So glad I own Ram/FCA product

[dale197338]

So I worked on my Mom's 12 GMC Acadia what a pita. Replaced serpentine belt, idler pulley and tensioner and plugs oh and rear brake pads. I know why gm designs there vehicles a certain way to make more money from people. Their engineer team really sucks. The idler pulley was a pain cause you have to remove/move alternator out of the way to remove the bolt wtf no need for that botl to be that long anyways another reason I'll never own other brands. Only part that was easy was the rear brakes.

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[BadHemi2014]

Lol I will agree that I love working on my Ram, so far everything has been pretty easy to get to.
Although changing plugs in our 2013 beetle was a piece of cake compared to my hemi!

 

[Sandevino]

Anything under the truck is a piece of cake. Topside, I need to stand on the tow hooks or get the ladder.

 

[tidefan1967]

So I worked on my Mom's 12 GMC Acadia what a pita. Replaced serpentine belt, idler pulley and tensioner and plugs oh and rear brake pads. I know why gm designs there vehicles a certain way to make more money from people. Their engineer team really sucks. The idler pulley was a pain cause you have to remove/move alternator out of the way to remove the bolt wtf no need for that botl to be that long anyways another reason I'll never own other brands. Only part that was easy was the rear brakes.

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I agree they are POS vehicles which pretty much describes all GM FWD vehicles. That body style Acadia/Chevy Traverse are also known for lots of transmission problems. As a matter of fact everybody that I know that has owned one for any length of time has had to have the tranny either rebuilt or replaced around the 100K mile mark.

 

[BossHogg]

So I worked on my Mom's 12 GMC Acadia what a pita.

Wait until you have to change the spark plugs on your Hemi. That will redefine PITA.

 

[Sandevino]

Wait until you have to change the spark plugs on your Hemi. That will redefine PITA.

What do you mean, the dealer said my plugs are lifetime plugs...lol.

I think the Ford F-150’s 5.4 has the Hemi beat at the rate it likes to eat plugs and heli-coils.

 

[KeepRight]

So I worked on my Mom's 12 GMC Acadia what a pita. Replaced serpentine belt, idler pulley and tensioner and plugs oh and rear brake pads. I know why gm designs there vehicles a certain way to make more money from people. Their engineer team really sucks. The idler pulley was a pain cause you have to remove/move alternator out of the way to remove the bolt wtf no need for that botl to be that long anyways another reason I'll never own other brands. Only part that was easy was the rear brakes.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Everything you've listed are typical and common maintenance parts. Well maybe the tensioner and idler aren't common, but they do go bad. Why did you change those? What made you think they were bad? Are you sure those parts were OEM? Not some cheap Chinese product bought before you at Cheap Auto Parts R Us...

You're pointing to GMC as cause. What's mom's driving style... City, highway, jack rabbit starts stops, old granny starts, etc.

There's nothing wrong with checking brakes and pads. Are you sure they were really worn unserviceable? What was the problem for the spark plug replacement?

I find it easier, to change/check these things at specific times... Trying to avoid all the repairs at once. This greatly reduces your frustrations!

Depending on driving style and location...
Front brakes - every 2 year ck
Rear brakes - every 3 yr ck
Serpentine belt - annually ck, prob replace every 2ys. (Keep the old one for those just in case moments.)

My list can keep going if you'd like... Or check the owners manual.

I work on multi million dollar fighter jets (30ys). You'd think they'd never break... If that was the case, I'd not have a job.

Yes, engineers are too blame for some things. I'd challenge you, engineer something better. Over a million parts all working together. We people DEMAND these parts to work, without fail. Yet, when a few fail we blame everyone else.

If man can make it, man can break it - nothing lasts forever...gah

 

[Sandevino]

If man can make it, man can break it - nothing lasts forever...gah

Some are better than others at breaking things than others.

 

[KeepRight]

Some are better than others at breaking things than others.

You nailed it! Man have you met any of my fighter pilots? Geezz, we cringe when certain pilots come to my jets. We know right away... Once he returns, it's gonna be a long night.

 

[Sandevino]

You nailed it! Man have you met any of my fighter pilots? Geezz, we cringe when certain pilots come to my jets. We know right away... Once he returns, it's gonna be a long night.

