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Consult eHow’s collection of auto repair How Tos before visiting the mechanic. Diagnose car problems from the muffler to the headlights and save a bundle in the process. Charging a dead battery or fixing a flat tire? eHow’s got the basics covered. Bumper crunched following a fender bender? eHow’s even got helpful suggestions about repairing minor dents and dings. Whether fixing it yourself or arming yourself with knowledge so you don’t get taken to the cleaners at the body shop, eHow can help.
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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...
If you must replace your clutch, replace your transmission or have it rebuilt, you will have to remove the transmission. Removing the transmission on a Subaru is straightforward and similar to the...
The tires on cars and trucks are held on with lug nuts. These attach to lug bolts, which are the studs the wheel is mounted on. The most common number of lug bolts per wheel on cars is four or...
Changing a flat tire should be the next thing that you should learn after learning how to drive. If you are in the middle of a highway driving alone and one of your tires suddenly becomes...
A worn ball joint on a Camaro causes a knocking noise over rough surfaces when beginning to loosen in its pocket. A severely worn ball joint is dangerous inasmuch as it will come out of its pocket...
The sole purpose of an oil pan is to store the oil used by the engine. Oil pans are one-piece designs, which makes them fairly durable. However, they can sometimes crack. Oftentimes the crack can...
If a door is becoming difficult to close because it is not lining up perfectly with the door striker, the door bushings are probably worn. To test the door hinge bushings, lift up on the door at...
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...
If your Thunderbird fuel filter is clogged, your engine will likely sputter and have reduced power. The fuel filter keeps harmful objects and contaminants from entering your engine; unfortunately,...
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 timing belt on your Hyundai Tiburon is an item that you need to maintain and replace routinely, since usage and varying weather conditions will cause the belt to eventually wear out and break....
If you need to replace your clutch, you will have to remove your transmission. Removing your Subaru transmission is straightforward and similar to removing most transmissions with some key...
The LT1 is an engine designed and built by General Motors. It was fitted into several of GM's production vehicles. Due to its power output, the motor was used extensively on GMs high-performance...
Replacing the motor in a 1969 VW might sound difficult or intimidating, but it's really a fairly simple process. A VW air-cooled motor simply hangs from the bell housing by four bolts, so aside...
The 1998 Volvo S70 brakes use a hydraulically operated disk system, with integrated anti-lock mechanisms. The calipers, pads and rotors need routine maintenance, which is often overlooked until...
The Suzuki Swift is a compact car that was manufactured with a hydraulically actuated braking system, which requires routine maintenance. You can easily replace or resurface the friction surfaces...
Manual transmissions use a clutch to engage and disengage the power from the engine to the transmission. This is necessary so that when you are at a complete stop, you can rest at idle without the...
The Ford Ranger pickup truck is manufactured with a hydraulically actuated disk braking system, which can wear out and require replacement. By replacing or resurfacing the internal components of...
The lug nuts on a semi truck are just like the lug nuts on a car or standard-size pickup--only they're much larger. You'll need an impact wrench capable of removing these lug nuts. You also need a...
Modern trucks use a hydraulic caliper to apply a friction surface onto a rotor. This rotor can warp or wear out, usually due to heat stresses, and require replacement. Changing the rotors is a...
Replacing the fuel tank on your Ford Ranger may seem like a daunting task. And it could be if you do not know the correct steps. Getting rid of the fuel system pressure is your first task to avoid...
Most of us think we know how to change a tire but it's better to be safe than sorry. Print a copy of this article and put it in your glove box. If you ever need it, you'll have detailed instructions.
Stuck on the side of the road? Have a spare tire in your trunk or on your automobile, Well with a few simple instructions and the right tools! You can Change your tire and be on your way1
If your PT Cruiser's engine is overheating and the fan doesn't come on once it reaches a certain temperature, the fan motor could be the cause of the problem. To test this, disconnect the motor's...
Cross-drilled rotors are a popular car upgrade as they greatly increase braking performance but also look great especially if you have over sized wheels. Many shops charge one hundred dollar a...
If the front suspension of your vehicle starts feeling sloppy, or if you start to notice poor tire wear, the reason may be bad ball joints. Replacing them should take about an hour, and requires...
Anyone that plans on handling some of their own car maintenance or repair will eventually need to use a hydraulic car jack. The fact that these tools will be lifting and holding thousands of...
Rust can ruin a car, and it often hits the lowest part of the vehicle first. One of the most susceptible pieces to get damaged is usually the exhaust system. They're generally made out of welded...
The exhaust system in a vehicle is important because it expels heat and gas away from the motor. Excessive heat can cause gasket leaks, piston failure and other problems with the engine. 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...
Chevrolet Blazers use submerged fuel pumps that are mounted to the top of the fuel tank, making them a challenge to replace when they fail. Complete disconnection and removal of the fuel tank is...
A wide-band oxygen sensor works just like a narrow-band O2 sensor, except that it is used for high-performance tuning applications. The sensor measures a broader range of air-flow specifications...
There can be different reasons why you might need to remove the fuel tank from your Ford Taurus vehicle. Even if you don't need to replace the tank, you might need to clean it out every year or...
Floor jacks differ tremendously from the emergency jack that normally comes with modern vehicles. Floor jacks use fluid to provide lift; the small emergency jacks use simple screw systems. Floor...
The Cordia uses a rear drum braking system that requires routine maintenance to operate properly. The adjustment screw on the bottom of the brake assembly often needs attention and is only...
When Ford introduced the new body-style F-250 trucks, they soared in popularity, partially because of the super-powerful Powerstroke diesel engine. Routine maintenance for a diesel engine is...
The Chevrolet Suburban was manufactured with a front disc braking system; this system uses hydraulically actuated calipers to apply friction pads against a rotor, which stops the truck. When these...
The fuel tank on your Ford Ranger may develop problems that make it necessary to remove or replace it. Some tank leaks, holes or contamination issues can only be fixed with the tank off the...
Be prepared for a tire emergency by following these steps for changing a flat.
While using jack stands on trucks or any other vehicle seems like simple common sense, misuse or not paying attention to detail can lead to hazardous or fatal conditions. All jacks and jack stands...
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...
The low profile of Lincoln floor jacks make them perfect for the amateur DIY as well the professional mechanic. Over time, however, you may need to troubleshoot various problems with the Lincoln...
Automobiles manufactured with front disk braking systems use rotors and wheel bearings to stop the vehicle and keep the wheels rotating, respectively. These parts can wear out over time and...
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...
Shocks take a beating on a vehicle's suspension. They dampen the impact from the road while maintaining the stability and weight of the vehicle. Coil springs or leaf springs assist the shocks, but...
Class C motorhomes are manufactured with truck or van front ends that use common disk braking systems typical to the model. These systems use hydraulic calipers that can wear out and fail, or...
The 2004 Toyota Tacoma was manufactured with a hydraulic braking system, which requires purging of the master cylinder, lines, calipers and wheel cylinders after repairs. This "bleeding" must be...
A rusty exhaust is not only unattractive, but can also lead to holes in the system. Prevention means getting off any rust that appears when it happens. This project should take about 30 minutes.
Shocks are available in several varieties. The least-expensive shocks are the older, standard, oil-filled shocks. The problem with these stems from the fact that they fail once they become heated...