what do mechanics do with rust buckets in Massachusetts???

[E30SPDFRK]

Yeah, we're used to it. It's really not too bad if you go in expecting it. I work one probably the worst: cars from Block Island. They rust instantly just driving onto that island then they come to me to get worked on.

[robmespeedy]

i just told my self today i'd hate to be a mechanic in the east coast. im glad i live in california.

[Mike325]

Cars up here do not usually get too rusty if you take care of them with washing and everything a few times a month in the winter time. The wost stuff is the exhaust and hardware for the exhaust. That stuff can be gone in about two years, no matter what you do.

[löwenbröke]

Yup. I do hate 12 points sockets too. The only one I have is for my head bolts. All others are 6 points.

12 pt. sockets should only be used on 12 pt. nuts/ bolts etc...

[löwenbröke]

i worked in a shop for 8 years in ne ohio, and now i wrench on the west coast. the difference is night and day. i love it here, everythings so easy for the most part. ohio is ALL RUST on every car, unless it's less than 3 years old or so, or garaged/ washed regularly all winter. we didn't really charge more to work on rusty stuff, as it was normal, but when you run into exhaust mani studs breaking etc. usually a call is made to the customer to approve more time for extracting etc. Lots of pb blaster and a whole lotta use of the torch is what gets u by on rusty vehicles..

[Massive Lee]

Yup. I do hate 12 points sockets too. The only one I have is for my head bolts. All others are 6 points.

[Axxe]

It makes life interesting.

[nrubenstein]

12-point sockets anyone?

I've found that 12-point is incredibly effective at rounding off nuts and bolts for me. I prefer the streamlined look.

[Simon S]

12-point sockets anyone?

[FredK]

No, the labor-hour pricing is essentially the same. If something gets broken, though, like a downpipe stud, some level of jury rigging usually happens. Mechanics are usually pretty surly people.

I think the worst is people that do alignments. Camber bolts and tie rods are always frozen. These often have to be replaced in their entirety to get an adjustment that holds, or a compromise is just made. "We couldn't get the camber even".

[mikeedler]

after working at a dealer for the past few years-- I hate working on any car older than 5 years old-- it sux getting dirty!

[nrubenstein]

I suspect that the northeastern definition of rustbucket is very different from yours.

[robmespeedy]

Ok so i worked on a car from Massachusetts yesterday. it was the rustiest thing i ever seen in my life. are most cars like that out there? it was only a 95 bmw 325ic

Do shops turn away rust buckets since they are a big risk in breaking bolts? or do they just charge more?