Some automotive engineers...

[wetdog]

Rear axle started leaking on my '13 Nissan Frontier with 20K and under warranty. When I broght it in for repair, the mechanic started complainging about how hard it was to replace the bearing and seals on that model. I jokingly told him, " if its that difficult to fix just put a whole new rear end in it". When I came back in a few days to pick it up, it had a new rear end under it. We were both happy.

[WDH]

On a dude not I discovered that there was no she comes in this vehicle.

I was thinking the same thing, sort of, in a symbolic kinda way, kind of  :D.

[Dave Shepard]

Is that better? I could have sworn I proof read that whole post. ??? DanG stooopid phones. :

[WDH]

No.  I felt that the original version described Jeep engineering perfectly  ;D.

[Sixacresand]

I loved the Jeeps made in the forties.  So easy to work on.   The newer stuff is $400+ per repair.  Just a fact of life.  Just park it under the "shade tree" until the roll back comes to pick it up.   :D

[WV Sawmiller]

Bruno,

   Years ago (May still do it) Japan (At least Okinawa) had a solution to encourage people to buy new cars - the property taxes went up on the old used ones every year (not down like ours typically do). Eventually it was cheaper to just buy a new car rather than keeping your old junker running.

Dave,

   You should be happy these guys are just designing cars. If not they might get into politics and design our laws and tax systems.

[GAB]

Having worked (as a contractor) at an Automotive parts supplier for 12+ years I can vouch for the fact that very little to no consideration is placed on maintenance.  They want it at the cheapest price possible.  As far as assembly at the assembly plants is concerned the same applies.
I personally feel that fuel tank design employees should be obligated to pump fuel for a year before they are allowed near a computer with a design software package.  The nozzle kicking off with the tank only partially filled, why that is sacriligeous.
Gerald

[Hilltop366]

A subject that makes me cranky.

There really should be standards and prescribed clearances, one really should not have to remove the front axle to change the alternator or take the cab off to replace the exhaust manifold or cylinder head, remove the intake manifold to change spark plugs..............

[Justify008]

They design them like they design everything else now cheap compacted and plastic and just throw it away and buy new when it breaks. That's why I laugh when people tell me I should buy a new truck I'll stick with my old 1999 f550 6 spd. You cant even buy a new truck with a standard transmission anymore its sickening. I'll spend 70k rebuilding mine before I buy a new one.

[Dave Shepard]

You can't buy a Ford or GM with a manual, but you can buy a Dodge with one. I've heard they've picked up quite a bit of market share because of it. I'm not surprised they are doing away with manual transmissions. They want the computers to control the engine and transmission for maximum economy.

[LeeB]

Who's maximum economy? Maximum input to theirs?

[maple flats]

A couple of years ago we needed a new headlight on our 08 Prius. I stopped at one shop, they said they had no idea how to get it done. That we HAD to go to Toyota. The next week we had Toyota do it. 3.5 hrs and $280 later we had the new light. Apparently to change the headlight, they need to remove the inner fender and a few other things before they could get to the headlight. What a marvel of engineering. I used to swap out a bulb in about 10 minutes (and the lens by the way never got cloudy) now the engineers have designed a 10 min. job to keep a mechanic busy for over 3 hrs at the consumers expense.

[TimRB]

Yep kid who is 3rd year Electrical Engineering Student couldn't figure out how to operate a standard pair of wire strippers.

I'll see your third year student and raise you a PhD.  I once had to go to China to help set up a new manufacturing line for a large high-tech company.  As an EE, I was the hardware guy, but another engineer, a PhD EE, came along to do data analysis. 

At our hotel, Mr. PhD went to take a shower.  The water control was one of those single-knob things that you pull to turn on, and twist one way or the other to get hot/cold.  There were red and blue marks on the wall to indicate the direction to turn for water temp.  Being a smart guy, Mr. PhD looked at the marks, figured out which direction to turn the knob, and turned on the hot water.  After quite some time, no hot water came out.

So what would you have done?  I know what I would have done.

Mr. PhD turned off the water and called the front desk to complain.  A few minutes later a maintenance guy showed up and got plenty of hot water by (wait for it) turning the knob the other way.

Anyway, cars (and most other products nowadays) are not designed to be maintained easily--they are designed to be manufactured easily.

Tim

[Dave Shepard]

My father bought a shift kit for one of his IH tractors from a guy out in Iowa I think. The 06, 26, and 56 series tractors get cranky after 50 years, so this guy came up with a really nice kit to fix it. The instructions were very detailed, and the guy didn't cash your check until you were satisfied with the upgrade. My father asked if anyone had ever not been satisfied. The guy said only one. The guy called numerous times because he couldn't understand the directions, including which way to turn a right hand thread. The guy was a mechanical engineer. :D

[maple flats]

I think many are designed to keep the common handyman from fixing things his (or her) self.

[samandothers]

2004 2500hd change head light no time, pull up a long pen and swing out the light change.  2007, luckly on the passenger side, remove the air box and remove bulb.   Drivers side is removing a lot more pieces and parts. 
My neighbor works for a dealer and he gets frustrated too.  As said, I believe it is decrease manufacturing cost to sell them and then the service will bring in whatever it costs but it is not easy to service.