Car Sevicing

cosmicma said:
right.... i can just imagine it
here love once youv'e got the vehicle in the air crawl underneath and put that axle stand under that cross member just to be sure
oh don't forget to drag the spare out while your under there once youv'e loosened the retaining bolt of course
whats that you say do you leave the passengers ( usually children ) in the vehicle while you do this ?
no dear you get them out and leave them at the side of the road while you get on with it

tell you what why don't i just ring you or the breakdown recovery people
yea good idea i think you should do that

a 3 tonne trolley jack is what i use when i do work on that vehicle and axle stands if necessary the scissor jacks are border line at best and if you have tried to jack either the granvia or the previa up with the manufacture supplied jack you would know exactly what i'm talking about it might very well get the vehicle in the air but it doesn't feel safe at all

it's alright talking about lifting just a corner what about the wheel nuts should i leave an impact wrench alongside that axle stand they can be pretty tight sometimes
the wheels stuck on the hub
it happens a lot to quite a few different vehicles
just give it a couple of kicks or use that lump hammer iv'e left by the impact wrench n axle stand ( now were back to carrying a tool box )
i can't lift the spare up and get it lined up on the studs it's a bit heavy
never mind dear i'm sure you'll manage

it's all very well talking on a forum about how females should be capable of changing a wheel if they get a puncture and i'm sure there's many who can and do but the reality can be very different especially on a larger vehicle full of children which more often than not it is
it doesn't sit well with me to let my wife struggle when there are viable alternatives and i really don't care if others agree with me or not it's just my way
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If you need something more than a small right angled wrench to undo the wheel nuts, or a lump hammer to remove the wheel because it's stuck, I'd suggest you really ought to be taking better care of the vehicle in the first place, tight wheel nuts or a stuck wheel shouldn't happen. As for what to do with the wheel afterwards, just put it in the boot, it can be put away properly once at home or after the tyre has been replaced or fixed. I have a factory supplied scissor jack on my mk3 Mondeo, ok the car is lighter than your vehicle, but it's more than capable of jacking up one side of the car let alone just one corner and it's stable too.

Just one tip for everyone. Never, ever put any grease or oil on wheel nuts or studs, this causes the studs to stretch and over time they can fracture and break and the wheel can come off.
 
nilagin said:
tight wheel nuts or a stuck wheel shouldn't happen.
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I know from experience that they do, when I had an Audi quattro the torque required to remove the wheel bolts was usually in excess of 300lbs ft (my weight on a 3' breaker bar), whereas I always did them up using a torque wrench to whatever the workshop manual said (probably around 45lbs ft) and I always ensured the threads were clean (both in the bolt and in the hub) before fitting. For whatever reason, on that car the bolts tightened on in use. Most other cars that I've owned haven't displayed similar behaviour and the manufacturer supplied tools have been up to the task.
 
I bought an extending wheelbrace, and make sure that the nuts are NOT done up with an air-wrench if I have work done.

It's not rocket science, and I have also been in (part) of the dramatic scenario described above and simply phoned the RAC when I couldn't undo one of the nuts. ( before jacking it up, so no major drama)
 
Wookee said:
...

Slightly different story with the front sprocket....when I took the cover off to do the cable it was obvious the garage hadn't bothered to change the front one and it was pretty much knackered. Why should the garage bother? It's not their lives they are putting at risk and it's not like it can be seen and it's extra work/expense. I still had the previous owner's email address so I sent her a message with a picture and a suggestion to change garages.
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That's pretty bad if our correct, are you sure? A new chain won't actually fit a worn sprocket, you'd have to force it on to fit one way or the other, so its double bad because it can ride over the top very easy or just tear all the already worn teeth straight off. I say are you sure because its standard to change all parts every-time, and also worth realising the front sprocket wears 3 times faster/more than the rear for the same mileage so it often looks way worse.

Just a thought.
 
Tigger.ufo said:
I bought an extending wheelbrace, and make sure that the nuts are NOT done up with an air-wrench if I have work done.

It's not rocket science, and I have also been in (part) of the dramatic scenario described above and simply phoned the RAC when I couldn't undo one of the nuts. ( before jacking it up, so no major drama)
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An air wrench should be set below the torque setting, then torqued after. Only time I have a problem with an air wrench being used is on locking wheel nuts as it can destroy the locking socket.
 
nilagin said:
If you need something more than a small right angled wrench to undo the wheel nuts, or a lump hammer to remove the wheel because it's stuck, I'd suggest you really ought to be taking better care of the vehicle in the first place, tight wheel nuts or a stuck wheel shouldn't happen. As for what to do with the wheel afterwards, just put it in the boot, it can be put away properly once at home or after the tyre has been replaced or fixed. I have a factory supplied scissor jack on my mk3 Mondeo, ok the car is lighter than your vehicle, but it's more than capable of jacking up one side of the car let alone just one corner and it's stable too.

