since you now have to pay for the brake clean i recommend buying it in gallon jugs. then just use those refillable sprayers you charge with compressed air. its WAY WAY cheaper. they got like a tire stem at the bottom so you can just fit a airsupply to the table for easy charging.
I 100% agree with your decision. I heard a story where 1 person was caught with weed in their van and everyone was effected. Everyone who rode in that van got grouped with the 1 person who had weed. What scares me is that I rode with that person once. This was after a work night through a temp agency at a convenience store.
@@Egon1982 I understand work ethics, dedication to one's customers, and to go one step further pgoing on Vacation isn't for everyone. There are many variables that makes each one of our lives unique. However, there are lives that go by and time passed can never be retrieved or made up for. I know people who have been so dedicated to their work/careers that their families have been deprived and/or suffered from neglect as a result of it. To some, work is another form of coping or escapism. I'm not saying this is the case for the OP, I'm just giving insight of what I've experienced in life.
@@549BR My brain registered a few different meanings from the way that the last part of your sentence was worded. All of them were humourous. Thank you for those. 😁
Ray, I knew a guy who worked for an A/C company that promised a response in less than an hour. It worked like this: when a call came in, the dispatcher looked up which technician was nearest the new call. The tech would tell the existing customer that they needed a part - and charge them extra for a trip charge. Then they would go to the new call, assess the situation, tell them they needed a part and charge them extra, also. Then return to the original customer. My buddy quit for obvious ethical reasons. He said some of the techs would laugh at how they would charge a customer 3 or 4 trip charges for no reason. Sad. congrats on your venture.
When I was an HVAC tech. I would remain on the job until the full hour the customer paid for was up. Never overcharged them but if I was on a planned service call or a simple repair I would inspect the whole system in the remaining time. You pay for a hr you get the entire hour in my book
@@biffmalibu3733 Here in Finland , hours start, when you leave "office" and stops when back, only kilometers are charged extra, for costs of vehicle, if really close (some 10 km ) not even that. And if some parts are missing, you still pay only total hours only, + parts ofcourse. Once one 1-2 man company owner came to install my ac/heating pump, and did not have that refedrigant? with him, and was so hurry, he just informed me to ask someone else, and left, no bill tho, and I was happy, even it was already cold outside, so needed that system working, took over a month to find some ho had time
I agree with you totally. When I took ownership of my shop, we switched from flat rate to straight time. This makes it easier to focus on providing the customer with quality repair at a reasonable price without the technicians being driven by money to do the wrong thing.
Something must be wrong with me. I'm a 25 year recertified Master Tech and have owned my own shop for 19 years and I can't stop watching your videos on my down time. Great job bud. Doing your own thing is not for everyone. But when it works, it works. Oh, you have me calling my wife of 30 years my "Wife Unit".
It's always a pleasure to see a conscientious mechanic and an honest one to boot. I am 70 and I have never seen a mechanic actually use a torque wrench on mounting tires. They always use an impact gun to tighten bolts, not an electric one but an air-driven one.
As an aside, I teach people how to service their car in Land Down Under (I am a licensed but retired mechanic). After together lifting car on hoist and checking/servicing everything, most of them are concerned when we get to putting the wheels back on and they see me with my impact wrench. I then show them what is, and how to use a torque wrench and how to set it at the correct setting (after they look it up). Then I tighten the wheels on my rattle gun and get them to check the torque with their torque wrench. They are surprised that if anything they can tighten nuts maybe 5 - 10NM. I would dare to say that all mechanics know their impact wrenches - they use them all day long and it does not take long before you can judge fairly accurately what torque you have applied. Problem is many don't care. Another thing I get person I am teaching to do is for them to get the wheel removal tool out of the boot (trunk). Then get them to use that tool to undo the wheel nuts (lugs) as though they were on the side of the road with a flat tyre. Sure it takes a reasonable shove to loosen the nuts but it can be done without undue strain on the body. So in all, it is not the impact wrench that creates the problem - it is the non-caring operator.
I always had old crappy compressors. Now have a spinal issue and cant judge weights or force. Been using a torque wrench for lug nuts since i was 16. From too loose to a broken stud at 15. I learned that one early 😁.
Hey Ray, you are the best. I started my career with Fiat right out of high school in 1975 and have specialized in electrical, drivability, and computer control/automotive networks. Being on your own is the best, having had my own shop, (high end foreign) were really good times. Now that I retired, I still do side jobs at my mini shop in NC. A couple a few suggestions, Loctite on the bearing carrier bolts, spray some penetrant on the piston dust seal, it will allow the piston to turn easier, you can also run a pick around the piston and seal to pull it away and allow the penetrant to sink in, it really is amazing what a difference how this helps especially on older cars. Finally, Science is a killer, if we ignore it, we end up paying a price. So I would suggest an aqueous brake cleaner rather than "brake cleaner", basically a sucker hose blower combination stuck in a gallon of simple green and water, WHY??? I am now 65 and was diagnosed with neuropathy in my feet, not diabetes but chemical induced, exposure to Nitro Methane, Non Chlorinated Brake cleaner, gasoline damaged the nerves, so please be cautious, the detergent works well enough and no side effects. The Ever Wishing You Success BlueMule
I had no doubt that you would succeed. Your standards and integrity are key to your success in your business endeavours. Your sense of humour and sharing your valuable knowledge on UA-cam, being honest and a decent human being, as well! I am not car savvy, in any way, shape or form but I understand when you explain things!😊🇨🇦
Going into business for myself was the best move we ever made. The first few years were a bliss, then it became the hardest most painful thing ever. We endured and prospered. So glad we it it. Best of luck young man, you’ll do fine.
I think you are right that most people dont really want to go/use retal repair. The issue is its hard to find that awesome small shop. Thats one huge bonus you have is people can see your work to have that safety to know you will do the right thing.
It blew your mind and the kid blew his too. If it is a habit you have you forget where you are sometimes. Like a guy pulling out a stogie at a funeral service. Almost lit it too. The look on his face was the best.
I'm a 30 year mechanic... I thank you Ray Erik and Ivan for helping me out of jambs I didn't think I could... y'all taught an old dog new tricks.... the three of you are dare I say it God's in the mechanics world.... and you are getting new people into fixing cars hats off to you
Hey Ray, Chris here Good for you man! I started with my own landscape company out of highschool as well, then went into carpentry. Ten yrs later started my own Building and remodeling company. I as well focused on quality in fact that was my motto, "Quality building and remodeling " and I would tell the may sayers "At least I can put my head on my pillow at night knowing I did the right thing" Keep on keepin on man, it's the right thing.
best thing about working for yourself is you deal with the customer directly, one on one, find out their vehicle issues and problems first hand in their words. and quote on what actually needs to be repaired and any other issued you may find in the process, or what you need to do too diagnose the problem, and when you finish they pay you, its your money
You mentioned the importance of lubing the pins. The people who assembled my last car, a 2005 Monte Carlo, didn't realize that, and the right front caliper ran the inboard pad out far faster than it should have, and I got in an accident because I couldn't stop in time. The damage wasn't bad, but still troublesome. You can imagine my annoyance when I discovered how the pins weren't lubed when I went to change the pads. So, yeah, lubing the pins is quite important.
