Everything Else

How To: Repair a minor windshield leak from the side mirrors on an LLV postal truck

Unless the windshield is obviously cracked, there are only two other possible causes to a leaky windshield. One is from the seal around the whole glass, because it's broken or worn by age, and the other is the more common culprit on LLV postal trucks, and that's where the side mirror bolts on. This is is hard to see without a mirror and flash light, but check it before you replace the windshield, because if it's the source of the leak, you'll still have a leak even after replacing the windshi...

How To: Replace the left (non-driver's side) windshield wiper pivot on an LLV postal t

Unlike other automobiles, the LLV (Long Life Vehicle) postal truck is driven on the right side of the vehicle, not the left. This can complicate repairs for any mechanic if they're not familiar with these trucks which carry mail across the country by the United States Postal Service (USPS). One repair that isn't easy is replacing the windshield wiper pivots. Actually, the driver's side (right) wiper pivot is pretty easy, but the left side is quite a chore. If the one's you're working on are w...

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: Avoid using bad flywheels for an LLV postal truck

When replacing flywheels on an LLV (Long Life Vehicle), which is a postal truck used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and made by Grumman, always look for the quality of the new flywheels ordered. Just because they're new doesn't mean they're good. The ring gear can sometimes be welded off-center to the plate, which will make the starter teeth grind the new flywheel. If you don't want to replace the fly wheel a second time, watch this video to see how to spot check them.

How To: Fix a transmission leak at the speedometer drive gear on an LLV postal truck

A common problem for an LLV postal truck is a transmission fluid leak at the speedometer drive gear on the side of the transmission. This video will show you how to repair this transmission leak at the seal. LLV stands for the Grumman Long Life Vehicle, which the United States Postal Service (USPS) for all mail delivery. More than likely, it's an O-ring problem (speedo seal) where the speedometer cable attaches.

How To: Replace a control arm on an LLV postal truck or Chevy S-10 pickup truck

The control arm on a Grumman Long Life Vehicle, or LLV, postal truck (used by the United States Postal Service (USPS)) is exactly the same as the control arm on the Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck, so the replacement procedure is almost identical. This video will show you that procedure, but it's important that you get the right part for the side you're replacing. The LLV is right-side steering, so the driver's side is the passenger's side on the S-10. It's a little confusing, so be careful.

How To: Troubleshoot the dashboard gauges on an LLV postal truck

The United States Postal Service (USPS) use what's called a Grumman Long Life Vehicle, or LLV, for their postal trucks. This video will show you how to troubleshoot the dash gauges in an LLV that are acting crazy. If you;re a mechanic and you have the same sort of electrical problem with the gauges when using turn signals or hazards, this video will help you find the solution, which could involve the parking brake.

How To: Replace the spark plugs on a 2006 Ford Escape SUV

Most do-it-yourself mechanics are afraid to touch newer model cars and trucks, even when it comes to changing spark plugs. This video will show you the process of replacing the spark plugs on a 2006 Ford Escape. The front three spark plugs are easy to get to, but the back three are underneath the intake, so you will have to remove that for access. But don't worry… there are no special tools required for this job.

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: Install a camshaft sensor and/or synchronizer on a 1998 Ford Windstar 3.0L

This vehicle covers a 1998 Ford Windstar 3.0L which came into the shop without the chief complaint being it was stalling and running bad. After the scan, they got a code P0340, which is a cam sensor fault. The problem could lie in any part of the circuit - the sensor itself, the wiring, or the PCM. Watch and learn to see how to install a new camshaft sensor and/or synchronizer.

How To: Use a shortcut to quickly remove a heater core on a 2001 Ford Taurus

When working on the dashboard of any vehicle, make sure you disable the vehicle's airbag system first. Your service manual should tell you how to do that. In this video, the heater core is plugged up in a 2001 Ford Taurus, which means it needs to be taken out. The book states it will take 5 hours to complete, mostly because of the dash. But this trick will cut the time down to 1.5 hours. First, get you heater hoses off in the engine area. Then proceed to watch a mysterious bracket being cut o...

