Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
When you own a vehicle there is an expectation as to how long the brakes should last. Some brake pads last longer than others, but when you purchase a new vehicle you would think that the pad quality would be good. This was not the case for the 1995 Buick Skylark. GM had a technical service bulletin for the front brakes on this vehicle due to the short life span. The fix for this problem was to install new, higher quality, brake pads and rotors, which you can do yourself.
Sometimes nails in the heels or soles of shoes become damaged or fall out. Lengthen the life of well-made shoes inexpensively by repairing them yourself. You can replace a bent or broken shoe nail with just a few tools. It is easiest to purchase these nails on the Internet or at a local shoe repair store.
In 2008 Ford resurrected the famed Taurus. This model came from the Ford 500, which did not have the name recognition the Taurus did. The new Taurus was larger, and this brought with it the need for more power and better braking. Changing the front brakes is something you can do in your driveway.
Squatting is an essential movement for strengthening your lower body. The most popular type of squat exercise is the back squat, which requires you place a barbell on your upper back. This positioning, which is dangerous, forces you to externally rotate your shoulders so you can grip the bar. Overtime, it can cause severe damage to your rotator cuff muscles. A safer alternative to the back squat is the front squat. Instead of putting the bar on your back, your place it on your front shoulders, which means you won't have to externally rotate your shoulders.
Croc shoes often are accessorized with decorative buttons, which are manufactured in many shapes, ranging from cartoon characters to flowers and symbols, to name a few. When you get tired of old buttons, it is possible to replace them with new ones that will brighten up your shoes.
The later-model heavy duty GM pickup was a far different animal than its predecessors. GM made the controversial switch from a solid front axle to an independent front suspension with the late-model 2500HD; an advent that traded a bit of simplicity for a better ride and greater versatility. The switch to CV joints also made replacement a fairly straightforward procedure, at least compared to replacement procedures for earlier solid axles.
Your 2001 Honda Sportrax is designed to provide you with years of off road fun, and with a name like Honda you should expect that reliability. Because Honda has always been reliable and claims to put the customer first, they have made things like changing your brake pads a simplistic task. The brakes on your ATV are quite similar to the brakes on most Honda cars today, so if you have done a brake job on a car, you should feel well at home with your ATV
While it was undeniably a good car, the fourth-generation Mazda 626 didn't make history because of its sporty handling, perky V-6 engine or even its brand-new OBD-II computer system. No, the fourth-gen 626 didn't make history because of what it was -- but rather, where it came from. Produced as part of a joint venture between Ford and Mazda, the 626 came to the light of day from the AutoAlliance plant in Flatrock, Michigan. That made the 1993 Mazda 626 the very first Japanese-branded, American-domestic car; something that Honda and Toyota would proudly tout years later. But Mazda, as usual,…
The 1999 Silverado was a turning point for General Motors' trucks. The Silverado's brand-new GMT800 platform offered strength and versatility that no light-truck platform ever had, and the cost savings it offered allowed GM to allot significant resources to enhancing other aspects of the truck. Those 1999-and-later GMT800-platform trucks were leagues ahead of their predecessors in most respects, but GM wisely decided to keep some of the older trucks more "primitive" features -- features like light and powerful rear drum brakes. But the Silverado's drums, like all others require some adjustment from time to time. Fortunately, the process is fairly…
Despite the six decades that separated them, the PT Cruiser had a lot in common with the 1937 Chrysler Airflow. Styling was the primary commonality; you don't have to look too hard to see the Airflow's fenders and roof-line in the PT Cruiser. Purpose was another; the Airflow heralded Chrysler's new era of aerodynamic styling, and the PT marked a turning point in company-wide styling and popularity in the marketplace. But those were intentional similarities. Probably the least-known similarity is that the base-model PT used the same drum brake system as the Airflow. You could call it a concession to…
Drum brake systems have been around as long as the pickup truck, and for nearly as long as the internal combustion engine itself. After all, it didn't take long for those first automakers to figure out that getting going was secondary to stopping before you hit something. In all those years -- at least those since hydraulic brakes debuted -- the basic procedures involved in changing a wheel cylinder haven't changed. Brake cylinder replacement for this model-year F-150 is fairly straightforward -- about an hour job for the weekend mechanic.