Two weeks ago I did break some of my car I saw Ray glue the pins I actually pulled the wheels back off in the calipers back out and made sure to lube the pins it was a little extra but I like Ray and I also believe in doing things right thank you Ray have a good day
although, I've heard that you shouldn't grease the tip of the pin as it can stop it moving all the way in (not even sure it needs to do that) as the grease will sit at the end like an incrompressable blockage. However since I'm a keyboard jockey I've no idea about the real world so someone else needs to lurn me a few tings ...... Ray ?
Using the right lube is also part of the equation. My dealer used "brake grease" on those slide pins but the grease was for installing brake seals and piston and NOT the sliding pins. That was fun taking apart..
Yes it's very important to have those sliding pins moving, so it puts equal pressure on each brake pad, and sometimes when doing a brake job their seized in there and can be a real stinker loosening them up
@@DeepakKumar-lv4te Depends on the construction. On my Monte Carlo, the end of the pins screwed into the bracket and held the calipers on, so they needed grease on the whole shaft except the threads on the end. The problem I had was just on the front right. The other three were lubed properly, so I had examples of such.
Rust belt tech here...I hate you :) You remove 4 bolts and hub falls out. Whilst I remove 4 rusted bolts and grab a 20lb sledge and pray to God I'm able to save a corroded mess of a knuckle. In any case I've been wanting to drop you a quick note and wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors. Keep up the good work! You are truly an inspiration! Don't forget to charge for what you are worth, but never lose yourself to greed.
18:20 Perfect job Ray. Every time I had new tires installed, when I went to remove a wheel it was over torqued with an impact wrench to about 250-300 ft/lbs and wouldn’t come off without having to go back to the shop and have them use their impact wrench. I think you’re the only honest mechanic in the world who torques the wheels to spec. 🙏🏼
I'm not saying an impact isn't lazy and dangerous, but a good mechanic can get it in the ballpark with his own impact gun. Some people have the touch and some are cowboys. The cowboys get it so tight they deform the wheel and the nut, assuming you can even get it loose to see.
Ray, since you probably has a previous customer base of many years. It has followed you. I know as I did not miss a beat when I built and opened my shop. Just be prepared as there that one customer or customer vehicle that will drive you insane.
THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THE LABEL OF THE SPRAY CAN IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA. This adds to the D-I-Y value of your videos - so we amateurs can emulate your expert knowledge and techniques. A friend has cross-indexdd all your videos by subject or model number or technique. His home library of home is so useful for pre-repair review. And that bloody phone is GONE!
You always sounded happy enough when you were at the last shop but there's an extra spring in your voice now that you're working for yourself. The work is rolling in nicely so good cash flow, you're well on your way.
I appreciate your honesty to your customers and the overall respect you have for your craft, I also strongly believe in quality over quantity, which I believe will be more beneficial to your business, best of luck to you and your business, keep doing what you're doing!
Honesty and quality always going to be your edge. And you can charge more because you provide a better job. If someone doesnt like it, there are churn and burn places they may go to
Ray, the huge problem is that far too few people in your industry are honest. They've all been taught to turn and burn, and that's what they know. I can't blame the guys who work for the shop, it's usually the service writers who are under direction from mgmt.
My father-in-law is a mechanic and has helped me do the brakes on my caravan. He taught me to take a wire brush to the channels that the clips ride in and even a file when necessary. He thought it was very important to keep those channels clean and square.
Makes perfect sense, saving labor costs by taking care of several things while apart saves the customer money and gives the more of a resin to come back.
Nice video Ray. Watching from Australia on my 2 week annual leave.( no exhaust work in my town this week ) . I hope some newer guys got some tips from this. Especially with customers perceived smoke issues when a decent " bed in" test drive eliminates most of that. Cheers, Tim.
That shot bearing hub, popped right out. How lucky you were on that one... A great mechanic has learned how to manipulate matter at a distance. You absolutely have this talent, its also known as entanglement in the quantum world. Your stamina is a freak of nature, I have no idea how you can work so hard and long in 90 ish degree weather, and simply not drop dead... Mind over matter... You are a superman...
Hey Ray similar story, My dad had a small asphalt paving company and this is before drug testing was a thing, My dad had 3 dump trucks and he came home one day during the day when I was a kid to get his checkbook, and my mom could tell that he was pissed. so she asked him what was going on. He had hired a family members friend who had a commercial drivers license but couldn't seem to keep a job. Well "Rusty" had been working for him for a couple of weeks and seemed to be doing a good job every day until after lunch when he would not come back to work on time, the truck would sometimes sit there for an hour or hour and a half after the lunch break. Anyway, This day my dad was coming back to the plant and he sees Rusty's El Camino parked behind the shop, so I goes over thinking that Rusty has been sneaking off to take a nap. When he pulls up to the truck, he sees Rusty laying in the back of the truck smoking a joint. My dad's a pretty cool guy, But when he asked Rusty what the hell he is doing getting high at lunch Rusty looks my dad in the eyes and says "Lunch is My Time" and keeps smoking. My dad told him to stay there till he got back and took the keys to the 40,000 lb dump truck that the guy was going to get into after "His time" . LOL. Dad came home got the checkbook and payed Rusty for what he had worked the first part of the week and sent him home and told him "It's all your time now man". Rusty said, you can't fire me for something I did off the clock.. Anyway, he didn't understand that he was still under the influence long after he smoked it.
What this moron failed to understand was that it was Ray that was going to be hauled away in handcuffs when the cop found someone smoking a class 1 product within a thousand feet of a school zone. Digging ditches for lawn sprinklers was probably the only thing he was qualified for.
Long after is a bit generous to the plant. Usually it's at most an hour if smoked. Long after would be edibles and such. Not disagreeing with his decision or anything, just adding some info
@@matth4069 What? Here in the real world if you don't get drug tested on a site,there is something wrong. I have seen people fired who had smoked a few days before being tested in the mistaken belief that once they they "thought" they were straight were very much mistaken. If THC is your system it stays there for days in your flesh. Stoners are a danger to their fellow workers and have no place around others on a work site or in charge of heavy machinery. There is even a mandatory drug test when applying for a job interview .
The comment Ray made about the turn and burn mentality at his last employment got me, just that alone must have been a big weight off his shoulders that he isn’t having to rush jobs because we all know were rushing gets us,,, we lose the 10mm socket 😂. I just love the way he works he’s just a natural mechanic.
(Hey youtube, Ray is doing a good job.) Good videos, Ray, this one included. I'm enjoying your mannerisms, ethics, and principles. Glad to see you in your own space. The background is relaxing in these newer videos. As a former retail mechanic, your older videos always caused a little tension for me personally-- and it was just the retail shop backdrop and the expectation of some stress or annoyance. Wishing you good luck and skill in working for yourself (and your customers).
So nice to see that your business is taking of so well, not that I ever doubted it wouldn't. You will most likely have a long waiting line of customers very soon. There is one thing I am missing though, the doodely doos....
It starts like this, innocently enough, but it soon mushrooms. Next step: hiring another mechanic because the workload justifies it. Then the other businesses complain to the landlord because Ray's customers are taking up all of the available parking spaces. Now Ray has a difficult decision to make...limit the number of cars he can work on, which leads to lost business, or expansion.
Missed you Sunday! Was hoping for my Ray fix today! I Just did an alternator on a 97 Grand Cherokee yesterday. As always your videos are awesome! Keep them coming buddy!
