Mechanic needing advice

[twostrokeking]

I'm 19 and work at a dealership. I post on here a little bit and although I don't always reply I do soak it in and take notes anyways. I have always loved working on stuff. However I made a very bad mistake Thursday. I forgot to tighten caliper bolts on one caliper when doing brakes and the caliper fell off on Saturday while the customer was driving. It makes me sick to think about what could have happened. I have ADHD and I do take medication for it but it's like I'm constantly forgetting things and losing focus. Any tips?

 

[stikman56]

Maybe this.... Go over it all in your head every time, right after you've double and triple checked your work. This works for me when I have stuff apart, and I have done it that way for years. For me that is what works and keeps my stuff from coming back.

 

[Super Mech]

You posted at 1:59am. Maybe you should try getting more sleep so you can concentrate better.

 

[chevelle598bb]

If the repair has alot of fasteners in which torque values are critical then i will use a paint pen to mark the bolt after it has been torqued. Then when i double check everything if i see the paint mark its good if i dont then i retorque. It sounds like it adds alot of time but it doesn't. Its faster then scratching your head wondering did i tighten that caliper bolt and then redoing it. A quick swip and your done. Also alot better than being sued.

 

[Bookworm]

Perhaps someone taking psychotropic drugs should not be working on mission-critical safety systems on customer cars.
I would recommend you limiting your work to changing wiper blades and batteries.

You'll be lucky to get out without losing everything in a lawsuit.

 

[ABADWILLYS]

you better double check your work, you would have been fired in my shop with a screw up like that!! just go over in your mind every bolt that you touched and make sure they were tightend/torqued back up

 

[WhiffySpark]

Perhaps someone taking psychotropic drugs should not be working on mission-critical safety systems on customer cars.
I would recommend you limiting your work to changing wiper blades and batteries.

You'll be lucky to get out without losing everything in a lawsuit.

I guess since I'm deaf I shouldn't work on cars either? Or even blind without glasses?

 

[royslead]

I would agree with the comment about getting more sleep, that would help; but I was that age and used to stay up all night as well. You're quite young and early to this trade, so you probably have not yet developed your own pattern of doing certain jobs yet. The above advice is good about marking/ checking bolts. You could adapt that method. It may help to have a service cart or workbench nearby to be organized. As you reassemble components, and have a particular tool in your hand, go to the other side of the car and repeat the assembly (doing brakes), then - put that tool away (assuming you won't need it elsewhere). Once you develop a pattern, make sure you do it on every car, every time, without exception.

I will add that working in a dealership has its share of distractions, as well as being in the generation of texting, social media, et al. Couple this with a flat rate pay plan and it's very easy to forget something. Don't rush through the jobs just to make bank, if that applies to you; it's far easier and more efficient to take the time required to do things right the first time.

 

[joelowrider]

I have been told if you don't make mistakes every once and a while you are not working.

Stuff happens I would brush it off apologize and try to keep it etched in your head now to double check those bolts. I bet that wont happen again.

 

[jkwilson]

Mistakes happen.

In aviation, checklists and processes are used to try to reduce them. I try to go over things in my head, but as I get older I find notes to be a big help. I have two whiteboards in my shop. One has vehicle and equipment maintenance information, and the other I use as a scratch pad, sketch book and reminder. If I have to walk away from something that isn't done, I'll write down "Tighten Caliper Bolts" to make dang sure I don't forget to do it.

Figure out what it takes for you to keep things straight. A notebook with a checklist or one in your head. Whatever works for you.

 

[T-Mac]

I have a cart that follows me around the shop.Keep it clean and you can see every nut and bolt that needs to go back on the vehicle your working on+start a bolt-tighten the bolt.Always.

 

[Flivver250]

You need to establish a process until it becomes a habit. Being thorough is actually faster and more productive. You are lucky you are still employed. That is not a mistake a good shop manger will or should allow you to repeat. I'm not a doctor so I will refrain on my laymen's opinion of ADHD, medication and memory.

 

[hickfied]

When i'm working, I have two "piles" of tools. Tools that I think are needed for the job, and tools that I did use while working on the car. When about to put up the "pile" of tools that I did use, I go over in my head every bolt that I used that tool on, and make sure I tightened it up, double checking when im not sure, before I put it up.

