Search This Blog

Custom Search

Feb 4, 2012

Great Tips On Auto Repair

Are you wondering how to do a simple auto repair? Then, you're reading the right article because in here, I will be providing you different tips on how to address common car problems that a lot of car owners encounter.
Flat Tire
Having a flat tire is a very common problem in the auto repair industry. Most of us have tried being in a situation with this kind of problem and we have our hands raised up in helpless despair because we don't know how to handle it. Let's discuss how to change a flat tire. The first thing you need to do is to pull over to the side of the road and park your car on level ground. Secure your emergency brake then get your spare tire, lug wrench, and jack. Place the jack under your car and place it towards the lift points. Next, loosen the lug nuts. Jack up your car until the flat tire is off the ground. Then, take the lug nuts and pull the flat tire out. Place the spare tire and lower the car so you can tighten the bolts.
Your Car Won't Start
If your car won't start, open up the hood and check the terminals of your battery. See if there are signs of corrosion. If there are, then they may have eaten into your cables. It's a good idea to clean your battery terminals of such corrosion on a regular basis. If everything looks fine, it's possible that you battery may have drained out. If this is the case, get it charged. Another reason for your car not starting would be lack of gas in its tank. Check your all of the fuel lines as well so you can make sure that they are in place and are well-connected. Take a look at the main wiring as well. If everything is in place, it may that you car has a more serious mechanical or electrical issue. If this is the case, you should bring it to an auto repair shop.
Car Dents
If you have a small dent on your car, you can use a block of wood outside of the dent and gently beat it out by using a rubber hammer from the inside. This is a good thing to do if the dent is accessible. Applying dry ice on the center of the dented surface also helps in removing it. If the dent is not accessible, you're going to need a dent removal kit. Use a rubber plunger and place it against the dent so that you can create a suction action. This will help pull the dent out.

Everything You Need To Do Your Own Repairs

You may not be an ace mechanic, but there are some simple car repair jobs that just about anybody can do. In fact, the more you can do yourself, the more you'll save for when you really need help. Doing your own car repair is a fulfilling way to get closer to your beloved vehicle. It all starts with having the right tools.
Just like collecting anything else, getting your kit together becomes a sort of addiction. Watching it grow tool by tool, and seeing how each part can be used, is lots of fun and it makes driving your car more interesting. Keep in mind that this list is only the absolute basics; as you learn more about car repair, you'll add to it.
- Jack And Lug Wrench. You'll need a jack for lifting up your car and a lug wrench to remove lugs. These simple tools come in handy for almost everything. Your vehicle comes with a jack already, but it's best to ditch it and buy a better one. Hydraulic jacks are generally considered to be the best.
- Socket Set And Box Wrench Set. You can buy a basic socket set from any hardware store. You don't need anything fancy to get started doing your own car repair. The box wrench is useful for getting to hard-to-reach areas, and there are plenty of those on any vehicle. Start with basic sets and buy more as you need them.
- Combination Wrench Set. Same as above, you'll need to do some serious twisting to get at the trouble spots of your car. A combo set will have various sizes and types, and this should cover all the stuff you'll need to do with your vehicle.
- Auto Repair Manual. It's always surprising how much a good, old-fashioned repair manual will come in handy. Get the instruction manual for your car's model and make if you anticipate doing some serious repairs from time to time. If you're not going to spend so much time fixing stuff, you can always check it out of your local library.
- Work Lights. Good lighting enables you to do your work in the evening, and even in daytime they can help a lot to really see what you're doing. The best work lights to get are fluorescent shop lights. They're bright and tough, and they'll stay cool. They're great for lighting up what you're doing. Be sure to have some good extension cords as well.
The above list is very basic, but it will at least get you started. When you're first buying stuff for your car repair kit, remember that you don't need anything fancy. Salespeople will turn your head around with the latest gadgets and tools, but what you really need are some simple things that you can use when you've got something to do a car repair. Start simple and cheap, and expand into bigger and better things as your collection grows.

