If you've made it this far you're no doubt ready to dive in and tackle your next repair. How do we know you're ready? Because you're determined, and because you were smart enough to come to About.com to find out more! The list of common repairs you'll find in this section will save you time, money and frustration dealing with your mechanic. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and let a professional take care of things. The rest of the time, it's all about you, your tools and the feeling of empowerment when you look at a job well done.
If you're installing a trailer hitch on
your vehicle, you'll need to wire in the plug that makes the trailer lights work. Trailer wiring is not difficult, and you can install your own trailer wiring harness without much time or money. We will let you know how to install trailer wiring for most systems. Check it out.
There's an old trick to installing a windshield that uses a rubber trim and no adhesive to hold it in. The soapy string trick is a classic windshield installation tool.
You've replaced the tail light bulb in your Honda, but now your Toyota or Nissan pickup truck has a bad brake light or tail light. You look inside to replace the bulb, but your Ford or GMC truck doesn't have access from the back like your car. I'll show you how to replace a blown tail light bulb in most pickup trucks.
Replacing rear brakes is like replacing front brake pads but a little different. How to replace rear brake pads and discs. We will show you how to make the repair, troubleshoot brakes, emergency and get it repaired.
Check your codes, and if your check engine light has been telling you that you need to replace your EVAP system charcoal canister, you can do this repair yourself. Replacing your charcoal canister is not hard to do. Here's how.
If the steering in your truck is getting loose, you might need to replace your idler arm or your pitman arm (or both). We'll show you how to replace them and get rid of that wandering steering wheel.
If the steering in your truck is getting loose, you might need to replace your idler arm or your pitman arm (or both). We'll show you how to replace them and get rid of that wandering steering wheel.
Replacing a wheel bearing isn't the easiest job, but when you need to replace a wheel bearing, you'll know it. We'll show you how to replace a front wheel bearing without going nuts.
It's not safe to drive around without all of your lights shining brightly. Every bulb on the outside of your car has a safety function. Be sure they are all working. We'll help you replace any that go dead.
You can repair your windshield yourself with a windshield chip repair kit. We've tested them, and now we'll show you how to fix a chipped windshield using one of these kits. Save money, you don't need a replacement windshield, fix this one.
If you're experiencing low brake pressure, squishy pedal, bad pedal feel, soft pedal, or any other problems with your brakes, you might need to replace your master cylinder. Brakes are important, and the master cylinder is the centerpiece of the system. Replacing your master cylinder isn't too difficult. We can show the DIY mechanic how to install a new master cylinder.
If you have to replace your master cylinder, you will have to bleed the brakes. But how much you have to bleed your brakes after you install a new master cylinder may depend on your preparation. We'll show you how to bleed your master cylinder before you install it, making it much easier to get your brakes up to par and get back on the road.
Pedal height adjustment will fine tune your brakes for comfort and effectiveness. If your brakes feel funny, low, or spongy, pedal height adjustment should be on the list of things you do to correct the brakes.
Many troubleshooting scenarios lead you to the fuel injection system, and sometimes to the fuel injectors themselves. These piezo injectors can go bad and will need replacement. The fuel rail that holds the fuel injectors may also need to be replaced. Replacing your fuel injectors may seem scary, but in fact it's not a difficult repair.
If your turn signals aren't working, they won't come on or they blink rapidly, you need to replace your turn signal relay (also known as the flasher relay). The turn signal relay or flasher relay is usually easy to access so that you can repair your turn signals without spending a lot of time troubleshooting.
Repairing a dent in your car body is not difficult. It just takes patience to sand, wet sand, color sand and fill the dent using body filler like Bondo. Bondo is ok to use in small amounts, but don't go overboard with dent repair body filler!
Chances are your XP designed Whisper inflatable car will never get a puncture. But even the developers won't say it's impossible. That's why we decided to get a jump start on inflatable car body repair with this informative how-to for DIY body repair people who are driving an exciting inflatable car.