Ray, best of luck at the new shop. Definitely think it was the right move for you. Just a word of caution - UA-cam is terrible for copywrite strikes, and it might eventually pick up the music you are playing in the background. I've heard them doing worse with less.
yep, I got my buddy introuble a few times with the copyright detection system while he was streaming just for humming the A team theme while we're in mobile armor in battlefield multiplayer. Their detection system takes no prisoners.
I can tell you’re very happy with your venture , glad you made the move, not much honest people like you around anymore , keep up the great job young man
You have a good work ethic. I do IT and run my own IT business for a living with the same work ethic and it allows me to sleep easily at night. Even if the client doesn't realize that you are trying to help them out by holding on to the vehicle for a few days, you are able to keep the quality of your work up and ultimately save your client money in the long run. Great video as always and happy thanksgiving to you and your family!
I always enjoyed working for myself. Even when a customer has put 17K miles on the last oil change and tried to blame me for a tic in the engine. 😂😂😂 I was in the habit of dating and writing the milage on the filter before I installed it.
And you never get rid of receipts. I've read horror stories about people being denied warranty repairs because the dealership "lost" their records suing and winning because they kept all of the receipts.
I really like how you describe your repair, not just how you do it, but why and how it affects the process! I am glad you are enjoying working for yourself and being able to do things the "right" way!
Ray..Been watching your channel since day one. My brother in law is also a mechanic for a corporate chain and very well respected. The one thing I have noticed about your mind set is the need to understand why something has failed thus giving you the ability to fix the real problem. One thing you could do...ever thought about the amount of scrap metal you will generate at your shop, you could take to a scrap yard occasionally for money to buy new equipment.
One tip that I learned from racing is when you're cooling your brakes after getting heat in them, try not to sit anywhere (at a light for example) with the brakes on. Try to get to your destination and then let them cool the rest of the way. It can cause pad material to stick to the rotors. It can also cause issues with the rotors cracking. I would've temporarily put the car in neutral at the light. Actually, what I do is go our at night with no traffic, but that's not convenient for someone running a business.
bro what are you on about lol. dude isnt making a le mans prototype braking at the end of the mulsanne straight, he is a mechanic with a garage working in a street car on the street!
@@byloyuripka9624 It applies to bedding in street pads as well. Imagine getting new pads smoking hot and then just sitting with the new pads against the new rotors. The pad material could transfer to that one spot on the rotor and cause runout.
Or just any bolt, especially those ball-joint pinch bolts. 20 minute job down south turns into a 2 day job up north especially if you don't have a torch.
Yep, I spent years making other people money, then I started my own lawn service business and I have never looked back...! I'm not a fan of the paperwork part of it, but it's far better than working for someone else...! Thanks, keep up your awesomeness and go enjoy some nature today...! Don't forget to compliment someone today...
I run a part time sole proprietorship shop and the freedom of picking and choosing what you work on and when is amazing. Having the option of just taking a day off from the shop if I'm just not feeling it is great. I have a very loyal customer base that understand that I'm part time and for the most part don't have an issue if it takes me a little extra time to get them in and out. My full time job pays the bills, mostly, I basically just turned my hobby into a legit small business.
Why don't you qyit you full time job, and turn your "hobby business" into your full time job? It makes ZERO sense to work full time making money for someone else, and then work part time making money directly for yourself... 😕
@@davelowets Because my full time job comes with good benefits and I'm only 4 1/2 years from retirement. And having to depend on wrenching to make a living would take a lot of the enjoyment out of it. If it was my sole income I'd probably have to take jobs that I'd rather not just to make sure the bills got paid.
I wish all shops or mechanics were like you than I wouldn’t have a problem letting others do work for me. But since I have had way to many rip offs and the wrong things changed or done wrong I just do it all myself. Awesome videos as always.
Started my repair business fifty years ago this last summer.Working by myself on my own property.With nearly no operating expenses,I can afford to waste a lot of my time for the benefit of the customers that deserve my generosity. Good for you, appreciated.
I'm glad you're getting settled into your new shop Ray. I can tell by your demeanor and the tone of your voice how much happier you are not having to deal with clowns trying to push you to just get cars out the door. The retail shops you talked about in this video only care about one thing...$$$. They don't care about the mechanics, the customers or anything but dollars. This is not a good way to do business and will eventually cost them in the end. Quite a few times in your previous videos working for that uh...place we won't mention I could hear the frustration and grief in your voice when they made you do things that went against your better judgement. Now that you are the boss, you can do things the right way as you feel necessary and also feel better inside that you're treating your customers well and giving them good quality work without trying to gouge anyone. I wish you great success with your shop and it's good to see you happy and not burned out or aggravated at stupidity.
Ray, I didn't care for you when I first started watching you, however, after some time, I have grown to appreciate you and your hard work and the honest way you conduct yourself and your business. Best of wishes to you and yours!
Im a lot like you Ray in the fact that ive always cared more about quality than quantity. It was hard to work for the big security companies as an installer because they only care about quantity, the more jobs we get done they more money the company makes. Now im working for a small time operation and i can take my time with installs and do it right, so much happier
Ray, you're one of these fellas who have the ability to make another person's day. So much positive vibe! I'm binge-watching your channel: super useful content, plus my beloved Florida. Damn, I miss this place. Even the air has a different smell there. Anyways, congratulations on doing stuff on your own!
“Lol to the six months before you got up n running”.. I knew you could do it and i wanted you to do it ages ago but i totally understand it’s a big step specially when you have a family to support and bills to pay.
Rule: All mechanic employees/contractors MUST film their own jobs posting them on UA-cam. “Do a job so that you can sign your own name to it” - Was always a saying that I abided by. Nice shiny new editing “clicks”: 👍
100% agreement. There were two times I was put under pressure to get a job done where an oversite on my part could have caused catastrophic damage and even loss of life. All because the shop manager said that I was taking too long. It's a tragedy that talented mechanics like you are taken for granted Glad you have your own place now. Well deserved.
yeah, i remember the new SilverAdio exhaust system installation. awesome. I also remember that Ram pickup you installed headers on. the things nightmares are made of. Happy for you, Ray. Cheers from Louisiana.
I totally agree with you all the way . I hate shops that take advantage of people specialy old people that dont know better . Was a mecanic for 40 years and when ever i did a job on a car and saw something that needed Immediate attention and needed to take my job appart again later to fix it i would tell the customer about the problem so he could take the decision to do it now to avoid unecessarely labour cost later . I explained to them all the steps to do it if i needed to do that job and that it was in their best interess to do it while i was there while it was already appart . Most people thank me for that and gave me the ok to do it . Now that i'm retired i get my car fixed in shops to encourage local shops but its in their best interest not to try to fool me arround with these kind of things cause i will move to another shop permanently Can you imagine if you did a head gasket job on a V8 Chevy and that you saw that the camshaft had wear on one of its lobes and didn't tell the customer and that one month later the guy needs to get that engin opened again for that ? I think that the customer would remember you real quick since replacing the cam and lifters while you were there woudl have taken only about half an hours more plus parts instead of the 6 hours once again .
