General Auto Repair

The power steering pump on a Dodge Intrepid supplies pressurized power steering fluid to the steering rack. The pump is mounted in a bracket next to the engine, and is driven by the serpentine...

Automotive air-conditioning systems on the Chevrolet Camaro utilize a refrigerant called Freon to generate the cold air that is blown into the passenger cabin. The heart of the system, the...

The Chevrolet Corvette C5 was produced from 1997 to 2004. This model of Corvette came equipped with either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission. Significant design changes for the drive...

One of the first tools that a mechanic should own is an air compressor for the purpose of powering a 1/2-inch air impact wrench. An air impact wrench is arguably the most useful tool in a shop....

The Pontiac Grand Prix featuring the 3.8-liter supercharged engine comes equipped with two drive belts. The primary serpentine belt functions as a serpentine belt does on most cars. The secondary...

A torque wrench is a device designed to tighten bolts to a specific tightening or torque specification. This measure of tightness protects both the threads of the bolt and the threads of the...

If you've ever stripped a bolt while working on engine, you know the value of a torque wrench first-hand. This specialty tool is a lifesaver when it comes to not only tightening down nuts and...

A fuel injector is a device that mixes fuel with air under pressure for an internal combustion engine. Fuel injectors replaced carburetors in virtually all automobiles during the 1980s, and all...

Torque is the applied tightness of the retaining bolt without over-tightening (which can mash threads to the mating surfaces) or under-tightening (which can lead to the bolt not holding the...

The Ford Escape features a rack-and-pinion power steering system. The inner tie rods connect directly to the power steering rack and the outer tie rods bridge the connection from the inner tie...

The belt tensioner on a vehicle is an important part of the drive belt as it is used to tighten the belt. Drive belts need to be replaced once they are worn out, and if not replaced they may break...

If your car rides horribly or you notice the tires wearing in an odd pattern, then chances are you need new shocks. Without properly installed shocks, many things can suffer, such as braking and...

Upgrading your Jeep with better tires and suspension is a must if you want to take it off-road. Shock absorbers are generally good for 50,000 miles but should be changed to better suit your needs....

Trying to remove a bolt that has been stripped or rounded off is a frustrating experience that usually brings the progress of a project to a grinding halt. It does not have to be this way. A few...

The Eclipse is a sporty coupe made by Mitsubishi Motors. Originally, the series started in 1989 and production is scheduled to continue through 2009. These cars were known for "hot-rodding" mainly...

The heater core of a Ford Taurus is responsible for providing heat in the passenger cabin of the vehicle when the heater is turned on. Over time, it can wear out or become damaged, causing...

The Chevy Avalanche was introduced in late 2001 as a 2002 model by General Motors. The vehicle combined the features of a full-size SUV seating five or six passengers with the extended bed of a...

The Sedona was first introduced in 1999 by Kia, a Korean automobile manufacturing company. Known as the Kia Carnival, it was renamed in the United Kingdom and the United States as the Sedona. It...

Most of us like our cars. We bought them because there was some quality that appealed to us. Good mileage, low insurance rates, nice lines, engine power, or lots of interior space…we know what we...

One of the most frustrating situations that a do-it-yourself amateur mechanic runs into is that of broken or stripped lug nuts on a hub. They seem impossible to get off, and have been responsible...

A rusty bolt is the last thing you want to deal with when you have a larger issue at hand. Breaking off the head, rounding the corners, and busting your knuckles are no fun. Here are a few ways...

When major transmission problems develop, you might need to remove the transmission for service. Removing and re-installing a transmission is an involved process and differs in details according...

The ball joint in a Chevy Cavalier connects the steering knuckle to the lower control arm. It sustains the up and down movement of the suspension and wheel, as well as allows the wheel to move...

Torque is a measure of rotational force, or how hard something is being twisted. It can be calculated by multiplying the length of the wrench by the force applied at the end. For instance,...

The electric fuel pump on your Acura RL model provides the pressure and flow for the metering section of the fuel system. However, the spinning mechanism inside the pump, which produces a smooth...

The radiator of your BMW vehicle is custom designed to feature a system that regenerates the heat, sending it into different sections of the engine, which keeps the engine from overheating. The...

The struts on your Nissan 300ZX may be replaced as a complete assembly. Years of service weaken the coil spring, and the center strut piston may begin to leak, providing a rough ride on rugged...

Water pump repairs and replacement requires the use of an impact wrench. Learn about using an impact wrench when replacing a water pump on a Mazda 626 from an auto mechanic in this free car repair...

As a new water pump is being installed, avoid the use of an impact wrench as it can strip out the hole. Learn about replacing a water pump on a Mazda 626 from an auto mechanic in this free car...

Put tape on the bottom of the gate to protect it so it doesn't get scratched when using a ratcheting wrench. Learn how to replace a tailgate from a certified professional in this free automotive...

Flat tires. They're one of those things that just happen when you least expect them, and usually when you're late for an important appointment. Changing a tire isn't difficult, but sometimes,...

When a car won't start, you can usually blame the battery. A battery can have a few things wrong with it that won't allow it to keep a charge, or the connections to the battery can be faulty....

The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve makes up an important part of your Plymouth Voyager's ventilation system. If the PCV valve doesn't work properly, it can cause your engine to...

Fuel lines develop leaks when part of the line rubs against anything metal under the vehicle. Typically the frame rail is responsible for most of the rubbing damage. Fuel line fittings can also be...

One of the necessary tools for the home auto mechanic is a torque wrench. If you want to follow all the manufacturer's recommendations for repairs and routine service, you will need to know how...