Re fitting things with a hammer and punch.
It all depends upon how you do it.
I have fit many bearings using a hammer and a (usually) brass drift. Often a bit of steel pipe.
And I have never had any problems.
Here is an example of the type of thing that does bother me.
My car failed the MOT due to 'insufficient water' from the screen washer. The pump wasn't working.
So, I had a new pump handy and fit it; after testing it. Still no water. No power coming down to the pump. No power at the plug.
Possibly the switch or the relay. Or a broken connection.
As you have to remove the steering wheel to get at the switch, and it has an air bag, I thought that just for once I would get the Citroen main agent to do it. I hadn't had to spend much on the car over the last three years.
On the phone they I told them I suspected the switch. they told me that they would have to get the switch ordered and that if it turned out not to be faulty I was stuck with it, no returns. It cost £55.
So, takes the car in. 'Would I like to wait ?' "how long", 'about an hour'. I'll wait.
Three quarters of an hour later the car is ready. 'That will be £76 if you please'.
That's £101.33 per hour.
So I paid the man, got in the car, tried the washer. Nothing.
Back inside. 'It doesn't work'.
'You only asked us to fit the switch'.
'NO, I said I suspected the switch. and if that wasn't the problem we would have to look further. Also, do your mechanics not try their repairs to see if they work or not ?'
'We'll do a diagnostic on it'.
Ten minutes later.
'The pump is dead, you need to take it back to whoever fit it'
'No it isn't, I fit it and I have been fitting things to cars for more than fifty years so I do know what I am talking about'.
'Well, the technician says that power is getting to the pump but not getting back'
(??)
At this stage I gave up. Took the car home and two hours later found a break in one of the supply wires right at the point where it goes into the pump. Hidden inside the insulation.
So, I paid £131 for nothing.
If you want to meet some real bodgers, go to Citroen.
Dave.