Cars & Vehicles: What Is the Brake Damper on a Boat Trailer?

What Is the Brake Damper on a Boat Trailer?

Most boat trailers equipped with brake systems are operated hydraulically by a surge system. When you step on the brakes of the tow vehicle, an actuator mechanism located in the trailer's tongue is compressed by the forward momentum of the trailer, activating the brakes on the trailer's wheels. To p

Cars & Vehicles: How to Check Transmission Fluid in a 2003 Toyota Camry

How to Check Transmission Fluid in a 2003 Toyota Camry

Frequent checks of your Camry's automatic transmission fluid will go a long way toward protecting the vehicle's long-term viability. The transmission allows the Camry to seamlessly switch gears, and the fluid does part of the work. The process of checking your car's automatic transmission fluid isn'

Cars & Vehicles: A Creeper Is the One Tool You Must Have

A Creeper Is the One Tool You Must Have

A creeper is the perfect tool solution for sliding in and out from under your car or truck. An automotive creeper is one of the handiest garage tools you'll ever buy. A good creeper provides working comfort, durability and it can be equipped with both a padded headrest and a V drop for shoulder

Cars & Vehicles: How to Change the Freeze Plugs on a 1985 Ford Bronco

How to Change the Freeze Plugs on a 1985 Ford Bronco

The term "freeze plug" is a misnomer for an engine's "core plug," which is found on both sides of an engine block. Removing and replacing core plugs on a 1985 Ford Bronco is a challenging task that may require taking the engine out of the vehicle so that you have sufficient room to access and replac

Cars & Vehicles: How Do I Remove the Center Hub From a Ford 8N Tractor Rear Wheel?

How Do I Remove the Center Hub From a Ford 8N Tractor Rear Wheel?

The Ford 8N is a vintage tractor. It has two-wheel drive, is equipped with four forward gears and one reverse gear, has a power takeoff (a PTO) and was originally stocked with a 6-volt electrical system that ran off a generator. As with all heavy equipment, the 8N has parts that regularly wear out.

Cars & Vehicles: How to Make a Canopy Out of a Tarp for My Camper

How to Make a Canopy Out of a Tarp for My Camper

Adding a canopy to your camper increases your outdoor living space and adds protection from the elements. Purchasing a ready-made awning can cost hundreds of dollars at camper dealerships or camping supply stores. Learn to make your own canopy from a tarp and other inexpensive materials available at

Cars & Vehicles: How to Install a Tread on a Toro Dingo

How to Install a Tread on a Toro Dingo

The Toro Dingo TX420 is a compact utility loader propelled by cleated rubber treads or tracks. The TX420 features walk-behind operator design with only three hand controls to execute all functions. Driven by a 20-horsepower gasoline engine, it offers maximum ground engagement power with very low gr

Cars & Vehicles: How to Remove the Console in a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

How to Remove the Console in a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse

There are plenty of reasons to remove the console in your 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse. You might want to access the carpet underneath to fully detail the vehicle, or you might want to replace the console if it is broken. Like most consoles, the Eclipse's is attached to the floorboard and the dash by sev

Cars & Vehicles: Guide on How to Install a Hub Bearing on a Pontiac

Guide on How to Install a Hub Bearing on a Pontiac

The hub bearings on your Pontiac are used to ensure that the wheels on your vehicle move in a smooth, fluid motion. Damaged hub bearings can damage the steering and stability of your vehicle. You should check the condition of your hub bearings every time you carry out maintenance on the brakes. If y

Cars & Vehicles: How to Replace a 1994 Saturn Alternator

How to Replace a 1994 Saturn Alternator

Your 1994 Saturn provides little room to remove and install the alternator. Still, you can have better access through the passenger's side wheel well. However, you should pay attention to the stud on the back of the alternator: This stud connects the battery cable in place and requires a special bac

Cars & Vehicles: How to Replace a Brake Light Bulb in a 2004 Nissan Maxima

How to Replace a Brake Light Bulb in a 2004 Nissan Maxima

If a stop light bulb burns out on your 2004 Nissan Maxima, it's important that you replace the bulb as quickly as possible. It's not only a hazard to drive with burned out stop lights, it's also illegal. Fortunately, replacing the bulbs is something you can easily do yourself, in just a few minutes

Cars & Vehicles: How To Install a Piston on a Small Engine

How To Install a Piston on a Small Engine

Small engines do so much for us and with such ease. There are small engines for blowing snow, weed whacking, mowing the yard, tilling the soil, pumping water, trimming shrubs, cutting branches and some that just blow a lot of hot air. Our dependence upon them can be fanatical, but our attention to t

Cars & Vehicles: How to Replace Alternator Belts on a 95 Neon

How to Replace Alternator Belts on a 95 Neon

Unlike many modern vehicles, which use a single serpentine belt to power all of the engine's belt-driven components, the alternator used for the 1995 Dodge and Plymouth Neon features its own individual belt. This belt does have a finite lifespan and, given enough time, will eventually break. For thi

Cars & Vehicles: How to Change an Upper Radiator Hose

How to Change an Upper Radiator Hose

Radiator hoses in cars sometimes sprout leaks or become worn down and need to be replaced. Instead of taking your car to a mechanic, you can swap out the radiator hose yourself and save money in the process. You can find all the materials needed for the repair at a local auto-parts or hardware store

Cars & Vehicles: How to Replace the Ignition Switch on a Full-Size 1994 Chevrolet Blazer

How to Replace the Ignition Switch on a Full-Size 1994 Chevrolet Blazer

The ignition switch in the 1994 Chevrolet full-size Blazer SUV triggers the starter motor and tells the engine to turn over, which then starts the vehicle. After years of use, these ignition switches can fail, causing you to no longer be able to start the vehicle with the key. Fixing the problem req

Cars & Vehicles: How to Fix Squeaky Parking Brakes on an F-150

How to Fix Squeaky Parking Brakes on an F-150

The purpose of your Ford F-150's parking brake is to ensure that the vehicle does not move when parked on an incline. Over time, the parking brake can begin to stick or become squeaky as things like road grime and brake dust begin to build up inside the parking brake assembly. Repairing the squeakin

Cars & Vehicles: How to Remove the Headliner on a 1997 Saturn SL

How to Remove the Headliner on a 1997 Saturn SL

Changing the headliner due to sagging or rips is an easy way to increase the appearance of a vehicle or to prepare the vehicle to be sold. A sagging headliner can also be a distraction to drivers. You can remove the headliner from a 1997 Saturn SL in under an hour with a few basic tools. Removing th

Cars & Vehicles: Car Stalls With the AC Turned on - AC Compressor Could Be Locked Up

Car Stalls With the AC Turned on - AC Compressor Could Be Locked Up

One of the leading causes of a car stalling with the A/C on is a seized compressor. If there's screeching, smoking, stalling and the air blows warm out of the vents whenever the AC is turned on it's a good guess that the compressor has locked up.

Cars & Vehicles: Ignition Timing Instructions

Ignition Timing Instructions

The term "ignition timing" refers to the point at which the spark plug is fired by the coil, and is measured in degrees of crankshaft rotation. This common adjustment is critical to the efficiency of the engine, and gets us the maximum horsepower and fuel mileage out of the gasoline we use.