A Step-By-Step Guide On Car Rust Repair

Car rust repair is an important part of auto repair. This isn't a hard task if it's done on time. You should never ignore this because this is going to cause major damage on your car and can make complete rust removal an impossible task. This is why you should never ignore the first spots of rust that you see on your car. You can start repairing them on your own by following a simple guide, which I'll be showing you in here.
In order for you to be able to do this auto repair process, you need a closed garage where you can work on your car. You need to do your repair in a closed garage because rain or even just overnight dampness can cause rusting to start all over again on bare metal. When you're doing this, you shouldn't also spray paint outside your garage if there's wind. Always wear safety gear such as gloves and goggles. Wearing a painter's respirator is highly advised when you're painting in an enclosed area.
Step 1
You start the process by closely examining your car. Take a look at each corner and mark the rust spots that you see. You need to work on these areas together. After you do so, get a wire brush and scrub it on the rusted areas so that you can remove the rust thoroughly.
Step 2
Clean the rusted areas as well as the areas around them. Doing this will help you achieve the best results. Use a 220 grit sandpaper to remove the paint. Buy a thick primer. Then, clean the rusted areas. Do this by sanding the areas that you've marked. Clean the rusted areas until you see clean metal surrounding them. By sanding the areas around the affected spots, you can ensure the removal of rust that might have spread under the finished area. Through this you can do a complete car rust treatment.
Step 3
Use a grinder that has a metal grinding wheel and work on the sanded metal. Be very cautious in doing this because this can do a huge amount of damage. Work slowly so that you can give the bare metal a good finish and produce the right base for painting. When you're done clean the collected dust using a soft piece of cloth.
Step 4
Mask the areas around the rusted spots by taping newspapers or plastic sheets with masking tape so that you can avoid getting paint sprayed on them. Get your primer. It's good to use a specially formulated primer for the bare metal. Apply it on the bare metal neatly using a thin paint brush. You can overlap the primer on unaffected areas by ¼ inch. Allow the primer to dry. Apply 2 more coats but allow each coat to dry.
Step 5
Buy a matching car paint that you're going to use as touchup paint. Spray the paint on the affected areas in thin coats making sure that it doesn't look uneven. Wait for the coat to completely dry before you start spraying the next one. You can do 3 to 5 coats of paint so you can get the best finish. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly. Finish things up by washing and waxing your car.

Right Time To Replace You Car's Shocks

Each and every component of your car has a limited service life because wear and tear will eventually take its toll over time. This is especially true for your car's shocks. If you're someone who loves doing auto repair on his own, you need to know the best time to replace the shocks on your car. This is important if you want to maintain or improve the degree of riding control and comfort that your car can offer. Doing timely maintenance and replacement of car parts helps a lot in avoiding any car crisis from developing.
By knowing the best time to replace your car's shocks is a good way to improve your auto repair skills. When your shocks and struts get worn out, it's hard to ignore the problem because you can literally feel its effects especially when you drive over a pothole or a bumpy road. One of the first signs that indicate excessive wear and tear show up when you hit the brakes. When the shock absorber mechanism isn't working, the front of the car dives down when you step on the brakes and when your car accelerates, you will feel the rear end of the car squatting. Your ride becomes very bumpy and the entire car frame will bounce or oscillate up and down after you hit a pothole. When you turn, the car may sway excessively.
If you find leaks on the absorber housing; damaged piston rods; and worn out tires, it's really advisable that you replace both of your shocks and struts. When you see any of the signs that I've stated above, you'll know that it's already time for you to get new sets by visiting an auto repair shop.
Car manuals usually provide information about the best time to get your shock absorbers replaced. In general, the recommended mileage range after which it's advised to get a replacement is 50,000 to 60,000 miles. When you notice the signs that have been discussed above, you should go for a replacement as soon as possible. You can refer to your car's manual for details about the ideal replacement period.
The best way for you to determine whether or not you already need to go for a replacement is by doing an actual inspection. If you spot any sign of wear and tear, you should get replacements as soon as you can unless you love getting roller coaster rides whenever you're driving your car. Getting a replacement won't only give you a better ride but this will also ensure that your tires and drive assembly won't get significantly affected.

What Tools do you need for Auto Repair Tools?

Having basic auto repair tools can really be nice when your car starts to have car troubles. Having some repair tools can save you from having to run to your local Utah auto repair garage. You don't want to have to run to a Utah auto shop for every single mechanical problem that goes on with your car.
Be sure to carry auto repair tools in your car with you whenever you drive. As discussed in a previous article, major car repairs may be saved by keeping up with the general maintenance of your car. Yet, even doing that does not guarantee that your car will never break down.
It is inevitable that your car will need some minor repairs every so often. Even when they are cared after very well, cars will need some mechanical work done. However, keeping good care of your car and bringing it in to your local Utah auto shops to replace oil and other maintenance checks will make it more plausible that you can save money when your car does have smaller issues because you will be able to do the repairs on your own.
You can usually find a good set of auto tools at most Utah auto stores. Stores that deal with car accessories are always a good place to look for auto repair tools. A lot of supermarkets are also selling auto repair tools.
Basic tool kits will allow you to do basic mechanical repairs yourself. Before trying to repair anything on your car yourself, you need to make sure you have a basic knowledge of car repairs. Local classes, online tutorials, and basic videos are a good place to start when studying how to do repairs on your car.
Some procedures should never be tried by a novice. For example, you would never want to try to replace a broken clutch by yourself. The type of repairs that novice car owners can easily do are things such as replacements on spark plugs or fuel filters.
When you buy a basic auto repair tool kit it should have some form of tutorial included with it. Tutorials will help you understand the tools and their uses. The more detailed the tutorial, the better.
You can ask your Utah auto repair technicians what tools are the best to have for basic maintenance work. Most will tell you the need for jumper cables, screwdrivers, set of wrenches, thick gloves, and breaker bars. When you go in to talk to your technician, compare the pricing between their basic auto repair tool kits and others you can find online or at the supermarkets.