If it was a newer V8 I'm glad you did it while you're in there cuz the heads have to be out to get the lifters out it was an old V8 all you needed to have was the intake out and it could the lifters just pulled right out I like the old style better from a work standpoint but that's just my opinion have a great day
You don't take into account customers who DEMAND to be cheated. My city used to have an independent VW repair shop. An acquaintance was explaining the independent tech told him he needed a new condenser (capacitor: We old farts know what that is.) $10 bucks. The dealer said he needed a new engine. $1500. (This was when Bugs sold new for under $2K.) He was explaining to me how the crooked SOB tried to rip him off for $10. He paid the dealer $1500. He described hard starting, rough idle, and misfiring when running. I told him "Sounds like a bad condenser to me." He said "F--you! F-- all you thieving car jockeys!" (?? 😲 ?? Jockeys? Apparently he is vocabulary-challenged, too.) I never got to look at his engine, but I'd bet money they steam-cleaned his engine and put a shiny new condenser on it. About 3 years later, VW gave their franchise to a new owner. Anybody with the intelligence of a very stupid rock would have tried the cheap fix before moving to the nuclear option.
Do you not have parts delivery drivers there? Here in the UK, most of the parts suppliers will deliver to trade, mostly same day if the part is in stock. Saves a lot of down time instead of having to drive around yourself.
That is usual in urban areas but not in rural ones like his. They'd have to pay someone to be out of the area, spend on fuel, leave local customers hanging, etc. Probably cheaper to just go get it himself. Lose-lose situation. One benefit: He can tell right away if it's the right part and save paying for them wasting time, fuel, etc. on second trips or not wanting him as an expensive client/jacking prices.
we do, its just either just takes forever to get the part or tool you need and sometimes they bring you the wrong part after waiting for them for so long. better to go get it yourself
Some parts stores do deliver. Some go out pretty quickly (on call) while others have a scheduled delivery window. I’m guessing he does other errands when he goes to get his parts. Also his orders may be too small for free delivery.
Yep, they all do it here, but it either takes forever, or it's the wrong part. I used to take advantage of that service, but it created more waste time, and cost me more in gas from return trips to the store, than it saved. So I just go myself.
nice brake job Ray, so nice to know there are people out there the still do things right, you were talking about forgetting things, wait until you are 63 like me, I can still do it but I have to go slow and double check EVERYTHING, but I still like doing it, life is good
Luckily, any shop I’ve gone too always recommended doing other work since the car would be apart in that area anyway… like a clutch when doing seals, etc.. Didn’t always take the offer, but grateful for the opportunity to choose.
Exactly right about not rushing auto repair. I did a brake job for a a friend of a friend and they were in a rush. I missed the part about resetting the brake caliper pistons after compressing to fit new brake pads and bedding the brake pads. Almost ended in disaster. Not a step I'll miss in the future.
You do a great job once again. People could learn to watch by watching you. You show things with nobody else does and it's like step by step back in the book. Great job on your new shop I hope everything is doing well for you talk to you later Pete
Pinky and the Brain!! Taking over the world one repair at a time! Glad you're doing you! Build good quality repairs and they will come (back). Get a rep for quality and honesty and your biggest problem will be to many customers fighting for your time!!
i work on my own,and i need to do my brakes on my kia sorento,i watched you to refresh my memory cause i dont do this for a living,so i dont do any one thing enough to remember details,and if i take a refresher im not scratching my head making sure i forgot nothing which preferrably i find before i have to use my brakes,so thanks to you,and your methods of doing things,and its right,youre the only mechanic i watch,unless its something you havent covered that i need to fix,like the coils on my 3.3 litre kia here awhile back,gotter done
Good to see you're enjoying the job again Ray, you're happier and it really shows! I guess not having to wake up at 05:30 every day would definitely play a part in it. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say the wife unit and kids would be a heap happier with the situation too 👍 Slightly off topic, How's your coffee consumption now that you can get up and go to work at a more reasonable time?
It's so nice being on this journey with you, I'm glad you were finally able to go into business for yourself and able to use quality parts like you always wanted to in order to do the best quality work for your customers, it says a lot about a person when they are their own boss and not cutting corners to make more money!
I live in northern Maine, we have that northern rust you talked about quite badly. Any job you do involves a torch. It's the only tool we absolutely have to have up here. Even on a 2 year old vehicle
Every time I watch one of ray's videos I subconsciously catalogue how "mechanic friendly" [or otherwise] that the vehicles are to repair. In an old Holden car [GM to Americans, because James Alexander Holden sold out to General Motors in the USA] the water pump was a really easy job to repair, taking ten minutes at most. Some cars now you have to take the timing belt/gears off and a whole lot of other junk just to SEE if the water pump is leaking. The good thing about the old Holden were they required very few special tools. This was essential in the "outback" far from civilization and before the days of mobile/Sat phones. You would routinely take radiator hoses, a fan belt, tire repair kit, duct tape, some wire, some oil and fuel, and some basic hand tools and could get the car running again. These days most cars don't even have a spare wheel, and if they do it is one of those horrible "space-saver" ones that should be banned by law.
The story of the fired employee is at 24:32
Homeboy was shumber than dit, eh?
Bro. This kid got me feelin good about myself. When I start working for someone I won’t even talk lmao let alone light up a joint while working 😭
@@Crisp_Crow lol ya right you'll do both of those things
since you now have to pay for the brake clean i recommend buying it in gallon jugs.
then just use those refillable sprayers you charge with compressed air.
its WAY WAY cheaper.
they got like a tire stem at the bottom so you can just fit a airsupply to the table for easy charging.
I 100% agree with your decision. I heard a story where 1 person was caught with weed in their van and everyone was effected. Everyone who rode in that van got grouped with the 1 person who had weed. What scares me is that I rode with that person once. This was after a work night through a temp agency at a convenience store.
Ran my own shop for 25 years, totally worth it as long as you don't let it become your whole life. Once I went 11 years without a vacation.
I'm envious of your entrepreneurial achievements Sir.
Why did you not take a vacation for those 11years?
@@glenj.taylor2938 because hes dedicated to his work and dont want to let down anyone - my guess as he seemd to be nice guy
When you really like what you're doing, there's little need need to vacate.
@@Egon1982
I understand work ethics, dedication to one's customers, and to go one step further pgoing on Vacation isn't for everyone.
There are many variables that makes each one of our lives unique.
However, there are lives that go by and time passed can never be retrieved or made up for. I know people who have been so dedicated to their work/careers that their families have been deprived and/or suffered from neglect as a result of it.
To some, work is another form of coping or escapism.
I'm not saying this is the case for the OP, I'm just giving insight of what I've experienced in life.
@@549BR
My brain registered a few different meanings from the way that the last part of your sentence was worded.
All of them were humourous.
Thank you for those. 😁
Ray, I knew a guy who worked for an A/C company that promised a response in less than an hour. It worked like this: when a call came in, the dispatcher looked up which technician was nearest the new call. The tech would tell the existing customer that they needed a part - and charge them extra for a trip charge. Then they would go to the new call, assess the situation, tell them they needed a part and charge them extra, also. Then return to the original customer. My buddy quit for obvious ethical reasons. He said some of the techs would laugh at how they would charge a customer 3 or 4 trip charges for no reason. Sad. congrats on your venture.
If that is Dial One Hour they are fired before I even call them.
Good info. Thank You.
In the past I have also quit bored in a couple of jobs for the same and that's unethical business practices have a good day
When I was an HVAC tech. I would remain on the job until the full hour the customer paid for was up. Never overcharged them but if I was on a planned service call or a simple repair I would inspect the whole system in the remaining time. You pay for a hr you get the entire hour in my book
Gotta respect the hustle to run a cheesy sitcom cliche as a full fledged scam
@@biffmalibu3733 Here in Finland , hours start, when you leave "office" and stops when back, only kilometers are charged extra, for costs of vehicle, if really close (some 10 km ) not even that. And if some parts are missing, you still pay only total hours only, + parts ofcourse. Once one 1-2 man company owner came to install my ac/heating pump, and did not have that refedrigant? with him, and was so hurry, he just informed me to ask someone else, and left, no bill tho, and I was happy, even it was already cold outside, so needed that system working, took over a month to find some ho had time
One of the things I like most about you having your own shop is that the background music is so much better now
You mean it’s in your head, in your head?
