Different types of automotive mechanics

Answer 1

Well, when you start out, you start on the lube rack changing oil, and picking up misc. small jobs. Trim issues, open campaigns if your at a dealership. You should, from there, every spare moment, be working with, say the brake guy, because that is where your going next, most likely. Hell, I didn't even mind if the rookie's work bay was an absolute mess, and I had to push out a couple LOF's, (lube, oil, and filter), myself, when we couldn't find the kid, as long as he was showing interest, incentive, a natural curiosity, and some sort of mechanical aptitude. I had guys that were never going to do more than replace stickers on cars, and change an occasional shock, but, they were the first to the timeclock in the morning, and last, at quittin time. They were the first to put a shoulder into pushing a Tahoe, uphill, with a stuck E brake! They always did what I said, to the t. And they were consistently trying to learn. At least making an effort. When it come to specialization, I do not condone it, at all. It is like working part time, and hangin around work the rest. It creates a real bad attitude in the employee, and ultimately the tech's family suffers, but, if you want to know, here they are Front end, brakes, and suspension are usually one guy, tune up, and driveability, which would include everything from changing a fuel pump in the gas tank, to setting up the Rochester fuel injection system on a 57 Chevy. Reprogramming the computer, to rejetting a 800 Holley double pumper. You have a heavy line guy, which is swapping engines, a tranny guy, which will usually do transfer cases in 4/4's, and differentials if rear wheel drive cars, an electrical guy, wiring, selenoids, ect., sometimes a trim guy, who, will do dashwork, interior type stuff, and everything else that's left. And these are usually confined to 1 auto maker! WOW! When I started out..... Anyway, then, at the top of the heap, with all the glory, and a 50-50 split, with a gaurantee of say $100,000 per year, is the best of all. The working mans' friend, the "ALL-TECH". This man can, and will work on anything, because he wants to feed his family, have a boat, and retire around, say, 50, or 52. He flat out gets it done. That man is usually given 4 bays, as opposed to 2, because he needs 1 for his aircraft carrier size tool box, and the other 3 for working won't be enough, and he will have projects going on in the parking lot, guys who are sick, or on vacation's bays, hell if you take a long luch, he will even grab yours. This is the tech I would attempt to become, if I were you.