Skills for maintaining your EB

[5erge]

Everything that is going on my bus is pretty much new.

Red9design front wishbone setup with disc brakes/rear spring plates/shocks (will order in a week or so)
Airspeed 1776cc

I've specced it like this to minimise breakdowns.

Graham from Midland EB has imported a clean deluxe for me (due early July) and I'm probably driving him mad with all my questions and continualy changing my mind on spec but he always answers my questions regardless of how stupid or factually inaccurate they are.

This is what raises this post. I don't have any mechanical skills, welding, or anything come to that. I have changed the odd set of brake pads etc... but thats it! What worries me is everyone on here seems to have some technical knowledge, please tell me I'm not alone?

Cheers

Derren

 

[kabre]

Derren,

You are not alone, I have to hold my hand up to say that I'm very similar to you in this regard. I find what some / most of the chaps on this forum do to their own busses amazing and fascinating, particularly the way that chassis beams are cut out then re-fabricated and the way that some are able to re-spray their vans at home! I'd love to be able to do this sort of thing, but aside from the lack of skills I don't think that I have the temperament to spend as much time cutting, sanding and polishing in order to make things into a half decent job!

If I broke down whilst out and about then I could check a few of the obvious things like electrical connections and whether the plugs look ok; but after a modicum of prodding and poking I would definitely be relying on my breakdown service. That said, one of the things that I really like about owning a bus is that unless something quite serious breaks then it shouldn't be too hard for someone to get the bus running again and carry on the journey, whereas with modern cars such things normally require a trip to a garage and some ridiculously expensive parts, not to mention the labour rate!

I guess that the good thing is that we more than contribute to keeping the VW specialist garages in business, which can't be a bad thing!

Regards,
Karl

 

[AxlFoley]

you are far from alone, what I will say is just get stuck in and dont be afraid, I am self tought, and have, and still do make lots of mistakes, its all a case of trial and error, but you have the internet as your friend so make the most of it! dont be afraid of asking silly questions, i do it all the time lol

The way i have always looked at it, I can either pay some one to work on my bus, or i can spend that money on tools and do it myself.

 

[Araon]

You say you've changed the odd brake pad well to be honest thats as good a start as any, ok so you may not want to buy a welder and start doing structural repairs, but to do the others you should be fine its a matter of buying a decent range of books and just getting dirty once in a while good luck Grahams one of the good guys so should treat you right.....

 

[uber cool]

Ask away, you'll find most folk on here are keen to help or offer sound advice. Put up your location, someone might be close by and willing to pop round and help if required.

 

[Graham L]

Derren

Don't worry about asking the questions and both Dean and I are more than happy to help out with advice on servicing etc and carrying out basic jobs on your van.

As Araon has alluded to they are not really that difficult and once you have tackled one job it will give you confidence to work on another, I would say that anyone with a basic skill level could carry out most jobs on an EB even things like engine removal although I have to say its not just the 4 bolts that people talk about!!

We held our first EB technical weekend back in May and I think we plan to do more of these as although only a few attended I think they found it useful, plan is to cover a few more topics next time!!

Will obviously let you know when I hear from the shippers next!!

 

[K@rlos]

There are certain things anyone can do to their bus, simple stuff that saves you taking it a garage. Just changing the exhaust, brake shoes or even doing a basic service, plugs, points and oil will save a few quid. There will always be someone who's into vw's that will help or give some advice. You'll pick stuff up as you go along.

 

[slammedresto]

Im hardly what you would call skilled, as im often referring to bits as "the screwy thing next to the wotsit" and so forth, and always end up calling peeps to ask how to finish a job im halfway thru as im stuck :roll: ( ta jon :lol: )

but im gradually getting braver, even lowered my bus a few inches on the adjusters the other day... :lol:

first thing first, get the right tools, decent socket set, ratchet spanners- basic regularly used sizes, makes life a lot easier when you do decide to have a go at stuff yourself

im sure others can recommend the essentials better than me

 

[faux]

Up until a few years ago I hadn't even changed a spark plug :roll: but due to the lack of money and watching garages working on my buses I decided that I couldn't do a worse job :mrgreen: I like the bolt together stuff and electrics but I plan on learning to weld sometime soon.

I learn something new every day, and the pleasure of doing it myself is great. I just try to double check everything to make sure.....I want to keep my family and friends safe

Can't wait to see the bus, Graham and Deano are top blokes and you are in safe hands with them.

Jon

 

[AxlFoley]

My reccomendation to any one who want s to start working on cars, is first thing you need is a decent tool kit, I have and always will use the Halfords profesional range, i have had my set for 12 years and havent had a problem, it gets used and abused but reall puts up with the abuse!

 

[windsurfer]

As most people know on here, I am not at all knowledgeable about mechanical stuff. I've changed the oil, set points gaps and that's the extent of my 'hands on' ability. What I have found through this forum is a number of really cool people who will give advise, help etc. I really trust and respect the views of loads of people on here, they may take the 'P', but when it comes to it, they just want to help others who share their passion

 

[Tiki-Al]

in my experience I would try and do as much of it as you can, and get reliable help from someone who is going to understand just how much your bus means to you.

My dealings with garages recently have been far from impressive, they just dont treat it as well as you would and seem to go a million miles per hour.

Last time it was in they guy didnt use any seat or mat covers and got oil and **** all over my newly covered seats, door cards, mats etc. then when filling up the brake fluid it was leaking all over the floor pan under the mat and took the paint off... nice, to be fair it was an accident but had he taken the kick board off and mat out they would of spotted it was leaking. :evil:

and then...after all that! they charge you for the pleasure and you spend the following day going over all the cock ups.

From now on... it's me and a haynes with lots of head scratching.

 

[5erge]

So I'm not alone

 

[AxlFoley]

haha, no far from it!

 

[pete nice]

Just make sure you read up carefully before you get stuck in.

I spend my life re-timing engines that have been set wrong & valve clearances that were neglected at a service.

Buy a strobe light, it is essential.

A poorly set up engine can get hot & result in a top end rebuild.

Understand how your engine works, it will help to keep it in good condition.

 

[analord]

well I started off doing my own stuff but have got lazy and tend to use a friend of mine who knows his onions and charges £35 hour. I think if you are not going to do it yourself, find a very good garage otherwise you will get ripped off.

I remember a mate of mine whose father had a VW repair centre (cant say where) and he charged me £500 11 years ago to sort my brakes and service. turned out all i had was an oil change and a wipe over with a rag. Lesson learned I can tell you.

 

[Loxy]

its not just the 4 bolts that people talk about!!

Theres 4 bolts?
Just nipping outside with a torch.......
:lol: