Do you let your kids help out with the MB maintenance? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

G-Benz · #1 12-23-2002, 01:31 PM

Nothing like teaching your daughter how to install brake pads on your Mercedes-Benz. She now knows how to do W124 pads, and can brag to her friends about it!

It didn't put my wife's heart at ease knowing we were riding through the rain pounded streets relying on brakes installed by an 8-yr old!

Maybe next year, we will do the head gasket job together.

engatwork · #2 12-23-2002, 04:44 PM

I try my best to encourage my 9 year old to get out and help out with my maintenance/repair work as much as possible.

Snibble · #3 12-23-2002, 05:01 PM

sometimes I wish why I didn't have a dad like that.

I guess he's only good in one thing.. teaching dentistry.

G-Benz · #4 12-24-2002, 12:38 PM

My Dad was the epitome of Healthcliff Huxatble in the "Cosby Show".

If you ever saw the episodes where "Cliff" would make some vain attempt at home or appliance repair, you know what I mean!

So as I grew up I taught myself some things and observed mechanic friends and competent neighborhood DIY'ers in order to get some idea of how to wrench on stuff.

My daughter wants to know how to fix stuff, and I don't force her into any of it.

dtanesq · #5 12-24-2002, 01:57 PM

My dad provided numerous and sometimes amusing examples of
"how-not-to" automobile maintenance. My mother's Oldsmobile station wagon burned to the ground a block from our house because of an improperly installed fuel filter! Much of the colorful language I know comes from my days as a youngster handing tools to my dad while he was underneath one of the family vehicles.

My 14-year old son is very interested and helps out a great deal with the restoration on the 2002 and my 8-year old daughter is a real trooper (it was pretty amazing watching her lift the 5-series brake rotors...).

I think it helps develop a healthy respect for the machine and what it takes to maintain it properly and it also better equips them to help themselves in a roadside situation. If they know something about the system that failed, it's a good thing.

MikeTangas · #6 12-24-2002, 02:16 PM

All the time. The 14 year old gets to help and learn, but I'm finding I'm more like my Dad, in that he is doing all the handing of tools and parts, while I do the work. Shoot, I was 28 years old before my Dad allowed me to run a Skill saw in his presence or swing a hammer, up to then I was the designated board holder

.

My 6 year old daughter now makes a very capable 2nd person for brake bleeding jobs. She even gets upset if I decide to use my pressure bleeder instead of her. Now, the 4 year old gets upset if I don't ask her to hand me a wrench or a part. Problem with that is she doesn't understand what you want......yet

.

It's like an old time aprenticeship.

The Warden · #7 12-24-2002, 02:32 PM

I'm not old enough to have kids yet. But, when the time comes, I hope that they will want to help out like that.

A guy on the Ford site that I'm on has a picture of his 6 year old daughter undoing bolts on a 6.9l (IH diesel

) valve cover. Real cute.

#8 12-24-2002, 02:52 PM

I wish my kids would help

Bruce B · #9 12-25-2002, 12:18 AM

I haven't had my Benz long enough to need my son (16 yo) to help fix anything....yet. He is learning however with his Caddy and Nissan, also he did a complete brake job, master cylinder down to the pads and shoes for the now defunct Plymouth. He went through "Dad's Driving School" as will my 13 yo daughter, basics of knowing how to check all the fluids, belts, etc. and knowing what they are called, as well as the SAFE way to change a tire. But back to the question, no, I wouldn't hesitate to have him help or do the complete repair himself.

omegabenz · #10 12-25-2002, 04:58 AM

I helped my dad since about 3 years old on cars. We used to work on dirt and we never lost any tools, now we have a full shop and we loose tools all the time, so whats up with that?

I pretty much know how to do a great deal of stuff on any cars. I started with fords, now im on benz. My friend came over and we did a brake job on his 190e, however his left rear caliper needs to be resealed. I havent ever done that though. I think im going to try to help him on that one, first time for me.

I dont think you have to work on cars with your kids, but you should at least find something that both of you like to do together so that you have some bonding time. For my dad and I, it was cars, and building things around the house. For my mom it was doing the dishes in the kitchen, thats when we talk.

I think its very important for girls to not rely on AAA to change their tires, etc. Because it would be better to do it in five minutes and get out of harms way.

Kuan · #11 12-25-2002, 07:49 AM

I used to help my Dad all the time. I could rebuild a Solex carb by the time I was 14. I didn't understand what the parts did, but I could put it together.

Kuan

Trelinski · #12 12-25-2002, 12:19 PM

My dad always wanted me to help him, unfortunately I was usually relegated to the "hold this for me" role, so I could never get into it, and considered it a chore. It was not until I took auto in school, that I actually took an interest in working on cars.

Kids will lose interest fast if they are just holding things, they need to be involved. I wish my dad involved me a little more, I missed out on learning a lot of useful stuff.

omegabenz · #13 12-25-2002, 02:47 PM

Holding stuff up is B*tch work, thats what I call it, but once you get past it, its not so bad. Handing wrenches while someone is under the car is fine, but not when they are standing next to the tool box. I was very involved. I was told when I was ten, go take the driveshaft out, then take the tranny out, call me if you need help. So I was very independent when i worked on cars. I restored a 1965 Corvette with my dad frame off when I was 8-10, then my dad and I drove it to the grand canyon from san diego the day after we got it finished.

Mick J · #14 12-27-2002, 08:50 AM

All those sound so familiar - I got bored by not being allowed to do anything except pass tools to my dad - now I loosen off bolts and let my 6 year old remove them - with the car up on ramps she can sit upright and be much more comfortable than me!

Also her thin fingers can retrieve the bits she drops better than I!

engatwork · #15 12-27-2002, 09:25 AM

Here's my 9 year old breaking the 617 block down getting it ready to take to the machine shop.