Likely not, but I’ve got stories for days about heavy diesel repair in the middle of nowhere.

 

[audiophile]

You nailed it! Man have you met any of my fighter pilots? Geezz, we cringe when certain pilots come to my jets. We know right away... Once he returns, it's gonna be a long night.

I know what you mean. My dad was an A&P in the AF for many years until making MSGT. He even spent three years ground crew/crew chief with the Thunderbirds ('76-'79 T38s) and would say similar things!

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[KeepRight]

I know what you mean. My dad was an A&P in the AF for many years until making MSGT. He even spent three years ground crew/crew chief with the Thunderbirds ('76-'79 T38s) and would say similar things!

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Yup...USAF retired F4D, and F16 (crew chief). Now working for Lockheed Martin, F16.

 

[audiophile]

Yup...USAF retired F4D, and F16 (crew chief). Now working for Lockheed Martin, F16.

First, thank you for your service. Second, my dad's last assignment until retirement (26 years) was with TAC-LIASIONS, he worked with General Dynamics and was in charge of purchasing the F110 engines for the F16. Always thought it was a cool jet. The Warthog is still my favorite though!

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[south7west]

Everything you've listed are typical and common maintenance parts. Well maybe the tensioner and idler aren't common, but they do go bad. Why did you change those? What made you think they were bad? Are you sure those parts were OEM? Not some cheap Chinese product bought before you at Cheap Auto Parts R Us...

You're pointing to GMC as cause. What's mom's driving style... City, highway, jack rabbit starts stops, old granny starts, etc.

There's nothing wrong with checking brakes and pads. Are you sure they were really worn unserviceable? What was the problem for the spark plug replacement?

I find it easier, to change/check these things at specific times... Trying to avoid all the repairs at once. This greatly reduces your frustrations!

Depending on driving style and location...
Front brakes - every 2 year ck
Rear brakes - every 3 yr ck
Serpentine belt - annually ck, prob replace every 2ys. (Keep the old one for those just in case moments.)

My list can keep going if you'd like... Or check the owners manual.

I work on multi million dollar fighter jets (30ys). You'd think they'd never break... If that was the case, I'd not have a job.

Yes, engineers are too blame for some things. I'd challenge you, engineer something better. Over a million parts all working together. We people DEMAND these parts to work, without fail. Yet, when a few fail we blame everyone else.

If man can make it, man can break it - nothing lasts forever...gah

Gates recommends replacing the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60k miles, and pulleys go bad just because the bearings inside wear out. Factory Iridium plugs "normally" last for about 100k mile intervals, but after around 60k to 80k you can start to notice them aging. Depending on your driving, you can replace brake pads annually, or even sooner depending on how aggressive you are with your braking. Most FWD (not just GMC) are awful to work on due to the transverse mounted engine and cramped engine bay. I sell auto parts for a living, and I agree with how I swear engineers get their joy out of seeing mechanics struggle with replacing the parts they designed for the vehicle. Its insane how much disassembly is required nowadays just to replace simple parts. I looked at an alternator on some little crossover the other day, and you have to pull the motor just to replace the alternator because the frame is blocking it in. Thank god we own trucks that make it easy to get around the engine bay!

 

[dale197338]

I mainly did all this as preventive maintenance. Didn't want my mom to be out and about and the belt break. Plus she wasn't sure when or if any maintenance was done since my dad passed. And the rear pads were shot like 3mm or less left. I replaced same items on my wife's old 200 3.6 and it was a breeze. Even though you have to remove intake.

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[KeepRight]

Gates recommends replacing the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60k miles, and pulleys go bad just because the bearings inside wear out. Factory Iridium plugs "normally" last for about 100k mile intervals, but after around 60k to 80k you can start to notice them aging. Depending on your driving, you can replace brake pads annually, or even sooner depending on how aggressive you are with your braking. Most FWD (not just GMC) are awful to work on due to the transverse mounted engine and cramped engine bay. I sell auto parts for a living, and I agree with how I swear engineers get their joy out of seeing mechanics struggle with replacing the parts they designed for the vehicle. Its insane how much disassembly is required nowadays just to replace simple parts. I looked at an alternator on some little crossover the other day, and you have to pull the motor just to replace the alternator because the frame is blocking it in. Thank god we own trucks that make it easy to get around the engine bay!

