How Do Pistons Work? A piston is a cylindrical plunger that moves within a metal cylinder through the four strokes of the engine cycle: intake, compression, power and exhaust. While their motion is predicated on other engine parts and the mixture of air and fuel, the motion of a piston is central to the functioning of an engine. The following process describes how a piston works in a standard four...

How to Remove a Spring Clamp Some of the tasks that experienced mechanics take for granted can be difficult for those new to auto repair. When looking at them, spring clamps offer no immediate visual cue on how to remove them. Removing them is actually very easy once you are armed with a little information. Step 1 Locate the two prongs that protrude from the circular surface of the clamp. Step 2Gr...

How to Know When Ball Joints Are Bad Automobiles are oddly organic things, at least insofar as design. Fluids pump through lines like veins and arteries, engines convert hydrocarbon fuel to energy just like cellular mitochondria; even the ball-and-socket design of your shoulder and hip joints has found its way into the car through your suspension. The ball joints that allow your steering suspensio...

How to Remove Control Arm Bushings on a Toyota Camry The control-arm bushings and bolts on a Toyota Camry connect the lower control arm to the frame. The lower control arm is designed to move up and down while the front wheels travel over uneven surfaces. The control-arm bushings help isolate the lower control arm and minimize vibrations felt by the driver and passengers. These bushings can wear o...

How to Use an Oil Filter WrenchAn oil filter casing hand-tightened during installation will tighten when the engine heats up and cools down. During the 3,000 to 5,000 miles between oil changes, the filter casing can tighten enough that a filter wrench is needed to remove it. Oil filter wrenches are available in many variations but two common styles are affordable and easy to find. Strap-style filt...

How to Use a Coil Spring CompressorOver time, coil springs loose their structural integrity. This loss can result in a drop in the height of the vehicle, reduced maneuverability and an increased wear of important structural suspension components. Replacing the worn coil springs with new springs will restore the vehicle's proper ride height and result in a significant improvement in handling. Prope...

How to Adjust Drum BrakesKeeping your brakes working properly is an important part of vehicle maintenance. If your vehicle has drum brakes, you need to adjust them periodically to prevent them from dragging. You can take care of this task on your own if you know how to adjust drum brakes.Gather Supplies and MaterialsYou can adjust drum brakes with commonly used tools that you probably already hav...

How to Do a Compression TestA compression test reveals the condition of your engine's valves, its valve seats, and piston rings and whether these parts are wearing evenly. Healthy engines should have compression over 100 psi per cylinder, with no more than 10 percent variation between the highest and lowest readings. With a compression tester, a few hand tools, and 20 minutes, you can try this yo...

Tools Needed for Bleeding Your Car's BrakesHand-held vacuum pumpNew brake fluid (type recommended for your brake system)Floor jackJack standLug wrenchLine wrench (10mm or 11mm)Shop towelsTeflon tape, if necessaryGrease, if necessaryVehicle repair manual, if necessary1.Four Tips for Successful Brake System BleedingCheck the sequence the manufacturer recommends when bleeding your particular vehicle ...

How to Use a Motorcycle Chain Tool Using a Motorcycle Chain Tool to Break a ChainStep 1. Insert the extractor spring and the extractor pin into the body bolt, then screw the extractor pin guide into the end of the body bolt until it's finger tight.Step 2. Back off the extractor bolt until the extractor pin is recessed about 2mm into the extractor pin guide.Step 3. Position the tool over the chain,...

How to use a slide hammer bearing puller correctly1.What is the slide hammer bearing pullerA Slide Hammer Bearing Puller is a tool designed to pull bearings or other objects that require an internal pulling device to remove it from wherever it may be lodged. This device has a T-handle on one end which allows for an easier grip and an attachment point on the other end for the pull adapters to be se...

