The end of an era in troubleshooting techniques

Maintenance/Repairs
41 
  Well, I think there's two big factors here.
  First, there IS more of a tendency now to just take parts and remanufacture them (or just scrap them) instead of working on them on-site (hopefully NOT rebuild -- I got 3 rebuilt alternators in a row that failed within minutes... they just try to fix the immediate fault, which on some models is most unsuccessful.  A remanufacturer in contrast pretty much reuses the case, which on a lot of starters and alternators is the most expensive part.)  

 But, I think a lot of it is impression.  There's no points, cap, rotor, on some no spark plug wires (if they have the coil-on-plug system), there's no carb adjustments (idle speed, idle mixture, off-idle mixture, power valve/accelerator pump adjustment, choke adjustment...), computerized automatics have no band adjustments, kickdown cable adjustment, or whatever else they used to need.  I think, in the past cars coming into the shop needing major repairs were "diluted" by loads of cars coming into the shop for basicaly a tuneup or adjustment; now cars don't need those tuneups or adjustments, so the ones coming in just need the major repairs.  I could see this making it seem to a long-time mechanic like things are getting worse, when I think they're getting better.
42

It was related to me at the 1-2 day shool for a AZ emissions testing and repair thta the motivation to remove the ability to make adjustments in areas that affect emissions was that too many mechanics were getting things wrong.

In regards to component repair (starters,alternator/generator AC compressors) The deepest I ever went (or even asked to go) was brushes and bearings, and I started in 1973-74. Sure some shops were still doing this in the early 70’s but my impression was that if you don’t take real early automotve design into the picture that the War years was the “heyday” for rebuilds. My theory is that the mechanic had no other choice due to lack of parts. I don’t feel I really missed that much.

43

Sure mechanics can still rebuild stuff, but with the abundance of cheap parts, replacing the part is cheaper.

I can rebuild a carburetor no problem, but if you pay $60-$80 dollars for a rebuild kit which usually does not include all the parts needed, and then the two to three hours labor to rebuild and install/adjust the carb, buying a unit off the shelf is less expensive.

Also, the gear reduction starters on chrysler, dodges, plymouths ,corvettes,toyotas,harleys,hondas,john deer can usually be fixed for less than $100 dollars parts and labor. But the prudent business decision is to replace the whole unit with a parts warranty in case something else fails.