Hot Auto Maintenance & Repairs Posts
How To: Replace your vehicle's power steering pump
Your vehicle's power steering pump is integral to your car functioning at all. That's because the power steering pump is what provides the hydraulic power for steering. Without it, your car would pretty much go nowhere. Inside the pump, retractable vanes spin, pulling hydraulic fluid in with low pressure and spitting it out at high pressure. Every pump has a pressure relief valve to make sure the pressure is never too high, but still your steering pump may wear out over time.
How To: Jump start a car properly
Car won't start? Watch this video to make sure you jump start your car properly.
How To: Make an internal combustion engine
Ever wonder what goes on inside the engine of your car? Can you imagine at 5000 rpm there are 80+ explosions every second? Here's a DIY internal combustion engine that'll show what all that noise is about!
How To: Remove a Car Dent with a Lighter
This instructional video shows how to remove a dent from your car using only a cigarette lighter and some aluminum foil. This quick fix can save a lot of money on expensive auto repairs. Watch this video how-to video and learn how to fix a dinged car with a lighter.
How To: Charge and evacuate vehicle A/C systems
This video series explains how to charge and evacuate the air conditioning system in a vehicle. Lots of machines are involved so you won't be able to do this at home.
How To: Diagnose a cranking curcuit with a voltmeter
This video explains how to diagnose a cranking circuit with a voltmeter by doing voltage drop testing.
How To: Adjust air brake system slack
This video explains how to adjust slack in a air brake system on a vehicle.
How To: Overhaul wedge brakes
This video series shows you how to overhaul wedge brakes. Part 1 of 4 - How to Overhaul wedge brakes.
How To: Valve grind
The valve grind process is pretty complicated and each step is covered in a new video. Removing a valve from a cylinder head, review of the cylinder head nomenclature, measurements for valve grind, knurling valve guide, actual grinding procedure,
How To: Replace wiring on a trailer
In this video, they are going to be replacing the wiring on a trailer starting with the 4 pole flat.
How To: Replace a trailer leaf spring
This video shows you how to install a typical leaf spring onto a trailer. What we have here is a typical 4 leaf spring on a 3500 pound axle.
How To: Making a bolt leader from stove wire
This is 20 gauge, dark, annealed wire. The common name is stove wire or you can use something you have probably heard more of, safety wire. This video shows you how to use it to make a bolt leader in case you messed up the one that came with your trailer.
How To: Replace electric trailer brake shoes
If you have a towing trailer that has electric brakes, you need to take care of them just as well as the brakes on your vehicle. This video shows you how to replace the brake shoes on electric brakes on a trailer.
How To: Remove, inspect, and reinstall trailer hub bearings
An installer shows you how to remove bearings from your hub while minimizing potential damage to the bearings. He then gives tips on what types of wear are acceptable and how to decide if the bearing needs to be replaced. The hub is then reassembled so that it can be installed on the trailer.
How To: Remove and reinstall a utility trailer hub
An installer shows some tips to help remove your trialer hub so it can be serviced and then reinstall it so your wheel can be remounted.
How To: Inspect and regrease trailer bearings
An installer shows what to look for on your bearings to determine if they are safe to use. He then shows how to repack the bearings with grease.
How To: Fix your own flat tire
Mechanic and Emmy Award winning car talk host Scotty Kilmer shows how you can fix your own flat tire.
How To: Change your air filter
Changing the air filter in your car sounds like something you'd like your friendly neighborhood garage do for you, but in reality it's quite easy to change all by your onesies at home. Don't believe us? Then check out this video to learn how to replace your air filter step by step.
How To: Install RRS 3 link rear suspension
Install of the RRS 3 link rear independent suspension set up in to a 1964 Falcon wagon.
How To: Install the RRS phase 3 strut and disc brake package
A 6 minute video detailing the installation of the RRS phase 3 strut and disc brake package
How To: Fix Your Car Dent with a Hair Dryer
If you've ever dinged your car—or worse, a friend's or parent's car—and caused a dent, you know how expensive it can be to fix. A two-second mistake can end up costing hundreds of dollars, but you can save yourself repairs costs and a headache with just a couple of household items.
How To: Replace a broken valve cover in a car
In this series of video clips you’ll learn how to replace a valve cover on the engine of your car. Expert mechanic Nathan McCoullough shows you step-by-step instructions, from locating the valve and determining whether or not it’s leaking, covering and protecting the electronic components of your engine, and removing the necessary parts, such as the valve cover and bolts.
How To: Replace the sprocket and chain on a street bike
In this motorcycle repair video series, learn from motorcycle mechanic Mario Rossi how to change the sprocket and chain on a street bike.
