Be it on a dedicated competition car, a tow vehicle, or a daily driver, we’ve all performed some kind of maintenance in a pinch. Whether it’s at an event, on the road to an event, or in the garage prior to an event as you realize you overlooked some major maintenance, when you’re in a bind, it’s amazing what you’ll do to get the job done. To that end, meet Hagerty Media’s article entitled “6 Dangerous but Common DIY Mistakes.”
Hagerty Media is the content arm of Hagerty, the Official Insurance Partner of SCCA since 2019.
Penned by prolific writer Kyle Smith, this particular Hagerty Media article isn’t targeted toward those in a rush – but for most SCCA® members, it’s safe to say that we know the right way to do things, we just opt to cut a corner or two when the clock’s ticking.
“We’ve all been there,” Smith writes. “Stuff like ‘every tool is a hammer’ and other jokes made by experienced wrenchers can easily be misinterpreted by a newbie and turned into a bad habit. Mistakes get made with or without help, but by highlighting these six, we hope we can save even just a few people from having to experience them. Trust us, these are easy to get comfortable with, but the results can be costly.”
What are the six? For that, you’ll have to read the article on Hagerty.com/media, but lets just say some that I’ve been guilty of include leaving fluids in an open-top pan as well as pushing a wrench instead of pulling. The first has resulted in tripping over said pan, spilling oil all over the garage floor; the latter came with bloody knuckles when the bolt finally loosened in the tight confines of the engine bay.
Another one (which Smith calls “believing ‘good enough’ is acceptable”) turns out to be my mantra.
“Installing a new water pump but using crummy gaskets or improper sealant that will cause a leak soon enough means the car is constantly in need of something, yet also never getting better. That’s extremely frustrating,” Smith writes.
I would argue (tongue in cheek…somewhat) that when it comes to motorsports, all fixes are temporary, so do what you have to do to get the job done in time.
Find this article – and more – at Hagerty.com/media.
Photo courtesy Hagerty
