Car Repairs Master Thread

[CountValentine]

What does that help?I know what to do. The starter won't come out. Been trying for hours.

Oops, you are trying to get it out.

https://www.shareyourrepair.com/2014/12/how-to-replace-starter-on-2004-2007-toyota-sienna.html

I wanted to let you know that the starter did finally loosen and come out.

Using the 2×4 and my 3 lb sledgehammer I just kept pounding away & the gap widened a bit more, but the stubborn starter still wouldn’t wiggle out. So I used a small tire iron ( because it would fit in the space) and tried to pry the starter up, and it moved up! Because I still couldn’t move it by hand, I went back to banging it with the 2×4 and the 3lb sledge, and that was enough to get it to move down. By alternating use of the 2×4 and the small tire iron, I finally could wiggle it out.

Why am I giving so much detail here? I guess because I just didn’t have the strength to hit the 2×4 hard enough for it to work for me, and I wanted to help out someone else who might be wondering if they could change out a starter.

I will be 70 years old in a few weeks and wanted to share my technique with others to complement your excellent tutorial. John, thank you so much…now I am going to put it all back together.

[shabbosabba]

My brother recently bought an '05 explorer and I agreed to try to do some work on it for him. I was driving it around and when i pressed the brakes there were times they went all the way down but when i let go and reapplied they worked just fine. I bled the brakes and it got a little better, but it still acts up randomly. Any ideas of what could be the issue here? Someone suggested that it could be an issue with the caliper, is that likely or should i be looking somewhere else?

[CountValentine]

My brother recently bought an '05 explorer and I agreed to try to do some work on it for him. I was driving it around and when i pressed the brakes there were times they went all the way down but when i let go and reapplied they worked just fine. I bled the brakes and it got a little better, but it still acts up randomly. Any ideas of what could be the issue here? Someone suggested that it could be an issue with the caliper, is that likely or should i be looking somewhere else?

Does not sound like the caliper. May need more bleeding or it could be the master cylinder.

[shabbosabba]

Thanks, i'll try that

@myi thanks for introducing me to chris fix

[myi]

Thanks, i'll try that

@myi thanks for introducing me to chris fix

You're very welcome.
 If not for him I wouldn't know the basic parts names and the basic maintenance required for a vehicle.

 Ever since I've been watching his videos. And realized it's actually not super complicated. I've done many repairs baH.
     From the easy to the tad more complicated ones..
 Changing batteries, changing ignition coils, oil change with a filter. Installing reverse backup noises with a switch, plugging tires, changing brakes,rotors, new calipers, bleeding the brakes. Replacing starters. Power window motors, windshield wiper motors, door actuator. Door check. And so much more.
  Next project is a new inner and outer tie rod.
 Its really once you get the drive and feeling for it. You can tackle any job. But yes I have a little arsenal of tools to be honest. Always looking for new ones to make a job easier.

 Hatzlacha on any repairs you decide to tackle and do on your own.
 Word of caution, not worth taking risks when it comes to jacking up your vehicle, or going under when you don't properly support it after jacking it. Better be safe than sorry. I was most scared about where and how to jack a car when I first started. But bh made it a long way since then and learnt where to jack and where not to.

[WonderingYid]

You're very welcome.
 If not for him I wouldn't know the basic parts names and the basic maintenance required for a vehicle.

 Ever since I've been watching his videos. And realized it's actually not super complicated. I've done many repairs baH.
     From the easy to the tad more complicated ones..
 Changing batteries, changing ignition coils, oil change with a filter. Installing reverse backup noises with a switch, plugging tires, changing brakes,rotors, new calipers, bleeding the brakes. Replacing starters. Power window motors, windshield wiper motors, door actuator. Door check. And so much more.
  Next project is a new inner and outer tie rod.
 Its really once you get the drive and feeling for it. You can tackle any job. But yes I have a little arsenal of tools to be honest. Always looking for new ones to make a job easier.

