How to Replace a Wheel

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Wheel . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Jack Stand
  • 3/8 in. Drive Torque Wrench
  • Wheel

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $29.05 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $152.86 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Park the car on a leveled surface and set the parking brake.
  • Raise the front/rare of the vehicle with a floor jack depending on which wheel you want to replace.
  • Take jack stands and secure the vehicle on them to ensure your safety. Place the logs behind the front/rare wheels depending on the replacement work.
  • Unfasten the lug nuts and take the wheels away. You may need to use an appropriate size socket or large ratchet to unfasten the lug nuts. In some cases, the lug nuts are covered with hub caps which you need to take away before moving on to the lug nuts.
  • Take the spare tire out of the trunk and replace it with the flat or bent tire.
  • Remember, spare tires are in no way a perfect substitute of regular tires, so get the new tire or have your flat tire repaired as soon as possible to avoid any accident.
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How to Replace a Strut Assembly

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Strut Assembly . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Coil Spring Compressor
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand Set
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Shock Absorber and Strut
  • Assembly

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $113.16 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $434.98 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Make sure that the car is parked on a flat surface with parking brake on. It is a god idea to put logs behind rear wheels as you have to lift the front of the vehicle.
  • Loosen the lug nuts of the front wheels but don’t take them out.
  • Take a floor jack and lift the front of the vehicle.
  • As a safety precaution, secure the vehicle on jack stands so that you can work under vehicle more comfortably.
  • Take the front wheel off the vehicle by removing the lug nuts.
  • Inside the engine compartment, locate the strut assembly. Unfasten the top nuts holding the strut assembly to the mounting frame. Leave the center nut.
  • It is a good idea to mark the mounting position of the lower strut on the hub for reference purposes. This mark will help you to align the new strut.
  • Unfasten the bolts holding the strut assembly to the hub and take the strut assembly away.
  • Find the spring compressor on one of the side and use it to apply pressure on the spring so that you can able to dismiss the top nut and washer. It is better to mark the top mounting position for future reference. Apply pressure on the strut assembly from above and take it out from the underneath of spring.
  • Take a new strut assembly and glide it inside the spring and adjust it carefully. Use that mark as a guideline. Put back the washer and the top nut.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s specifications and fasten the top nut.
  • Position the strut assembly at its respective place in the vehicle.
  • Fasten top nuts of the strut assembly slightly to the frame inside the engine compartment.
  • Make adjustments to straighten the bottom nuts with the hub marks. Torque the bottom nuts properly.
  • No move on the top nuts and torque it also. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s specifications while doing so.
  • Reattach the removed components back to the strut assembly.
  • Fix the wheels back to the vehicle and secure the following the start pattern.
  • Take a small drive and make certain that everything is operating properly and no adjustments are required.

Tips & Warning

After grounding the vehicle, bounce the vehicle up and down from the front to ensure shocks fit in their place properly. It is also important to make this thing certain that the vehicle is on even height on both the side. It must not lean on one side.

Alignment is must after the replacement of the strut assembly. If you are in doubt, take your vehicle to any professional technician to align it for you.

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How to Replace a Control Arm

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Control Arm . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Ball Joint Separator
  • Ball Peen Hammer
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Pry Bar
  • 1/2 in. Drive Torque Wrench
  • Control Arm

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $262.06 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $451.52 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Make sure the car is parked on a leveled surface and parking brake is on.
  • Loosen the lug nuts of the front wheels, but don’t remove them.
  • With the help of floor jack, raise the front of the vehicle.
  • To ensure your safety during the repair work, set the vehicle on jack stands. Also, put logs behind the rear wheels.
  • Take the loosen lug nuts away and dismiss the front wheels.
  • Make certain what sort of suspension your vehicle have. In case of coil spring with a SLA suspension, prop up the lower control arm with a floor jack. You have to hold the coil spring before releasing the lower control arm. In case of torsion bar suspension, you have to remove the tension first.
  • Take the cotter pin away from the ball joint nut. Unfasten the nut but don’t take it out. In case a pinch bolt is holding the ball joint, unfasten the bolt.
  • With the help of ball joint separator, disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. You can also use hammer to remove the ball joint by tapping it. Take the nut away and remove the knuckle.
  • Remove any of the suspension component attached to the lower control arm.
  • Take the control arm assembly out by unfastening the bolts holding the assembly in place.
  • Take a new control arm and secure it in place by tightening the bolts. You have to torque the bolts later when the vehicle is at riding height.
  • Reinstall the steering knuckle onto the control arm or ball joint assembly.
  • Keeping in view the specifications, torque the castle nut properly.
  • Cover the castle nut with a new cotter pin.
  • Reconnect all the other components which you had removed earlier.
  • Put the front wheels back and secure them lug nuts.
  • Remove the jack stands and lower down the vehicle and torque the lug nuts according to vehicle specifications.
  • Don’t forget to torque the control arm nut. Follow the specifications for your car and torque the control arm nut accordingly.
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How to Replace a Ball Joint

