How to Replace a Tire Valve Stem

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Tire Valve Stem . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Scraper
  • 3/8 in. Drive Torque Wrench
  • Valve Stems

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $23.61 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $93.70 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a flat surface. Depending on the wheel of which you want to replace the tire valve stem, raise the vehicle accordingly. Support the vehicle on jack stands to ensure your safety.
  • You need to have a tire iron, socket or ratchet to remove the lug nuts holding the tire in place.
  • After removing the lug nuts, take the tire and wheel assembly away from the vehicle.
  • Take the Schrader valve positioned inside the valve stem out. This will inflate the tire.
  • With the help of tire machine, discard the bead of the tire.
  • Next, take the bad valve stem out and replace it with the new valve stem.
  • Inflate the tire keeping in view the manufacturer’s specifications for tire inflation. This will help the bead to seat properly in the tire.
  • Balance the tire and wheel assembly properly before installing them back onto the vehicle.
  • Install the wheel back onto the vehicle and secure the wheel with lug nuts.
  • Remove the jack stand and floor jack and lower the vehicle.
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How to Check Tire Pressure

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Check Tire Pressure . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Estimated Costs:

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

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a level surface and set it on parking brake.
  • Look for the tire’s valve stem. Insert the tire pressure gauge into the valve stem and press it down to note the pressure of the tire. Repeat the process for remaining three tires and note the tire’s pressure readings.
  • Match the recorded readings with the sticker on the driver side door jam. Make certain that the readings given on the sticker are matched with the recorded readings.
  • Following the manufacturer specifications for the tire’s inflation for the front and rear, inflate the tires accordingly.
  • Take a small drive and make certain that the vehicle is running smooth.

Tips & Warnings

  • In order to get the accurate pressure readings, make certain that the tires are not hot and in resting position for quite a long time, to say for an hour. This is necessary because the pressure increases when temperature of the tire increases.
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How to Balance a Tire and Wheel

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Balance a Tire and Wheel . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Estimated Costs:

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

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a flat surface and raise the vehicle on floor jack. First raise the front of the vehicle and support it on jack stands, then raise the rear of the vehicle and support it on jack stands. Now you have your vehicle secured on jack stands.
  • Use an appropriate socket, ratchet or tire iron to break loose the lug nuts holding the wheel in place. Take the lug nuts away and remove all the four wheels of the vehicle. In some cases you may have to remove the hub caps to access the lug nuts.
  • Wipe off all the dust, dirt and debris from the wheels. Separate the wheel weights from wheels.
  • Position the wheel on the balance machine and switch the machine on.
  • Whenever necessary, reinstall the wheel weights. When a wheel is perfectly balanced, remove that wheel from the machine and install the other and repeat the process for rest of the wheels.
  • Put the wheels back to the vehicle and secure them with lug nuts.
  • Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.
  • Take a small drive and feel the difference.

Tips & Warning

  • Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while doing repair work on your vehicle. This protective clothing such as safety goggles, latex gloves, and closed toe shoes keep your safe from injuries.

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How to Replace Windshield Wiper Blade Refills

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace Windshield Wiper Blade Refills . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Needle Nose Pliers

Estimated Costs:

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

Instructions:

  • On the windshield you will find windshield wipers.
  • Take the wiper blade assembly out from the wiper arm.
  • Taking help of pliers, tweak the metal tabs on the rubber inserts. Take the rubber inserts out of the wiper blade assembly.
  • Take a new rubber insert and glide it into the wiper assembly. Push it in until you hear a click sound which ensures that the metal tabs are now locked.
  • Reassemble the wiper assembly back onto the wiper arm.
  • Switch on the wipers and make sure they are operating well.
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How to Replace Windshield Wiper Blades

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace Windshield Wiper Blades . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Wiper Blade

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $13.46 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $47.50 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Look for the wiper blades. You can find them resting against the windshield. Observe them carefully and ensure that wipers blades are of same size (lengthwise).
  • Turn the spring loaded wiper arm up. Make sure that you have pulled the arm enough so that it stays in position without banging back on the windshield.
  • Shove the release pin and take the blade assembly away from the wiper arm.
  • Now take the new wiper blade and glide it onto the arm. Put the clip into the hook unless you hear the click sound. Put the wiper arm back onto the windshield and use the same procedure for the other wiper arm.
  • Open the hood and examine the windshield washer reservoir. Check the working of the new wiper blades by turning the switch on.
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How to Check Manual Transmission oil Level

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Check Manual Transmission oil Level . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Floor Jack
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Drain Pan
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Jack Stand

Estimated Costs:

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

Instructions:

  • Secure the vehicle on a flat surface and apply parking brake.
  • If you are unable to see the transmission because of low ground clearance, raise the vehicle with floor jack.
  • It is suggested not to rely only on floor jacks while working under the vehicle. Better support the vehicle on jack stands on all four sides to ensure your safety during the repair work. Working only with floor jacks can sometimes be dangerous as vehicle can lean or roll over you.
  • Look for the transmission fill plug and take it off. You can find it on the top of the transmission case. Examine the oil level in the transmission. It should be up to the bottom of the fill plug.
  • In case oil is below the required level, add more oil recommended for your vehicle type until it begins to flow out of the hole.
  • Put the fill plug back and secure it properly.
  • Make sure that there is no oil leak from the plug or around the transmission body.

