as that, your labour bill would be around $500 + gst, plus parts, maybe even more! The reason that mechanics don't do services like that is because we know that it doesnt NEED to be done like that. Do you think Ford or Holden would allow their mechanics to do services like that if the car shat itself because there was a tablespoon of old oil left in the sump?

By the way, where are the grease nipples on brake calipers?

Ha ha ....Funny that, who are you to judge how I want my oil changed, it is my car and I want it ALL out. Who are you to say it does not matter, if it matters to the owner of the vehicle IT DOES MATTER, if for no other reason as for the fact that he owns the vehicle and he wants it done like that.

This is precisely the reason I will not let a mechanic near any of my cars, and have not for over a decade, and no I am not a mechanic, but guess what I have some cars that I have owned for 20 years and still own, and guess what I have never ever been stuck broken down on the side of the road in any vehicle that I have serviced and maintained, I have however been stuck on the side of the road in plenty of cars that have been getting all work done in dealer workshops and various mechanics, usually late model company cars.

I have yet to find a mechanic that I would trust to work on any of my cars (there is one, and I have known him for around 25 years now and he is a personal friend of mine, but I only get him to do stuff I can not do like rebuild gearboxes, motors etc).

And like the originator of this threat clearly points out you do not need to be a mechanic to properly and fully drain the fluids out of your car, replace the said fluids and check for leaks and worn components (you just need to take the time to do so), and as the above quoted mechanic cleary points out he does not have the time to do this job properly as he believes that there is no need to to it properly so he will not do it properly as requested or expected by the actual owner of the vehicle that he may be working on at the time...I feel sorry for his customers, and the fact that he is silly enough to advertise this fact on a public forum does not say much for him or his business if in fact he does own a business:togo:

Well on another point there is no mention of grease nippes anywhere, but being a mechanic that is unable to find the time to do work properly on his customers cars I suppose it might be a bit hard to find the time to fully understand the posts, and if you do not know what needs to be lubricated on brake calipers please do us all a favour and join the dole cue before you kill someone..... :

[FPV GT40]

And to get back on topic, I think the hoist hire thing is a legal minefield, as people using the equipment will not be trained in its correct usage, what if someone drops a gearbox or car on their head??? Even just getting oil or brake fluid on your skin or into your eyes..

Would be great in theory, and yes I would use the service as well, as a matter of fact I would be there in a flash with a permanent booking...

My dream is still to buy my own hoist, unfortunatly like most it is not the cost of the hoist but the lack of space to put it....but I am working on that...

[SB076]

Originally Posted by FPV GT40

And to get back on topic, I think the hoist hire thing is a legal minefield, as people using the equipment will not be trained in its correct usage, what if someone drops a gearbox or car on their head??? Even just getting oil or brake fluid on your skin or into your eyes..

Would be great in theory, and yes I would use the service as well, as a matter of fact I would be there in a flash with a permanent booking...

My dream is still to buy my own hoist, unfortunatly like most it is not the cost of the hoist but the lack of space to put it....but I am working on that...

I agree, I doubt anyone would hire out a hoist due to legal/insurance issues. Might be best to find someone with a reasonable amount of land for a shed, or a vacant small factory.