Frustrated with my car, :( Options

[Cutrara]

So last weekend I was at home and I noticed that my Drivers side outer CV boot was leaking grease all over my rim, so on Monday when I got back to school I ordered a new axle, it came in Tuesday and I started to replace it and then it got dark out. By then I was already frustrated because I couldnt get the balljoint to bolt up correctly. The next day I got everything in, and took it for a test drive. I was three blocks away from my house and the axle popped out; it costs $45 to tow my car back (not to mention losing $20 worth of 10-minute old syncromesh to the pavement). This morning I took everything apart and this time I was SURE (at least I thought) I had the axle seated and locked properly this time, and it popped out about 5 blocks from my house. I left it in a gas station parking lot.

It's my girlfriend's birthday tomorrow, and since we've been together (2+ yrs) I've had to miss her birthday. We have plans for the weekend that involve me driving to her school, so the news that car would not move from that sheetz parking lot caused alot of problems. My roommate is letting me borrow his car, so I'll still be there, and be back on Monday to deal with the Celica.

I'm sick of dealing with this axle and I'm just going to do what I should have done at first, and get it towed to a garage. I'm a college student and money is tight, so I wanted to save some money by doing it myself, and it ended up costing me alot more. I'm fairly mechanically inclined and I'm not normally afraid to try things myself with my car, but now, I can't help but be discouraged from doing my own work on my car.

[Random_Stranger]

Hey man, I haven't had to change that out yet. I am barely taking classes right now in school for auto tech, and this is just basic. I wish I had real advice to help you have the means to do it on your own, but I do not. I am concerned about the whole situation with you and your girl though. Did she get mad at you? Because it isn't your fault. Anyone I am with, knows my car comes before it all. I know my family members get mad at me when I miss functions because of installing something on my car or repairing it, but I must admit, I am also obsessed with it.

I have no girl, no kids, and not too too close with family, but close enough that I go to every function available if time is on my side. I know this isn't about me though, this is about you. I simply put this out there that perhaps we relate the same in our daily lives.

Well, I hope you get your car fixed soon. Please do not be discouraged, anything worth holding onto, is worth fighting for. In the end, you will be that much greater, stronger, and all the more wise. Believe it or not, I have struggled with my car over a stupid alternator for the past 6 days! Yeah! First was power failure and car failed to start after turning off and on 3 times, battery was low and under warranty, problem fixed. Next day power failure again (but only with the CD player, actually both times, would cut out if turned up too high), found that my alternator belt was too loose. Tightened it up, and it was fine. Next day, power failure again when turned the stereo up to where I normally bump it. Took the alternator in, their machine was broke to test it (after attempting for 30 min). Had to drive across town, had it tested, failed. Drove back to that other place to pick up an alternator. Installed it, battery light would flicker. The battery light flickered for 4 days and because of a holiday, had to wait until yesterday to take it into shop. Everything was fine, only the battery light still flickered and my teacher said I need a new negative terminal, because mine the way it was set up, was a temporary fix. I buy those cables and terminal. Was a pain and took many attempts of my strength (i am pretty strong) and finally got it off to install. Battery light still came on, and found that a cable wire that plugs into alternator was loose. Problem solved.

the day of the Alternator install, plus last night with the terminals, had a date with a hot chick. Monday went well, Thursday she stood me up after I rushed to get this done. So you see, I am grateful that I fixed my car, so getting stood up is not affecting me. I love my car so much and doing these things with my hands that my dad never taught me or shown me tells me something about myself I never knew. So I hope in reading this, you will be filled with hope again and make something happen. Or maybe you will be blessed with help! But your faith is being tested at the moment (whether in God or yourself).

I dunno what got into me, and sorry, I didn't expect to write so much. But I just feel your pain and can sympathize with you.