Over the years, I have taken wrench in hand many times. Here is a list of the repairs I've done myself on the Alero.
Change oil & filter
Rotate tires
Remove & clean interior seats and trim
Install an iPod input
Change brake rotors & pads all around
Flush brake fluid
Change thermostat
Change spark plugs
Bleed cooling system of air
Change out front wheel bearing
Change out front & rear struts
Some folks will say that doesn't sound like much. Indeed, in the old days these repairs were common.
Yet today it's unusual for a car owner to perform jobs like this. Most of the time jobs like changing wheel bearings and struts are handled by the local mechanic.
I, however, can't stomach paying nearly $900 for a wheel bearing job when I can do it for $120. (Sure, there were differences in parts with that estimate. He wanted to use a Delco OEM replacement, while I was perfectly happy with NAPA brand. The Alero chewed through a Delco bearing in 40k miles anyway.)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Alero community
In my quest to keep the Alero on life support, I count on two very valuable online forums.
Aleromod.com is a once-proud site that is slowly dying. Contributions are falling off. Only a few hardcore members still post regularly. Still, it's a very useful forum.
Grandamgt.com, on the other hand, is thriving. The Grand Am has always been the used performance car of choice. Even though it is nearly identical to the Alero, the Grand Am draws a more committed car owner. These people are passionate about their rides and are constantly working on them. DIY info is broad and deep. Best of all, when a repair is beyond the reach of a skilled backyard mechanic, the forum willingly advises caution.
There are a few others. N-body.net is basically dead. Grand Am Owners Club is as active as GrandAmGT but I tend not to use it, mostly because the GT owners seem to take more risks.
With the help of these sites I have never used a Chilton manual, or the Alero's service manual. Basically everything is available online, and with useful commentary.
Aleromod.com is a once-proud site that is slowly dying. Contributions are falling off. Only a few hardcore members still post regularly. Still, it's a very useful forum.
Grandamgt.com, on the other hand, is thriving. The Grand Am has always been the used performance car of choice. Even though it is nearly identical to the Alero, the Grand Am draws a more committed car owner. These people are passionate about their rides and are constantly working on them. DIY info is broad and deep. Best of all, when a repair is beyond the reach of a skilled backyard mechanic, the forum willingly advises caution.
There are a few others. N-body.net is basically dead. Grand Am Owners Club is as active as GrandAmGT but I tend not to use it, mostly because the GT owners seem to take more risks.
With the help of these sites I have never used a Chilton manual, or the Alero's service manual. Basically everything is available online, and with useful commentary.
About this blog
I bought a new Alero in 2002, and haven't gotten around to selling it. The car has several positive traits: the heat and AC still work, it's loaded with features, and most of all it's paid off.
This fall I start grad school and can't afford to buy a new car. Therefore I must keep the Oldsmobile going.
Parts are failing. Rust is creeping. The dash is wrinkling.
This blog will document all the work that goes into keeping an American car alive past 90,000 miles.
The first posts will cover pre-blog repairs & experiences. As new work happens I'll blog with pictures.
This fall I start grad school and can't afford to buy a new car. Therefore I must keep the Oldsmobile going.
Parts are failing. Rust is creeping. The dash is wrinkling.
This blog will document all the work that goes into keeping an American car alive past 90,000 miles.
The first posts will cover pre-blog repairs & experiences. As new work happens I'll blog with pictures.
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