Whew... I'm so glad you're here, keeping the auto parts people in $$$. Really, the maintenance you're doing is great for safety. I do not fault you for taking care of your family.

I even think changing spark plugs sooner than 100k is good; maybe 50k. Though, annual brake pads, way too often. Waste of money and time... No wonder why you don't like cars. Yes, you did good changing the pulleys... Though unless making noise, replacement might not have been needed.

You selling auto parts, makes you a experienced mechanic? That's like being an pharmacist or maybe an EMT making them doctor.

You are right, engineers have a great job. How the are sitting at home with their $$, laughing at us slobs. My kids would complain about their school teachers...'they hate me dad.' Yup, they became teachers just because they don't like kids. I'm not defending engineers and I have too cursed their profession. Though I again, challenge to design something better.

Just maybe, changing serviceable parts is partial the problem.

It doesn't matter to me what you do. My initial point was to help in not wasting time and money replacing serviceable parts. Really, it's your money and time. As well as, you are keeping the road safe.

Though, my truck is due for a wash and wax.. maybe I need to swap the engine. Ya, know it's over 100k in miles.

 

[Sherman Bird]

So I worked on my Mom's 12 GMC Acadia what a pita. Replaced serpentine belt, idler pulley and tensioner and plugs oh and rear brake pads. I know why gm designs there vehicles a certain way to make more money from people. Their engineer team really sucks. The idler pulley was a pain cause you have to remove/move alternator out of the way to remove the bolt wtf no need for that botl to be that long anyways another reason I'll never own other brands. Only part that was easy was the rear brakes.

Wow!

 

[Sherman Bird]

Everything you've listed are typical and common maintenance parts. Well maybe the tensioner and idler aren't common, but they do go bad. Why did you change those? What made you think they were bad? Are you sure those parts were OEM? Not some cheap Chinese product bought before you at Cheap Auto Parts R Us...

You're pointing to GMC as cause. What's mom's driving style... City, highway, jack rabbit starts stops, old granny starts, etc.

There's nothing wrong with checking brakes and pads. Are you sure they were really worn unserviceable? What was the problem for the spark plug replacement?

I find it easier, to change/check these things at specific times... Trying to avoid all the repairs at once. This greatly reduces your frustrations!

Depending on driving style and location...
Front brakes - every 2 year ck
Rear brakes - every 3 yr ck
Serpentine belt - annually ck, prob replace every 2ys. (Keep the old one for those just in case moments.)

My list can keep going if you'd like... Or check the owners manual.

I work on multi million dollar fighter jets (30ys). You'd think they'd never break... If that was the case, I'd not have a job.

Yes, engineers are too blame for some things. I'd challenge you, engineer something better. Over a million parts all working together. We people DEMAND these parts to work, without fail. Yet, when a few fail we blame everyone else.

If man can make it, man can break it - nothing lasts forever...gah

Yup!

 

[KeepRight]

Who really cares about all that prattle when one is broken down on the side of a lonely road?

The REAL root cause of his problems as stated is the different engineering/design departments in different buildings, different floors, different locations of the manufacturing process before the first unit is ever made! Having to remove the alternator to replace an idler pulley is galactic stupidity on the part of all processes factored in with production deadlines/costs. I can still hear in my mind what the arrogant designers at GM would say when one would complain about these glaring shortcomings... "You just have to work with it a little!". Yeah, sure!

Now you can tell I'm a bit sarcastic... This question isn't that...

When buying a car/truck... Do you look at how parts come off? 'I'm not buying that truck - you've got to pull front tires to change spark plugs. Or not buy cause of alternator maint is too difficult?

I'm all for the 1970s vehicles, easy to work on. These days we don't get that at all.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Now you can tell I'm a bit sarcastic... This question isn't that...

When buying a car/truck... Do you look at how parts come off? 'I'm not buying that truck - you've got to pull front tires to change spark plugs. Or not buy cause of alternator maint is too difficult?

I'm all for the 1970s vehicles, easy to work on. These days we don't get that at all.

Cool!