well as fast as iam going I don't see why not. My boss is working with me to get this done. Why is it so scary that I learn somthing I enjoy. And as far as I know the only thing complicated about alignments are the older cars. Using shims and bushings most of the newer cars don't use those any more its simple adjustments. The computer does everything.

 

True..You know whats funny..is how some shops 'Managers' get ASE certified,cause of the book smarts....

But dont know 1 thing about turning wrenches..

Yeah the computer will show you the readings of "where" the manufactures specs calls for.Its not gonna show you what to turn .. where to shim..in the front or rear of the control arm cross section... is the rear for + or - caster...

Wait till you have to slot some strut towers... or align BWMs or Vetts...


Asian 4 wheel alignments are a cake walk and a good confident booster.. Wait till you get a 70s GM pickup with 300k on it,worn out non power steering box.. and got to shim the fuck out of it cause the frame is alittle out of line..

You got to walk before you crawl..

You need about 1 yr schooling or 2 yrs on the job before you can take an ASE.I also think theres a limit of how many you can do at one time..and theres I think 1-2 you cannot take until you pass the first one.

Why do you want go get ASE certified?

 

I concur, you have years (plural) to go before you legitimally have the words master tech associated to your name.

Being a good mechanic is nothing that a book, computer and an instructor is going to give you in a short period of time.

You will also need to have a intuitive knack for this kind of stuff before you even start to learn what you will need to know.

Rotary7 pretty much hit the nail right on the head. Hell, I can do a pretty good alignment on a car with some string, a tape measure and some basic tools so you had better get past the idea of always having an expensive computerized machine to do all of your hard work for you.

Good luck.

 

When I started to do alignments we had the string set up with the heads on the wheels but I heard they had shit before with mirrors..

Now what they have today with the lasers are so dam sweet.

Pending on what machines and software,it will show an ilistrated pic of what to turn for adjustments..

I like the Hunter machines.

 

I use JBC equipment. And yes it does show you what to turn and where to place the shims. The frame of the car can be a fucked up as it wants I could pull any car out of the junkyard and bet I could still make that car drive striaght. I have already done A 86 I think chevy surburban and a I have already done a Mercedes. Like is said you guys think that aligning a car is a hard thing to do. A Monkey can align a car. Iam sure back then there was alot more to learn and know how when alignment had to be done. I know its not good to have the machine be the one in control there is still more I have to learn. Its not 1-2years its more like a couple of more weeks and I'll have this down. And this manager you say that just has book smarts why dont you come down and meet him. He is always in the shop working with us most of the time. Most of them just sit in there office and dont do shit. thanks for your support guys.

 

Rotary7: I would like to become ASE certified is because I want to learn more then just Honda's.

 

Either you have a hard time reading or cant comprehend what im saying...

MOST Shop MANAGERS/SERVICE MANAGERS has NOT turned a wrench in thier life to make a dollar/the ONES that are ASE certified,most of them only got it from book smarts.

I did mechanics for 8 yrs 4 diffrent independant shops and 2 dealerships,I have seen mechanics turn into managers,I also have seen alot of managers that dont know shit abotu mechanics..


No one said it will take you 2 years to "learn" to do alignments I learned quick also.Im also ASE certified in suspension and steering.You NEED either 6 months or 1 yr of schooling OR 2 yrs job experiance BEFORE you can even be certified,I dont have any papers laying around but dont think you can just walk in and be certified,The test get harder every year.Next year my certs are expeired.and they are good for 4 yrs.. so at this point I have no reason to renew them ...but if I did and I get my other certs I can walk into a shop or dealership and try to get top pay..

The reason I asked you WHY do you want to be ASE certifed cause...to alot of old mechanics ...it dont mean shit..

This guy who is like my uncle is a master tech ..or used to be by ASE standards..he never renewed his certs...why?

At a dealership..they dont tend to push you to get yoru ASE,cause they dont go by it..they go by manufactor certs..Like if you wokred for Honda..you get Honda certified..

The ASE will make it look better,but my friend is topped out and cant make no more money ...the dealership wont give him any more ..and hes been there like 10 yrs..Just cause your ASE dont mean you will know how to work on other cars than Hondas.. whats good is yoru ASE cert for suspension and steering gonna be good for at yoru house?.....nothing...its not like your gonna bust out the string and chalk and align a car on your drive way..

You can only take SE test 2 times a year..and next one should be soon..and I should take some so IF I did get back into mechanics I can get in with some decent pay..I also think that thier is a test limit..and I personally think if you take more than 2 test per testing session your just wasting your money ..

 

I didn't know this. Thanks. Somtimes when people explain things they don't give me the whole story exspecting me to grasp what there saying. Either there to lazy to explain or what I dont know. This makes sense.

 

glad to hear you're enjoying your job.

i'll have to come up and get my car aligned...

 

What school you going to Erwin?

I think you can out of school customer cars for free as a test car or cheap right?

*thinks what I can get done*