How To: Quickly test the functionality of a coil-on-plug system in almost any vehicle

Working on a coil on plug system can be pretty frustrating for mechanics. So, if you're trying to diagnose a no-start or misfire, how do you know if that spark plug coil is firing? Is that even your problem? This video will show you two methods for troubleshooting the misfire problem. The first quick little test involves a coil-on-plug adapter (tester). Keep watching for the second method. This works for almost all vehicles.

How To: Test vehicle relays in place with stranded copper wire

This is a really great tip for any mechanic's toolbox. Most people switch out relays in the vehicle to determine whether they're bad or not, but sometimes that doesn't do the trick. Sometimes it's necessary to check the relay in place, in the relay box, and there's a simple trick to doing so, for any automobile. Just wrap some stranded copper wires around the contacts and plug it back into the relay box. Then test!

How To: Use a coffee maker to install wheel bearings into an axle without a press

Many axle bearings must be pressed on, and it's a fairly simple job if you have a press available. But if you don't have a press, try this little trick to get the job done. All you need is a coffee maker. Yep, that's right. Make yourself a pot of hot joe, and when it's done, place the bearing on the heating element. By the time you finish the cup of hot coffee, your bearing should be hot enough to expand. This could work for any vehicle!

How To: Troubleshoot a mysterious coolant leak on a 1999 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L

The main complaint for this 1999 Jeep Cherokee, 4.0L, is that the Low Coolant Light keeps flashing on and that it keeps needing coolant. Nothing seems to be leaking on the ground, so where's the leak going? After doing the normal pressure test to spot the leak, and the combustion gas leak, and the overnight test, nothing seemed to work. The coolant leak could not be identified. So, it must be the cylinder head, right? But you need evidence of that first. Watch and learn how to prove your theo...

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: Troubleshoot a misfire (code P0305) on a 1999 Mercury Villager 3.3L

If you didn't find the solution to your misfire problem in this video, then the 1999 Mercury Villager 3.3L might have a code P0305 (Cylinder #5 Misfire). This is great troubleshooting advice from a professional mechanic to help you diagnose the problem. The vehicle is a '99 Mercury Village, 3.3L, with 150,000 miles on it. The chief complaint is the CEL (check engine light) comes on and it runs like it has a misfire. It feels like a steady consistent misfire, which is code P0305. Watch the vid...

How To: Troubleshoot a misfire (code P0304) on a 1999 Mercury Villager 3.3L

As a mechanic, you can't get paid until you fix it, and you can't fix it until you diagnose it, which means a quick diagnosis means a quick fix which means a quick payout. If life was always this easy! This automotive video will show you how to troubleshoot and diagnose a 1999 Mercury Village, 3.3L, with 150,000 miles on it. The chief complaint is the CEL (check engine light) comes on and it runs like it has a misfire. It feels like a steady consistent misfire, which is code P0304 (Cylinder #...

How To: Troubleshoot a horn that's not working in a 1991 Ford Ranger pickup truck

This video will help you diagnose and troubleshoot a non-working horn in a 1991 Ford Ranger pickup truck. First off, the electrical diagram is a great place to start. Make sure the horn switch is getting power from the source. To test this, all you need is power and a ground to test it at the steering wheel. To see what else could be the problem, watch and learn from a professional mechanic.

How To: Change front brake pads on a Ford Escape

Don't waste money on pricey mechanics! Doing your own vehicle repairs can save you tons of dough, but just because you're avoiding the mechanics, doesn't mean you can't learn a thing or two from them. In this video, a professional shows you the quick steps to changing out the front brakes on a Ford Escape. After taking of the front wheel, you'll have to deal with the calipers and the brake pads, along with a few other things. But don't worry. Any do-it-yourselfer can change brakes. And the Fo...