Auto Repair

The CV axle on a Mazda MX3 transfers power from the transmission to the drive wheels. Over time, the high angle of deflection on the outboard CV joint on the shaft will cause the shaft to fail....

One of the most exposed parts of your car is the windshield. Since it is just a pane of glass, any small rock kicked up by another vehicle can cause chips or cracks. For larger cracks, you may...

Ford's Triton engines utilize a coil-on-plug design ignition system. Troubleshooting is a straightforward process of eliminating possible causes of misfire by pinpointing the misfiring cylinder...

The ignition key cylinder unlocks the ignition and allows current to flow to the starter motor. Over time, these cylinder locks can fail. The tumblers inside the locking mechanism may stop working...

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...

Making sure your car battery is charging properly is very important. If your vehicle's battery is not charging properly, you could find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere when the battery...

The Dakota is a popular mid-size truck sold under Chrysler's Dodge brand. It only takes a few minutes to remove the tail light assembly from your Dodge Dakota. The only tool you need is a torx...

The Ford Escort ZX2, also known simply as the "ZX2," was a sport model of the popular Ford Escort. The rear braking system on the ZX2 uses an iron brake drum with a machined surface. Brake shoes...

As with most other components in a car, it is possible for your break pads to overheat. To help increase the air flow to your wheels and brakes, you may want to remove the hubcaps. This does not...

An ignition control module processes the signal from the crankshaft sensor, or pick-up coil, and triggers the coil to fire at the right time. Late-model cars and light trucks give us an advantage...

The radio in a Toyota pickup, while adequate, may not be exactly what you're looking for in a radio. Many aftermarket units exist that can replace the radio with a better amplifier and with more...

The upper control arm on a Mustang helps to control and secure the suspension on the car. Normally, the control arm never needs to be replaced, but bushings or ball joint replacement will make...

The brake pads on a Honda CR-V need to be replaced when the pad material is 1/8-inch thick. Although pad replacement is mandatory at this pad thickness, you should replace the brake pads on the...

The brake pads on a Ford Windstar use a brake caliper and rotor design. Over time, the brake pads wear down due to the friction generated by the intense clamping forces of the brake caliper. When...

The Mazda RX7 exhaust may need to be replaced if you live in northern climates where road salt will eat away at the metal underneath the car or if you live near the ocean (where the moisture and...

Anytime a hydraulic brake component on the front braking system of your car is replaced, a bleeding procedure is required. Hydraulics rely on constant pressure from the fluid, and when...

The brake booster in your vehicle provides the vacuum pressure needed to make applying brake pressure easy for most drivers. Without this vacuum pressure, you would need to apply the force of 10...

The throttle position sensor (TPS) on a Pontiac Fiero is a potentiometer used by the computer to determine the amount and rate of throttle opening. The sensor sends a voltage of less than one volt...

If a front sway bar is to be added to a Chevelle, it is likely that the suspension device was not included in the package when the car was purchased, because the provisions are there. The frame...

Troubleshooting an ignition system on late-model vehicles includes not only the primary and secondary ignition systems, but also the crankshaft sensor responsible for determining top dead center...

If you think you may be having a problem with your Powerstroke injector, you may be able to diagnose the problem by simple tests, or computerized ones, or even by checking out what color smoke...

The power steering pump pulley on a Jeep Cherokee has a tapered center hole, which is pressed on the power steering pump input shaft. The tool for extracting the pulley is too large to fit on the...

The serpentine belt on a Ford truck does not have a specific replacement time period. The condition of the belt should be checked periodically for cracking on the grooved side of the belt and for...

This article is limited to diagnosing fuel injected vehicles. Further, this article assumes there is no damaged or altered engine wiring, cracked or worn vacuum hoses, nor are there any engine...

This article will explain how to replace a fuel filter in a 2001 Tiburon, but I believe it is exactly the same for any Tiburon made between 1997 and 2001.

