Do It Yourself Auto Repair

A rear axle shaft is found on vehicles with rear wheel drive or all wheel drive. The rear axle transfers power from the rear differential to the drive wheels. The axle uses two joints to provide...

Most Jeep vehicles utilize drum brakes on the rear axle. Drum brakes are an older technology and do not have the same level of performance as disc brakes. Auto manufacturers like Jeep use disc...

Chances are the cause of the defective light or brake lights circuit on your Chevy Silverado is a simple problem. Moreover, you can blame most of these problems on little or no maintenance,...

Window seals are designed for two purposes. The first is to keep rain and other weather elements outside of a vehicle. The second is to hold the window from rattling in place when it is rolled up...

The rear wiper motor on a Subaru Forester controls the rear wiper arm assembly. The wiper motor has no predictable service life and is dependent on the usage of the rear wiper. Excessive strain on...

The rear bumper assembly of your Toyota Corolla is made of polyurethane. While this material is lighter than sheet metal, it is also more prone to unsightly cracking and chipping. If you must...

Spanish automaker SEAT produces the Ibiza, which is classified as a "supermini" automobile. While nimble, the Ibiza is not immune to wear and tear. Especially problematic are the front and rear...

The back wheel bearings on your vehicle help take the stress and load off the axles and CV joints. The bearings are actual ball bearings that run around the inside of the bearing and hub assembly....

Buick automobiles are manufactured with optional electric power windows, actuated by multiple switch assemblies within the interior. These switches can wear out mechanically or become damaged...

Often times, the smaller the car is, the more difficult maintenance can be. This holds true for the Ford Focus and its fuel tank. If you must remove the tank from the car for any reason, it takes...

The inside rear-view mirror allows drivers to see out of the rear window of the vehicle without having to turn around. Over the years the rear-view mirror has grown heavier with courtesy lights,...

The Cadillac is considered one of the most luxurious automobiles made by General Motors. However, as a Cadillac gets older, its stereo speakers may begin to wear out. Usually, what fails is the...

Automotive fuel tanks suffer brute force attacks by flying rocks, weather-related deterioration and punctures by sharp road debris, and, in some cases, must be removed from the vehicle for repair...

Rear view mirrors are often secured to the windshield of a vehicle, but are sometimes secured to the headliner or roof. However, most rear view mirrors encase the mounting apparatus with a small...

The rear light bulbs in a Lexus need to be checked and replaced every six months. Obviously, if they're not blown, you won't need to replace them. However, even though they are low-wattage bulbs,...

Over time, outside rear-view mirrors give in to rain, snow, ice and humidity. The glass, any plastic and other materials within the outside mirror may become weak and break. Replacing an outside...

While timing belts and timing chains accomplish the same job, they are made of different materials and have varying lifespans. The Volvo 850 does not use the steel, long-lasting chain, but a...

Many rear wheel bearings use a sealed bearing unit. This eliminates the need to press out bearings from a wheel hub to install new wheel bearings. Because there are no tie rods or other steering...

The rear speakers in a 2007 Chevy Impala can be removed if you need to replace them. Because the factory speakers are made with paper cones instead of high-quality silicone, it's not unusual for...

The rear bumper on a 2001 Toyota Camry will only need to be removed if it is damaged, or if you want to replace it with an aftermarket body kit. In either case, you must have a few simple tools...

The rear wheel bearing on the Honda Civic is a sealed unit. The bearing itself attaches to the wheel hub assembly and must be removed when the bearings start to grind. The wheel bearing carries...

The Toyota 4Runner is an SUV that sits on a truck chassis that uses a live rear axle design with rear shocks and front struts. After years of normal use, the shock absorbers in the rear can leak...

The Subaru Outback is manufactured with rear shock absorbers that cushion vibrations from varied terrain. These shocks can wear out and require replacement, which should take the average backyard...

The bumper on a Volkswagen Jetta is held in place with screw bolts. You normally only need to remove the bumper if your bumper is damaged or if you need to access something directly behind the...

Four link rear suspensions have two suspension points on the edges of the body/chassis coming to a single point in the center of the rear axle. Two other suspension arms extend from the ends of...