I agree with you totally. When I took ownership of my shop, we switched from flat rate to straight time. This makes it easier to focus on providing the customer with quality repair at a reasonable price without the technicians being driven by money to do the wrong thing.
My dad used to compress the piston with the old break pad and a C-clamp.
Keep up the good work, integrity is in shot supply in this world.
Something must be wrong with me. I'm a 25 year recertified Master Tech and have owned my own shop for 19 years and I can't stop watching your videos on my down time. Great job bud. Doing your own thing is not for everyone. But when it works, it works. Oh, you have me calling my wife of 30 years my "Wife Unit".
I've caught myself powering down my car in the mornings with my own noises.
I am always finding myself saying click whenever I am tightening anything!
@@Skydiver69UK me too
You sound more relaxed and happier now Ray, business looks good
Do appreciate your intetrity. Also appreciate seeing you and your family interacting, Thanks for what you do.
You and I share work ethic. Sometimes it's tough to live and work in a world that doesn't.
Thanks for being you 👍
It's always a pleasure to see a conscientious mechanic and an honest one to boot. I am 70 and I have never seen a mechanic actually use a torque wrench on mounting tires. They always use an impact gun to tighten bolts, not an electric one but an air-driven one.
As an aside, I teach people how to service their car in Land Down Under (I am a licensed but retired mechanic). After together lifting car on hoist and checking/servicing everything, most of them are concerned when we get to putting the wheels back on and they see me with my impact wrench. I then show them what is, and how to use a torque wrench and how to set it at the correct setting (after they look it up). Then I tighten the wheels on my rattle gun and get them to check the torque with their torque wrench. They are surprised that if anything they can tighten nuts maybe 5 - 10NM. I would dare to say that all mechanics know their impact wrenches - they use them all day long and it does not take long before you can judge fairly accurately what torque you have applied. Problem is many don't care. Another thing I get person I am teaching to do is for them to get the wheel removal tool out of the boot (trunk). Then get them to use that tool to undo the wheel nuts (lugs) as though they were on the side of the road with a flat tyre. Sure it takes a reasonable shove to loosen the nuts but it can be done without undue strain on the body. So in all, it is not the impact wrench that creates the problem - it is the non-caring operator.
I always had old crappy compressors. Now have a spinal issue and cant judge weights or force. Been using a torque wrench for lug nuts since i was 16. From too loose to a broken stud at 15. I learned that one early 😁.
Makes my heart happy to know there are still people who understand quality in this world, Congrats on the shop and self emplyment !
I have done enough repair work and had enough repair done to say you are EXCELLENT!
Stay true and stay honest and you will do well.
Hey Ray, you are the best. I started my career with Fiat right out of high school in 1975 and have specialized in electrical, drivability, and computer control/automotive networks. Being on your own is the best, having had my own shop, (high end foreign) were really good times. Now that I retired, I still do side jobs at my mini shop in NC. A couple a few suggestions, Loctite on the bearing carrier bolts, spray some penetrant on the piston dust seal, it will allow the piston to turn easier, you can also run a pick around the piston and seal to pull it away and allow the penetrant to sink in, it really is amazing what a difference how this helps especially on older cars. Finally, Science is a killer, if we ignore it, we end up paying a price. So I would suggest an aqueous brake cleaner rather than "brake cleaner", basically a sucker hose blower combination stuck in a gallon of simple green and water, WHY??? I am now 65 and was diagnosed with neuropathy in my feet, not diabetes but chemical induced, exposure to Nitro Methane, Non Chlorinated Brake cleaner, gasoline damaged the nerves, so please be cautious, the detergent works well enough and no side effects.
The Ever Wishing You Success
BlueMule
UTG is fantastic especially if you are rebuilding an engine.
@@DocZoidberg549 well, I have adjusted my view on Tony, nice guy but ..........
Blue Mule
I had no doubt that you would succeed. Your standards and integrity are key to your success in your business endeavours. Your sense of humour and sharing your valuable knowledge on UA-cam, being honest and a decent human being, as well! I am not car savvy, in any way, shape or form but I understand when you explain things!😊🇨🇦
Going into business for myself was the best move we ever made. The first few years were a bliss, then it became the hardest most painful thing ever. We endured and prospered. So glad we it it. Best of luck young man, you’ll do fine.
I think you are right that most people dont really want to go/use retal repair. The issue is its hard to find that awesome small shop. Thats one huge bonus you have is people can see your work to have that safety to know you will do the right thing.
It blew your mind and the kid blew his too. If it is a habit you have you forget where you are sometimes. Like a guy pulling out a stogie at a funeral service. Almost lit it too. The look on his face was the best.
I'm a 30 year mechanic... I thank you Ray Erik and Ivan for helping me out of jambs I didn't think I could... y'all taught an old dog new tricks.... the three of you are dare I say it God's in the mechanics world.... and you are getting new people into fixing cars hats off to you
Hey Ray, Chris here
Good for you man! I started with my own landscape company out of highschool as well, then went into carpentry. Ten yrs later started my own Building and remodeling company. I as well focused on quality in fact that was my motto, "Quality building and remodeling " and I would tell the may sayers "At least I can put my head on my pillow at night knowing I did the right thing" Keep on keepin on man, it's the right thing.
You need to pre-rust all the bolts an fittings just to even out the pain with the guys up north.
I wished all mechanics were like you. I wouldn't mind waiting a couple extra days knowing my car will be taken care of thoroughly.
best thing about working for yourself is you deal with the customer directly, one on one, find out their vehicle issues and problems first hand in their words. and quote on what actually needs to be repaired and any other issued you may find in the process, or what you need to do too diagnose the problem, and when you finish they pay you, its your money
Props to Eric O! For paying close attention to Ray.
You mentioned the importance of lubing the pins. The people who assembled my last car, a 2005 Monte Carlo, didn't realize that, and the right front caliper ran the inboard pad out far faster than it should have, and I got in an accident because I couldn't stop in time. The damage wasn't bad, but still troublesome. You can imagine my annoyance when I discovered how the pins weren't lubed when I went to change the pads. So, yeah, lubing the pins is quite important.
Two weeks ago I did break some of my car I saw Ray glue the pins I actually pulled the wheels back off in the calipers back out and made sure to lube the pins it was a little extra but I like Ray and I also believe in doing things right thank you Ray have a good day
although, I've heard that you shouldn't grease the tip of the pin as it can stop it moving all the way in (not even sure it needs to do that) as the grease will sit at the end like an incrompressable blockage.
However since I'm a keyboard jockey I've no idea about the real world so someone else needs to lurn me a few tings ...... Ray ?
Using the right lube is also part of the equation. My dealer used "brake grease" on those slide pins but the grease was for installing brake seals and piston and NOT the sliding pins. That was fun taking apart..
