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Flexibility

Gonzo

By Gonzo
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Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

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Flexibility

There's one thing I'd like to have back from my youthful days …my flexibility. All that movement and bending I used to do; contorting like some circus act and getting up from it all with no ill effects. Yea, that'd be nice, because I still need some of that flexibility today.

 

I've gotten myself into a lot of crazy positions over the years, and it's not getting any easier. After all these years I still have to get my head under a dash like some acrobatic act. I don't know about you, but I find rolling down the window and sticking my feet out of it works better than bending my back in some awkward positions.

 

Its bad enough being under there but it makes it worse that I have to wear "cheaters" so I don't have to try and bend my head back so far to find the bifocals, and squeezed under the dash is not the appropriate time to lose that flexibility. At times I've had my whole arm shoved through some air conditioning duct looking for a mouse nest, retrieving little "Tommy's" favorite school pencil, or a valuable ring that made its way down the heater vents.

 

But there was this one car I'll never forget. A little Mazda Miata convertible came in the shop one day. It was more than your normal street driven Mazda, it had a full roll cage welded into the car. It still had the factory doors on it but they were practically useless. Oh they opened, but you would have to be extremely small to fit under the roll cage bars and squirm your way into the driver's seat. I would guess there was about a 2 foot opening between the bars. The main roll bar support was welded between the hinge area of the door and the door opening. This formed the convertible top arch, and came down into the back seat area. To make it even stiffer, they added a horizontal bar just above top of the seat cushion. It was welded to both ends of the arched piece. It wasn't a small pipe either; more like about 3 or so inches in diameter. The factory seats were replaced with those hard plastic racing seats, which made it even worse to crawl into the car.

 

I found it a lot easier to do one of those "Dukes of Hazards" leaps into the thing. It wouldn't start, that's why it was at my shop in the first place, so crawling around on it was part of the job. This thing was set up to go racing, from top to bottom, but retained the street look from the outside of the vehicle. It meant business. (Ok, it's still a Miata though.) It had two problems, one which turned out to be just as difficult as the other one. The crank sensor hold down bolt had sheared off even with the block. That alone took some dexterity to remove the broken section.

 

The other problem was someone took the computer out of the car. (I think somebody thought it was a ECM problem, when it really was probably only the broken bolt to the crank sensor.) The ECM had been removed by another shop, but after it was removed the owner of the car wasn't getting along with them at all so he had it brought over to my shop. The computer was also "hopped-up" for racing (where people find the places to do this to their cars, never ceases to amaze me.) The computer was under the center section of the dash below the ash tray area. It would have been a piece of cake to get to, if you could squeeze between the door and the roll cage. Not happening, sorry… even with the doors wide open the roll cage took up most of the door opening.

 

There was only one way I was going to get to that part of the car. Head first down thru the top, dangling your feet and butt over the back of the seats and the horizontal tie bar that ran from side to side of the roll cage. All this while guiding both arms through the now darkening floor area, keeping in mind you have a ratchet with a 10mm socket on it, the ECM, a small screw driver between your teeth (don't drop it) and a flash light.

 

With all the blood rushing to your head and your entire weight resting on the top of your skull it wasn't the most comfortable position to be in. To make it even worse, you had to move from one side of the foot well to the other to get all the bolts installed. The whole time I was doing this upside down side show act, I kept thinking, if the shop suddenly caught fire, they would find me right here just like this, upside down, feet straight up in the air, and that pocket screwdriver still clenched between my teeth. (Still ain't dropped it.)

 

The worst part about it, once I got in there, I never put any thought on how I was going to get out. It's not like I have the strength to do a "stand on your head pushup". Come on, I'm not that young anymore, and besides, I don't think I could have done one of those even back in my younger days when I was in the Marine Corps and worked out everyday.

 

The only way I could get out of there was to corkscrew myself off my back and get over onto my side, slip down into the back seat area (ain't much of a back seat) and duck around the roll cage bars, all the while trying to keep from blacking out. Mind you, those race seats don't have any give to them, and very little padding. Oh, the things I get into… and out of.

 

What a day that was. I hope the owner never wants me to change that computer again. But, I'm sure there will be an even more difficult one out there sometime in the future. I'll have to pass on them anymore. It's that flexibility thing, you know. I play a lot of golf to help retain some of that "youthful" flexibility, (at least that's the excuse I'm giving the wife). But, there's one thing for sure; the older I get, the more I'm going to avoid standing on my head in tiny cars with roll bars and racing seats in them.

 

**********************************************************************

 

Thanks for reading my stories, they are here before final editing and publishing. Your comments help me decide which ones get sent onto my publishers.

 

Leave a comment and don't forget to stop by my website www.gonzostoolbox.com

 


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Edited by Gonzo
Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

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Nice Frank, how about the next time I need a short, jockey size guy... I'll call ya, and see if you can send him my way. LOL

 

Gonzo, this is just the reason that I always like to keep a jockey size technician under the age of 40 working for me. It is always nice to have someone you can stick into those tight places or have little hands to get to the spot no one else can reach.

Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ah, yes, I see I'm not the only one that find it some what "unmanly" to think I can't do the "25" thing anymore.

 

I gotta admit, after I write these stories down, I find myself laughing.... because the relationship we all have of the situations we all deal with is the same no matter where you're at.

Love to hear the comments... I really need to finish my hottub area.. cause, I sure could use it.