The Chevrolet S10 pickup truck series was manufactured with a front disk and rear drum braking system (1982-1997), operated by a hydraulic master cylinder. The 1998 to 2003 models have four wheel...

Rear hatch struts are common on SUVs and wagons. Hatch struts are hydraulic and provide support to your rear door when it is open. The Toyota Matrix wagon has two hatch struts (one on each side)....

The Malibu Maxx was a wagon sold by Chevrolet from 2004 to 2007. From the rear seat forward, the Maxx was identical to any other Chevrolet Malibu. But the rear tapered off to form a hatch, similar...

The Dana 70 is a large, well built transmission and axle system that is found in many full-size trucks and vans. This rear end is built to handle it all and is a popular choice for anything from...

The T5 is a transmission most often found in drag racing cars to four-wheel-drive rock crawlers. This transmission is tough and provides the gearing needed for off- and on-road jobs. The T5 is...

The rear seat in a Honda Civic hatchback can be removed if you need extra space or you need to replace the carpet in your Civic. The rear seat is a bench seat, and although you don't need any...

You should check the brake lights on your Mini Cooper every six months to verify that they are working properly. If they're not, you'll need to change the bulbs. The Mini Cooper's brake lights are...

The rear windshield wiper blade on a Toyota Matrix helps to remove the debris that accumulates on the rear window. Windshield wiper blades should be checked every six months on the Matrix for...

The rear axle bearing, also called a wheel bearing, allows the wheel to turn smoothly and takes the strain off of the axles. Rear wheel bearings are typically a sealed unit and can be removed...

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a dependable, efficient sport-utility vehicle designed to handle all of the abuse you can throw at it. Sometimes the body of your Jeep will be the first part that needs...

Most Volvo 850 timing belts should be changed at 70,000 miles or every five years. The 1993 model has a wider belt and will require replacement every 50,000 miles. For the novice, the timing belt...

Driving with the top down usually means driving with the volume up. Unfortunately the inexpensive speakers that come with the stock audio system in any car are doomed to a short life under any...

The Miata is a small, two seat roadster made my Mazda. As with other roadsters, maintenance is important because of the abuse that this car tends to get from its drivers. One of the less common...

The rear wheel ball joints in an Oldsmobile help keep the suspension together. They do this by providing mobility to the suspension and allow it to flex under the immense loads incurred while...

The Caravan has been an enduring minivan in the Chrysler/Dodge family for many years, and has gone through many redesigns. As is the case with most vehicles, regular brake services are going to be...

The rear struts on your Nissan Altima help to dampen the shock from the road during normal driving. The strut assembly normally consists of a shock absorber and a metal spring, called a coil, that...

The driveshaft on your vehicle helps transfer rotating power from the transmission to the rear wheels. However, if the driveshaft is damaged, it must be replaced. Fortunately, most...

The rear bearings on a front-drive Dodge Caravan are of the sealed hub type. They require no periodic maintenance. When a failure occurs, the hub bearing needs to be replaced as a unit. It should...

Performing your own brake repairs on your Dodge Caravan takes a little more than good craftsmanship. It requires attention to detail and an inventory of necessary tools. You're not going to be...

The rear door panel on a 2004 Toyota RAV4 is a solid, one-piece panel. It covers the lower half of the rear door below the rear-window glass. Removing the rear-door panel is the only way to get to...

Every car has brakes that wear out and need to be adjusted to maintain stopping distances and braking power. Some cars still have rear drum brakes and front disc brakes. The rear drum brakes can...

The Geo Metro uses two motor mounts--one in the front and one in the rear of the engine. The motor mounts are of the large circular type mounted to the block. There is one long bolt that passes...

The rear bumpers on pickup trucks like the Ford Ranger tend to be one of the most abused parts of the vehicle, and after years of collisions with trailer couplings, dents from parking lot mishaps...

Front and rear door panels of a Suburban are removed in much the same manner. They are made of a hard cardboard backing that is similar to peg board but without the holes. Snaps on the back of the...

Adjusting the rear wheels in a Honda Accord involves adjusting the trailing arms and the compensator arm connected to the trailing arm. Normally, this is done by an alignment shop due to the...