Auto Repair

Chevrolet trucks use torsion bar springs for the front of most four-wheel-drive models. The compact nature of torsion bars allows room for the front differential and CV axles. One advantage of...

Shock absorbers dampen the suspension of most automobiles, and when they wear out they require replacement. Fitting a shock to a car is a simple process once you have removed the old shock. Just...

When fixing your car or something around the home, you may need to reuse a bolt which has been stripped, which means that the threads have been deformed or damaged. You could replace the bolt...

Automobiles are manufactured with shock absorbers at each wheel, to dampen bumps and rough terrain. The function of a shock is to resist the upward motion of the spring, which has the tendency to...

There can be a few reasons to change the door handles on a Toyota Camry, like one of the handles getting broken, or just a desire to install special aftermarket handles. If the latter is the case,...

Rust is a problem no matter where you find it. But when it's the bolts and nuts on your exhaust system, it can be a little bit trying. There are multiple ways to remove a rusted bolt from the...

Seized bolts that snap off flush with a part's surface create a frustrating, time-consuming issue. The majority of bolts seize due to corrosion in the form of rust. Rust forms when fasteners from...

Monroe shocks use a gas-pressurized cylinder to cushion hard jolts and keep the vehicle stable on the highway. These shocks can wear out or leak, lowering efficiency or failing completely. The...

Whether you are rebuilding an old engine or just doing some internal engine repair, you will need to get the engine block cover off. The engine block covers are bolted into place with up to 20...

The alternator in your car provides power to the accessories in the vehicle such as the radio, headlights and ignition coils. It does this by creating current from the turning engine belt. Without...

The shock bolt on a Jeep Cherokee connects the wheel hub and lower control arm to the shock. These bolts are made of hardened steel. When they break, they can sometimes be seized up and very...

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...

A U bolt is a bolt that is shaped like a "U" -- hence, the name. The top two points on the bolt are threaded and nuts are screwed onto them to secure them to various types of components. On...

Rusting bolts are a pain to deal with but can be loosened with special equipment. When it comes time to dealing with a set of rusting nuts and bolts on your muffler, that can be tricky as well, as...

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...

Drilling out bolts in a vehicle's cylinder head should only be done as a last resort. It should only be done if the bolts have become so old and rusted that they won't come out any other way. The...

Radiator hoses are one of the most commonly overlooked maintenance components within any automobile, until they fail. Radiator hoses are made from rubber, which corrodes over time. To compound the...

Installing a bolt on a Dodge Ram billet grille is similar to installing a bolt on any other component. A billet grille is an optional piece of equipment that can be added to enhance the looks of...

A common problem with the air conditioning system in the Chevy Lumina is leaking seals in the compressor. It is no longer legal to vent air conditioning refrigerant into the atmosphere, so...

Drilling and tapping a hole in thicker gauge metal is a fundamental part of fabricating metal. Using the optimal drill bit is imperative in producing a functional and strong final tapped hole. If...

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 caliper slide bolt, or pin bolt, is the lowermost bolt on a brake caliper. The slide bolt holds the caliper to the caliper mounting bracket. When you remove this bolt, the caliper will swing...

Bolts that break off in a cylinder head are extremely difficult to remove. About the only thing you can do is drill them out. Since there is a significant risk of damaging the threads on the...

Rusted bolts can be easy or difficult to remove, depending mostly on accessibility. There must be enough room to work. The head of the bolt or the threaded end must protrude far enough to grab...

The BMW 635CSi was manufactured with rear shock absorbers that provide high-speed stability and ride dampening. These shocks can wear out and require replacement, which will take the average...

A stripped head bolt is difficult to remove. If the bolts on your engine head become stripped, usually due to over-torquing, you'll need to drill them out. Drilling involves serious risks but is...

The exhaust studs on a Volkswagen are fairly difficult to remove. While the process itself is simple, it takes an incredible amount of physical force to remove the studs. The exhaust studs hold...

Recreational vehicles and motor homes use shock absorbers to cushion jolts and stabilize highway driving. These shocks can wear out, causing a rough ride and high-speed weaving. The average...

Stripped and broken threads are a fact of life in auto repair. Even if the threads are damaged beyond a simple re-tap, the mounting hole can still be fixed and reused. Helicoil inserts allow you...

Most automobiles were manufactured with rear drum brakes during the 20th century, and these braking systems use hydraulically operated shoes to apply friction to the interior of a drum, stopping...

Always make sure that the replacement alternator for the Ford Tempo is of the same maximum amperage. At the same time, look at the pulley and make sure that it is of the same type and that the...

Replacing a cylinder head in your Honda Civic or other vehicle is a dangerous, complicated and difficult job. This particular type of repair should only be attempted by someone with experience...

Removing broken bolts and screws almost always requires the use of a bolt-out or screw removal kit. These are available at most auto parts stores. The bolt-out kits have special teeth on the...

Removing an axle bearing on a rear-wheel drive requires extracting the axles. If the bearing surface on the axle is destroyed, an axle saver bearing is available as an alternative to replacing the...

The muffler on a Dodge diesel is secured to the exhaust piping with mounting bolts. The constant heating and cooling of the exhaust system may create a phenomenon of "cold fusion" between the...

Early Toyota models were manufactured with rear drum brakes, which use a hydraulic wheel cylinder to press twin shoes into the interior friction surface of a round drum, stopping the vehicle. The...

The Nissan Frontier was manufactured with rear drum brakes on some models, which require routine maintenance for optimal performance. The twin shoes that are pushed against the inside of the drum...

Each time one of the 350's spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture within its cylinder, the resulting explosion sends a tremendous vibration through the piston, connecting rod and finally to the...

When an engine mount goes out on a GMC truck (or almost any vehicle), the engine can cause vibrations throughout the truck, which makes for an uncomfortable ride. It also causes additional stress...

The Honda Accord is one of the best selling cars in America. The 1998 model of the Honda Accord was available with either a 2.3L four-cylinder engine or a 3.0L V6 engine. This tutorial is...

The sway bar or stabilizer bar on a first-generation Chevrolet Camaro is a steel bar that connects the lower control arms on the front of the vehicle to the frame. When a vehicle drives through a...

The 1969 Ford F-series Camper Special was manufactured with a hydraulic rear drum braking system that requires routine maintenance. The drum material can thin over time and must be replaced to...

The alternator in a Ford van is a generator that supplies all of the electricity that the van needs. It also charges the battery. Signs of a failing alternator are dimmed headlights, battery...

The 1978-1992 Ford Mustang, or Fox body style, was manufactured with rear drum brakes that require routine maintenance. Installing a new drum to the rear brakes will give the mechanic an...

Replace, or resurface, your brake rotors when you replace the brake pads in your Ford Expedition if you experience a shaky, bouncy feeling when you apply the brakes. Rotors that are severely...

Replacing the timing belt on a Honda CRV is not an easy task; it's much more difficult than removing the other drivebelts. The main difficulty lies in getting to the belt itself, as there are...

The fuel filter on your Honda Civic keeps harmful contaminants from entering your fuel system and tank. Unfortunately, they are subject to failure, primarily due to being clogged. The 2000 model...

A tensioner pulley on most newer cars -- from the mid 1980s to present -- is actually part of a two-piece component called the automatic belt tensioner. The tensioner's job is to apply the correct...

An Isuzu Bighorn alternator should always be tested with a fully charged and inspected battery. A partially charged battery or one with a bad or shorted cell will cause false readings on the...

Chevrolet rear brakes use hydraulic calipers and friction pads, on most late models, that can deteriorate. The pads are a semi-metallic or ceramic material designed to thin over time, requiring...