[Outdated, please look at pinned post] Casual Conversation

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My car defeated me today. (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/casualconversation

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The alternator on my car went kaput. Nowhere in my area would do the job for less than $800-something, and most places were quoting $900-$1k.

So I looked up how-tos on YouTube and it looked like something I, a woman with zero experience or knowledge of working on cars, could do.

I got a remanufactured alternator for $180 and got to work following the tutorials I'd found.

It certainly did not go smoothly, but I managed it. It took me 6 hours to get the alternator out, mainly because every goddamn bolt holding the parts in place were basically cemented in. I had to use my foot to stomp one loose because I didn't have the strength in my arms.

Today I spent another 4 hours trying to put in the new one and all the parts back in place. And I did it!!

Except for the power steering belt. That fucker would not go into place, and trying to force the belt tensioner back took every ounce of strength I could muster.

All that work. All that time and effort and THE VERY LAST STEP to get my car up and running defeated me today. I had to get a task rabbit guy. He's coming tomorrow to get my belt back on.

On one hand I feel proud that I made it this far. On the other I feel like a complete failure because it turns out I couldn't complete the task myself.

Anyway, how was your weekend?

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[–] Telstarado 70 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Sounds like your car did not defeat you, and like you kicked a lot of ass. Serpentine belts are a giant pain in the ass - fought with one myself today. Just gotta have the right tool, which in this case is one of those that gets used once every 5 years unless you work on a lot of cars. You did great, and should be proud of what you accomplished!

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh, that makes me feel better that I'm not the only one that struggles with them. And yeah, I was so jealous of the people in the video for it. Thanks for the pick-me-up, I feel better about it.

[–] The_v 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I hate serpentine belts. Even with the right tool (rented from the auto parts store), the tight clearances always make it a royal pain in the ass.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Ah, fuck, I didn't even realize you could rent those!!

...but I'm done, I'll let the guy I hired online just come do this part for me, my hands are groud meat at this point.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I show off my belt tensioner tool to visitors every chance I get, since now that I've used it once, its purpose is mostly ornamental.