Although cars have a robust strength presented by the chassis and frame of the vehicle, the bodywork can be easily dented. Your front bumper is the part of the car that will deflect most bumps and bangs on the road, saving you a fortune at the panel beaters. However, over time the wear and tear on this part can cause it to fail and need replacing.
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Turbochargers are by their very nature a high stress part in any engine. They are subjected to extremes of heat and motion, and need a constant stream of clean oil to keep their bearings rotating smoothly and efficiently. It’s no wonder that turbochargers often go wrong, requiring the part to be replaced, so what is the process for changing this car part?
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Have you seen a spillage underneath your car that you know is not oil? Is your car growling like a big cat when you turn the steering wheel? If so, then the likely culprit could be your power steering pump. Like all parts in the engine this pump is prone to fatigue, with the gaskets and seals around the unit generally failing first. Although some hardened mechanics will argue that it is possible to rebuild the unit, it is generally best replaced with a new or second hand part. This is a moderately difficult procedure that you should expect to take around four hours.
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There are few things that are as frustrating to a motorist as a failed windscreen wiper motor. You never realise this part isn’t working until the rain starts pouring down and you can’t clean your windscreen. All too often this means you’ll have to pull into a layby and wait for the rain to subside before continuing on your journey. However once you’re back home, you can quickly and easily change this part out for a new or second hand spare in around about three quarters of an hour.
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The engine control unit is one of the most important parts of your car’s on-board computer. It helps regulate the systems and sub-systems imperative to the operation of your vehicle, so when it goes wrong it can cause a host of problems. Some of the most common symptoms of a malfunctioning ECU include permanently lit engine check lights on the dashboard and irregular fuel consumption and it can even stop you from starting the car. This can be a very expensive part to replace, so you are often better off trying to purchase second hand rather than buying new from a dealer and fitting the part yourself.
There can be a host of reasons for needing replacement car seats. From unfortunate accidents with travel sick kids through to prolonged wear and tear, it’s very easy to know when your seats are nearing the end of their lifespan. If you are the type of driver who spends many hours travelling round the country then remember that having the right kind of support can mean hours avoided at the osteopath’s in later life having those little niggles hammered out on the massage table. You can often find aftermarket seats that are not produced by the manufacturer of your vehicle at a good price. These could save you money and you can usually purchase a modification kit appropriate to your vehicle that will ensure they fit correctly into the available space.
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Cars go wrong all the time. The stresses and strains created by modern motoring on today’s vehicles means that parts naturally wear out due to no fault of the owner. Getting faulty car parts diagnosed and replaced by professional motor shops can be expensive and time consuming, so you’ll be pleased to find out there is another way. Purchasing and installing second hand car parts is now easier than ever with internet sites that link you to a network of sellers. This can help you find even the trickiest-to-source parts.
In this guide to buying second hand car parts, we give you all the information you could possibly need to find a good source of reputable parts and install them yourself.
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The alternator is used to convert rotational energy from the car’s engine into electrical power. This recharges the battery, ensuring that there is always enough current to run your vehicle’s electric circuits. Due to the large amounts of stress and friction on this part, it can go wrong or fail every 60,000 – 100,000 miles, requiring you to either visit a repair garage or replace the part yourself. This is one of the more simple tasks you can perform easily at your own property.
The gearbox is a vital part of all car engines. It allows the driver to change the ratio by which power is applied to the car’s driving axle in its simplest form. Over time the gears and the gear trains can become worn down by repeated stress and friction causing the box to malfunction and cause problems when selecting gear. Changing a gearbox is one of the more complex tasks that you can perform in your home garage, but with a little preparation and planning it can be completed in around a working day of eight hours.
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There are many different kinds of eco-cars now available on today’s market. These include vehicles that are electrically charged and have to be plugged in at night and those that are powered by hydrogen fuel cells, which need to be topped up at service stations with dedicated hydrogen pumps. The problem with many of these automobiles is that they are prohibitively expensive for many motorists. Some of these green vehicles even cost more to run than their petrol and diesel driven counterparts, making them unattractive for those on a budget. Continue reading