Car designer should ahave to Intern in real shops, yearly

[dgl24087]

I remember reading an article in one of the auto magazines years ago about manufacturing issues with the PT Cruiser, specifically engine installation. It seems the time allotted was far too short die to the extremely tight engine bay. The line was programmed to move to the next step before workers could complete the task. Chrysler flew the assembly line design team to Mexico to figure out why they were having problems and fix the issue. After about 3 weeks a stop/start switch was installed so the workers could stop the line and restart after completing the task.

 

[s219]

I remember trying to replace an O-ring on the power steering pump on my wife's last car. No room to get a socket wrench over the banjo fitting. Tried a swivel adapter and could get the wrench in position but not attach it to the socket since it took up more space near the bolt head. So I ordered a 10mm swivel socket and that solved all the previous problems, but now there is not enough room to actually swing the wrench. Finally gave up. Too much time and money to replace a $1 O-ring for what was a minor problem (pump noise due to air leak).

 

[coldsteelva]

As to the OP's original issue with access, but no leverage - would a simple air powered ratchet work? Shop Kobalt 3/8-in Air Ratchet Wrench at Lowes.com

 

[Reg]

Things REALLY don't work that way.
There is design for produce-ability and design for service-ability.
These goals rarely intersect amicably and can collide, in which case produce-ability just about always wins.

Produce-ability basically means make it fast and make it at lowest cost.
ANY savings there are IMMEDIATE savings and go to the bottom line for the current quarter.
It also affects pricing, or at least the ability to price competitively.

Designing for service-ability - - why SHOULD they ?
That is something for dealerships and third party repair shops to worry about.
It is of little/no concern to the factory that a given repair job takes an extra hour or two (even five).
They are not IN the repair business and besides not ALL cars have that part break, so what is the RODI (return on design investment) to make cars serviceable/repairable at minimal co$t ?

Awww, there are OPPORTUNITIES to produce and sell special service tools, but those are secondary and eventually OTC will come up with something, maybe even NAPA will produce a tool.

Keeping the repair business captive to authorized dealerships (by DESIGN) - - yeah, seen that argued before.

 

[RobertN]

OP here; I have a good complement of air tools.

Sold that car to get a larger 4 door, and then sold that to get a wheel chair ramp van.

The one nice thing about the old PT Cruiser, is it was easy to get in and out of wheel chair. Wheel chair also stored nicely with the hatchback. Have spent a lot of time doing elder care in my family....

As to the OP's original issue with access, but no leverage - would a simple air powered ratchet work? Shop Kobalt 3/8-in Air Ratchet Wrench at Lowes.com

 

[Reg]

Man, Oh man...

Anyone else here OLD enough to remember similar gripes about transistor radios (and later TVs) being non repairable by the average dude with a few tubes from Radio Shack ?

Never mind that the various i-gadgets (and JD tractors) are locked from service by those "unauthorized"

 

[RobertN]

I remember when Radio Shacks were, Radio Shacks. You'd go in, and not see anyone for a minute, cause they were talking on HAM radio in the "Shack". And the Battery club; get one battery free each month.

Man, Oh man...

Anyone else here OLD enough to remember similar gripes about transistor radios (and later TVs) being non repairable by the average dude with a few tubes from Radio Shack ?

Never mind that the various i-gadgets (and JD tractors) are locked from service by those "unauthorized"

 

[Egon]

Serviceability: have the bean counters do the work. Let the designers watch & laugh!

 

[Agvg]

Well, things like timing belts is bread and butter for the dealer shops, it they are expensive the sales pepole have an argument to get a sale. German VW dealers was angry because VAG didn't gave them enough service work. So its a game to empty the wallet of the customer as much as you can.

 

[thepumpguysc]

I was watching "Power Block" tv yesterday & on Truck Tech they were working on a 6.0L diesel..
upping the HP on it.. they actually said>> BOOK TIME on head removal was 8hrs.. The guy said it took the 5 to remove the entire engine..
SO THATS what they did instead of "trying" to fight all the other components..
& they had PLENTY of room to access all the other components while its sitting on an engine stand..