Just one tip for everyone. Never, ever put any grease or oil on wheel nuts or studs, this causes the studs to stretch and over time they can fracture and break and the wheel can come off.
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I change my wheels every 6months (as I need winter wheels/tyres) and I always have a problem with the wheel being stuck on the hub (not the bolts). What's the best way of stopping it sticking?
 
Make sure the hub and back of the wheel are clean and put a light smear of copper grease on the hub face and the flange that the wheel centre locates on. That should prevent any oxidation on the rear face of the wheel and any rust forming on the hub face. Just don't get any grease on the threads.
 
nilagin said:
If you need something more than a small right angled wrench to undo the wheel nuts, or a lump hammer to remove the wheel because it's stuck, I'd suggest you really ought to be taking better care of the vehicle in the first place, tight wheel nuts or a stuck wheel shouldn't happen. As for what to do with the wheel afterwards, just put it in the boot, it can be put away properly once at home or after the tyre has been replaced or fixed. I have a factory supplied scissor jack on my mk3 Mondeo, ok the car is lighter than your vehicle, but it's more than capable of jacking up one side of the car let alone just one corner and it's stable too.

Just one tip for everyone. Never, ever put any grease or oil on wheel nuts or studs, this causes the studs to stretch and over time they can fracture and break and the wheel can come off.
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i was pointing out a scenario not an actual event i maintain my vehicles just fine
 
nilagin said:
Just one tip for everyone. Never, ever put any grease or oil on wheel nuts or studs, this causes the studs to stretch and over time they can fracture and break and the wheel can come off.
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nilagin said:
Make sure the hub and back of the wheel are clean and put a light smear of copper grease on the hub face and the flange that the wheel centre locates on. That should prevent any oxidation on the rear face of the wheel and any rust forming on the hub face. Just don't get any grease on the threads.
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:clap: Seconded big time.

So refreshing to hear a proper mechanics advice on a forum. (y)

Crazy thing is I've been sacked for arguing such points with a boss. Copper slip into aluminium threads for holding brake callipers, NO STOP! Red rubber grease for brake seals, NO WRONG! ...sacked me they did. lol
 
An ex workmate of mine was pretty dumb when it came to cars, but what her husband did really shocked me.
I noticed one day that her wheel nuts looked very loose, so someone went out and tightened them up for her.
When she told her husband that evening, he was not amused, apparently he left them lose in case she got a puncture
so she would be able to undo them easily.
Sounds logical until you realise that she probably wouldn't have known how to jack the car up.
Went out with her one day and the oil light was on, asked how long it had been, oh that she said, ages, no idea what it meant !!!
 
Gremlin said:
An ex workmate of mine was pretty dumb when it came to cars, but what her husband did really shocked me.
I noticed one day that her wheel nuts looked very loose, so someone went out and tightened them up for her.
When she told her husband that evening, he was not amused, apparently he left them lose in case she got a puncture
so she would be able to undo them easily.
Sounds logical until you realise that she probably wouldn't have known how to jack the car up.
Went out with her one day and the oil light was on, asked how long it had been, oh that she said, ages, no idea what it meant !!!
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:D Tell her it's the emergency fund light.

Ok please we don't want another thread to turn into a slagging match.... some of us make a living from these people, thank gawd for them I say!
 
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nilagin said:
If you need something more than a small right angled wrench to undo the wheel nuts, or a lump hammer to remove the wheel because it's stuck, I'd suggest you really ought to be taking better care of the vehicle in the first place, tight wheel nuts or a stuck wheel shouldn't happen. As for what to do with the wheel afterwards, just put it in the boot, it can be put away properly once at home or after the tyre has been replaced or fixed. I have a factory supplied scissor jack on my mk3 Mondeo, ok the car is lighter than your vehicle, but it's more than capable of jacking up one side of the car let alone just one corner and it's stable too.

Just one tip for everyone. Never, ever put any grease or oil on wheel nuts or studs, this causes the studs to stretch and over time they can fracture and break and the wheel can come off.
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Sorry but tight wheel nuts do happen!

I have had cars for over 50 years and the very best invention has been the extendible wheel wrench.

