HowToDoThings.com Auto Repair

How To Paint Parts of a Car

vinnyct88 — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:31:18 -0500

Fixing the paint job on your car isn't as hard as most people think; it's actually pretty simple. It also shouldn't cost you a lot (depending upon how much of your car you are painting).

What you will need.

How To Find a Tire Leak

mobile mom — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:47:30 -0600

Leaking tires... Who would have thought that a tire can one day be fine, and another day be flatter than your morning pancakes? If your tire has an obvious gigantic tear, then you most likely have already found the problem. Tire leaks can be tricky, and slightly annoying though. They are not always visible to the human eye, and you cannot always pinpoint them just by running your hand around the tire. For those of you trying to figure out whether it's time for new tires, and whether or not you can make it to the tire store without blowing that leaky tire on the drive there, I am hoping to help you out.

Ok, let's start out with the basics:

There are a few things you can do while your tire is still on the car.

How To Find Replacement Speakers for Your Car

mobile mom — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:10:07 -0600

Are your speakers losing their flavor? Can you no longer define the words from your favorite song through the crunch and fuzz that your speakers are putting out? Has it been so long since you've used your stereo that you can't even count the weeks since the speakers stopped working?

Then it's time that we discuss how to find replacement speakers for your car...

In today's fast-paced world, a stereo can be more than just a luxury to us. It can help us concentrate and relax while were on the road. Music can also change or influence how our day is going to go, and there's no better way to start your day than to turn that radio on and hear your favorite song in crisp, clean sense-consuming sound.

Here's how you can find replacement car speakers.

How To Process (or Turn) a Brake Rotor

David Blasingame — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:07:27 -0500

Brake rotors are a very important part of your car. These are the parts that brake pads grab onto, stopping or slowing your car. After prolonged use, they can become warped, glazed, or damaged and can be restored by processing (or turning) them. A warped rotor will give the feeling of shuddering when the brake is applied, and can be so bad that the steering wheel can sometimes shake.

Processing brake rotors involves removing the rotor from your car (covered below) and then having a machine shop, automotive repair center, or even an automotive parts store spin them on a lathe and slowly grind down the surfaces until they are clean, level, and proper. Typical rates for having the rotors turned can be as low as $10.00 per rotor. This article will save you many dollars since you won't have to have a mechanic remove the rotors for you.

How To Convert to Nissan Rear Disc Brakes

cjadidas@yahoo.com — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 03:08:20 -0500

Have you experienced poor brakes after crossing a river with your truck? If yes, your truck rear brakes are drum-type. If a brake drum is submerged on water, it will result in poor brakes function. Because water gets trapped in the drum for a while, it makes your brake pedal hard. Converting your brake drum to disc brakes will solve this problem and give you a better braking performance. This procedure may require a conversion bracket depending on your disc brake kit or brake assembly.

You will need:

Tire wrench
Hydraulic jack
Jack stand
Vise grip
Socket wrench
Hydraulic presser
Mechanical puller or bearing puller
Stainless braided flexible brake lines
Brake fluid

Procedure:

How To Install a Rear Nissan Off-Road Differential Locker

cjadidas@yahoo.com — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:16:55 -0500

A rear differential locker is one of the more basic upgrades for your truck. A differential locker is very useful for any off-road and challenging terrain. It helps us fulfill our challenges by giving us better traction on tracks. In the market, there are wide ranges of lockers to select for your Off-road Beast. Always determine your differential specification before working on this procedure.

You will need:

High quality differential oil
High temperature sealant
Differential locker (mechanical or air)
Hydraulic jack
Jack stand
Tire wrench
Socket wrench

Procedure:

How To Body Lift Pick-up Trucks and SUVs

cjadidas@yahoo.com — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:49:10 -0500

Are you an off-road enthusiast or just a truck and/or SUV fanatic? It can be difficult to lift your truck or SUV using a suspension lift. Although many off-road accessories shops are selling suspension lift kits for every vehicle classification, they aren't easy to use and often will cost big bucks. As an off-road person, I make my own suspension parts and lift kits. A simple body lift is ideal for correcting height problems. Here's how it's done:

What you will need:

Body Lift Kit (any brand)
Hydraulic jack or a Hi-Lift jack
Brake lines extensions
Jack stand
1 set socket wrench
Adjustable wrench
1 set open wrench
Vise grip

Procedure:

How To Do a Honda Engine Swap

cjadidas@yahoo.com — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:46:52 -0500

Do you own a Honda Civic? Are you dissatisfied by your Honda Civic's D15 stock engine performance? Do you want to change your engine to B16, B18, K20 etc., but don't know how? Are you one of those speed-addict guys who want to have more power on your Civic? If your answer is yes, this may help you change your engine into much higher power and push your car to the limits.

How To Choose an Extended Auto Warranty

Kathleen556 — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 14:04:00 -0600

Buying an extended warranty for your vehicle can potentially save you a lot of money, but you want to get the best deal for your dollar. This article will tell you what to look for when purchasing an extended warranty for your car, as well as where you can purchase such warranties.

How To Change Brake Pads

Joshua281 — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 11:25:00 -0500

A brake job, or changing your brake pads, is a great do-it-yourself job. Before you begin, it's important to remember that the brakes are the single most important system in your car. Take plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the brakes on your car before you begin to work. Also, it's a good idea to work on one side at a time in case you have trouble. That way, you have one side to use as a reference. We'll assume that you want to know how to change the front disc brakes on your car since front brakes provide most of the stopping power.

Preparation

You'll need to buy brake pads before you begin this basic car maintenance project. Make sure they come with an anti-squeal device such as a shim, or buy some specially made fluid to add to the back of the brake pads.