 

[jimindm]

As a one person shop, getting distracted seems to happen a lot. I have just found that once you start installing a component, just get it finished. It is a lot easier to come back and know where you left off.

I like the marking the bolt idea.

I certainly would not want some of the posters on this thread as bosses. What he did was by accident and that happens. I have been in the business thirty years and have encountered a few calipers falling off my self. One that was my fault, but mostly done by DIY.

Not a single one left the car with out brakes. With OE wheels the caliper is trapped in most cars. It may gouge a wheel. Not a single one came in about a braking problem, they came in for a noise.

Cut the guy some slack. He had a problem, it got repaired and likely it will never happen to him again.

 

[bczygan]

Wait until you get old and start forgetting things......

Then you will REALLY need the helpful hints listed above!

Don't give up the ship. Everyone has their own mental and physical quirks that they have to work around. You know what some of yours are. That's half the battle. The other half is developing workarounds that work for you.

Try some of the above advice and find your own comfort zone.

You may end up being the best in the shop because you have to pay particular attention and use a system.

 

[Bookworm]

I guess since I'm deaf I shouldn't work on cars either? Or even blind without glasses?

Do you take psychotropic drugs to combat deafness ? Or vision defects ?

Perhaps you should look up the definition of the phrase before you jump all over me.

He is taking drugs (voluntarily) to change the way his brain functions. Do you think that's a good thing to do when working on customers vehicles ? If he had worked on my vehicle, and I found out he was on these drugs, I would take it to the dealership owner.
Why do you suppose the military will not allow people on these drugs to do such work ?

 

[maxpower_hd]

Don't get to sick over it. You need to learn from the mistake, that is the important thing and not to let it happen again.

I like the marking idea too.

I do as another poster said. I developed a pattern. I lay out all the bolts and tools neatly so I can easily ID what they are and where they go. When I put something back on the vehicle I tighten everything hand tight for fitment then go around and mechanically tighten everything right away before moving on to another component, including torquing if applicable.

If something is particularly complicated with many parts, engine rebuilding for example, I use either bins or zip lock bags to mark and label components, bolts, clips, etc. But I always use the same pattern for each component before it goes back. Install by hand, tighten mechanically then torque.

I will also not comment on the medication or your impairment. I know people personally who have ADHD and function at a very competent level. It's just all the more reason you need to develop a pattern and stick with it.

 

[homebuilt burner]

Don't beat yourself up, it happens move on and be more careful going forward. I was at a service school for Thermo king reefers and during break some guys were in the hallway talking about another tech in their shop that had put the brake s-cams in the wrong sides of an axle. For those that don't know on air brakes the s-cams are directional and if you make this mistake you don't realize it until the very last thing when you adjust the brakes. Anyway you get to take everything back apart and redo the whole brake job. One guy from another shop was laughing at what a dumb move it was and an old guy asked if he had ever made that mistake and he replied "no way I'm better than that". The old guy said you haven't been a mechanic very long, sooner or later it happens to everyone.

Learn from it, move on.

 

[lostmind]

I was a tech for 47 years. Don't recall knowing that I left caliper bolts loose,
but I have left lug nuts loose. I used to hang all the wheels back on , and then go around the car and tighten them. Many times I'd get called away before they all got tightened.
My cure was to install them one at a time , and install the cap or cover.
Took maybe 5 minutes longer , but with a tool cart and all the tools at hand reach ,
not to bad.
Finish one side of caliper install , then do the other side , then recheck the bolts on both sides. You'll be good.
Every body has attention problems when working , it's part of life.
Some days are better than others.

 

[APEowner]

I have ADHD and I do take medication for it but it's like I'm constantly forgetting things and losing focus. Any tips?

With very few exceptions, that only occur on the internet, everyone made some mistakes while learning their trade. Some of us with years of experience still screw up once in a while. We are of course without flaws on the internet.

You, obviously made a mistake that could have had really severe consequences but I think it's important to keep the proper perspective. I suppose that it's possible that this is a sign that you're in the wrong line of work but based on the limited information here it seems a bit early to jump to that conclusion. The fact that you're as concerned as you are and that you're looking for ways to avoid making mistakes like this are good signs and good first steps.

