For the fledgling car mechanic or do-it-yourselfer

[daveleau]

I have been trying to find out a lot of info on my truck and it seems like every time I get advice it brings about more questions because I don't understand certain basic things. In trying to figure out what types of brakes I have and how to replace the drums, rotors and pads, I found the below site. I used it for brakes and it gives a great simple explanation for what each part does. It helped me a lot.

http://www.autoshop-online.com/auto101.html

Also, Gomer showed me that Chiltons has their manuals online here:
http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/chiltonautolibrary/root/

I hope these help those who have been asking newbie car questions, like I have been.

Have a great weekend-
Dave

[OuTpaTienT]

Thanks Dave. Geeez, those Chilton guys need to hire a real web designer. Great info there, but their site is so poorly designed and un-userfriendly, trying to navigate is just as frustrating as working on cars.

[Uncle Bob]

First off invest in safety stands and wheel chocks. A floor jack is also a good thing. I've done my own break work before and never
again. That break dust is some baaad stuff. I had the use of a respirator with filters appropriate for the dust. It was still a horrible experience. The dust can get into places that will supprise and irratate you.

[Chuckiechan]

Dave, put your car up on jack stands Always! Then give the car a good shake. No sense having it be ready to slip and having it go unexpectedly.

It is worth the hassel, believe me!

[daveleau]

I got a set of jackstands. I need a floor jack, but have a high lift (tractor jack) for changing a spare in the field and will use that to place the jack stands (only). I know these jacks can be dangerous, especially to work under.

[sao95]

get a haynes... it's a bible i keep in every vehicle... also tells you how to read codes and interpret them... as for jacks, i usually throw a block (stone or wood) under the axle as a safety net...

[nochay]

Originally posted by OuTpaTienT
Thanks Dave. Geeez, those Chilton guys need to hire a real web designer. Great info there, but their site is so poorly designed and un-userfriendly, trying to navigate is just as frustrating as working on cars.

agreed. 1967 dodge d200. plonk 1986 Bronco II 4WD plonk Acura TL 2000 Plonk! Worthless waste of space. I couldn't find a online manual for anything.

Dane

[OuTpaTienT]

Originally posted by nochay


agreed. 1967 dodge d200. plonk 1986 Bronco II 4WD plonk Acura TL 2000 Plonk! Worthless waste of space. I couldn't find a online manual for anything.

Dane

Well, after going back and checking it out again...I must say that is, by FAR, the most ill conceived design for a web site that I have ever, ever seen. EVER!

Anyways, I managed to find your Bronco II in there. Here:
http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton...967m/8967.html

Good luck trying to navigate their system of menus and sub-menus.

Your other two cars are simply not there. I discovered that when trying to look up your vehicles, it's easiiest to enter the year then for the model just enter ** and it'll list all the models it has on record for that year.

You can then click the radio button for your chosen car then (and this is just bizarre) hit enter to goto that car's "manual".

Haha. What a riot. Their web"master" needs some serious help. But first he needs to be fired.

[Gomer]

it's free... sheesh

[Angela]

I bought a used Volvo 144 sedan back in '75. Great car, but maintenance would cost me a whole paycheck. I was not totally incapable (at least I thought), but everytime I touched that car other than to drive it, my mechanic, Per Anderssen would know! I don't know how, but the last time I tried to do anything, which was simply to replace rotor pads (and with the help of my skillful and accomplished auto parts guru/mechanic/dune buggy builder), the next time I needed service on the dual Zenith-Stromberg carbs, Per asked me when I picked the car up "who's been f---ing with your brakes?'

That's the last auto repair I've performed.

(Sorry, this was really Pexster's post.)