Every driver experiences car problems once in a while. Most of them rely on car repair shops to fix their car’s brake fluid leaks, their parking brakes, or their broken car doors or door locks. This means that they spend a lot of their money on just maintenance and repairs alone. In the long run, this can mean thousands and thousands of dollars spent on their vehicles that they can use for other, more important things. If you do not have the budget or if you simply want to save money, here are guides on basic DIY auto repair that you can perform on your own.
How to Repair Brake Fluid Leaks
If you are mechanically inclined, then you can repair a brake fluid leak by yourself. Before you follow this DIY auto repair guide on brake fluid leaks, though, make sure that you have the right knowledge on how to fix lines or leaks first. You can go around town and ask a local car parts store if they can provide you with braking system diagrams. This will help you better understand how it works.
Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with How the Braking System Works
This is a very important step that you should not skip when trying to perform a DIY auto repair on brake fluid leaks. Familiarizing yourself with how the brake lines work by reading your car’s user manual is a good start.
Step # 2: Get a Rebuild Kit
If you suspect a brake fluid leak, check your car’s master cylinder. If it already shows signs of wear and tear, go to the nearest car parts store and get a rebuild kit. Follow the directions included in the kit on how to remove a damaged master cylinder and replace it with a new one.
Step # 3: Install a New Set of Brake Hoses
If your car’s brake hoses are already leaking, include a set of new brake hoses on your list of parts to purchase. Remove the damaged hoses and replace them with the new ones.
Step # 4: Use a Metal Tubing and a Pipe Bender
If the brake lines are the only parts that are leaking, you can easily fix this problem by using metal tubing and a pipe bender. Again, the need for your car’s user manual is in order, so make sure that you prepare this before you set out to perform a DIY repair on the leak that you are experiencing.
Step # 5: Buy a New Caliper
If you purchase a new caliper, read the instructions included with it on how to properly install a new caliper to fix the caliper piston.
How to Repair Parking Brake Problems
Fixing parking brakes should always be a part of your routine car maintenance if you want to avoid compromising your safety as well as the safety of the people you are with when driving. This DIY auto repair is easy for a lot of mechanically inclined drivers, so you can try to fix this problem on your own. Just make sure that you do your homework to avoid any other car issues.
Step # 1: Perform Small Adjustments
The first step in this DIY auto repair on parking brake problems is to first perform minor adjustments. Check your car’s user manual for any tips on how to properly adjust the brake cables and pulleys. These may include tightening the cables or removing their “slackness.”
Step # 2: Lubricate the Actuator Levers
Over time, a car’s parking brake may stick. If the brake does not easily release as it should or if it does not push or pull back smoothly, you should lubricate the actuator levers. If this still does not work, you may already be required to remove the car’s rear brakes and check the whole brake system to identify the root cause of the issue.
Step # 3: Install a New Brake Cable
This step on DIY auto repair for parking brake issues is a straightforward task that you can easily do on your own, as long as you have the proper tools and knowledge. Using jacks and a stand, mount your vehicle so you can access the braking system. Remove the mounting hardware so you can slightly free up and remove the broken cable and replace it with a new one.
How to Perform Car Door Hinge Adjustment
If one of your car doors has a loose hinge or if it does not latch all the way through, then you can follow this DIY auto repair on problematic hinges.
Step # 1: Inspect the Car Door Thoroughly
The first step in this DIY auto repair on door hinge problems is to perform a thorough inspection of the door you are having problems with. The issue may only be caused by a loose weather stripping that gets caught in the latch or hinge. If this is the case, you may only have to glue it back or replace it with a new one.
Step # 2: Tighten Bolts
In most cases of problematic car doors, the bolts are simply loose. All you need to do is use the right ratchet wrench size and tighten the loose hinge bolts. Make sure that you keep the hinges straight and the car door lifted to the proper height before you perform the adjustment. You can use a car jack, a jack stand, or a pile of wood to keep the door at the proper level.
Step # 3: Check Adjustment
The final step in this DIY auto repair on loose car door hinges is to check if you made the proper adjustment. Close the door and see if it securely latches. If it still does not, perform step no. 2 again and see if this will finally resolve the issue.
These are just some of the common problems that most car owners experience from time to time. If you are one of these individuals, then you will greatly benefit from following these DIY auto repair guides. Not only will you be able to solve your car issues, but you will also be able to save money by not relying on the services of a car mechanic or a car repair shop.