Brake problems usually result when measurements and alignments have been altered. For Bendix disk brakes, the caliper reference surfaces and flat friction faces must have a 0.010-inch space on both sides of the disk. Each end of the caliper must be centered. The caliper and disk should be parallel w

Tire maintenance is a vital part of keeping a vehicle safe on roadways. Tires that have worn tread are more likely to have trouble gripping the road and are easily punctured. A tire that blows at high speeds can cause significant damage to the vehicle and possibly to other drivers. The U.S. Departme

Powder coating is the method used by factories and auto detailers alike to apply an even coat of paint to auto body parts. The process itself involves the application of a fine paint powder, which sticks to the part via static charging and is then heated until it flows together, forming a solid coat

Smoke coming from the exhaust after a vehicle has warmed up is attributed to oil burning during the combustion process. A switch to a more stable, synthetic oil would be the way to stop a blue-tinged smoke from emerging from the exhaust. However, if the exhaust is smoking with synthetic oil already

A Danya tank is a type of hanging, wall-mounted acrylic fish tank. Tanks of this type appear the same as a round fish bowl mounted inside the wall. A Danya fish tank can be a simple and unique way to display several fish on the wall without having to redo the entire wall. A Danya fish tank, which mu

Towing any large trailer or RV on snow and ice is dangerous and not reccomended unless you absolutely must travel. If you do decide to brave the weather, you'll want to make sure you're well equipped with trailer chains, trailer brakes on the 5th wheel and a tow vehicle that is large enough to handl

From time to time I've been known to forget a piece of tape here or there, resulting in overspray of all different magnitudes. There is several different types of overspray and I'll let all the DIY'ers know the best way to remove them. The body shop should always take care of it for y

You are able to learn a good deal by observing someone do their job. Usually, there's much more involved than you can envision.

Speed traps serve the purpose of catching and ticketing motorists traveling above the posted speed limit. Speed traps are also effective deterrents for drivers who may be tempted to speed. Speed traps are effective in multiple forms. Some require remotely operated equipment, and some require multipl

The rear bumper on your 2000 Dodge Intrepid helps protect the frame of your Intrepid. The bumper is made of a durable, but relatively lightweight plastic that can absorb the shock of a sudden impact and resist denting. Of course, the bumper can crack, dent and completely fall apart if the impact is

BMWs built since the early 1980s are equipped with oil service status lights. The system monitors the length of time since the light was last reset and gradually changes from green to yellow to red to indicate service needs. Reading the oil service status lights is simple and should be done periodic

For people who are buying new or fairly new cars, you might realize that the headlights are a bit different. The popular halogen lights are now being replaced by what is called HID lights. HID stands for high intensity discharge lights and are powered by xenon gas.

In 1982, the Toyota Camry became an independent model line for worldwide distribution. Originally a compact car featuring four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models, the import has endured seven generations and several redesigns. It is the leading import car sold to this day. The Camry features

Every year, outboards get bigger, take up more shop space, have more horsepower and--as the horsepower grows--the motors get heavier. Even a small, 90-horsepower motor weighs in at a staggering 375 pounds. Three hundred-horsepower giants tip the scale at more than 600 pounds. Motors this size requir

The Dodge Caliber's fog lights mount at the base of the front bumper. They are aimed low at the road directly in front of your car to cut through inclement weather conditions and increase visibility. Buy the code PSX24W bulbs from an auto parts store or Dodge dealership.

The 1987 Mercedes 560 SEL has an electronic fuel pump submerged in the gasoline tank on the bottom of the car. Unlike some other Mercedes vehicles, the 560 SEL does not feature an entry panel in the trunk or through the rear seat to access the fuel pump. Still, removing and replacing the fuel pump i

Every state has its own tire chain laws.tire and chain image by Michel Essiambre from Fotolia.comWinter weather strikes Wisconsin every year, and drivers from that state know the importance of using snow chains. Wisconsin law contains multiple laws in regard to tire chains, and before...

The Ford Freestar is equipped with drum brake type rear brakes. These brakes use brake shoes that contact the brake drum. This contact creates friction that slows and brings the vehicle to a stop. The brake shoes wear over time and need to be adjusted as they wear away from the brake drum.

Replacing an idler pulley in the serpentine belt system on a Ford 6.0 liter diesel engine becomes necessary if the pulley's bearings fail. The idler pulley's job is to route the serpentine belt from one engine accessory to another, deflecting the belt from one direction to another. The pulley consis

One of the greatest pleasures of recreational-vehicle, or RV, ownership is using the vehicle as an entirely self-contained unit, parking or camping away from any facilities. Of the many functions built in to the RV to facilitate remote camping, the ability to shower in comfort is one of the greatest