Yes it's very important to have those sliding pins moving, so it puts equal pressure on each brake pad, and sometimes when doing a brake job their seized in there and can be a real stinker loosening them up
@@DeepakKumar-lv4te Depends on the construction. On my Monte Carlo, the end of the pins screwed into the bracket and held the calipers on, so they needed grease on the whole shaft except the threads on the end. The problem I had was just on the front right. The other three were lubed properly, so I had examples of such.
I never saw a hub bearing come out that easy before!
That is the best thing you ever said. About the overlapping charge. I'd sooner wait a day then have to pay twice
Riding by buildings or walls with windows down gives the best reverberation sounds of any tire or brake noises
Rust belt tech here...I hate you :) You remove 4 bolts and hub falls out. Whilst I remove 4 rusted bolts and grab a 20lb sledge and pray to God I'm able to save a corroded mess of a knuckle. In any case I've been wanting to drop you a quick note and wish you the best of luck in your new endeavors. Keep up the good work! You are truly an inspiration! Don't forget to charge for what you are worth, but never lose yourself to greed.
No-one ever regretted paying for quality. You're the best Ray. Hope you get some channel sponsors too.
18:20 Perfect job Ray. Every time I had new tires installed, when I went to remove a wheel it was over torqued with an impact wrench to about 250-300 ft/lbs and wouldn’t come off without having to go back to the shop and have them use their impact wrench. I think you’re the only honest mechanic in the world who torques the wheels to spec. 🙏🏼
impact is the lazy way 100% and dangerous
I'm not saying an impact isn't lazy and dangerous, but a good mechanic can get it in the ballpark with his own impact gun. Some people have the touch and some are cowboys.
The cowboys get it so tight they deform the wheel and the nut, assuming you can even get it loose to see.
Never go to Mavis Tire 🛞 They will never use a torque wrench and always over tighten lug nuts and over inflate tire pressure.
Ray, since you probably has a previous customer base of many years. It has followed you. I know as I did not miss a beat when I built and opened my shop. Just be prepared as there that one customer or customer vehicle that will drive you insane.
Correct.
THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THE LABEL OF THE SPRAY CAN IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA.
This adds to the D-I-Y value of your videos - so we amateurs can emulate your expert knowledge and techniques. A friend has cross-indexdd all your videos by subject or model number or technique. His home library of home is so useful for pre-repair review.
And that bloody phone is GONE!
You always sounded happy enough when you were at the last shop but there's an extra spring in your voice now that you're working for yourself. The work is rolling in nicely so good cash flow, you're well on your way.
I appreciate your honesty to your customers and the overall respect you have for your craft, I also strongly believe in quality over quantity, which I believe will be more beneficial to your business, best of luck to you and your business, keep doing what you're doing!
Honesty and quality always going to be your edge. And you can charge more because you provide a better job. If someone doesnt like it, there are churn and burn places they may go to
Ray, I was wrong about you, I taught that once you had to pay for your own brake cleaning cans it was going to stop
Brake clean vs UA-cam $
Ray, the huge problem is that far too few people in your industry are honest. They've all been taught to turn and burn, and that's what they know. I can't blame the guys who work for the shop, it's usually the service writers who are under direction from mgmt.
My father-in-law is a mechanic and has helped me do the brakes on my caravan. He taught me to take a wire brush to the channels that the clips ride in and even a file when necessary. He thought it was very important to keep those channels clean and square.
Makes perfect sense, saving labor costs by taking care of several things while apart saves the customer money and gives the more of a resin to come back.
'the joys of no rust. jealous how easy stuff moves over there Ray. Good job on the new shop. Loving the content
If you treat your customer right and they believe they are getting value for there money they will always come back to you
Nice video Ray. Watching from Australia on my 2 week annual leave.( no exhaust work in my town this week ) . I hope some newer guys got some tips from this. Especially with customers perceived smoke issues when a decent " bed in" test drive eliminates most of that. Cheers, Tim.
That shot bearing hub, popped right out. How lucky you were on that one... A great mechanic has learned how to manipulate matter at a distance. You absolutely have this talent, its also known as entanglement in the quantum world. Your stamina is a freak of nature, I have no idea how you can work so hard and long in 90 ish degree weather, and simply not drop dead... Mind over matter...
You are a superman...
I used to work for Wagner Brake, so this video brought back memories. Thank you.
Hey Ray similar story, My dad had a small asphalt paving company and this is before drug testing was a thing, My dad had 3 dump trucks and he came home one day during the day when I was a kid to get his checkbook, and my mom could tell that he was pissed. so she asked him what was going on. He had hired a family members friend who had a commercial drivers license but couldn't seem to keep a job. Well "Rusty" had been working for him for a couple of weeks and seemed to be doing a good job every day until after lunch when he would not come back to work on time, the truck would sometimes sit there for an hour or hour and a half after the lunch break. Anyway, This day my dad was coming back to the plant and he sees Rusty's El Camino parked behind the shop, so I goes over thinking that Rusty has been sneaking off to take a nap. When he pulls up to the truck, he sees Rusty laying in the back of the truck smoking a joint. My dad's a pretty cool guy, But when he asked Rusty what the hell he is doing getting high at lunch Rusty looks my dad in the eyes and says "Lunch is My Time" and keeps smoking. My dad told him to stay there till he got back and took the keys to the 40,000 lb dump truck that the guy was going to get into after "His time" . LOL. Dad came home got the checkbook and payed Rusty for what he had worked the first part of the week and sent him home and told him "It's all your time now man". Rusty said, you can't fire me for something I did off the clock.. Anyway, he didn't understand that he was still under the influence long after he smoked it.
What this moron failed to understand was that it was Ray that was going to be hauled away in handcuffs when the cop found someone smoking a class 1 product within a thousand feet of a school zone. Digging ditches for lawn sprinklers was probably the only thing he was qualified for.
Long after is a bit generous to the plant. Usually it's at most an hour if smoked. Long after would be edibles and such. Not disagreeing with his decision or anything, just adding some info
@@matth4069 I would posit that an hour IS a long time for a truck driver. Its all relative to the situation.
@@matth4069 What? Here in the real world if you don't get drug tested on a site,there is something wrong. I have seen people fired who had smoked a few days before being tested in the mistaken belief that once they they "thought" they were straight were very much mistaken. If THC is your system it stays there for days in your flesh. Stoners are a danger to their fellow workers and have no place around others on a work site or in charge of heavy machinery. There is even a mandatory drug test when applying for a job interview .
Is it me, or does Ray seem soo much happier since he's started working for himself now.
He’s having a ball 👍 I knew it was exactly what he needed..
The comment Ray made about the turn and burn mentality at his last employment got me, just that alone must have been a big weight off his shoulders that he isn’t having to rush jobs because we all know were rushing gets us,,, we lose the 10mm socket 😂. I just love the way he works he’s just a natural mechanic.
All we need is to correct the telephone's ring to be "Do-do-dee-do" like the old workplace phone.
@@KiwiCatherineJemma That's one silly little thing that I do miss about his older videos!
(Hey youtube, Ray is doing a good job.)
Good videos, Ray, this one included. I'm enjoying your mannerisms, ethics, and principles.
Glad to see you in your own space. The background is relaxing in these newer videos. As a former retail mechanic, your older videos always caused a little tension for me personally-- and it was just the retail shop backdrop and the expectation of some stress or annoyance. Wishing you good luck and skill in working for yourself (and your customers).
I'm already focused on quality. Glad to see your doing it to
The fact that you use a torque wrench on the lug nuts makes me feel good inside. Thank you for taking the extra minute or so to do that!