Socket wrench1.what is the socket wrenchIt is composed of a plurality of sockets with hexagonal holes or twelve-angle holes and equipped with various accessories such as handles and connecting rods. It is especially suitable for turning bolts or nuts with a very narrow position or a deep depression.Includes:(1) Ratchet wrench(2) Slide rod: The position of the slide head can be moved to adjust the ...

car brake bleed service guide:Learn what's goes wrong with your vehicle's brakes and why you need to let air out of the system.REPAIR SUMMARYFill the brake master cylinder with fluidOpen the caliper or wheel cylinder bleeder screws.Push down on the brake pedalClose the bleeder screwsRefill the brake masterRecheck the systemHOW DOES IT WORK?The brake system is filled with brake fluid which is desi...

CV jointsWhile the wheel has remained more or less round since its inception, the axle has evolved to spin in all manner of configurations and situations. Insofar as automobiles are concerned, there are more than a few different types of axles. Some are of the short and stubby variety like the spindles upon which nondriven wheels spin. Things get more complicated, however, when the axles have to d...

Replacing a leaking oil pan is one of the best ways to ensure your engine is receiving the oil it needs, and it can sometimes be done in a matter of a few simple steps. For the lucky few, the source can be a loose oil-pan drain plug, a dipstick tube that’s come unseated from the engine block, or an oil filter that’s either not screwed down or has a cracked gasket.Detect oil leaking from an oil pan...

If your car won't start or it hesitates when you crank it, you might have a bad ignition coil. Testing an ignition coil on most cars is pretty easy. No special tools are required, and you don't even have to remove the coil. Just remember to be careful, because the amount of electricity generated by your ignition system can be dangerous.What the Coil DoesAn ignition coil is a kind of high-voltage t...

Safety Tip:Always wear safety glasses when working on your vehicle. Wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, for example latex gloves or closed toe shoes.1. Using an interior trim tool, remove any interior trim panels that retain the door's weather stripping.2. Remove the door's weather stripping.3.Clean old adhesive off the door trim mounting surface.4.Apply new adhesive to ...

OverviewIn the old days (generally before 2000), changing your vehicle’s coolant was simple. That procedure is shown in Step 2, below. After 2000, cars got more complex and many DIYers got intimidated by the precise filling and “air-bleeding” procedures required to eliminate engine air pockets. But don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks. All it takes to get back in the game is a one-time $83 inves...

Safety Tip:Always wear safety glasses when working on your vehicle. Wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, for example latex gloves or closed toe shoes.Park the vehicle on a solid, level surface and chock the front wheels.Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts a half turn. Using a floor jack, lift up the rear of the vehicle.Secure the vehicle with jack stands on both sides for safe...

On the left (A) is a typical flywheel extractor. On the right (B) is a three bolt puller.Special tools are essential for certain jobs on classic motorcycles. One job, in particular, is removing the flywheel from the end of the crankshaft.Typically, the flywheels on motorcycles are held in place by a taper. Both the crankshaft and the flywheel have a machined tapered interface that locks the two co...

Tools to Change Brake Padsgather your socket set, torque wrench and screwdrivers, along with a drill and wire wheel, an 8-in. brake pads rewind tools, a small spool of mechanic’s wire, 2 ft. of 1/4-in. vinyl tubing and a jar to hold the brake fluid that bleeds out as you compress the caliper piston.StartStart by loosening (not removing!) the lug nuts while the tire is on the ground. Raise one side...

Special Tools Used In Brake Service the specific tools designed to be used when replacing brake components and servicing your brake system. Having the right tools BEFORE you start working on your vehicle makes these types of jobs quick, easy, and doable for the ...

If you’re shopping for a new vehicle, you may come across the term CVT Transmission. What does this term mean? And more pointedly, is it something you should buy – or something you should avoid? What is CVT? CVT stands for continuously variable transmission, which is different from a conventional automatic transmission. The standard automatic features a complex series of gears that transmit the po...

Using a Coil Spring Compressor ...

Anyone can replace a flat tire. In fact, in some places, knowing how to do so is one of the requirements to get a driving licence. In this guide, we cover the four simple steps it takes to replace a flat tire, whether safe in your garage or stranded in the middle of nowhere.You'll need a spare tire, a car jack, and a lug wrench, so make sure you always have these items in your car. Once you make i...

