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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How to Change a Car’s Clutch
There are many tell-tale signs that your car’s clutch is on its way out. The clutch may feel spongy during operation, requiring you to let it out more than normal whilst you change gear. A burning smell also can indicate that there is excess friction caused by a slipping clutch or you may simply have experienced a huge amount of difficulty in changing gear. Whatever the reason behind your failing clutch, you can change this part yourself with a sufficient amount of mechanical knowledge and the right tools. This step by step guide goes through the basic fundamentals of performing this procedure Continue reading
The Most Commonly Replaced Car Parts
What are the most commonly replaced car parts? With the huge forces created in your combustion engine and by travelling at speed, it is no wonder that the components of today’s cars wear out. Certain parts wear out faster than others and there can be extenuating factors such as environmental considerations that can lead to a reduced lifespan. Our list takes a look at which parts are most prone to wear and likely to need swapping out.
Continue readingLocating Car Brake Fluid Leaks
Brake fluid is an essential part of your car’s braking system. It is used to transfer the pressure from the footbrake into movement that in turn applies your car’s calipers to the disc brake. The first sign that you might have a leak within your brake fluid system is usually therefore indicated by the responsiveness of the footbrake pedal.
How to Change a Car’s Radiator
Your car’s radiator keeps the engine at the correct working temperature by dissipating heat that is generated by the internal combustion process. The radiator circulates coolant throughout the engine block, where it becomes heated, before returning it to the radiator where it cools down with exposure to the atmosphere. Continue reading
Checking your Car’s Exhaust System
The exhaust is a vital part of your engine’s emission system. It helps funnel away the gaseous products of the combustion process that drives your car, via a set of pipes that are connected to the top of the cylinder heads.
Checking your Car’s Brake Fluid
Brake fluid plays a vital role in your car. This liquid transfers the force of the driver’s foot on the brake pedal through to the disc brakes. It uses a system of tubes and pressure, a little like those that you might find on a hydraulic piston, to operate all the brakes simultaneously. It is imperative that you have the right level of brake fluid in your car. If you do not have enough fluid then this may mean that you cannot reach the required levels of pressure in your system to safely operate your car’s brakes.
Continue readingChecking and Adding Fluid to Power Steering
Power steering aids drivers by providing a level of power and support to the steering process, augmenting the effort supplied by the driver. This is usually automated via a system of hydraulics that uses a power steering pump and reservoir, which sits on the engine. The fluid within the hydraulics is then applied to the steering gear through a set of hoses, and the pressure is used to reduce the amount of force needed to successfully steer the vehicle. Continue reading
Checking and replacing your Car’s Shock Absorbers
Shock absorbers form an essential part of your car’s suspension system. They are mechanical devices that are used to smooth out bumps and impacts from the road surface that could affect you and your passengers. They work by converting the kinetic energy generated from the movement of the wheels into easily dissipated thermal energy. Continue reading
Checking Your Transmission Fluid
All cars use transmission fluid. This is used to lubricate the gearbox and ensure the smooth running of your vehicle. You will need to check the lubricant levels in your car regularly – how you do this depends on whether your car has a manual transmission or an automatic transmission.
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