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Pep Boys To Provide Service / Maintenance

CompTrex

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Was just thinking about Jiffy Lube, your local favorite mechanic, or even you do-it-yourselfers out there. With three wheels, I'm wondering how you will get this off the ground. I know Jiffy lube won't be able to handle it. My personal mechanic has a hoist but I'm not sure it can handle the three wheels, especially as far in as the lift points will probably be. We may have to design some sort of bar that goes under the car and lifts that.
 

MASCMAN

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I honestly don't think Pep Boys has the best mechanics so I would not really be focused on finding one in your area...better off finding a "real" mechanic through word-of-mouth.

I only go there for tires and front end alignments...and the last alignment I had, I went to Sears, which seems just a little better.

I will do my own work if at all possible. My brother is a GM certified mechanic for a dealership and I am very mechanically inclined...also worked as a Fleet mechanic for the Fraccing industry for 3 years.

Speaking of front end alignments...wonder if a Can Am dealership may be the way to go for that?
 

MASCMAN

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Once he sees the engine bay he will feel right at home as it is just like any other front wheel drive vehicle in there just a little narrower.

I will bet that most mechanics are going to laugh when they see inside there! LOL

I blew the motor in my F150 and it was a tight fit. They are designed for the body to be lifted off the frame for motor work so there is not much room going in from above.
My brother, the CHEVY mechanic kept saying,
"Why did FORD do that?!" Look at the expression on his face! LOL
photobucket-3978-1381541408356_zpsa21c7f2e.jpg

We got it done and it is running great. I bet we wouldn't even need a lift to pull an ELIO motor out...
photobucket-15116-1381541441179_zpsbdc45b07.jpg


My little Suzuki pulling the 4.6L for my truck...just think it's a comical pic.
photobucket-19440-1381541567132_zpsef01fbf6.jpg
 

zelio

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I will bet that most mechanics are going to laugh when they see inside there! LOL

I blew the motor in my F150 and it was a tight fit. They are designed for the body to be lifted off the frame for motor work so there is not much room going in from above.
My brother, the CHEVY mechanic kept saying,
"Why did FORD do that?!" Look at the expression on his face! LOL
photobucket-3978-1381541408356_zpsa21c7f2e.jpg

We got it done and it is running great. I bet we wouldn't even need a lift to pull an ELIO motor out...
photobucket-15116-1381541441179_zpsbdc45b07.jpg


My little Suzuki pulling the 4.6L for my truck...just think it's a comical pic.
photobucket-19440-1381541567132_zpsef01fbf6.jpg
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing. I'm still laughing!!! :-) Z
 

Terrence

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Was just thinking about Jiffy Lube, your local favorite mechanic, or even you do-it-yourselfers out there. With three wheels, I'm wondering how you will get this off the ground. I know Jiffy lube won't be able to handle it. My personal mechanic has a hoist but I'm not sure it can handle the three wheels, especially as far in as the lift points will probably be. We may have to design some sort of bar that goes under the car and lifts that.
I found a picture -Jun 26 Elio Motors and it has a photo of an Elio over the end of thei pit with the back wheel on the concrete and the front two wheels straddling the pit (may be the P-3 frt head lamps on ouside). Cool picture over lube pit. That is the reality, pull in for oil change, then back out to exit. There insurance carrier may have them chalk the back wheel to prevent it from being driven into the pit.
Terrence :)
 

MASCMAN

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Glad to see they used jack stands under the front outside of the F150. That is a safe mechanic who uses jack stands and not cinder blocks.
Terrence :)
Yeah...sometimes we do it the smart way! ;)

I could not get the lift high enough with my big tires on there since we pulled motor and tranny together. made it easier to reach in the fender wells also.
 

goofyone

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Was just thinking about Jiffy Lube, your local favorite mechanic, or even you do-it-yourselfers out there. With three wheels, I'm wondering how you will get this off the ground. I know Jiffy lube won't be able to handle it. My personal mechanic has a hoist but I'm not sure it can handle the three wheels, especially as far in as the lift points will probably be. We may have to design some sort of bar that goes under the car and lifts that.

The Elio is wide enough that it can be lifted with a standard two post lift as found in most shops. Just extend the lift arms fully and they will slide under the frame rails on each side of the vehicle. I verified this myself with the two post lift in my shop and found out it will not be an issue at all.

As for Jiffy Lube, and other places with holes in the ground, the solution is actually much easier than you may think. :D
Here is a very simple solution to a frequently asked question and it involved no new technology just a little thinking. This photo and caption were posted on Facebook this morning by Joel Sheltrown, Elio Motors VP for Government Affairs.

Every once in a while, some one will say: "How would you change the oil in an Elio?" This is the P3 getting serviced at Quaker State location in West Branch where they just had me pull in the opposite end. Biggest problem you'll have is having to wait for the employees to get their picture taken.
[Broken External Image]
 

Terrence

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Was just thinking about Jiffy Lube, your local favorite mechanic, or even you do-it-yourselfers out there. With three wheels, I'm wondering how you will get this off the ground. I know Jiffy lube won't be able to handle it. My personal mechanic has a hoist but I'm not sure it can handle the three wheels, especially as far in as the lift points will probably be. We may have to design some sort of bar that goes under the car and lifts that.
Okay Elio friends, I went on line and located that picture of the Elio over a lube pit. Let's see if I can proceed with a copy and paste here >> [Broken External Image]
Terrence :)
 
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