I have few suggestions for you.

The first is to talk with a health care professional about your meds. The effectiveness of all medication should be re-evaluated on a regular basis. Also, if you're not working with a counselor of some sort to help you with your condition I strongly suggest that you do so.

The other suggestions are more directly shop related.

Develop the discipline of never installing a fastener without tightening it. Don't answer the phone, stop to talk to anyone or switch tasks in between when you start them and tighten them. On fasteners that have to be installed first and then tightened later leave them obviously loose and maybe even hang a wrench off one of them.

Deliberately pause and re-do the job in your head at logical times. For example, just before you stick the wheels on or close the hood give a quick scan of everything there and think through all the parts you put on.

Filling out the job ticket is another time to kind of review in your head what you just did.

He is taking drugs (voluntarily) to change the way his brain functions. Do you think that's a good thing to do when working on customers vehicles ? If he had worked on my vehicle, and I found out he was on these drugs, I would take it to the dealership owner.
Why do you suppose the military will not allow people on these drugs to do such work ?

I don't know what experience bookworm has had that makes him think this is an appropriate response to a disability but it's not. One of the best techs I know had ADHD and without his meds there's no way he could do his job but with medication he's fully capable. He works right next to a guy who needs heart meds can cause depression if not monitored and a guy who is, as far as I know, perfectly healthy in every way that I wouldn't trust to change my wiper blades.

 

[hal1]

written checklist for each type of job

 

[thymer]

Perhaps someone taking psychotropic drugs should not be working on mission-critical safety systems on customer cars.
I would recommend you limiting your work to changing wiper blades and batteries.

You'll be lucky to get out without losing everything in a lawsuit.

Seriously? What a jerk thing to say.


OP ignore this poster he obviously has some issues of his own to deal with. +1 on paint pen for torque'd/tightened fasteners. Easy to forget when there are a bunch of them. Nice to see you posting your concerns, shows accountability and desire to improve yourself. Kudos for that.

 

[hal1]

try to develop a specific routine for each procedure. And try not to waver from it. Try not to be interrupted with side conversations. Even at my job, as I get older, I find it needs my undivided attention with out outside distractions

 

[Jagmandave]

I teach my students to go back over everything they did on the job in their heads, then take a wrench to every nut or bolt they touched before they put the wheels back on - it only takes a moment and if they find something loose it may save them a problem.

And every car they work on gets a torque wrench put to the lug bolts - every car - no exceptions!

I agree that if you have an attention span problem, a paint marker is a great idea, as long as you remember to use it!

 

[404]

Stuff does happen. No one got hurt. I once forgot to tighten the nut holding the wire on the alternator. Took 8 months for the alternator to die from overheating. Then I needed to spend 23 dollars on a regulator, so I was pissed at myself.

Good thing about this event is that recalling the terror will help you stay focused. Near misses always to that to me.

And thanks for sharing your story. I have avoided so many errors just by reading about the errors of others.

 

[dynahoe]

you made a mistake. welcome to being human.now learn from it and move on..leave the cell phone in your car and pay attention, move slowly, if possible

 

[2nrguy]

As a mechanic with ADD, brown tape is your friend!! Use it as markers for stuff that still needs to be done, leave yourself lists on it hanging from what your working on. Once you get into the habit of doing certain jobs it will come second nature to triple check what you have worked on.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I was a tech for 47 years. Don't recall knowing that I left caliper bolts loose,
but I have left lug nuts loose. I used to hang all the wheels back on , and then go around the car and tighten them. Many times I'd get called away before they all got tightened.
My cure was to install them one at a time , and install the cap or cover.
Took maybe 5 minutes longer , but with a tool cart and all the tools at hand reach ,
not to bad.
Finish one side of caliper install , then do the other side , then recheck the bolts on both sides. You'll be good.
Every body has attention problems when working , it's part of life.
Some days are better than others.

What I do is whenever I put a bolt on it gets tightened immediately. I don't start 10 bolts then tighten them all. Sure it may take longer, but I don't miss any bolts this way.