There's no telling why Toyota decided to change it's Harrier SUV -- technically SLV, or "Sports Luxury Vehicle" -- to RX300 after offering for sale to US buyers. Maybe because, looking at the roofline, a customer might say "No...actually, it's balder." Perhaps its because the first-generation RX300 lacked the Vertical Takeoff and Landing feature expected of anything with the name "Harrier." But whatever the reason, the RX300 quickly made a name for itself in the oxymoronic luxury SUV segment with all the amenities of any Lexus, and the reliability expected of a Toyota. But, more than a decade after production,…
The 2006 Subaru Outback base model came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. Constant velocity or CV shafts are used to transfer uninterrupted power from the transmission to the front wheels. The CV joints on each end of the axle are subject to wear over time and will need to be replaced. The CV shaft is serviced as a unit so anytime either joint becomes faulty you have to replace the entire shaft. When you have successfully replaced the faulty shaft, you will need to have the front end alignment checked.
The 1998 Dodge Neon base model came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The wheel hub, wheel bearing, and bearing race for each wheel are pressed into the center bore of the steering knuckle and are not contained together as an assembly. If the bearings need replaced, the wheel hub may be able to be used again but it may be a good idea to replace the hub as well to ensure a quality repair.
The 1991 Pontiac Grand Am base model came with a 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder engine and a five speed manual transmission. The rear brakes on your Grand Am are drum brakes which require a double piston wheel cylinder to apply equal pressure to both brake shoes when the brake pedal is pressed. Over time the wheel cylinder for each drain can wear out and begin to leak or become seized preventing the proper pressure from being applied to the brake shoes. Replacing either rear wheel cylinder is a straightforward task, but will require a helper when it comes time to bleed…
Whatever situation calls for continued use of a brake system that needs attention, it is best short-lived, if tolerated at all. Serious shortfalls may have already occurred by the time audible symptoms develop. Brakes that chatter, squeak or grind are signaling a problem that is sure to affect performance. Whether postponed maintenance, or severe driving conditions are responsible for newly displayed noises, the predicament deserves quick action. A brake inspection may reveal a trivial concern, or prevent some dangerous mishap. Many auto repair shops offer this service at no cost, and that may be the best free offer a motorist…
After the success of Chevrolet’s introduction of the 1967 Camaro, the 1968 models were understandably little-changed. Small improvements were made, including the way the thin, chrome front bumper -- which looked identical to the previous model on the exterior -- was attached to the car. Although designed to protect the front of the car, the slightest frontal impact may cause damage to the original bumper. Replacement bumpers manufactured by aftermarket companies are made for your 1968 Camaro. Installing a shiny, new bumper will spruce up the front of your car.
The 1984 Chevrolet S-10 was available with a 1.9-liter in-line four cylinder engine, a 2.0-liter in-line four cylinder engine, a 2.2-liter in-line four cylinder engine and a 2.8-liter V-6. The 1984 S-10 was equipped with the option of a two-wheel or four-wheel drive drivetrain. The rear brakes on the 1984 S-10 were drum style brakes, that include shoes, hardware, drums and wheel cylinders. When replacing wheel cylinders that have ruptured or leaked within the brake drum, you should replace all of the drum brake components as they become saturated with brake fluid.
The 2005 Ford Taurus base model came with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. Because your Taurus is driven by its front wheels, constant velocity shafts are used to transfer rotation from the transmission differential to the front wheel hubs. The constant velocity joints of the axle shaft allow the axle to flex and bend in all directions so that the power transfer is uninterrupted when turning the vehicle or going over bumps. The CV shaft is serviced as an assembly, requiring the replacement of the entire axle shaft if you have experienced a CV joint failure.
