grease monkey drivers?

I always said doing your own pm's was the easiest $100 a driver could save. I started doing my own tire work also and recently saved $300 on that. I do everything I can but I leave engine internals for CAT. I don't know what I don't know and would hate to screw up my motor. Always willing to learn though. Now some people say they can't be bothered to change oil grease the truck, their time is worth something (it's a quick easy job in my driveway) and tires are a lot of work (learn to let the tools and momentum do the heavy stuff and it's really not at all) and that's ok but i was raised up a penny saved is one earned. An owner needs everyone they can keep.

 

I carry a full set of tools with me. I do everything on it myself. Just had to replace the fan clutch the other day due to a bearing failure. Exited off I20 in Odessa and it sounded like the engine was coming apart. Pulled over and found the problem, took the belts off and drove it to Loves. Found a Freightliner Stealership and got the fan clutch. Easy job but a rebuilt fan clutch cost me $650. Had I been close enough to get back to my shop I could have bought just the bearings and disassembled it and replaced them for about $50. Was out on the road and replacing was my only option. Freightliner wanted $450 for a rebuild kit but I didn't have a press and they wanted 2 hours shop labor to press bearings in it. Always carry spare parts with me, hoses,clamps, fittings,bolts,wire, ect.

 

Horton's are known for bearings going out, good thing you caught it before it came apart, I've seen a few fans hit the radiator. $650 sucks when you know you can do it at home for much cheaper, but at least it didn't cost you a radiator and fan. If it ever happens again, look into a Kitmasters rebuild kit. Better bearings and a better cone style clutch for 1/2 the cost of a reman Horton.

 

I do all my own work. Not only does it save you money , but it will help you understand how everything works ,and have the ability to fix it at your convenience. The money in this business is measured in pennies. everything you do that reduces what goes out will make you money in the long run. spend a good long weekend fixing your truck, not running back and forth to the parts store, have the parts delivered. open up accounts at your local truck parts and dealerships. then tally up that time , + or - , for your abilities , then see how much you would need to ride to pay that bill off. Hope this helps, Johnny

 

I try to do all that I can but sometimes you step over dollars to pick up quarters. There are times when I let a shop do something I am very capable of doing myself. Why? Because it saves me money!?! If it's something that can wait I can run the truck and make money I can take the truck to the shop when it's time for my break. This way there is very little down time but If I repair it I could be losing truck time (money). Sometimes it's a trade off money wise but it gives me time off.
Once I got a pin hole in that s hose that goes to the precooler on the ACERTs I called the Cat shop they said they could get it right in. I lost a total of 2 hours and some cash that day. If I would have taken it home to fix it I would have lost the whole day by the time I went and got the hose. Besides I hate working with antifreeze I don't know what it is about the stuff that it never wants to go into the container and if I get it there I'm going to drop stuff in it or spill it.

 

As an o/o i have lost all faith in shops...been ripped off too many times...if i can't fix it i figure out how...this forum helps alot

 

o/o doing my first overhaul right now. Saving a ton. this fourm has been a big help.

 

I'm Currently Putting in a Front main seal in one of my 3406Es. A shop wanted to charge $500. Im doing mine and its going to cost me about $40 and 2 hours labor.

 

I wrenched for the past 7 years for the company I'm at. Just got finished with this Glider and asked the boss if I could drive. No problemo. 20kmi so far and I enjoy the road so far. Still do my own maintenance and help the other guys in the shop when they get backed up. I got the best job goin IMO. Never get bored doin the same thing

 

Doing the same thing over and over drives me nuts!! Why haul another load to pay a shop to fix my flannigan pin from wearing out my bobber stopper when I can do it myself and be at home, keep the miles off my truck and know the job is done right?

I take pride in being self sufficient and varying the jobs I do keeps me sane. I just finished the first section of a tin roof car port over my driveway. Got some free unused tin so I bought the lumber and fasteners and got it made in the shade now! I hung 2"x10"x16' rim joists 10 feet in the air all by myself. Just got the tin screwed down this morning.