It's kind of like when you're learning to do oil changes. I was taught not to leave the car for anything until there is oil back in it. Put the filter on and tighten it. Put drain plug on and tighten. Don't walk away with it hand tight

 

[66354dream]

Don't beat yourself up, you WILL learn from it,,,,, ( ask me how I know ). On a serious note though being an auto tech takes 110% mental focus, people that have never done it for a living don't have a clue.

 

[mhm993]

To the OP.
Here's the deal. You get distracted and move around too quick. All of us w ADD do this. The coping skills for the shop are no different than those for other careers.

1. Slow down to speed up.

2. work in a clean space.

3. blue tape or a pad and a marker are your friend. (EX: "Pump brakes!")

4. ALWAYS "scan your work" before closing it up. Before you close up the job, eyeball EVERYTHING a second time. Left to right. Back to front. (Did you leave the bungee from holding up the caliper on the shock tower?) LOOK AGAIN.

5 No self made distractions. Cell phone in a drawer until the next planned break. Finish one procedure ENTIRELY before moving on to the next.

6 SLOW DOWN. More.

7 Focus on your job. Less conversation (gosh we like to talk) and more wrenching.

7 Learn from mistakes but have a sense of humor. People DO understand occassional mistakes from co-workers or employees who are otherwise well meaning, hardworking and honest people.

And ignor forum replies from trolls about ADD. Invariably there are a few community members with hard held but groundless opinions about other people's brain chemistries. As if.

Just saying....

 

[holt2ton]

In the machine shop that I work, we have purchased 5 new machines in the last few years. The bolts, nuts and hose couplings all have paint pen marks on them noting that they have been tightened properply.
As to the increderibly ignorant comments about only being worthy of changing wiper blades, those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Not to sound mean, but I had to fire a guy for doing the exact same thing. He was older than you and a pretty good tech, but when the customer has no front brakes at the bottom of a hill on a 4 lane highway, less than five minutes from your shop and the tech has a "**** happens" attitude about it, you gotta let him go...

Tommy

 

[teal95]

1. Working on aircraft the mechanics had what they called torquesticks. They were just magic markers the put out a thick paint. Each mechanic in a group had a different color and as each bolt got torqued it got marked.

2. I have played crew for a few road race shops. If I had any doubt (or if I had time even when I didn't) I would go torque the wheels while the cars were waiting on the grid. New customers would always get really worried when they saw me with a torque wrench but I would just explain that it was me being paranoid.

 

[mypov]

Perhaps someone taking psychotropic drugs should not be working on mission-critical safety systems on customer cars.
I would recommend you limiting your work to changing wiper blades and batteries.

You'll be lucky to get out without losing everything in a lawsuit.

Not to be offensive, but this is probably one of the most ignorant things I have heard (I use the word ignorant in a sense that suggests a lack of information and understanding) Just because someone was labeled with ADD or ADHD does not mean they are not capable or worth a chance - often I think these people are more intelligent and can be a lot more productive with the proper training, and encouragement to harness their energy and enthusiasm. If one forced Mozart, or Einstein to play with nuts and bolts in a classroom, do you think they would exhibit behaviour which would not suggest they had ADD?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS!!!

Not to sound mean, but I had to fire a guy for doing the exact same thing. He was older than you and a pretty good tech, but when the customer has no front brakes at the bottom of a hill on a 4 lane highway, less than five minutes from your shop, you gotta let him go...

Tommy

I am not sure of your legal obligations and understand that there are risks, but becareful of your reactions and firing someone because of their supposed Learning disabilities, that could have legal implications of their own. We are all human, and while a seasoned mechanic may be at less of a risk for making a mistake, he is just as capable of forgetting to do something as the next guy.

I have some experience with this. I have to make a concerted effort to go over everything that I have tightened and before I progress to the "next step" something that would cover over a place that I have previously been, I ensure that I have everything tight. Absolutely do NOT HAND TIGHTEN ANYTHING and then go back over it all with your ratchet, or air tool - start everything by hand, but make sure you leave it only one or two threads in, so you can see that it is loose. Another big one is to not use air tools, or electric tools, this forces you to slow down and ensure everything is tight, and lets you "feel" the tightness...

As a beginner it is CRUCIAL you slow yourself down, until you can do that process in your sleep, three or for times over, then you can start to speed up and try to make time on things. It takes time, and no one on here can say they have NEVER made a mistake, it's who we are, and unfortunately this is a part of learning and becoming a better mechanic. You will be twice or even three times less likely next time to not do the same thing.

