Author Archives: Dan

Throwback: Surprise Passenger

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Dan

Going back a couple years for a throwback to a special visitor in the shop. It’s a regular Saturday morning at work, when one of the techs finds some fur in the engine compartment of a car he just pulled … Continue reading →

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Clogged Radiator Causing A/C Problems

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Dan

Another car with an air conditioning problem came in. This time, the air conditioning would work fine for a little while, but then would completely stop working. I hooked up the A/C machine to see what the pressures were doing, … Continue reading →

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Taps & Dies vs. Thread Chasers: What’s the Difference?

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Dan

When threads get damaged on bolts or in bolt holes, there are two options: taps & dies, or thread chasers. What are they, and what’s the difference between the two? Why do I have sets of each?

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Overheated Brake Pads

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Dan

Brake pads need to be lubricated periodically, or they’ll stick in the holders. When that happens, they can start to overheat. Overheated pads don’t last very long.

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How To: Replacing Rotors with Bearings

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Dan

Most cars these days have the rotor separate from the hub and bearing, but some trucks and older vehicles use rotors that contain two sets of tapered bearings inside them and include the studs for the lug nuts. They’re more … Continue reading →

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Rusted Exhaust Leads to Melted Gas Tank

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Dan

Rust is never a good thing when it comes to cars, and one of the parts most subject to rust is the exhaust system. Usually it just ends in a rusted out exhaust pipe or muffler, but this one caused … Continue reading →

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My Car: What Happened to the 97 Civic?

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Dan

If you know me well, you know that I absolutely loved my first car, and wanted to keep it running forever. So why did I replace it last week with a 2007 Toyota Corolla?

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Mechanical Malarkey Buys a New Car!

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Dan

It’s been a long time coming, but I finally pulled the trigger on a replacement for my Civic. I’ve been looking for over a year, and while I would’ve preferred another Civic like what I had, it was starting to … Continue reading →

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How To: 1987-1991 Ford F-250/F-350 Front Brake Calipers

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Dan

I recently did a brake job on my truck, and found that the calipers are attached differently than on newer vehicles, so here’s a how-to guide if you’re doing them yourself. You don’t need any sockets or wrenches, just a … Continue reading →

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Cut & Capped A/C

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Dan

I was trying to figure out why a Chrysler Town & Country didn’t have any air conditioning in the rear. Usually when you don’t have any air conditioning it’s because there was a leak and all the refrigerant leaked out, … Continue reading →

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