If the tail light burns out, trade it in....

[hazmat]

On way home from work, starboard blinker is flashing very fast - hmmm, maybe a bulb is out.

Stop at auto parts store - yup rear bulb is out.

Buy new bulb - $2.50

Look at truck - need socket set to get tail light apart - head home.

Get socket set out. Reach thru 1" hole in inner body panel to Remove 1 bolt.

Remove 2nd bolt - drop it into abyss (bottom of body panel that is more than 12" away from nearest hole). /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Curse, kick truck.

Change bulb

Re-install light assembly.

Drop socket into abyss /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif. Curse, kick truck.

Now I've got to go get one of those parts grabbers/magnet on a sticks.

It really ticks me off that they can't make autos servicable anymore. All because they wanted to hide the bolts from view - they make changing a bulb a real headache.

If the body panel was open on the bottom, the bolt would have dropped thru...

On my volvo, you had to remove the battery to change the front headlight. It was a 30 minute job. Ridiculus.

Seriously condering switching to "old iron" - don't need a computer to tune up the engine, truck designed to be serviced... I'm an engineer - I should like technology.

End of rant.

 

[daedong]

<font color="blue"> Now I've got to go get one of those parts grabbers/magnet on a sticks </font>

Retailers love suckers like you /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[dmccarty]

Hazmat,

Been There Done That.

Our Jeep requires the removal of the battery to change the bulb. Really bad design. I can't remember if it is the Jeep or one of our prior cars but there is/was a screw driver that a mechanic had dropped into the engine compartment. It was easy to see but not easy to remove. I just left it there.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

At least my F350 is easy to change the oil. My old Chevy had a horiznontally mounted oil filter. What a mess to change. Then there was my old Camero where the car had to be jacked up to get to the oil filter. Change the spark plugs was a pain as well. Jack up the car, remove the battery cable and the the starter cable THEN finally you could access the spark plug.

What a PITA.

Later,
Dan

 

[Chuck52]

Yup. I've almost always done my own oil changes, but my 2003 Impala, with the 3.4 V6 has to be on a lift so you can get to the filter.

Chuck

 

[ronjhall]

Hazmat
Had a similar experience with my 2001 Chevy Venture. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

First bulb went out about 3 months ago. Had dealer replace while doing a brake job. Cost $12.50 labor plus $4.50 for bulb. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Second bulb went last week. $2.50 for bulb at auto store. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I was surprised to find that no tools were required to remove headlight and directional signal lenses. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

No lost tools or parts.

Total time 20 minutes trying to figure out how to get it apart and back together. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I'm not sure what this means. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Junkman]

Mistake one...... working in the dark....... mistake two.... working when tired........ mistake three.... thinking that this is a simple job.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RobertN]

My Dad has worked Parts for the Big-3 since about '67. He has always worked the mechanics counter, so he see and hears this all the time.

For eons, he and many who work in the shop, have thought the engineers should have to do rotations through shops /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Basically, spend 50 weeks doing thier regular engineering/design work. The other two weeks, they should have to work in a shop, in an area where they would have to work on thier designed engine, lighting system, ect.

There is only so much they can do, by limitations placed on them(make all this stuff fit in this much space). But, they would probably do it a little bit better if they had to work on them /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[8NTX]

A couple of months ago, a neighbor called and asked me to replace the headlight of her daughter's Toyota. Husband was out of town, and she was late to a party /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. An hour later, I was up to my elbows in dirt and grease, had half the front end laying in the driveway, and the daughter was whining and begging to use Mom's car...... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[DaveNay]

Pffftt.....on my wifes car, you need to remove the left front wheel so that you can install the battery.....THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL! You can't get to the battery from the engine compartment. On my car, to change the 1, 3 and 5 spark plugs, you have to unbolt an engine mount and the roll the entire engine forward a few degrees to get to the plugs.

The truck is great...a straight 6 in an engine compartment designed to hold a V-8.

Dave

 

[DaveNay]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( There is only so much they can do, by limitations placed on them(make all this stuff fit in this much space). But, they would probably do it a little bit better if they had to work on them /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif )</font>

This is a severe limitation placed upon the mechanical engineers at the automakers. The vehicle is designed first by the body team, and then turned over to the engineers, and they are told the cram a V-8/all wheel drive/6 speed tranny/entertainment center/computer diagnostics/wet bar/BBQ grill into the body that was created by the "artsy people" in marketing.

It's the proverbial 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lb bag.


Dave