Your ABS light haunts you. Your ABS is not working. The ABS light tells you that something is wrong. You may need to replace your ABS relay. If your ABS relay needs replacement, this is an expensive repair, unless you do it yourself. DIY ABS control replacement can save money. This step by step how-to guide to replacing your ABS computer will help.
Your electric fuel pump is the left ventricle of your car. Without a fuel pump your engine will be fuel starved and will not start, or your engine dies, or engine idles poorly. This DIY will show you how to replace your fuel pump using your own tools.
If your car seems to thump and bump more than it used to in the rear, you may need to replace your rear suspension bushings. Use this how-to DIY guide to replace your rear suspension bushings using standard rubber bushings or stiffer polyurethane bushings.
Fuel tank replacement becomes necessary when your fuel tank develops a leak or has been punctured or otherwise damaged. Replacing your gas tank can be a worthwhile repair also if your fuel tank has begun to rust in the case of a metal gas tank. This how-to will guide you through installing a new fuel tank.
Brakes are very important to your car, probably at the top of the list. If your brake lines become brittle, they need to be replaced. Brakes are no place to skimp. replacing a brake line (or brake hose) is not a bad repair at all.
If your gas gauge readings are bad, or you know that you need to replace your fuel sender, replacing the sending unit isn't difficult. In most cars the fuel sender, also known as the fuel sending unit that controls your gas gauge readings, is in an accessible location to repair yourself.
Whether you are a car stereo addict or an AM radio junkie, most of us spend most of the time in our car with the stereo on. If your car stereo bites the dust, or if you want to install a new car stereo with an iPod connection, you can install a new unit with ease.
Before you attempt any electrical repairs, be sure you know how to properly handle wires and connections.
If you hear noise underneath your car that rattles and vibrates, you might not need expensive muffler repair. Muffler repairs can be costly, but if you do a little investigation you might find the rattle yourself. Then no muffler repair!
If your car is doing the shimmy shimmy when you press the brake pedal, it could be a warped brake disc. A brake disc can warp due to heat buildup or wear, and a warped brake disc is a real teeth-shaker. Luckily, they are easy to replace.
A stripped wheel stud can be dangerous. Any damaged wheel stud should be replaced as soon as possible. Your wheel hubs and brakes were designed to work with a specific number of wheels studs holding things together. Without all of them you may be compromising safety.
The clunk you hear under the car might be a broken exhaust hanger causing your muffler to bounce around. A bad exhaust hanger is easy to replace. Your car has more than one exhaust hangers, so you get an extra chance to make the repair before your muffler ends up dragging down the street.
If you've ever seen a tire plugged, it seems like some sort of magic. This little black worm somehow wiggles into that hole in your tire, and suddenly it holds air again. The good news is that it's not magic, and you can plug your own tire for about $5.
Intermittent problems with your power windows and locks can be more than frustrating. If you're a Honda ownwer, there's a quick, clean trick to try before you open your wallet to the man.
Automotive Empowerment is a philosophy and a practice. The more you know about your car, the more you can do yourself, and the more you can protect yourself against unnecessary or inflated repair bills. There's no feeling like it when it comes to your car. Anybody can start to learn a little about their car, it's never too late to start, and you can learn or as much or as little as you like. Either way, you're saving yourself time, money and headaches. Did I mention money?
When the lights go out in Georgia, or anywhere for that matter, it can be really frustrating if that light happens to be your headlights. Get to know your car's fuse box and you'll be sure to shed some light on the situation.
Don't pay your mechanic an inflated price to replace your headlight when it goes out. For the price of a Happy Meal you can do it yourself. You're four simple steps away from saving a little money and a lot of time. So get to it!
Your brakes have been screaming at you for a week and you know it's time to change your brake pads. Why sit in a cramped waiting room drinking foul coffee and watching Fox News? You could be in your driveway doing the job yourself. You'll save a bundle of money and get to soak up a little sunshine in the process. It's not hard to do if you know what you're doing.
The decision to make your own auto repairs is an important one. Before you undertake a specific repair, you have to ask yourself if you are capable of safely, effectively and efficiently making the fix. Making the right decision at this point can save a lot of headache time down the road.