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Ball Joint . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Ball Joint Separator
  • Ball Peen Hammer
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Standard Wrench Set
  • 1/2 in. Drive Torque Wrench
  • Ball Joint

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $65.65 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $304.54 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Park the car on a flat surface and apply the parking brake.
  • Raise the front of the vehicle with floor jack. To ensure your safety during repair work, it is better to secure the vehicle on jack stands.
  • Unfasten the lug nuts from the front wheels and take them away.
  • Secure the lower control arm with a floor jack. Take the cotter pin away from ball joint holding nut.
  • Unfasten the nut and remove the ball joint from the knuckle with the help of ball joint separator.
  • You need to have a special tool to pull the damaged ball joint out from the upper or lower control arm.
  • Take a new ball joint and insert it into the control arm.
  • Reinstall the steering knuckle on the control arm.
  • Keeping in view the manufacturer’s specifications, torque the castle nut accordingly.
  • Replace the old cotter pin with new one.
  • Put the front wheels back to the vehicle and secure them with lug nuts.
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How to Check for Loose or Worn Suspension Components

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Check for Loose or Worn Suspension Components . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Flashlight
  • Floor Jack
  • Jack Stand Set
  • Pry Bar

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $158.10 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Park the car on a leveled surface and apply parking brake.
  • Lift the engine hood and search for the top of suspension strut mounts or shock towers.
  • Ask your assistant to push the fender down to simulate driving over bumps.
  • In a mean while you expect the upper shock mounts from the engine compartment and from bottom of the wheel to locate any damage.
  • Take help from your owner’s manual to check the vehicle ride height (coil springs, torsion bars or struts). Make sure that the left and right side have the same measurement.
  • Raise the front of the vehicle with floor jack and secure the vehicle on jack stands.
  • Examine the suspension grease boots. Make certain that boots are properly greased.
  • Closely examine the sway bar mounts and end linkage for any loose, bent, or missing components. Replace any damage components.
  • Check the bushes and ball joints on the control arms for any signs of damage. In case, you notice any damage, you can use bushing kits or ball joints as replacements. In case of major damage, you can also replace the control arm.
  • Also have a closer look of the steering rack, steering box, steering column and the inner tie rod connection. Similarly, don’t forget to observe the outer tie rod end.
  • You have to make sure that no suspension component will left uncheck. You have to view each and every component of suspension system.
  • Replace all the damaged components with new ones. If you are unable to align them properly, consult any professional technician.
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How to Perform a Wheel Alignment

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Perform a Wheel Alignment . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Channellock Pliers
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Camber and Alignment Kit

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $40.68 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $206.10 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Take a small drive to have an idea about wheel alignment.
  • Park the car on alignment rack and observe the first suspension components for any visible damage. If required, repair it first.
  • Take help from the manufacturer’s specifications; enter the specifications’ details into the alignment machine to ensure proper alignment.
  • Fix alignment heads on the wheels to be aligned. Make sure that the heads are properly centered and leveled on the wheels.
  • Align the vehicle.
  • Take a small drive and see if the wheels have got the right alignment.
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How to Replace Power Steering Fluid

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace Power Steering Fluid . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Flashlight
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Drain Pan
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Power Steering Fluid