A small right-angled wrench is as much use as a chocolate fire guard on a lot of wheel nuts!
 
Mikesphotaes said:
Sorry but tight wheel nuts do happen!

I have had cars for over 50 years and the very best invention has been the extendible wheel wrench.

A small right-angled wrench is as much use as a chocolate fire guard on a lot of wheel nuts!
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Never had that problem myself. If it's that tight I just stand on the end of the wrench
 
Even when using the supplied wheel nut wrench and the locking nut adaptor?
 
I've serviced my own cars for 30 years (oil / plugs / brakes etc) but let garages do it now.

I lost interest when I last serviced my daugher's Ka for the first time. Took me a while to find the oil filter (mounted on the rear of the engine block, only accessible from under the car) - needed the car up on axle stands to do that simple job. Then couldn't undo one of the spark plugs. The top snapped off, so drove it down to the local garage on three cylinders. They couldn't shift it either and had to remove the head and drill it out.
 
Nod said:
Even when using the supplied wheel nut wrench and the locking nut adaptor?
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Yes. Secret when this method is required for the locking wheel nut socket is to apply pressure gradually.
 
Nod said:
Having done a couple of nuts and bolts rebuilds, I'm happy with my mechanical skills but I think I'll leave it all to the professionals these days. If I open my bonnet, I can't see an engine, there isn't even a dip stick!
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Indeed, I went to change the headlight bulbs on the Golf last weekend.. It was like something off The Krypton Factor.. :-/
 
neil_g said:
Indeed, I went to change the headlight bulbs on the Golf last weekend.. It was like something off The Krypton Factor.. :-/
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Think yourself lucky it wasn't a Renault Megane
 
I do all my own work and servicing. Being a landrover, that's a hell of a lot!!

Never been trained, but I watch other people and can read. If I'm unsure of so tuning, I'll ask. Never had any issues yet. I bet I do a better job than some garages would do.

Just this week, I've replaced the front prop shaft, removed the front bumper and fitted a new one, fitted a new rear bumper and fitted a new one, adjusted the drag link, removed the tow bar and tightened a knocked drop link.

That's a pretty routine week!

In the past, I've changed the fuel pump, turbo, Brake calipers, injector loom, intercooler, shock absorbers, air springs, steering box, fuel pressure regulator, steering damper, headlights, brake discs and pads, intake manifold, removed the egr system,.. That's only the tip of the iceberg!
 
TCR4x4 said:
I do all my own work and servicing. Being a landrover, that's a hell of a lot!!

Never been trained, but I watch other people and can read. If I'm unsure of so tuning, I'll ask. Never had any issues yet. I bet I do a better job than some garages would do.

Just this week, I've replaced the front prop shaft, removed the front bumper and fitted a new one, fitted a new rear bumper and fitted a new one, adjusted the drag link, removed the tow bar and tightened a knocked drop link.

That's a pretty routine week!

In the past, I've changed the fuel pump, turbo, Brake calipers, injector loom, intercooler, shock absorbers, air springs, steering box, fuel pressure regulator, steering damper, headlights, brake discs and pads, intake manifold, removed the egr system,.. That's only the tip of the iceberg!
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Lots of people do, some people are naturally more mechanically minded than others. ON the otherhand, we still get customers popping into the garage to have air put in their tyres because they genuinely don't know how to do it.... but like Adam said earlier, it's people like that that keep the motor trade in business ;)

My daughter supplements her student loan by working p/t for Halfords btw, as a 'fitter' in retail store, so in other words, light bulbs, wipers, batteries, etc [as opposed to the autocentres where they do servicing & exhausts, etc]. Being very petite at all of 5 foot nothing, but naturally strong, she is very good at it, especially front light bulbs on modern cars where a strong grip combined with tiny wrists/forearms can make the job so much quicker and less painful [about 4 mins on a renault Megane ;) ]. Aside from the amount of fellas that ask her for her phone number [blond 19yr old that can do stuff] she was quite shocked at first by the amount of people, men and women alike, that were surprised and in some cases unwilling to have a woman work on their cars. :LOL:
 
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Yv said:
Lots of people do, some people are naturally more mechanically minded than others. ON the otherhand, we still get customers popping into the garage to have air put in their tyres because they genuinely don't know how to do it.... but like Adam said earlier, it's people like that that keep the motor trade in business ;)

My daughter supplements her student loan by working p/t for Halfords btw, as a 'fitter' in retail store, so in other words, light bulbs, wipers, batteries, etc [as opposed to the autocentres where they do servicing & exhausts, etc]. Being very petite at all of 5 foot nothing, but naturally strong, she is very good at it, especially front light bulbs on modern cars where a strong grip combined with tiny wrists/forearms can make the job so much quicker and less painful [about 4 mins on a renault Megane ;) ]. Aside from the amount of fellas that ask her for her phone number [blond 19yr old that can do stuff] she was quite shocked at first by the amount of people, men and women alike, that were surprised and in some cases unwilling to have a woman work on their cars. :LOL:
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She can come help me fit my steering guard next week! I tried to do it yesterday but gave up, need fingers the size of peanuts to get to some of the bolts!
 
