car repair

[madbean]

I've got a 2004 Cherokee that has the original battery and alternator that I am replacing. Every bolt is frozen in place. My bicep feels like it is torn in half right now. Anyone else extend their diy proclivities to vehicles?

[Thomas_H]

Heat up the bolts and reflow....




You need to spray them with rust remover or something else or you will just tore the heads off. Dont know an american brand, sorry.

[madbean]

Oh yeah I am pb blasting the shit out of everything. Everything is off, finally.

[jubal81]

I went to replace the window motor on my '01 Cherokee last year. Got the door completely apart only to realize I'd ordered the wrong part - of course. Still opening the door at the drive through.

Used to be somewhat handy with a car, doing some dirt-track enduro racing (like demolition racing) with my brother and nephew about 12-13 years ago. Helluva lot of fun. Never finished a race with a running car, though.

[rullywowr]

Glad you got it out!  Yes, PB Blaster, heat, tapping the head with a hammer and leverage I find very welcome in situations like this.  Impact tools are also great if you can fit one in there.

I usually apply a bit of antiseize to the threads before reinstalling so the next poor SOB who has to take the part out has an easier time (which is most likely going to be me!)

[juansolo]

I've got a 2004 Cherokee that has the original battery and alternator that I am replacing. Every bolt is frozen in place. My bicep feels like it is torn in half right now. Anyone else extend their diy proclivities to vehicles?

Occasionally...



Mr Clegg on the left, Colin who I co-own the car with on the right (I'm on the camera). Sometimes car bearding requires three people

[selfdestroyer]

Brian, I have a 1999 Grand Cherokee with everything original except the radiator. I smashed the original one a few camping trips ago. I have been really surprised with my Jeep and I hope it keeps impressing me. The last major project I did on it was I had to pull out the drivers seat and weld a seat post that my fat ass broke. It was a HUGE PITA since I had to remove the seat and all the electronics and padding. But all in all it went without a hitch.

I went to replace the window motor on my '01 Cherokee last year. Got the door completely apart only to realize I'd ordered the wrong part - of course. Still opening the door at the drive through. 

Its funny you say that, I did that also... exactly. Took me a year to finally get mine replaced. eGay to the rescue on that and I ended up selling the one I bought that was the wrong part. so it was a win win in the long run. Nothing makes you feel more ghetto than opening your door at drive throughs and coffee kiosks. lol

[madbean]

Well, I got everything finished up and working. Only moderate skin loss on the hands, haha. But of course juansolo has me beat (he usually does...dude is all over the place). But, it is satisfying to save money.

I cannot believe the battery/alternator in my car ran for 10 years, esp. considering my grandpa wrecked the car twice before agreeing to give up his license!

[destro]

I took mine in as it stopped blowing heat when stopped or not going fast enough. Of course this happened the day before the coldest day of the year. Anyway, cracked radiator, $600. Could have fixed it myself for half that, but with no garage and kiddos depending on me for transportation, bit the bullet. Still hating it.

Nothing like that feeling of beating the "system" and saving some money. Way to go Bean!

[Willybomb]

Unfortunately, no.  I have a girlyman grip, and I'm lucky if I can drill a round hole.

[jkokura]

Man I wish I had a garage too. I'd fix way more on my car if I could.

I've been really fortunate when it comes to vehicles. I drive a 94 Corolla that I bought for $2750 back in 2007. It had 151,000 Kms on it. It's now at 275,000 Kms, but I've probably put no more than $1500 into it in parts over that time. So, almost 7 years of driving, about 125,000 kms, and total investment in the vehicle is under $4500 (aside from gas, oil changes, and insurance).

We finally got a van for my wife to use. It was getting difficult to use the Corolla for everything as a family vehicle, and my ride to and from work.

Jacob

[Ettore_M]

That's a nice thread!

I took apart the carburator on mine a couple days ago, because some dirt in the gasoline made it work like crap! I took it apart, blow it with the air compressor and it's all good now. I also changed the gaskets in it! 

Yeah. I fix my car all the time! It needs it. I co-own a 1987 Fiat Panda Young 789cc with my brother and this thing needs a lot of care to run well. It was given to us as our first car from some fanily friends two years ago. We took it on a really poor state, and we repair it on our own. Brakes, suspension, engine! All with our hands! 

My brother also owns a NSU Prinz 4L 600cc (1972 model) which is our pride and joy! It's a great little car. 
We did all the repairs on this one too, except from the engine. We even did the paint job on our garage with the help of our father. It came out pretty good for absolute amateurs! 

Here it is! This photo is from a regularity rally a couple years ago. Yeah I know. We are really young to own and drive a car like that. But we love old cars! 
On the left it's me (I'm always the co-driver on the rallies, and on the right is my older brother, Jason.



Hector

[GrindCustoms]

I enjoy mechanic a lot, but not on mordern car, they've push the word ergonomic way too far. I still do pretty much everything that is maintenance on my car now, i don't have a garage anymore but i load my tool chest and head to my bud garage.

10 years ago i had 1995 Golf GL that i turned into a GTI and more, was race track ready, amateur GT stuff and Rally.... did pretty much on it but the port and polish of the head... probably because i did'nt had any flowbench close to me or i would have gave it a try. Car was 115hp CShp when i got it, bumped it to 223 Whp on dyno once done, was a cool car and got my track license with it aswell.

Planning on getting a new used motorcycle in 2-3 months, a between 1996-2001 883 HD Sporster and turn it into a mean raw power widow maker Café Racer. So i'll have a bike in maybe 2 years! lol

[madbean]

Man, if I only had the time....I would take classes in auto repair, plumbing and electrical work. I would love to know how to do this stuff with a more sturdy background.

We have a double garage, but of course every time I clean it out the wife fills it up with something~!

[GrindCustoms]

Man, if I only had the time....I would take classes in auto repair, plumbing and electrical work. I would love to know how to do this stuff with a more sturdy background.

We have a double garage, but of course every time I clean it out the wife fills it up with something~!

There's plenty of well detailed tutorial of all that stuff on youtube or other internet site, when i've got something to do that i'm not sure about i always do a quick search on my phone and the info is revealed