Hot Auto Maintenance & Repairs Posts — Page 2 of 20 « Auto Maintenance & Repairs

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: Get a Car Dent Out with a Pot & Vacuum Cleaner

Instead of taking your car to the mechanic, save yourself some money by going MacGyver and creating your own suction-style car dent puller from objects you've got laying around at home. All you need is a pot (or bucket), a vacuum cleaner, and some tape and you're pretty much set.

How To: Get a Dent Out of a Car Using Just a Plunger

Paying for someone to get a small dent out of your car can be expensive, especially when you realize that you can just do it yourself. If you've got a bathroom—and you probably do—then it's a surefire bet that you've also got a plunger.

How To: Replace a Headlight Switch for a 1998-2003 Dodge Durango.

If your headlights are not working when you pull the switch or if your turn signals are the only things working, Then your headlight switch might be broken. This is often due to loose connections or wear and tear on the part itself. The first thing I would highly recommend before starting this project is to make sure that your connections at the headlights are tight. You can test this by simply putting a piece of foil in the connector or by bending the prongs slightly. Also check to see if yo...

How To: Wire a Trailer on a Nissan X-Trail 2005

Hi there, first I'm canadian and my SUV so. I'm a hobbyist doing his best, not a mechanic, I don't take charge of other people's installation issues. Anyway, I decided to buy a SUV some months ago, and it comes without the wiring harness for the trailer and the hitch. I made it myself. In this part, only the wiring will be presented. This is for 4 pins harness connector. In any doubt, you can do as I have done for some wires; use a multimeter. Everything on that car works on a 12VDC. Ground y...

How To: Replace the Windshield Washer Bottle on a Honda Odyssey 99-04

How to Replace The Windshield Washer Bottle Honda Odyssey 99-04

How To: Fix Broken Plastic Tabs on Bumper

A common problem on bumper covers is that the tabs that attach the bumper to the car get broken. This is critical, as this is what secures and aligns the bumper cover. Many times, a broken tab is all that is wrong with the bumper cover. With the cost of these plastic parts $200 to $700, the replacement cost can break the bank.

How To: Dismantle a Bosch Diesel Pump

Most passenger vehicles that run on diesel have this. My video describes the process of dismantling a Bosch Inline Pump for Scania Engine. It's equipped with torque control which provides greater control on fuel delivery at various speeds.

How To: Replace a thermostat on a GM 3.1L or 3.4L automobile

Replace the thermostat on your GM 3100 or 3400 vehicle with this nifty tutorial. The video shows you how to replace a thermostat on a 3.4L GM but it should also help you repair a 3.1L GM as well. Just a heads up - you'll need to replace an o-ring when you install the new thermostat as well.

How To: Touch up the paint on a car and fill in any missing spots

A small scrape or spot on your car where the paint has been removed can hurt the value of your car and lead to rust. This step-by-step video will walk you through touching up the paint on your car in a safe and easy way. Take a look at how they manage to repair the scrape in the blue paint of this automobile. Touch up the paint on a car and fill in any missing spots.

How To: Replace the rear brakes on a Chevy Silverado GMC Sierra 2500HD 00-07

Brake repair bills from a mechanic can be unmanageable, so learn how to do this auto repair yourself by watching this video. Using a 2000-07 Chevy Silverado as the example, this video demonstrates how to remove and replace a truck's rear brakes.

How To: Replace the alternator and power steering belt on a 1998-2004 Dodge Intrepid

Do you need to replace your alternator and power steering belt, but don't want to pay outrageous labor charges at a mechanic? Watch this video to learn how to remove and replace the belt that drives both the alternator and the power steering on a Dodge Intrepid 2.7L 98-04.

How To: Replace the headlights and lightbulbs on your 2002-2008 Dodge Ram truck

Headlights are one of the most important safety features in any car or truck. This video shows you how to replace the headlights and bulbs in a 2002-2008 Dodge Ram truck, so that you won't be slowed down by a broken or burnt out headlight.

How To: Replace the lower ball joint on a Ford F150 (two-wheel drive)

Want to replace the lower ball joint on your two-wheel Ford F150? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this repair video can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in about 13 minutes. For all of the details, and to get started yourself, take a look!

How To: Fix transmission and oil seal leaks fast with AT-205 Re-Seal

If you've got an oil seal leak in a very inconvenient place, then this video by Scotty Kilmer will show you how a little bottle of re-sealer may be able to fix that leak. The vehicle in this video has a leak in the front main seal of the automatic transmission. The seal is pretty cheap, but you have to pull the transmission off to replace it, which can take a serious amount of time. The re-sealer is a better solution, a polymer oil that can mix with all kinds of oils. If you mix AT-205 Re-Sea...

How To: Read a car electrical diagram with a Toyota Tacoma clutch start switch example

Being able to read an electrical diagram will greatly aide your ability to correctly diagnose car problems. If you need some help with it, watch this video for a detailed explanation of how to read an example map for the clutch start switch on a Toyota.

How To: Replace rear brake pads on a Ford Explorer

When replacing your brake pads on your Ford Explorer, you first need to jack up the vehicle and remove the tire. This will give you access to the brakes. Locate the caliper, remove the two bolts and slide the caliper off. Inside the calipers are the brake pads. Pry out the outside brake pad off first, then the inside pad. Then it's time to reverse the process!

