A minivan's ball joints are located in the front of the minivan and they are a part of its suspension. They connect the steering knuckles to the control arms and help you steer the minivan. There are a few symptoms of bad ball joints in minivans that you can easily recognize once you know...

On occasion, you may have to deal with a flat tire that you have to change. Changing a flat tire is relatively simple; however, you must take precautions while changing your tire to ensure your safety and avoid dangers. There have been people who have suffered serious injuries, including...

The drive belt on a Harley Softail is connected to the rear wheel and the transmission. If the drive belt is damaged or broken, the bike will not run properly. Replacing the drive belt yourself can save considerable time and money. With the correct tools and knowledge, almost any Harley owner can re

The alternator on the Kia Sorento is responsible for generating and distributing electricity to the accessories, such as the heater and the lights. When it goes bad, the vehicle will not run. Many people believe that the battery powers the accessories, but that is true only when the engine is not ru

Having a fogged brakelight on your vehicle is not only unsightly but can be dangerous if the fog becomes severe enough to effect the performance of the brakelight. Fogginess, also known as oxidization, is caused when moisture becomes trapped in the brakelight and evaporates. Thankfully there is a qu

The Scion xA has an onboard computer that tracks driving conditions to determine the proper intervals between regular maintenance. When the computer makes the determination that it is time for service, a reminder light is illuminated on the control panel. Most automotive mechanics will reset this re

When you go to the automotive store or an oil changing service, they ask you what kind of oil and what weight you use. To most of us, this is a confusing question because we really don't understand the differences between weights or oil types. It all looks the same, but the performance and longevity

Driving down a road and feeling the front end of your car pulling you one way or another can be a nuisance and sometimes a safety problem. Your car should move in a straight direction when your steering wheel is centered. If not, you may have an alignment problem. Though many car repair shops portra

The 1987 Toyota Pick-up truck with an automatic transmission requires regular and thorough maintenance. The automatic transmission is responsible for engaging the correct gear for the driving conditions. A transmission that fails to use the proper gear will cause the engine to work harder than is ne

The age of a car generally decides the type of manual transmission it has.sand car engine image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.comPrior to 1938, all vehicles were manual transmission. Transmissions are necessary to transfer engine power to either the driveshaft or axle halfshafts and...

Add one child, one crayon, one hot day and one car interior and you have the recipe for a mess. Melted crayons and car interiors do not go hand in hand, especially during hot summer months. A stray crayon that is left undiscovered can easily melt on a hot day, resulting in a mess on upholstery. On t

Motor oil performs a variety of tasks in a vehicle's engine. It allows easy starting, lubricates and reduces friction in the engine parts and keeps the engine clean and cool. There are some established oil specifications and standards printed on the cans or bottles of oil that act as a guide for sel

Johnson two-cycle outboards have been around since the early 1920s. The two-cycle engine operates at high rpm (revolutions per minute), using a mixture of gas and oil not only for fuel but also as the lubricant for the internal engine components. If the timing goes off in the engine or there's a los

The 1997 Nissan Quest's battery is located inside the engine compartment on the driver side of the engine up against the wall. The battery has a plastic mount on the top of it keeping the battery securely in place inside the engine compartment. On top of the plastic mount is a metal nut connected to

The 1974 Chevrolet Nova belonged to the original 1961 to 1979 series Novas. These compact sporty cars are ripe for customization because of the ability to swap engines and transmissions with relative ease. The abundance of aftermarket performance parts can be used to customize any Nova.

One of the Jeep Wrangler's most unique and popular features is the removable soft top. However, removing and replacing the new Jeep JK Wrangler's top can be slightly more complicated than many people anticipate when they first purchase or drive a Wrangler. Fortunately, there are some...

Two settings on a metal inert gas (MIG) welder determine the quality and integrity of a weld. The voltage setting determines the heat transferred from the welding wire to the work piece. Wire speed determines the penetration and consistency of the weld bead. Setting the wire speed correctly by sound

Cigar or cigarette lighters provide a easy lighting source for a cigarette in addition to being a power point for many of today's automotive accessories such as GPS and cell phone mobile chargers. If your cigarette lighter no longer works, you can replace it with a new unit. Replacement of the cigar

Most people understand how vital oil and other lubricating fluids are to a vehicle's ability to perform. Oil is vital not just to start a vehicle, but it's also important to several of the functions in your automobile. All of the friction in your car's engine would normally be metal a