Tips & Warning

  • Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while doing repair work on your vehicle. This protective clothing such as safety goggles, latex gloves, and closed toe shoes keep your safe from injuries.
Posted in Fluids & Filter | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Replace an Air Filter

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace an Air Filter . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Air Filter

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $12.52 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $46.39 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a level surface and prop the engine hood up.
  • Look for the air filter box in the engine compartment.
  • Unclamp the clips and take the mounting screws off from the air filter box cover.
  • Remove the cover from the filter box and take out the air filter. For reference purpose, note the position of the air filter in the box.
  • Thoroughly clean the filter box and remove any dust, dirt or other debris from it. Using compressed air for cleaning is not recommended for air filter box.
  • Put the new air filter in the filter box in same position as old filter was positioned.
  • Put the cover back onto the filter box and secure the cover with clips and mounting screws.
  • Make certain that all the connection from air intake and vacuum hoses are properly installed.
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How to Check Differential Oil Leaks and Replace Oil

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Check Differential Oil Leaks and Replace Oil . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Drain Pan
  • Mallet Hammer
  • Scraper
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Differential Gasket
  • Gear Oil

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $118.01 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $275.36 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a flat surface and chock the front of the vehicle.
  • Take a floor jack and raise the rear of the vehicle.
  • Support the rear ends of the vehicle on jack stands so that you can work easily under the vehicle. Working under a vehicle with only floor jack can be harmful.
  • Examine carefully the rear differential for any signs of leak.
  • Take the gear oil fill plug away.
  • Wipe off any debris or dirt from underneath of the differential cover.
  • Put a drain pan under the differential cover. Unbolt the differential cover so that the oil drains out into the drain pan. You might have to pry the cover and the housing to get them separate.
  • Once the oil is drained out, take the cover off entirely.
  • Wipe off any dirt and dust from the mounting surfaces of the housing and cover.
  • Before adjusting the new gasket on the mounting surface of the cover, apply a coat of sealant on the mounting surface.
  • Then, coat the differential housing mounting surface with sealant. Reinstall both differential cover and housing together. Secure them with bolts.
  • Now add gear oil to the housing. Make sure that you have the recommended gear oil for your vehicle type.
  • Fill the housing with gear oil until the oil reaches the bottom of the gear oil plug.
  • Fasten the gear oil plug properly.

Tips & Warning

  • Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while doing repair work on your vehicle. This protective clothing such as safety goggles, latex gloves, and closed toe shoes keep your safe from injuries.
Posted in Fluids & Filter | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Replace a Lower Radiator Hose

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Replace a Lower Radiator Hose . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Cooling System Pressure Tester
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Radiator Hose

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $60.65 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $248.47 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Park the vehicle on a level surface. Prop the hood up and look for the radiator.
  • Put a drain pan under the radiator hose. Unclamp the lower radiator hose. Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the radiator and allow the coolant to drain out in the drain pan.
  • Once the cooling system is empties, discard the radiator hose from the engine.
  • Assemble the new lower radiator hose. It is better to use new clamps to secure the radiator hose on both the ends.
  • Take antifreeze agent and make a solution of antifreeze and water with a 50-50 composition. Add this solution to the radiator. Make sure that the antifreeze reaches up to the ‘MAX’ mark.
  • Switch the engine one and allow it to run in idle position for some time. Turn the engine off and examine the antifreeze level again in the radiator.
  • Add more antifreeze solution to the radiator and recap the radiator properly.
  • Make sure that there is no leak around the hose or from the radiator reservoir.
  • Take a small drive and observe the engine temperature gauge. If it still shows high temperature, check for antifreeze level and also for any loose connections.
Posted in Belts & Hoses | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Perform a Basic Engine Tune-Up

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Alvin Martin

Below guide will teach you How to Perform a Basic Engine Tune-Up . Please follow the instructions carefully.

Things You’ll Need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Combination Wrench Set
  • Socket and Ratchet Set
  • Spark Plug Gapper
  • Spark Plug Socket Set
  • Spark Plug Wire Puller
  • 3/8 in. Drive 6 in. Socket Extension
  • Air Filter
  • Distributor Cap
  • Distributor Rotor
  • Spark Plug

Estimated Costs:

  • DIY Costs: Est. $173.65 parts only
  • Shop Costs: Est. $402.54 parts and labor

Instructions:

  • Make sure that engine is cold. Prop up the engine hood and look for the air filter, the spark plugs, rotor and distributor cap. These are the essential components which need to be checked wile doing basic engine tuning tasks.
  • Unclip the air box filter and take the air filter out.
  • Use vacuum to remove debris and dust from the air filter box. Replace the old air filter box with the new one.
  • Hold and pull the spark plug wire from the spark plug wire boot. With the help of ratchet, spark plug socket or socket extension take the spark plug away from the cylinder head.
  • Replace the old plug with new one. Before threading the new plug in the head, make sure that the gap on the plug is according to the specifications. Plug the wire back to the new spark plug.
  • If your distributive cap needed to be replaced, disconnect the cap from the wires and install the new rotor along with new cap. Reconnect the wires to the cap carefully. Make sure you don’t mix up the wires.

Tips & Warning

  • Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while doing repair work on your vehicle. This protective clothing such as safety goggles, latex gloves, and closed toe shoes keep your safe from injuries.
Posted in Belts & Hoses | Tagged , , | Leave a comment