Pricing Challenges and Efficiency in the Auto Repair Industry with Christopher Johnson, Part 1
About this episode
Christopher Johnson returns to discuss the challenges of pricing and efficiency in the auto repair industry. He shares anecdotes about unique repairs, including dealing with a Mazda transmission and squirrel damage. The conversation covers teaching apprentices, safety regulations, the emotional attachments customers have to their vehicles, and the importance of proper tool management and workshop processes.
In this episode, Jeff Compton is joined by Christopher Johnson, who talks about the complex challenges of pricing and efficiency in the automotive repair business. Christopher shares his experiences with demanding repairs, such as fixing harness issues in caravans and managing intermittent faults in Chrysler vehicles. Jeff discusses the physical toll of the job and both emphasize the importance of investing in quality tools and involving young people in hands-on work.
00:00 High mileage Trailblazer, but not essential vehicle.
03:37 Transmission lines leaking causing shifting problem.
06:36 Recurring plantar fasciitis causing severe leg pain.
11:47 Tool truck drivers provide valuable industry insight.
15:28 Endless argument resolved by personal commitment and convenience.
16:50 Joking about lights, cheap purchases, forgetful moments.
19:45 Young people need hands-on learning opportunities.
25:00 Paid for repair, found missing fuses.
27:32 Story about dealing with non-self-healing harnesses.
29:44 Offered $70-$80 for connector, but declined.
32:34 Navigating the fine line of pricing.
37:15 The Ontario government is rumored to enforce strict inspections.
39:11 Thick mud on the car, spare tire flat.
43:33 Tech waits for seal, another tech cuts exhaust.
46:27 Chrysler injectors causing fuel trim imbalance issue.
50:05 Seeking feedback, thanks for listening, see you soon.
Honda Civic
"...hen you said you had your one advisor in zero two civic had to fix his brake line. Yeah, he was off yeste..."
Ford Mustang
"...s like a race car. Oh yeah, that was uh, as an 88 Mustang, a dirt track car from our local track here at Br..."
Ford Ranger
"Yeah. But he had a, it was a ranger drivetrain in it. Before then that engine didn't ..."
Ford Probe
"...lade nicked that harness. That's not self healing probe. You know, it's junk. And more of those vans. I p..."
Chevrolet Silverado
"...That's right. Yeah. I had a. An zero three Sierra Silverado Sierra come in, and right out in front of where I..."
Renault Wind
"...there, and he came back a week later, it wouldn't wind down. We cut it with a torch. Then we give him an..."
BMW G30
"Yeah. And I'm going to get over there with a whiz wheel and cut it into pieces and take it out. But, yeah, we had a fire scare. Um, actually, it was funny. Um, we, I was doing. So we had a 1984 g 30 motorhome come in. Uh, there's a backstory this. The, another shop had that was actually going out of business had done an inspection for her and said, it needs x, y and Z had a wheel seal leak. And so it's a big dual wheels floating rear axle and hub seal bearing seals leaking. So I go and do the hub seal, you know, do it, spray it all down. And I'm waiting. I've got it all apart. I'm waiting for the seal to come in. And the other tech, they put me on a different job. And the other tech, he's going to do the exhaust. So there's a bucket sitting under the hub that caught some oil and some of the brake clean. And I don't think he clued into what it was, what happened, but he, of course, lights up with the torch and goes to cut the exhaust off."
Mazda MX-5 / Miata
"..., yeah. So what else are you into? Oh, well, it's Miata season now. That's spring. The tire season is don..."
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