To pull out a bushing from a blind hole Sometime it can be hard to get out a bushing or race for a ball bearing, press fitted in a blind hole. A well known method is to tap the bushing, place a ball in the bottom and let the tap (or a screw) "press" the bushing ...

The Right Way to Use Your Turn Signals The turn signals on your car are an essential safety device that allows you to communicate your intentions to other drivers...

How To Tell Engine Carbon Accumulation No. 1 First and most obvious is the increase in fuel co...

Taboos in Run-in Period 1,New cars should be properly lightenedEverything in your new car is new, so don't challenge its capacity when you first drive. Because the car in the running-in period, a lot of parts have not been worn out, too much bearing capacity is ...

The Expansion Valve of Automobile Air Conditioner Is Out Of Order The most common failure of the air conditioning valve expansion valve is the jam, and the conges...

"Hidden Features" Of Fuel Cap No 1. The first function is to remind us which number of gasoline should be added to the car, because many owners do not know the most appropriate number of gasoline when they just buy a new car. In fact, there is a label on the oil...

The most commonly known tool for separating ball joints is the pickle fork. What is essentially a long two-prong wedge, the pickle fork is also known as a part destroyer. Do not use a pickle fork on a reusable part. If you are removing the joint in order to replace or service something else, the pickle fork will only cost you more money. The reason is that you can’t save the dust boots, a fork wil...

Why won't my car start? Find what are the common reasons a car won't start and what to do to get your car up and running again.As a rough guideline, problems with the battery, alternator and starter are the most common causes of a car or truck failing to start.As a professional mechanic, I have diagnosed and fixed hundreds of vehicle that were unable to start up. I have listed solutions to the mos...

So we'll share the right way to Test a Fan Clutch with you by our clutch alignment tool.Step 1With the engine off, inspect the fan blades carefully. Make sure the blades are all in good shape and secured to the fan hub. Replace the fan if necessary.Step 2Look carefully around the fan clutch for signs of oil leakage. Fluid-coupling and thermostatic fan clutches are filled with silicone-based oil; i...

A loss of power and grinding gears in between shifts are telltale signs that your Nissan Sentra's clutch needs to be replaced. Thankfully, with the right tools and a little knowledge you can inspect and replace your clutch, saving money in the process. So here is the right way to change a Nissan Sentra Clutch by our clutch alignment tool.DisassemblyStep 1Follow the procedures in the owner's manual...

An AC clutch engages and disengages the compressor when your car's air conditioning is turned on and off. Once an electrical current from the on/off switch sends power to the magnetic coil, it causes the outboard clutch to pull in toward the compressor, locking up the pulley and engaging the compressor. Because the clutch is attached to the compressor shaft, if it becomes disengaged, it will not m...

A bearing separator comes in handy when replacing the steering pump, rebuilding your alternator or performing any other similar repair job in your car or any other piece of equipment. A bearing separator is very effective in removing bearings, pulleys, gears and bushes fitted too close to the housing or other components, leaving regular jaw pullers no chance to do their job. Save on repair costs a...

What Causes a P0300 Code?Low Fuel PressureVacuum LeakEGR system malfunctionInternal Engine Problems (such as low compression)Less Common CausesFaulty CoilFaulty Spark Plugs and/or WiresCamshaft or Crankshaft sensorsIgnition moduleComputerTo troubleshoot, repair and maintain your vehicle, you'll need diagnostic and repair information that is specific to your car or truck. For this I personally use ...

Premium Conventional Oil – standard new-car oil (5W-20 or 5W-30 oil with 10W-30 oil as an option for high-temperature areas such as the desert in summer).Full Synthetic Oil – made for high-tech engines where the oil needs to flow better at low temperatures and be at it’s top lubricity even at high temperatures. This oil type also costs more and some engines have features that synthetic oil doesn’t...

Because driving it is so much simpler, many motorists prefer an automatic transmission—but what vehicle owners need to know is that this critical automotive system requires some special maintenance and care. Some things to be aware of: Watch out for any leaks or stains that might appear under the vehicle, especially if they appear to have a red hue. This could be spilled fluid. If you’re leaking f...