A bit of knowledge and a little homework can save you time an aggrivation when it comes to electrical problems. Just follow a few step by step procedures and get to the bottom of things quickly.

Ford F-150 trucks can take a lot of abuse and still perform well. The F-150 is rugged and uses a large alternator to charge its high-amp battery. The alternator is mounted on the lower right side...

Recreational vehicles and campers use a standardized 14-inch vent covering for allowing air circulation through the roof, held in place with several hex-head screws. The main vent cover uses an...

There is a certain prestige to owning a Porsche. Porsche owners pay for this upfront, but usually don't realize they'll pay for it later as well. Whether your Porsche is a 911 or a Cayman, it...

GMC Suburban tail light designs are different depending on the model year, but all are removed in a similar fashion. The standardized pattern for tail light removal is the same as other Chevrolet...

Ford's EEC4 ignition system was introduced in the mid-1980s. This system can be identified by its distributor-mounted ignition module. In the mid-1990s, the EEC5 ignition replaced it, and the...

There are two types of sway bar bushings on the 1988 mustang: the end link bushings and the frame to bar bushings. Replacing these will restore lost handling response from worn out or broken bushings.

General Motors vehicles are manufactured with small lights inside the gauge cluster for nighttime illumination. Over time these bulbs will wear out and require replacement, which will generally...

The rear sway bar on a Mustang GT is a high failure rate item. Overly aggressive driving stresses the bar, and it eventually cracks and fails. A rear sway bar is an option on the LX model, and...

The thermostat in your Honda Accord helps the cooling system to maintain the engine operating temperature. A faulty (or sticking, as it is commonly referred to) thermostat can cause your Accord to...

The EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve is a vital emission-control component on your Mercury Villager. Faulty EGR valves can cause your engine to run rough and decrease fuel efficiency. The...

The 1992 GMC Suburban is based on the GMT400 General Motors chassis, and was built with a choice of gasoline- or diesel-powered V-8 engines. The Suburban shares common parts and troubleshooting...

Toyota automobiles are manufactured with electric power windows that use a regulator to move the glass inside of the door. This regulator is turned by a small bipolar motor, which can wear out and...

The Lexus ES300 sedan is manufactured with electric power windows that use a small motor to turn the window regulator and move the window up or down. This motor can wear out and require...

The alternator on your Chevy Trailblazer uses the engine's rotational power to produce electrical power for the various systems on the vehicle. As part of the charging system, it also recharges...

The windshield wipers on a Range Rover are a vital safety component. The rubber blades on the wiper need to be checked every six months for wear or deterioration. Ideally, you should replace them...

The windshield wiper motor on a Volkswagen controls the action of the wiper blades. Although the motor should last the lifetime of the vehicle, wiper motors do die occasionally. Slow wiper action...

The control arms in a Passat connect the wheel hub, tie rod and shocks. The control arms use bushings to help control arm travel during normal driving. Over time, these bushings fail. Usually,...

One of the biggest annoyances about cars is the confusing methods manufacturers require that drivers use to set the clock on the dashboard. Fortunately, Jeep has always had easy set-ups for...

The throttle body on a Jeep controls the flow and mixture of gas and air that goes into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine. The throttle body can become dirty over time due...

The manifold absolute pressure sensor, or MAP sensor, is used to measure the amount of air flowing through the intake system and into the engine. The sensor sends airflow rate data to the Honda...

Automotive body work is something most people would never consider doing on their own. However, most body work is expensive and leaves people driving around with dents or rust rather than having...

Wheel studs or lugs are the bolts that clamp the wheel to the rotor with the clamp pressure from the lug nuts. There may be as few as four on a small utility or boat trailer and as many as twelve...

The fuel pump on the Grand Prix helps provide the engine with fuel to burn. The Pontiac Grand Prix has an easily accessible fuel tank for replacing the fuel pump; unfortunately, the Pontiac fuel...

Installing new rear brake shoes is a straightforward process of safely removing the old shoes, cleaning the parts that will be reused and installing the new shoes. But there are a few things that...