The MTD Yard Machine riding mower does not move very fast, therefore the brake is not designed for emergency stops. The machine is equipped with a single disc brake mounted on the right of the transaxle, with both the clutch and brake are activated by a single clutch-brake pedal. Depressing the pedal half way disengages the engine, while depressing it fully engages the disc brake. To set the parking brake, pull out the parking brake knob while fully depressing the pedal. However, periodic examination and adjustment of the brake is essential since the brake pads are subjected to wear during…
The 1989 jaguar XJS V12 emergency braking system is composed of a series of cables and linkages operating independently from the vehicle’s hydraulic system. This system is designed to slow or stop the vehicle if the primary brakes fail; its secondary function is to secure the parked vehicle or to hold the vehicle stationary on an incline without depressing the brake pedal. Since brake pad wear and slight stretching causes the cables to slacken, the cables must be be adjusted from time to time. If you notice any sign of corrosion or wear, replace the cables as soon as possible.
For most people, a "bad" brake rotor is one with a few scratches and grooves in the surface that cut into the pad, or one that's wavy and warped. But there's a lot more going on with your brake rotors than you might see on the surface -- and even that's bad enough as it is.
The Rover 214 was equipped with a vacuum servo-assisted, hydraulic brake system. Foot pressure on the brake pedal operates the piston within the brake master cylinder, which pressurizes the hydraulic fluid within the brake system. The pressurized fluid actuates the single-piston, sliding-type calipers, and on some models, the twin-piston wheel cylinders on the rear drum brakes. Over time, the hydraulic fluid level in the brake master cylinder bottle or reservoir can fall below the minimum fluid level mark and require topping off with fresh brake fluid. MG Rover Group recommends checking the brake fluid level once a week.
The wheel cylinders on the 1991 Pontiac Grand Am control the movement of the brake shoes on the rear wheels. As you depress the brake pedal, the master cylinder distributes brake fluid throughout the brake lines. On the rear wheels, the fluid pushes the pistons out on each side of the wheel cylinder, forcing the brake shoes against the drum in order to stop the car. Like other parts of the braking system, the wheel cylinders will wear and need replacing. The average do-it-yourself mechanic can replace the wheel cylinders in the garage or driveway, avoiding the need to take…
The Ford Puma, manufactured from 1997 to 2001, is a compact sports coupe available in Europe. While the Puma never officially made it to the US, the car shared much of its technology, including the Zetec engine, with many US-branded Ford vehicles. The Puma uses DOT 4 synthetic brake fluid as its sole brake system fluid. This fluid, like many other brake fluids, is non-compressable and has a high resistance to attracting moisture. The brake fluid is filled through a reservoir mounted on top of the brake master cylinder.
The brake booster on a 92 Buick Le Sabre multiplies the braking force applied by the brake pedal. Its vacuum operated drawing the necessary vacuum from the engine intake manifold. The round booster has a rubber diaphragm with a coil spring to oppose the vacuum. Vacuum is introduced into the booster through a one way valve on the face of the booster. This prevents vacuum from escaping. When the brakes are applied outside atmospheric pressure is introduced allowing the vacuum to overcome the coil spring pressure and force the brake rod into the master cylinder.
The full-size Bronco debuted in the 1978 model year after 11 years of the Bronco being a compact SUV. The 1993 Bronco came standard with a 185-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 engine, and had an optional 200-horsepower, 5.8-liter V-8 engine available. The 1993 Bronco came standard with front disc brakes and rear drums, but had optional rear disc brakes; also standard on the Bronco was a rear-wheel antilock brake system. Bleeding the brake system on the 1993 Bronco includes removing air from the master cylinder and all four wheels.
In 1993, The Bronco was just three model years from elimination, as the Expedition replaced it in 1997. The 1993 Bronco came standard with a 5.0-liter V-8 engine, four-wheel drive, and a front disc and rear drum brake configuration. Replacing the rear drum brakes on the 1993 Bronco requires special care, as there are numerous small parts to keep track of. As you remove the various components, lay them on a flat surface in the same position they mount on the truck. This will help you when reinstalling them.
The Ford Bronco debuted in the 1966 model year as a compact SUV and did not become a full-size SUV until Ford completely overhauled it in 1978. The 1993 Ford Bronco came standard with a 185-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 engine and four-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive is great on this rugged SUV, but it adds to the labor time to remove and install the brake pads. Replacing the front brakes – pads and rotors – on a manual locking hub-equipped 1993 Bronco requires removing the locking hub body in order to remove the brake rotor-and-wheel hub assembly.