How To: Replace a turn signal switch
Expert Mark Blocker shows you in this series of videos how to replace the turn signal switch in your car.
How To: Find the initial timing of your engine
This video shows you how to find the initial timing of your motor, with or with out a top dead center whistle. You need to know your firing order and distributor rotation direction.
How To: Adjust the curb idle speed on a Holley carb
This video shows you how to properly adjust the curb idle speed on your Holley carb. First find your idle RPM setting from under your hood or from a repair manual. Turning the screw clockwise will raise the RPM's and counter clockwise will lower the RPM's. Check and adjust until the proper setting is reached
How To: Break in a new camshaft when building an engine
If you have a new camshaft, the break-in procedure is critical. Follow our guidelines and you won't flatten a cam lobe and ruin the internals of your motor. The basic formula is 20 minutes @2000 rpms and never going below 1500 rpms. Make sure not to let it idle. Changing from 1500 to 2500 rpm every few minutes will help the cam break-in as well.
How To: Install a distributor when building an engine
This section of "Final Assembly" of an engine covers installing your distributor. This can be tricky. The distributor gear has to meet the cam gear and connect with the oil pump drive shaft. Take your time and you'll get it.
How To: Install fuel pump, water pump, and thermostat housing
A quick clip on installing external components like your fuel pump, water pump, and thermostat housing. It's usually easiest to have the harmonic balancer set at top dead center for your fuel pump.
How To: Adjust the valve lash when building an engine
In this video you will learn how to adjust the valve lash - one of the necessary steps of building an engine. You want to leave as much of the internal lubrication in place as possible. If you follow the firing order of your motor, you'll only have to turn the crankshaft one complete rotation. This section has some of the more detailed 3D models to show you the internals of a working motor.
How To: Install a camshaft when building an engine
This video explains part of the final assembly of a motor when you install the camshaft. You will need all of your cam bearings installed first. You will need moly lube on the distributor drive gear and all of the lobes of your cam. To avoid a mess only do one section of lobes at a time and rest the cam on a journal to lube the next section. It should be freely rotating after installation.
How To: Fit pistons into their connecting rods
If you're in the process of rebuilding a motor, and have gotten your old pistons cleaned (or bought new ones) it's time to install the rod pins into the connecting rods to connect with the pistons. This video shows you how it's done then they will measure the pistons to determine the final bore size of the cylinder walls before they are honed.
How To: Remove pistons when rebuilding a motor
When you're ready to remove the pistons, start with the rod caps. You'll also get to see the crankshaft, rod bearings and journals for the first time and inspect them for damage as they come out. Great tips on protecting the cylinder bore while removing the pistons and connecting rods.
How To: Drain a radiator in preparation for removing the motor
This video shows you the proper technique to draining the engine fluids from the radiator and connected hoses before removing the engine for disassembly. Explains the process for using your specific engine repair manual to label all of the wiring, vacuum lines and hoses so that installation later will be smooth.
How To: Replace the interior lights on a car
In this video series, our expert Mark Blocker will show you how to replace the interior lights in your car or truck. He will teach you all about the tool you will need, and talk a bit about the differences between cars.
How To: Diagnose and repair a cracked cylinder head
Doug Jenkins tells you what signs to look for if you think you might have a cracked head. Does the antifreeze level go down too fast? Notice anything unusual about the oil color or hose pressure? Check all of the warning signs first, because actually getting to the cylinder head is a very complicated process, which involves removing everything from the v-belt and ac compressor to the intake manifold and headers.
How To: Fix a differential leak
In this series of car repair videos, our automotive expert tells you how to diagnose and repair a differential leak. Doug Jenkins talks you through the entire process, beginning with how to rack your car and how to remove wheels, brake drums and axle in the course of removing the differential.
How To: Replace a valve cover gasket
In this series of home car repair videos, our expert mechanic takes you through each step of repairing your valve cover gaskets. He demonstrates how to remove and replace valve cover hoses, spark plug wires and ultimately the gasket itself.
How To: Install a clutch
This video shows how to install a clutch in your car. To replace the clutch you will need a lift to place the car on. Install a clutch.
How To: Do basic automotive wiring
In this video series, let Robert Wilkens help you fix accessory problems in your car. With his instruction on automotive wiring, you can learn how to replace fuses. Robert shows you how to install radios, speakers, and power windows too. He also teaches you how to put in a car alarm system. Most importantly, learn how you can keep yourself and your car safe as you work with automotive wiring systems. With these simple tips, you may be surprised with how much money you can save.