Auto Tools For The DIY'erWritten by Kevin Schappell
If you are a car owner who occasionally works on his or her own car, please don't go out and spend thousands of dollars on high priced tools. Professional mechanics make a living with their tools and need best. If you are doing minor repairs on your own vehicles a lower cost tool set will do just fine. We have teamed up with AutoBarn.com to bring you best price on tools for DIYer. Keep in mind you can find most of these tools at your local parts store, but probably not at these prices. Let's look at basics you will need for most common jobs. The oil change: Lifting tools: To gain access to oil pan you need to get front wheels off of ground safely. Never leave car supported only by a jack. A good set of jack stands or ramps are safest way to go. Also don't forget to chock up rear wheels to keep car from sliding back. Even though you may have emergency brake set, they can fail. Oil filter wrench: Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get an oil filter off without right wrench. I have gone to extent of poking a screwdriver through filter to spin it off..... this is not cleanest way to change an oil filter. Funnel: You have to get new oil into engine, and less you spill, less will burn off later while driving. Any funnel will do, but look for one with a long flexible neck, which will help getting into those tight places. The brake job:
| | Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)Written by Kevin Schappell
Smart home mechanics use all information available to diagnose problems with their vehicle. Below you will find two most valuable sources of data available today. Most people know nothing about TSBs, but they should. Both of these excellent resources are available online from websites like AllData.com Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs): TSBs are issued by vehicle manufacturers to help automotive technicians diagnose and repair problems reported by consumers and repair shops. It's amazing how many fixes are found in these bulletins that can't be found anywhere else. Car manufacturers issue thousands of bulletins every year. TSBs contain up-to-date factory fixes for difficult to diagnose problems such as rough idles, intermittent stalls, hard starts, and all kinds of "shakes", "rattles" and "clunks" that can sometimes drive you nuts. TSBs describe service procedures that may improve performance, reduce future breakdowns, or show a factory authorized modification for your vehicle.
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