Front Wheel Drive 1/2 Shafts – CV Axle Replacement

I’m guest blogging here today, usually you’ll find me at my regular auto repair blog. If you like what you see here please visit my blog and auto tool store.

Summary: Changing C.V. (Constant Velocity) axles today is almost as common as doing brake jobs. But some CV axles can be pretty stubborn to remove. In this article learn some of the tricks I’ve used over the years as a Master Tech to make changing CVs and 1/2 shafts easier. Automotive specialty tools are sometimes needed to make the job easier, I’ll discuss some of those and if it is better to replace the entire half shaft, the joint or just the CV boot.

Car Turns Over But Wont Start? Most Common Causes

Car Won't Start Auto Repair Tips

When your car cranks over but doesn’t start, the last thing you want is to be sent on some wild goose chase. You need some real advise you can use from someone that has experience, not just a wanna be auto mechanic telling you some random things to check. Below is an excerpt from an auto repair article that has good solid diagnosis advise for the most common causes of a no start condition, when a vehicle turns or cranks over but doesn’t start.

 A car that cranks over but doesn’t start, in many cases will be due to a bad fuel pump, a broken timing belt, an inoperative cam sensor or crank sensor. The first step in diagnosing a no start is to scan for codes with a code reader or scan tool. Approximately 40% of the cars towed in that I worked on in the last 25 years, either had a bad fuel pump or the fuel gage read incorrectly and the car was just out of fuel. Yes, some people actually have their cars towed in when all they need is some gas! If the fuel gage indicates that there is fuel in the tank, most people will assume naturally that the car does have fuel.

Read the entire 817 word article.

It’s Hammer Time with Explosives – Tool Blog

This cracks me up every time I see it. It’s amazing to me that so many guys are doing this “tape explosives to the sledgehammer & smack it on a metal plate thing!” If you have any idea what the heck they’re doing or have a funny response, feel free to comment.

Top Seven Birthday or Xmas Gifts for Automotive Technicians

As with any gift, it’s best to know if the person you are buying for, has a need for the item you are considering. If it’s a mechanic you are buying for it’s a safe assumption, he’d love to receive car tools. Not just cheap run of the mill tools like from Harbor Freights, but professional grade tools that he can be proud to show the guys at work. And even if he already has one, that’s OK, it’s nice to have tools for home too!

More On Stealing Gas By Drilling Tanks

 

This is a News Report on Drilling and Stealing Gas From Tanks

One of our most popular posts was on Drill and Drain Vandals. We ran across this video on YouTube and thought we would pass it along. It still amazes me that people are willing to take the risk of getting caught stealing $5 to $90 worth of fuel. And the risk of catching themselves on fire by causing a spark when drilling the tanks. Plastic or metal tank… the drill still creates a spark inside the motor. Besides how many gas cans do they have to lug around to get all this gas they are stealing? What do you think?

The Right-Wing Offshore Drilling Scam

Unfortunately some people don’t get it. I ran across this blog from a brainwashed lefty. I think some people need to have a refresher course in “supply and demand”. The only bright spot was some of the comments made debunking this ridiculous conspiracy theory. Oil companies are making less per gallon than the Government. And, businesses are “in business” to make money”. I think we should allow drilling for oil and let American companies practice free enterprise. Some politicians were saying it would take ten years to start yielding oil from new wells….ten years AGO.

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Thieves Drilling for Gas in Your Driveway? Drill & Drain Vandals

Auto repair shops are reporting a spike in gas tank replacements due to punctured or drilled tanks. In the old days all you needed to discourage a thief from stealing your gas was a locking gas cap. Metal gas tanks can be drilled, but newer cars and trucks that have plastic or composite fuel tanks are an easier mark. SUV’s and pick up trucks are high enough off the pavement for any low life to crawl under with a cordless drill and a gas can. There has recently been a spike in fuel tank replacements at auto repair shops across the nation for this very reason. Sam at a local Tampa car dealership stated “Thieves are trading in their siphoning hoses for cordless drills”. After talking to one unlucky 2002 Chevy Avalanche owner that had their gas tank drilled and gas stolen, I learned that there is a national back-order on the plastic fuel tank that fits their truck. The same part number fits many other GM trucks and SUV’s as well. Insurance companies could be feeling the crunch for these repairs, but if the deductible is around $500 it may not be worth making a claim. You may be asking ”how to prevent fuel tanks from being drilled and gas stolen”. There are several common sense things anyone can do to reduce the chance of having their fuel tank drilled and their liquid gold pirated. Park in well lit areas, clean out the garage and park inside when possible, park near store entrances where more people are present. And finally buy a bumper sticker that says ”Gas Tank Near Empty” and hope that any would be gas thieves in your vicinity can read. Kidding aside, if you have had your gas stolen by a drill and drain vandal or can offer preventive measures we would love to hear your comments.