Porch columns are exposed to the elements and sometimes rot and lose their strength. As load-bearing structures, these columns may need replacement when that begins to occur. Replacing the columns sooner than later is generally a good idea, because failure to do so may result in further structural damage to the roof it supports.
The WR400F was a 396 cc four-stroke off-road motorcycle produced by Yamaha between 1998 and 2000. In stark contrast to its YZ400F motocross racer-counterpart, the WR400F was intended for use on trails and required a less than race pace focus that allowed its riders to travel rough terrain at their leisure. Like most motorcycles, the WR used a wet-type clutch, which immersed a stack of friction-generating discs in the engine's oil supply. The constant use of the clutch needed to negotiate rocky terrain could eventually wear the clutch discs. Extreme situations, however, could cause a disc to break into pieces…
The 1996 Dodge Stratus base model came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The front wheel hub on the 1996 Stratus is bolted directly to the steering knuckle and contains the wheel bearing. Any time the wheel bearing needs to be serviced for any reason, the entire wheel hub has to be replaced. To replace the wheel hub, you will have to remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle.
The use of hydraulic force for brake application was a major improvement over mechanical systems employed at the dawn of automotive history. Reduced brake pedal effort and more uniform applications helped shorten vehicle stopping distances. Earlier automotive brake hydraulic systems had single-reservoir master cylinders installed on the frame rail, under the car. Complete system failure could be caused by a leak of any size, anywhere in the system. Dual-reservoir master cylinders were devised so that two independent circuits would allow some braking, in the event of brake line or component rupture. While the circuits are isolated from one another, master…
The Western Electric model 302 is considered the workhorse of an extensive art deco line of telephones manufactured between 1936 and 1954, during which more than 25 million 300-series units were produced. The series was the first by Western Electric to incorporate all the necessary components in the telephone’s base. Repairing vintage rotary-dial units can be an interesting hobby, and properly adapted phones can serve as everyday "land lines" on today's digital exchanges.
The Xterra was introduced by Nissan for the 2000 model year as a compact sport utility vehicle that was based on the Frontier pickup truck chassis. For 2003, the Xterra retained the re-designed front end from the previous year, which incorporated its forward-facing turn signals and parking lights in a single assembly alongside the headlights. The parking lights were intended to provide additional illumination to ensure that the Xterra was seen by other motorists, and like any other type of light, were powered by fragile bulbs. Replacing a burnt-out or broken parking light bulb is simpler than it may appear,…
The parking brake on your Simplicity Mower is a safety mechanism that keeps the piece of equipment from accidentally moving when parking on an incline or when the mower is not in use. The parking brake component consists of two pads, one pad on each of the Simplicity Mower’s back wheels, that press down on the wheels’ inner rims and keeps the wheels from moving. Like the parking brake on an automobile, you can engage and disengage the brake while the mower is on or off.
The Z3 was BMW’s widely successful attempt to enter the compact roadster market. The Z3 entered the marketplace in the 1996 model year with a 138-horsepower, 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine. By time it reached its final model year in 2002, the Z3 topped out with a 225-horsepower, 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. Resetting the brake shoe light is the same process on all seven model years, but there may be a small error, especially if you use non-BMW pads, that may cause you to use an alternate method.
The base model 1996 Ford F-150 was a two-wheel drive pickup truck, equipped with a 4.9-liter in-line six-cylinder engine. A 5.0-liter was an optional engine for the base two-wheel drive 1996 F-150. The front wheel hub on the 1996 F-150 is an integral part of the front brake rotor. The rotor assembly contains the lug studs, as well as the wheel bearings within the rotor body. Removal and replacement of the hub requires replacement of the rotor, and possibly the wheel bearings.
Hydraulic caliper disc brakes come with either a fixed caliper piston or a floating caliper. The hydraulic caliper brake generally provides superior stopping power on motorcycles, automobiles and trucks. However, they are also used for stationary industrial engines and equipment. Performance sport bicycles also use hydraulic caliper brakes. Other types include mechanical and pneumatic caliper brakes.
The 2000 Mazda Protege base model came with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The front axle shafts transfer rotational power from the transmission to the front wheels. The most common sign of a failing axle shaft is clicking while cornering, which will eventually leave you stranded if not repaired quickly. The driver side axle is connected directly to the transmission, and the passenger side axle is connected to the short shaft. Replacing either is a straightforward task, but you will need one special tool.