Keep your head up.

 

[johninct]

Mistakes happen.

In aviation, checklists and processes are used to try to reduce them. I try to go over things in my head, but as I get older I find notes to be a big help. I have two whiteboards in my shop. One has vehicle and equipment maintenance information, and the other I use as a scratch pad, sketch book and reminder. If I have to walk away from something that isn't done, I'll write down "Tighten Caliper Bolts" to make dang sure I don't forget to do it.

Figure out what it takes for you to keep things straight. A notebook with a checklist or one in your head. Whatever works for you.

No one is perfect but at the same time, follow the above advise. Also, leave your cell phone in the car, get more rest and maybe stop any BS talking when doing a job.

 

[AndyCBR]

I'm 19 and work at a dealership. I post on here a little bit and although I don't always reply I do soak it in and take notes anyways. I have always loved working on stuff. However I made a very bad mistake Thursday. I forgot to tighten caliper bolts on one caliper when doing brakes and the caliper fell off on Saturday while the customer was driving. It makes me sick to think about what could have happened. I have ADHD and I do take medication for it but it's like I'm constantly forgetting things and losing focus. Any tips?

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, you are young and learning is part of the deal.

In my own work I never mount anything without fully torquing before walking away. It's just too easy to leave it that way or get sidetracked.

I was younger once and worked at a bike shop and I did a full PM on a bike and left the overflow petcock loose on the cooling system. Customer came back after slight overheating/venting and we tightened the petcock/topped off and all was well but I learned an important lesson.

It never hurts to double check before you mount up that wheel!

Try and slow down a bit and treat the customers vehicle like it was yours. That is always my mantra, whether it is digging a ditch, running a conduit, or working on a brake assembly, take enough time to do the job as if it were your own. There may be people who do the job faster but quality workmanship will never be questioned regardless of the time it takes to do it. With experience, timely work and quality work go hand in hand.

 

[Joe69]

When I was young, an old timer told me to never start a bolt without tightening it. You can't always do that, since you may have to start several bolts before tightening them, but the general idea has always worked for me.
When in doubt, double check yourself. I've found bolts I forgot to tighten before.

Joe

 

[DangerousDan55]

Learned this from a coworker at Shell Oil Refinery.
Before you close something up or as in brakes.
When you think your finished, put a wench on every bolt/nut again. Then you should catch any loose fastners. It has helped me.
At Shell we had work performed by outside pump repair shops all the time. What we appreciate is that when there was a mistake made, these shops made it right. We had a foreman state that when a shop made a mistake, be would never use them again. Well every shop we use has made mistakes & he ran out of shops to send repairs to. He painted himself in a corner & no longer works at our refinery. And we are still sending those shops work. Again, they will own up to it & make it right.

Just Put a Wench On It

 

[hal1]

IMHO we should focus on tips rather than life's lessons, as the OP has mentioned his specific situation and concerns, and asked for tips. As mentioned by myself and others, writing thing down, perhaps a checklist, will help avoid forgetting things. This way even if you are distracted you still have your checklist to see if all steps have been completed. Also, develop a certain routine for each task.

 

[Crfdell]

Do you take psychotropic drugs to combat deafness ? Or vision defects ?

Perhaps you should look up the definition of the phrase before you jump all over me.

He is taking drugs (voluntarily) to change the way his brain functions. Do you think that's a good thing to do when working on customers vehicles ? If he had worked on my vehicle, and I found out he was on these drugs, I would take it to the dealership owner.
Why do you suppose the military will not allow people on these drugs to do such work ?

You sir are an uninformed idiot!

I have ADHD and i have done the research its a mild stimulant that helps someone to focus. I have been on the same meds at 42 years old and i designed and manufactured multi milon dollar high pressure steam systems.

To the op ignore ignorant comments good for you for taking a medication thats helps you function better. And also good foŕ you for asking for help to identify ways for you to be a better mechanic.

I wjsh you the best of luck we all maje mistakes thankfully noone was hurt and you have learned and i woukd bet ýlit wont happen again. If yóu keep making simple mistakes then a changè of jabs may be an option only you knkw what your capable of.