Need help with learning brake work 😁

I don’t know if this is a thing I can ask on here, but I thought I’d try…We’re looking for someone who would be willing to look at our vehicle and help with replacement of break pads, etc. We will be able to pay for parts and labor if we can do it this weekend or sometime after the 18th.

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Unfortunately that is not allowed, especially for brakes. We do not have coverage for liability of a member working on another member’s car.

https://dallasmakerspace.org/wiki/Category:Automotive

No automotive work in exchange for money or other services.

While working with and helping others is encouraged, we do not allow members to work on vehicles in exchange for money or other services.

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You can’t pay someone to fix your car. We dont allow commercial automotive work. But you can ask people to show you how to do it yourself!
jinx Ken!

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You CAN, however, do your OWN work, and make some friends, in the Automotive area, who CAN point, grunt, and otherwise advise on ā€œwhat you need to doā€ā€¦
Being lift certified is nice, but not absolutely necessary (unless you want @TLAR Tom’s help - he’s a tall guy)…

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Okay yes that makes sense! I’m a goober - guess I should have consulted the rules first lmao! :joy::confused: Alrighty then…perhaps I shall proceed with the above suggestions…thank y’all for responding!

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The good news is that brakes aren’t too complicated or expensive, if you make a friend who can help do the work it shouldn’t take but a couple of hours (barring anything crazy).

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Not a goober! You asked before doing. You took the news with grace. The Automotive Committee does more teaching - and one-on-one + unpaid to boot! - than any other group, I dare say. Go for it!

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Awesome lol! Thank you!! :heartbeat:

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What I suggest in the mean time, Google your car model, year, engine size, etc. and watch a couple YouTube videos on how to change the brakes. I’ve done brakes for over 50 years, but on vehicles I’ve never changed that model on before, just to get familiar with. Do a couple, if they vary much, watch a third. You get suggestions on any problem areas, parts that may look symmetrical, what parts you should probably replace beyond the pads: any rubber boots, clips, springs, etc. Plus, when someone helps/mentors you, you’ll be familiar with what they are talking about.

You also get a list tools sizes needed: great to have before you start the job when rounding things up. Well, you’ll have most of them anyway.

  • Recommendation: Replacement rotors and drums aren’t that expensive anymore. Replace them. along with pads an shoes. Work goes faster and you don’t have the hassle of having them turned (which cost about as much as replacements).
  • Get all the parts you need before hand, so when you start you don’t have to get a ride over to the parts store. Again, videos will help. Keep receipt, so you can return any items not needed.

Welcome to Makerspace and Automotive … you’ll find there are people willing to help and teach. Brakes is job that is relatively easy skill wise, but very important done right. Plus save significant coins of the realm and have a high quality job done.

Good luck.

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It was a good question. The no pay rule is unique to automotive but such payment for help is allowed in most (all?) other areas.

@Photomancer, does your experience go back to the Fred Flintstone break system? I understand that back then the brakes didn’t even use shoes. (Rim shot AND sad trombone)

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Yes. I’ve resoled many shoes. The sandals (we called them Huarachi’s in SoCal) that had used tire treads (all I could afford as a busboy making $1.50 hour) worked the best.

I do miss the asbestos dust

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Would it make sense to edit the title of this post now that the rules have been brought forward?

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@Rebekah_Raffield @kbraby’s suggestion is a good one: Suggestion:

Need help learning brake work

or something to that effect.

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If you’re interested in learning how to fix the brakes yourself then there are folks willing to help with that. That’s the spirit of the space. If you show up without parts then please show up earlier in the day. Most parts stores close at 10 PM or 11 PM so a few hours before that is good. Online parts (like RockAuto) are cheaper but take time to ship.

Don’t make us make a rule.

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I understood that the rule in automotive was because of some goofy regulations. Like, the City of Carrollton was trying to apply the Auto Repair Shop rules to us, and if someone was charging someone else, then we might have regulatory issues.

Thanks to the current honorarium snafu, the only way some folks may get instruction is if they pay for it privately.

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Or maybe it was because someone who wasn’t a member showed up in a Jeep looking for the mechanic because the work the mechanic performed wasn’t satisfactory.

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Then don’t make a foolish rule. If the spirit of the place were sufficient, no one would be willing to pay another member for help. One can both accept money, and volunteer help. They’re not mutually exclusive.

Edited: One can both accept money in some cases, and volunteer to help in others.

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I had not heard that story. Is that an Old Makerspace Story?

Rebekah,

Can you wait until after this weekend? If so I will meet you at the space on evening and help you with your brakes. You will have to participate and do much of the work. It isn’t rocket science and usually not that difficult unless you have an ā€œuncommonā€ car.
ā€œUncommonā€ could be a 2016 S3 (audi) where the rear caliper carrier bolts are somewhat difficult to remove.
What year make and model do you drive ?
No you cannot pay me I do this for the therapeutic effects that automotive maintenance provide me.

I have family in town this weekend from Virginia and the Makerspace is not on the list.

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