The 2001 Ford Focus base model was offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The rear brakes on your Focus consist of a brake drum, brake shoes, brake adjuster, parking brake cable, return springs and a wheel cylinder. When you apply the brakes, pressure is applied through the brake line and to each piston of the wheel cylinder. The pistons equally press out on the brake pads, applying the lining to the drum surface. The most common failure is a faulty seal that allows brake fluid into the drum. If the brake shoes are saturated with…
The Porsche Boxster debuted in the 1997 model year as an inexpensive-for-a-Porsche roadster. The Boxster was in no way a powerhouse, but given its somewhat svelte 2,822 to 2,954-pound curb weight and its 201-horsepower, horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine, it certainly held its own. Despite the high-tech nature of the 1999 Boxster, the parking brake system is really not unlike the normal, run-of-the-mill vehicle. Setting and releasing the 1999 Boxster’s parking brake is a quick and simple task.
Wall mounting flat panel televisions allows the set to remain out of the way of floor traffic while maximizing the sleek appearance of the set. Although the options may seem limitless when you evaluate wall mounting positions, in some rooms the best orientation may place the set directly in front of a heating and cooling vent. Provided there are sufficient vents in the room to handle HVAC climate control duties, you can block this vent off and proceed with the installation.
The 2006 Jeep Wrangler was available in six trim packages; SE, Rubicon, Unlimited Rubicon, X and Limited. The 2006 Wrangler 4.0-liter V-6 engine produced 190-horsepower and 235 foot-pounds of torque. The 2006 Wrangler drum brakes are somewhat difficult to remove and install because of the amount of hardware springs that have to be placed to set the shoes, self-adjuster and parking brake equipment. Proper adjusting of the new rear drum brakes is essential for optimal performance of the entire braking system.
The LT-R450 was a race-focused, sport all-terrain vehicle produced by Suzuki from 2006 to 2009. A strong braking system is a critical element in an ATV's ability to withstand the demands of off-road racing. As such, the LT-R450 is equipped with a three-disc hydraulic brake system, placing two discs -- or rotors -- behind each front wheel and the third along the right side of the rear axle. Brake rotors are prone to warping or bending when placed under high braking loads or through impacts with foreign objects. The rotors can be removed and replaced by most LT-R450 owners, and…
In listing the 60,000-mile service items for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, General Motors notes that vehicles operated under extreme conditions have slightly modified schedules. Extreme conditions include the situation in which the vehicle is operated 50 percent of the time in temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Vehicles operated for very short periods of time so the engine is never allowed to reach full operating temperature, taxi cabs, towing vehicles and police vehicles that idle extensively are also considered vehicles that operate under extreme conditions.
Drum mutes need to be installed properly in order to operate as expected. Install drum mutes with help from a professional drummer and instructor in this free video clip.
A backhoe is an implement on a tractor, but when a contractor or heavy-equipment operator speaks of a backhoe, he's usually talking about the whole tractor, not the digging implement. The backhoe is so named because it's on the back of the tractor; it has a pair of booms and a claw bucket that allow you to dig in hard earth. When you change a backhoe/tractor's brakes, you have to bleed them, just as you would a car's, to remove air from the lines. This is true of John Deere tractors as well as any machinery with hydraulic brakes.
If you like a hot bath or shower during the cold winter months, you probably use an electric water boiler, also known as an electric water heater. The electric water boiler can be pretty reliable, but it’s also subject to malfunctioning. Electric water boilers can lose their ability to heat up water, which can require replacing a heating element. They can also suffer from reduced water flow thanks to sediment build-up from water deposits. Fortunately, you can complete those repairs on your own without help from a paid professional.
The 2005 Nissan 350Z was equipped with a 3.5-liter, 287-horsepower V-6 and was available as a Coupe, Anniversary Edition Coupe, Enthusiast Coupe or Roadster, Touring Coupe or Roadster, and Track Coupe. The coupe sports a hardtop design, with a large hatchback rear door. The convertible Roadster body style uses a standard trunk and deck lid design. The liftgate cylinders are called lift support shocks and are used on the hatchback door.