So nice to see that your business is taking of so well, not that I ever doubted it wouldn't. You will most likely have a long waiting line of customers very soon.
There is one thing I am missing though, the doodely doos....
It starts like this, innocently enough, but it soon mushrooms.
Next step: hiring another mechanic because the workload justifies it. Then the other businesses complain to the landlord because Ray's customers are taking up all of the available parking spaces. Now Ray has a difficult decision to make...limit the number of cars he can work on, which leads to lost business, or expansion.
Missed you Sunday! Was hoping for my Ray fix today! I Just did an alternator on a 97 Grand Cherokee yesterday. As always your videos are awesome! Keep them coming buddy!
Ray, best of luck at the new shop. Definitely think it was the right move for you. Just a word of caution - UA-cam is terrible for copywrite strikes, and it might eventually pick up the music you are playing in the background. I've heard them doing worse with less.
He could instead listen to that sweet sweet royalty free UA-cam music. Lol.
yep, I got my buddy introuble a few times with the copyright detection system while he was streaming just for humming the A team theme while we're in mobile armor in battlefield multiplayer. Their detection system takes no prisoners.
People don't like free advertising I guess
It's nice to see you bedding the brakes! Most shops just put them on and out the door it goes. Great job and attention to detail.
I can tell you’re very happy with your venture , glad you made the move, not much honest people like you around anymore , keep up the great job young man
You have a good work ethic. I do IT and run my own IT business for a living with the same work ethic and it allows me to sleep easily at night. Even if the client doesn't realize that you are trying to help them out by holding on to the vehicle for a few days, you are able to keep the quality of your work up and ultimately save your client money in the long run. Great video as always and happy thanksgiving to you and your family!
To many not having a vehicle for 4 days may be worth a lot more than the cost of removing the wheel a second time.
Unless they have a second car or want to pay for a rental most want the job done the same day if possible.
Quality over quantity. Very nice business model Ray!
I always enjoyed working for myself. Even when a customer has put 17K miles on the last oil change and tried to blame me for a tic in the engine. 😂😂😂 I was in the habit of dating and writing the milage on the filter before I installed it.
And you never get rid of receipts. I've read horror stories about people being denied warranty repairs because the dealership "lost" their records suing and winning because they kept all of the receipts.
I really like how you describe your repair, not just how you do it, but why and how it affects the process! I am glad you are enjoying working for yourself and being able to do things the "right" way!
Ray..Been watching your channel since day one. My brother in law is also a mechanic for a corporate chain and very well respected. The one thing I have noticed about your mind set is the need to understand why something has failed thus giving you the ability to fix the real problem. One thing you could do...ever thought about the amount of scrap metal you will generate at your shop, you could take to a scrap yard occasionally for money to buy new equipment.
One tip that I learned from racing is when you're cooling your brakes after getting heat in them, try not to sit anywhere (at a light for example) with the brakes on. Try to get to your destination and then let them cool the rest of the way. It can cause pad material to stick to the rotors. It can also cause issues with the rotors cracking. I would've temporarily put the car in neutral at the light. Actually, what I do is go our at night with no traffic, but that's not convenient for someone running a business.
bro what are you on about lol. dude isnt making a le mans prototype braking at the end of the mulsanne straight, he is a mechanic with a garage working in a street car on the street!
@@byloyuripka9624 It applies to bedding in street pads as well. Imagine getting new pads smoking hot and then just sitting with the new pads against the new rotors. The pad material could transfer to that one spot on the rotor and cause runout.
Every time Ray pulls a bearing out without having to use heat, penetrating lube, an air hammer, or slide hammer, a Rust-Belt mechanic cries.
Or just any bolt, especially those ball-joint pinch bolts. 20 minute job down south turns into a 2 day job up north especially if you don't have a torch.
:)
I wish mechanics like your would exist in Montréal, Canada 😔 keep up the good work!
Glad you made the move. I did it 45 years ago and never regretted it. I am 76 still helping people part time keep up the good work. Jim
Yep, I spent years making other people money, then I started my own lawn service business and I have never looked back...! I'm not a fan of the paperwork part of it, but it's far better than working for someone else...! Thanks, keep up your awesomeness and go enjoy some nature today...! Don't forget to compliment someone today...
I run a part time sole proprietorship shop and the freedom of picking and choosing what you work on and when is amazing. Having the option of just taking a day off from the shop if I'm just not feeling it is great. I have a very loyal customer base that understand that I'm part time and for the most part don't have an issue if it takes me a little extra time to get them in and out. My full time job pays the bills, mostly, I basically just turned my hobby into a legit small business.
Why don't you qyit you full time job, and turn your "hobby business" into your full time job? It makes ZERO sense to work full time making money for someone else, and then work part time making money directly for yourself... 😕
@@davelowets Because my full time job comes with good benefits and I'm only 4 1/2 years from retirement. And having to depend on wrenching to make a living would take a lot of the enjoyment out of it. If it was my sole income I'd probably have to take jobs that I'd rather not just to make sure the bills got paid.
Delve468 good answer
I wish all shops or mechanics were like you than I wouldn’t have a problem letting others do work for me. But since I have had way to many rip offs and the wrong things changed or done wrong I just do it all myself. Awesome videos as always.
I really enjoy the way you diagnose an electrical problem. I hope you get some in the shop soon. Keep up that great attitude and you can't lose.
Started my repair business fifty years ago this last summer.Working by myself on my own property.With nearly no operating expenses,I can afford to waste a lot of my time for the benefit of the customers that deserve my generosity.
Good for you, appreciated.
Ray, you are having way too much fun and that is a good thing,🦊
I'm glad you're getting settled into your new shop Ray. I can tell by your demeanor and the tone of your voice how much happier you are not having to deal with clowns trying to push you to just get cars out the door. The retail shops you talked about in this video only care about one thing...$$$. They don't care about the mechanics, the customers or anything but dollars. This is not a good way to do business and will eventually cost them in the end. Quite a few times in your previous videos working for that uh...place we won't mention I could hear the frustration and grief in your voice when they made you do things that went against your better judgement. Now that you are the boss, you can do things the right way as you feel necessary and also feel better inside that you're treating your customers well and giving them good quality work without trying to gouge anyone. I wish you great success with your shop and it's good to see you happy and not burned out or aggravated at stupidity.
Ray, I didn't care for you when I first started watching you, however, after some time, I have grown to appreciate you and your hard work and the honest way you conduct yourself and your business. Best of wishes to you and yours!
Im a lot like you Ray in the fact that ive always cared more about quality than quantity. It was hard to work for the big security companies as an installer because they only care about quantity, the more jobs we get done they more money the company makes. Now im working for a small time operation and i can take my time with installs and do it right, so much happier
It's taking me a bit to get used to the new format, but now I'm starting to dig it. Why didn't you do this years ago? :)
Super cool about banks. Definitely get a new exhaust pipe for the turbo the stock one is crushed!
Ray, you're one of these fellas who have the ability to make another person's day. So much positive vibe! I'm binge-watching your channel: super useful content, plus my beloved Florida. Damn, I miss this place. Even the air has a different smell there. Anyways, congratulations on doing stuff on your own!
“Lol to the six months before you got up n running”.. I knew you could do it and i wanted you to do it ages ago but i totally understand it’s a big step specially when you have a family to support and bills to pay.
Rule: All mechanic employees/contractors MUST film their own jobs posting them on UA-cam.