 

Gonzo, every time I "think" I'm still 25, I get into trouble. My lead tech needed someone to help bleed brakes the other day. The wheels were off and the car was about 3 feet in the air. I was walking thru the shop and offered to help. My tech asked if he should lower the car for me to make it easy to climb in. Now me, being that "manly man" said, "I can still climb into a car, buddy". Well, all I have to say....I am not 25 years old anymore...I do understand that flexibility issue!

Gonzo Grand Master

Gonzo

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I damned sure did..

 

 

Hope ya charged him more than .4 to replace that ECU :)

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      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
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      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      Nearly every day, I hear shop owners complain: "There's a technician shortage. We can't find qualified people. There's no one out there." If that's true, then who's to blame?
      The industry? The schools? The government? I don't know how you feel, but who promised us an endless supply of qualified technicians?
      Another common complaint is that young people do not want to work in the trades. Well, if that were true, then why are other trades such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing growing? What are they doing that the automotive industry is not? 
      Here's the reality we need to face: We do have a problem, but we shouldn't look for someone or any entity to rescue us. Not the government. Not the trade schools. Not the recruiting companies. No one owes us a workforce. If we want great people in our industry, it's up to us. At some point, we need to own up to the truth: Building a pipeline of qualified technicians is our responsibility.
      In this blog article, I will break down the key reasons we are in this situation today and what we, as an industry, can do to solve the technician shortage. Are you ready to look in the mirror?
      Have We Pushed Technicians Away?
      Let's take a look at flat-rate pay. True flat rate, which pays a technician only for the hours they produce, is a controversial pay plan that emphasizes high production levels and creates a competitive work environment that, if not properly controlled, can lead to increased mistakes and a decline in morale and team spirit. Additionally, the stress and physical demands placed on technicians as they age are not favorable to long-term employee retention. What do we do with technicians as they grow older into their fifties and begin to slow down? 
      I have heard all the arguments and pros and cons of flat-rate pay, and I am not going to judge any pay plan. Let the facts speak for themselves. True flat rate has changed in most areas around the country and has evolved into a pay plan that gives technicians some pay guarantee.
      Many shop owners have learned that team morale, along with the opportunity to earn income, is important to technicians and to the company's long-term success. But let me ask you: how many technicians have left or been pushed out over the years because of the old flat-rate pay system?
      Another issue is the workplace environment. I remember being grateful to be hired as a young technician at a local repair shop. While very thankful, the work environment was not ideal. The shop owner kept the bay doors open year-round (I am from New York) unless it rained or snowed. He felt that if the bay doors were closed, customers might think we were closed for business. We had no heat and no hot water. Many of the jobs were done outside, year-round,  in all types of weather. The starting pay was minimum wage, with no benefits, sick days, or vacation pay. 
      Now, again, I need to point out that I was truly grateful for the opportunity this shop owner gave me. I learned a lot working there, and the experience was pivotal in my career. But looking back, I wonder how many people were discouraged by these working conditions?
      While the physical demands of the repair workplace are daunting, perhaps even more critical is the culture. Too many of my generation shop owners preached the mindset of "my way or the highway." We were the business owners, after all. We started our companies, took all the risks, and provided jobs. Why shouldn't we be the ones to set the ground rules our way?   
      Many of us found over the years that the "my way or the highway" mentality was a sure way to isolate employees and make them more likely to look over the fence for greener grass. In other words, it led many technicians to seek employment elsewhere, where they felt they could be appreciated and recognized for their hard work. The issue, however, was that there wasn't much green grass around. Disappointment after disappointment, bouncing from repair to repair shop, eventually led to despair. So, I ask you: were workplace conditions a contributing factor in today's technician shortage?
      Another factor that we are all well aware of is the complexity of the modern automobile. When I started, the work was mostly physical, and you were required to master essentially three vehicle models: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Let's fast-forward to today. The evolution of automotive technology, along with the extensive training and tools required, has outpaced the typical technician's pay compensation, with no clear career path. Again, leading to frustration and insecurity about the future.
      Here is the bottom line: people don't leave their job; they leave their experience. We must do a better job. 
      The News Isn't all Bad; Your Next Steps to Fix the Technician Shortage
      To fix the technician shortage, it will take a combined effort from everyone in the automotive industry, particularly automotive shop owners. Shop owners are in the perfect position to make the greatest impact, not only on their businesses but also on the future automotive workforce.
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      Next, shop owners must become more financially knowledgeable. Knowing your numbers and what you need to achieve for a strong bottom-line profit is essential to paying technicians the money they need and deserve. Profit will also allow you to compete with other trade industries by providing a benefits package that has real take-home value and security.
      When it comes to culture, this is where the rubber hits the road. People crave recognition, praise, and a sense of purpose. Despite what you hear, people are not just money-motivated. Once people feel secure in their financial situation, retaining and motivating technicians can only be achieved by connecting with them on an emotional level. You cannot show enough appreciation. Give out praise for a job well done as if your business depended on it, because it does.
      As technicians age, we need to have a place for them. Expecting a 58-year-old to perform like a 35-year-old is unrealistic. We need to be more focused on career pathing. Provide training, skill development, and coaching to develop leaders and mentors within our older workforce. While their bodies may have slowed, the knowledge they have gained is priceless. 
      Our future is dependent on young people entering our industry. We need to give more young people opportunities. Every shop owner across the country should consider hiring an apprentice, then build an apprentice training plan and career path for them. If every shop did this, we could solve the technician shortage within five years. Get involved with the trade schools and high schools in your area. Look into the NAPA Apprenticeship Program. Don't sit on your hands with this one. Do it today.
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