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $0.00 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $63.24 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Park the car on flat surface and apply the parking brake.
  • Lift the engine hood and find the power steering reservoir.
  • Search for the lower power steering pump hose and disconnect it.
  • Put a drain pan underneath the reservoir to collect the fluid.
  • Reconnect the power steering pump hole after the reservoir is empty.
  • Fill the reservoir with fresh power steering fluid up to the Max mark.
  • Recap the fluid reservoir.
  • Switch the engine on and wiggle the steering wheel from left to right.
  • After some time, turn off the engine and check the fluid level again.
  • Pour more fluid id required.
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How to Replace an Outer Tie Rod End

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace an Outer Tie Rod End . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Mallet Hammer
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Channellock Pliers
  • Flat Head Screwdriver
  • Tie Rod Turning Tool
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet.
  • Tie Rod End

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $143.91 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $248.86 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a flat surface and apply parking brake.
  • Lift the front of the vehicle with jack and secure it on jack stands to ensure your safety during the repair work.
  • Move the wheel in left and right direction to check the tie rod end.
  • Carefully examine the tie rod end boot.
  • Unfasten the lug nuts and take the front wheels away.
  • It is suggestible to mark the point that will show you how far the tie rod is threaded into the adjusting sleeve. Unfasten the nut and bolt on the adjusting sleeve.
  • Take the cotter pin from the tie rod end castle nut off.
  • Take the tie rod castle nut away.
  • Detach the tie rod end from the steering knuckle with the help of a ball joint puller tool.
  • Remove the tie rod end from the adjusting sleeve.
  • Take a new tie rod end and thread up to the mark you have made earlier to match with the original setting.
  • Put the tie rod end into the steering knuckle.
  • Follow manufacturer’s specifications for the torque setting.
  • Put new cotter pin over the tie rod end nut.
  • Reinstall the wheels and lower the vehicle.
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How to Replace a Power Steering Rack

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Power Steering Rack . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Drain Pan
  • Fluid Evacuator
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Flare Nut Wrench
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Power Steering Fluid
  • Steering Rack

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $276.01 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $823.71 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Park the car on flat surface and apply parking brake.
  • Taking help from owner’s manual, find the position of the power steering reservoir in the engine compartment.
  • Evacuate the power steering reservoir with the help of fluid evacuator.
  • Lift the front of the vehicle with jack and secure the vehicle on jack stands. Use logs behind the rear wheels.
  • Unfasten the lug nuts and take the front wheels off from the vehicle.
  • Take away the outer tie rod cotter pins and also slacken off the tie rod end castle nut.
  • Take a tie rod end removal tool and remove the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
  • Lock the steering wheel in a straight forward position. Detach the steering column from the power steering rack.
  • Detach the power steering lines from the power steering rack.
  • Unsecure the bolts holding the power steering rack and take it out.
  • Take a new power steering rack and install it by reversing the process.
  • Fill the power steering reservoir with fresh fluid.
  • Switch the engine on and wait for some time.
  • Switch off the engine after some time and check the fluid level again in the reservoir. Refill if needed.
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How to Replace a Power Steering Pump

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Power Steering Pump . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Drain Pan
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Flare Nut Wrench
  • Flat Head Screwdriver
  • 3/8 in. Drive Ratchet
  • Power Steering Fluid
  • Power Steering Pump

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $106.40 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $323.18 parts and labor

Image may not be specific to your car

Instructions:

  • Make sure that the engine is cold, open the hood.
  • Take help from owner’s manual for the position of the power steering pump.
  • Find out the power steering drive belt and take it out.
  • Take a drain pan and put it under the power steering pump to drain the power steering fluid out.
  • Isolate the power steering lines from the power steering pump.
  • Unfasten the bolts holding the power steering pump in place and take the power steering pump away from the retaining bracket.
  • Take a new power steering pump and position it properly on the retaining bracket.
  • Secure the steering pump with bolts.
  • Reattach the power steering lines to the pump.
  • 10. Put the power steering drive belt back on to the pump. Take help from manufacturer’s manual for proper tension and torque settings.
  • Take fresh power steering fluid and fill the reservoir up to the full mark.
  • Turn on the engine and wiggle the steering wheel from left to right for some time.
  • After some time, turn the engine off and check the fluid level again. If required, add more fluid.
  • Take a small drive to ensure that everything is operating fine.
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