“Do a job so that you can sign your own name to it” - Was always a saying that I abided by.
Nice shiny new editing “clicks”: 👍
100% agreement. There were two times I was put under pressure to get a job done where an oversite on my part could have caused catastrophic damage and even loss of life. All because the shop manager said that I was taking too long. It's a tragedy that talented mechanics like you are taken for granted Glad you have your own place now. Well deserved.
i am happy for you. you seem a lot happier now that you are working for yourself and not a crappy company who over charges its customers
So glad you’re back in business, better than before!
yeah, i remember the new SilverAdio exhaust system installation. awesome. I also remember that Ram pickup you installed headers on. the things nightmares are made of.
Happy for you, Ray.
Cheers from Louisiana.
I totally agree with you all the way . I hate shops that take advantage of people specialy old people that dont know better .
Was a mecanic for 40 years and when ever i did a job on a car and saw something that needed Immediate attention and needed to take my job appart again later to fix it i would tell the customer about the problem so he could take the decision to do it now to avoid unecessarely labour cost later . I explained to them all the steps to do it if i needed to do that job and that it was in their best interess to do it while i was there while it was already appart . Most people thank me for that and gave me the ok to do it .
Now that i'm retired i get my car fixed in shops to encourage local shops but its in their best interest not to try to fool me arround with these kind of things cause i will move to another shop permanently
Can you imagine if you did a head gasket job on a V8 Chevy and that you saw that the camshaft had wear on one of its lobes and didn't tell the customer and that one month later the guy needs to get that engin opened again for that ? I think that the customer would remember you real quick since replacing the cam and lifters while you were there woudl have taken only about half an hours more plus parts instead of the 6 hours once again .
If it was a newer V8 I'm glad you did it while you're in there cuz the heads have to be out to get the lifters out it was an old V8 all you needed to have was the intake out and it could the lifters just pulled right out I like the old style better from a work standpoint but that's just my opinion have a great day
You don't take into account customers who DEMAND to be cheated. My city used to have an independent VW repair shop. An acquaintance was explaining the independent tech told him he needed a new condenser (capacitor: We old farts know what that is.) $10 bucks. The dealer said he needed a new engine. $1500. (This was when Bugs sold new for under $2K.) He was explaining to me how the crooked SOB tried to rip him off for $10. He paid the dealer $1500. He described hard starting, rough idle, and misfiring when running. I told him "Sounds like a bad condenser to me." He said "F--you! F-- all you thieving car jockeys!" (?? 😲 ?? Jockeys? Apparently he is vocabulary-challenged, too.) I never got to look at his engine, but I'd bet money they steam-cleaned his engine and put a shiny new condenser on it. About 3 years later, VW gave their franchise to a new owner. Anybody with the intelligence of a very stupid rock would have tried the cheap fix before moving to the nuclear option.
Glad you're actually enjoying your work now!
Do you not have parts delivery drivers there? Here in the UK, most of the parts suppliers will deliver to trade, mostly same day if the part is in stock. Saves a lot of down time instead of having to drive around yourself.
Most places do offer it to commercial accounts.
That is usual in urban areas but not in rural ones like his. They'd have to pay someone to be out of the area, spend on fuel, leave local customers hanging, etc. Probably cheaper to just go get it himself. Lose-lose situation.
One benefit: He can tell right away if it's the right part and save paying for them wasting time, fuel, etc. on second trips or not wanting him as an expensive client/jacking prices.
we do, its just either just takes forever to get the part or tool you need and sometimes they bring you the wrong part after waiting for them for so long. better to go get it yourself
Some parts stores do deliver. Some go out pretty quickly (on call) while others have a scheduled delivery window. I’m guessing he does other errands when he goes to get his parts. Also his orders may be too small for free delivery.
Yep, they all do it here, but it either takes forever, or it's the wrong part.
I used to take advantage of that service, but it created more waste time, and cost me more in gas from return trips to the store, than it saved. So I just go myself.
nice brake job Ray, so nice to know there are people out there the still do things right, you were talking about forgetting things, wait until you are 63 like me, I can still do it but I have to go slow and double check EVERYTHING, but I still like doing it, life is good
Luckily, any shop I’ve gone too always recommended doing other work since the car would be apart in that area anyway… like a clutch when doing seals, etc.. Didn’t always take the offer, but grateful for the opportunity to choose.
Exactly right about not rushing auto repair. I did a brake job for a a friend of a friend and they were in a rush. I missed the part about resetting the brake caliper pistons after compressing to fit new brake pads and bedding the brake pads. Almost ended in disaster. Not a step I'll miss in the future.
I admire your business model and work ethic; working for quality more than volume. That shows compassion and integrity!
You do a great job once again. People could learn to watch by watching you. You show things with nobody else does and it's like step by step back in the book. Great job on your new shop I hope everything is doing well for you talk to you later Pete
Pinky and the Brain!! Taking over the world one repair at a time! Glad you're doing you! Build good quality repairs and they will come (back). Get a rep for quality and honesty and your biggest problem will be to many customers fighting for your time!!
i work on my own,and i need to do my brakes on my kia sorento,i watched you to refresh my memory cause i dont do this for a living,so i dont do any one thing enough to remember details,and if i take a refresher im not scratching my head making sure i forgot nothing which preferrably i find before i have to use my brakes,so thanks to you,and your methods of doing things,and its right,youre the only mechanic i watch,unless its something you havent covered that i need to fix,like the coils on my 3.3 litre kia here awhile back,gotter done
Good morning to you Ray from all your friends in the UK!
Uk spanner man also here
Good to see you're enjoying the job again Ray, you're happier and it really shows!
I guess not having to wake up at 05:30 every day would definitely play a part in it.
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say the wife unit and kids would be a heap happier with the situation too 👍
Slightly off topic, How's your coffee consumption now that you can get up and go to work at a more reasonable time?
It's so nice being on this journey with you, I'm glad you were finally able to go into business for yourself and able to use quality parts like you always wanted to in order to do the best quality work for your customers, it says a lot about a person when they are their own boss and not cutting corners to make more money!
Warrany claims will be huge pain.. software will be impossible to get unless you are a certified dealer
That’s gr8 stuff Ray tbh i’m sure most or all or your watchers know that you are a stand up guy who just wants to do good work and quality work. 👍
I live in northern Maine, we have that northern rust you talked about quite badly. Any job you do involves a torch. It's the only tool we absolutely have to have up here. Even on a 2 year old vehicle
I appreciate your attention to details, thank you.
Its fun bumping into a video I haven't seen lol a blast from the past lol. You've coma long way~! I've had coffee many mornings watchin ur vids~!
Every time I watch one of ray's videos I subconsciously catalogue how "mechanic friendly" [or otherwise] that the vehicles are to repair. In an old Holden car [GM to Americans, because James Alexander Holden sold out to General Motors in the USA] the water pump was a really easy job to repair, taking ten minutes at most. Some cars now you have to take the timing belt/gears off and a whole lot of other junk just to SEE if the water pump is leaking.
The good thing about the old Holden were they required very few special tools. This was essential in the "outback" far from civilization and before the days of mobile/Sat phones. You would routinely take radiator hoses, a fan belt, tire repair kit, duct tape, some wire, some oil and fuel, and some basic hand tools and could get the car running again.
These days most cars don't even have a spare wheel, and if they do it is one of those horrible "space-saver" ones that should be banned by law.