TCR4x4 said:
Just this week, I've replaced the front prop shaft, removed the front bumper and fitted a new one, fitted a new rear bumper and fitted a new one, adjusted the drag link, removed the tow bar and tightened a knocked drop link.

That's a pretty routine week!
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*Resists urge for juvenile Land Rover Joke*....................
 
Yv said:
Lots of people do, some people are naturally more mechanically minded than others. ON the otherhand, we still get customers popping into the garage to have air put in their tyres because they genuinely don't know how to do it.... but like Adam said earlier, it's people like that that keep the motor trade in business ;)
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Come and live in SA. Drive into any petrol station and just sit in the car while the attendant takes care of the fuel, checks tyres, oil, coolant and cleans the windows. You can pay without getting out too, cash or card.

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, most of us are perfectly capable of doing all this for ourselves - I prefer to check the oil and coolant myself - but it provides jobs, and the guys usually get a decent tip.
 
TCR4x4 said:
I do all my own work and servicing. Being a landrover, that's a hell of a lot!!

Never been trained, but I watch other people and can read. If I'm unsure of so tuning, I'll ask. Never had any issues yet. I bet I do a better job than some garages would do.

Just this week, I've replaced the front prop shaft, removed the front bumper and fitted a new one, fitted a new rear bumper and fitted a new one, adjusted the drag link, removed the tow bar and tightened a knocked drop link.

That's a pretty routine week!

In the past, I've changed the fuel pump, turbo, Brake calipers, injector loom, intercooler, shock absorbers, air springs, steering box, fuel pressure regulator, steering damper, headlights, brake discs and pads, intake manifold, removed the egr system,.. That's only the tip of the iceberg!
Click to expand...
Sound's like your car is Trigger's broom :LOL:
 
MartynK said:
Come and live in SA. Drive into any petrol station and just sit in the car while the attendant takes care of the fuel, checks tyres, oil, coolant and cleans the windows. You can pay without getting out too, cash or card.

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, most of us are perfectly capable of doing all this for ourselves - I prefer to check the oil and coolant myself - but it provides jobs, and the guys usually get a decent tip.
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Oh for the days when it was like that here....
 
SpikeK6 said:
I think the most annoying one that really really bugs me is the one that phones the AA/RAC or similar to change a wheel. I am sorry but if you cannot change a wheel on a car you should not be driving it, this should be part of the test and if you cannot do it you fail.

OK rant over lol
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To be fair i recently went to change a wheel on my focus (which had been put on about 18 months previously at a garage with an air spanner), could i get the wheel nuts to turn could i buggery - I tried the socket set first, no dice, then i tried the wheel spanner , nope then i tried kicking the wheel spanner, still nope , tried standing on the wheel spanner with my full 15 stone - still nada.

Fortunately i only had a slow puncture so i blew it back up with my little compressor and drove the few miles to my work place where we have a compresor and air spanner - yep that worked

However if it had been a major puncture, even as 15 stone of muscular bloke i'd have been knackered and calling the RAC.
 
Pretty much is! Only thing original is the body and engine really... Well, except the rear quarter panel which got dented and replaced! :D

TopBanana said:
Sound's like your car is Trigger's broom :LOL:
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Used to do all the basics on my car when I lived in the UK, but since moving to Canada, having no garage to work from or proper outdoor space, I have been resigned to taking the car to a local service station. It pains me to pay $60.00 to $100.00 in labour just to have 6 spark plugs changed; because of the engine design/placement, I can't get to 2 of the back 3 plugs as they're too close to the firewall, and my gorilla arms don't fit. I'd have to have the engine ratcheted forward to get in!! Plus, it's not fun working on a car when the outside temperature is -25c.

Thankfully, a pal has a good outside space to work on cars, (he's rebuilding a MK3 Jetta GTI in his garage) so no more high labour charges....roll on Spring!!!
 
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