DIY repairs that sound harder than they actually are?

[YellowJellyBean]

I occasionally contribute to my company's repair blog, and I had an idea for a piece on repairs/maintenance that anyone can do, but they sound like they're more difficult than they actually are. For instance, people know that oil changes aren't that hard (I actually already wrote a piece on the myth of 3k mile oil changes here), but I can admit that I thought spark plugs were really hard before I did it myself.

I understand that just saying something is easy isn't that descriptive. I would consider shocks and springs pretty easy, but not everyone has the time or tools to do that on their own. A quick list of things that I can think of off the top of my head are:
-Spark plugs/wires
-Adjusting e-brake cable
-Recharge AC (not draining because of environmental concerns)
-Brake pads

I'd like to focus on some of the regular maintenance items that people might take their car in for because they don't think they can do it themselves.

Thanks!

[Sponsor]

[lyonsroar]

Coilover/ shock and strut installation...

[808domi54]

A couple easy ones are that I guess that can sound difficult to some people would be

-Changing a battery
-Rotating tires
-Air filter recharge/change

Depending on the car a Valve cover gasket & Thermostat are pretty easy ones too..

Just my $0.2

[swansong]

Might be more of a modification than maintenance, but I'd put stereo/headunit/speaker installs on that list.

Also: Transmission fluid changes, coolant flushes, and +1 to everything listed so far.

[BlckZTS]

when the drums are rusted on and not a focus but 5.4s are pretty hard to change spark plugs on!

[xxMichaelAnthony]

I know a lot of people who think washing a car is hard but have never done it. With the proper tools anything that sounds hard can be made easy, until you find a seized/rusted bolt. Or them damn shifter cables.

[rambleon84]

fuel filter but that might depend on your car, some arent accessible like our focus.

[swansong]

Originally Posted by xxMichaelAnthony

I know a lot of people who think washing a car is hard but have never done it.

^^ Waxing! So essential, makes a car look 100x better, very easy but takes time, yet very few people do it, let alone know what it is. True story: my wife takes her car to work one day after waxing it, co-workers say "It's so shiny!", she says "I waxed it.", they say "What's that..?". A group of 5 or so women didn't have a clue what waxing was.

[ViperThreat]

Replace CV Axles.

Replace Fuel injectors

[lyonsroar]

^tell them I "sealed" it. Then you'll really throw 'em for a loop!

Some car enthusiasts don't even know how (or why they should) to seal a car.