How To: Use Fiberglass Filler For Auto Body Repair

Assuring A Proper Repair When Welding Vehicle Sheet Metal Any weld that is performed on a vehicle requires certain steps to assure a proper repair. For example, weld-through-primer must be applied to the welded surface being welded; corrosion protection must be applied to the back side of the welded area, etc. In this article we are going to discuss why fiberglass is required for auto body repair.

How To: Replace the one-piece parking brake shoe on a Chevy Tahoe or Silverado

Chevy Silverados and Tahoes from the year 2000 onwards have used a one-piece design for the parking brake pad shoe, and it is not a very good piece. It breaks all the time, but this video will show you how to replace it without removing the axle.

How To: Replace the rear cargo door roller track on an LLV postal truck

The rear door track is a must-have for postal workers on their LLV postal trucks. If they can't open the back cargo door, how would they get us our mail? So, when dealing with a broken cargo door track, this video will help you replace the roller track, which is actually quite easy. The United States Postal Service (USPS) uses these "Long Life Vehicles" for almost all mail deliveries! If you have another problem, check out the other LLV videos.

How To: Diagnose an electrical problem with a fuel pump on an LLV postal truck

If you're working on a LLV postal truck, this video will show you how to determine if you've got a bad fuel pump or not. It's a quick diagnosis trick to determining if there's an electrical problem with the fuel pump, and first you need to take out the ECMB fuse, plug a jumper wire where it was, use a multimeter and labscope to see what's going on. The United States Postal Service (USPS) uses these trucks for all their postal deliveries, and if you're the mechanic working on it, this and the ...

How To: Change the front brake pads on a Jeep Liberty

If you own a Jeep Liberty, the brakes are a pretty easy fix, whether you're a mechanic or not. This video demonstrates the step-by-step process to changing the front brake pads in a Jeep Liberty. Once you take the wheel off, you're down to the caliper, which is held on by two bolts. Take it off and slide the caliper off. Then your brake pads should slide right off.

How To: Remove and replace a front wheel bearing on a 1991 Ford Explorer

A wheel bearing doesn't have to be a costly fix for the mechanic. It could be a relatively cheap repair job for all you do-it-yourselfer types. There are different types of wheel bearings, but the type explained in this video, on a 1991 Ford Explorer, is a self-contained all-in-one assembly. If you have a '91 Ford Explorer, or a different vehicle with this kind of wheel bearing, then you're in luck… watch and learn.

How To: Cut R&R (remove & replace) time for an engine in a 2000 Chevrolet Express van

For most vehicles, the way you remove and replace (often referred to as R&R) an engine is by disconnecting everything from the motor and pulling it out of the frame. With the 2000 Chevrolet Express, the book time states 22 hours for R&R of the engine this way. But there is a shortcut, and it cuts the time nearly in half! It involves the backwards approach, where you lift the body of the Chevy Express off the frame, then pull the engine out.

How To: Apply glaze putty to a damaged car

To apply glaze putty to your car, after it has been damaged, you will need the following: 80 grit sandpaper, goggles, respiration mask, putty

How To: Repair a car trunk that won't open

In order to repair a trunk that won't open, you will need the following: a screw driver. You will need to climb into your trunk, through the back seat. Remove the back seat. Pull the emergency release. Remove the trunk lock. Unscrew it. Look for anomalies. Bent screws could be the cause. You will need to repair any broken parts or replace them, if you decide not to replace the entire lock. Reinstall the lock in the trunk.

How To: Change your car's headlights and taillights

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to change a car's headlight and taillights. There are 3 types of headlights for a car. The 3 types are: sealed beam, halogen bulb and HID lights. This video shows viewers how to change halogen bulbs. Begin by opening the hood of the car. Remove the fastener or wire harness and then remove the bulb. Now replace it with a new bulb and put the wire harness or fastener back on. This video will benefit those viewers who have a vehicle and would like to lea...

How To: Unlock Your Car Door with a Shoelace in 10 Seconds

Have you locked yourself out of your car? Well, as long as you have a shoelace, you may be able to get back in.

How To: Change the spark plugs on a 4.7L V8 Jeep engine

A spark plug is a device that fits into the cylinder head of an engine and ignites compressed fuel with an electrical spark. This video tutorial demonstrates how to change the spark plugs on a 4.7L V8 Jeep engine. When changing spark plugs, wait until the engine has cooled down to reduce the risk of thread damage, and use proper tools and safety precautions to insure a successful outcome.

How To: Replace a front wheel bearing on a Chevrolet Impala

One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...

How To: Remove the rear quarter panel from a Saturn S-Series

One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...

How To: Replace the power steering pump in a Saturn S-Series

One day, your car may break down and you won't be able to afford to hire a mechanic, so what do you do... you look on the web for some how-to vehicle repair videos and become your own car mechanic, that's what. You don't need any advanced training to perform repairs and simple maintenance on your automobile, but you may need a few tools. Invest in the basic tools and you'll be prepared for just about any car malfunction you can think of. These tutorials will help get you on your way, as long ...

How To: Fix the fuel system in a Volkswagen Fox

In this automotive repair video Rolf shows you how to diagnose and fix a fuel system problem in a Volkswagen Fox. In this VW Fox the gas gauge isn't working properly and the car is sluggish. Rolf will show you how to check and fix the fuel system to resolve these problems.