 Hatzlacha on any repairs you decide to tackle and do on your own.
 Word of caution, not worth taking risks when it comes to jacking up your vehicle, or going under when you don't properly support it after jacking it. Better be safe than sorry. I was most scared about where and how to jack a car when I first started. But bh made it a long way since then and learnt where to jack and where not to.

And use jackstands etc.

[WAM]

And use jackstands etc.

Correct, they have the lowest rate of failure.

[chinagel]

Oops, you are trying to get it out.

https://www.shareyourrepair.com/2014/12/how-to-replace-starter-on-2004-2007-toyota-sienna.html

I wanted to let you know that the starter did finally loosen and come out.

Using the 2×4 and my 3 lb sledgehammer I just kept pounding away & the gap widened a bit more, but the stubborn starter still wouldn’t wiggle out. So I used a small tire iron ( because it would fit in the space) and tried to pry the starter up, and it moved up! Because I still couldn’t move it by hand, I went back to banging it with the 2×4 and the 3lb sledge, and that was enough to get it to move down. By alternating use of the 2×4 and the small tire iron, I finally could wiggle it out.

Why am I giving so much detail here? I guess because I just didn’t have the strength to hit the 2×4 hard enough for it to work for me, and I wanted to help out someone else who might be wondering if they could change out a starter.

I will be 70 years old in a few weeks and wanted to share my technique with others to complement your excellent tutorial. John, thank you so much…now I am going to put it all back together.

Gave up after hours of banging and sent to a mechanic. He said in 45 years he'd never seen it so bad...

[WonderingYid]

Any way to know if I have to replace the whole drum and shoe kit, Just the shoes, with or without the wheel cylinder?

[CountValentine]

Any way to know if I have to replace the whole drum and shoe kit, Just the shoes, with or without the wheel cylinder?

Other than taking it apart and looking?

[WonderingYid]

Other than taking it apart and looking?

What do I look for when I take it apart?

[WonderingYid]

Car overheats when idling with the AC on.
However when I am actually driving the car, even if it's for hundreds of miles at a time with the AC running, it doesn't overheat.
It looks like the main fan is working.
Is it the water pump?

[moko]

Car overheats when idling with the AC on.
However when I am actually driving the car, even if it's for hundreds of miles at a time with the AC running, it doesn't overheat.
It looks like the main fan is working.
Is it the water pump?

or simply low coolant will do that

[CountValentine]

or simply low coolant will do that

...or a bad/stuck thermostat.

[CountValentine]

What do I look for when I take it apart?

You post pictures. 
You can see if brake fluid is leaking, grooves in the drum, condition of shoes, parking brake shoes and anything out of the ordinary.

What make/model/year?

[WonderingYid]

or simply low coolant will do that

I top off my coolant often, so that's not the issue.

...or a bad/stuck thermostat.

If it was a bad thermostat, wouldn't it overheat while driving also?

You post pictures. 
You can see if brake fluid is leaking, grooves in the drum, condition of shoes, parking brake shoes and anything out of the ordinary.

What make/model/year?

2001 Toyota 4Runner. How hard is it to take apart/put back together?
Do I need to bleed it when taking it apart?

[WonderingYid]

Car overheats when idling with the AC on.
However when I am actually driving the car, even if it's for hundreds of miles at a time with the AC running, it doesn't overheat.
It looks like the main fan is working.
Is it the water pump?

When it overheats the collant bubbles up.
Should I try a new thermostat?

[Mimo]

anyone know of a good cheap windscreen chip repair place in nyc?

[dovy2]

Odyssey passenger side will open fine on button press, but will not close (just beeps). Only way I can close the door is by switching the automatic door switch to off, and closing it manually.
Anyone ever deal with this? Seems like a sensor, but which? And is it a DIY?

[CountValentine]

Odyssey passenger side will open fine on button press, but will not close (just beeps). Only way I can close the door is by switching the automatic door switch to off, and closing it manually.
Anyone ever deal with this? Seems like a sensor, but which? And is it a DIY?

Could this be the issue?
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Odyssey+passenger+sidedoor+will+not+close+just+beeps&view=detail&mid=E0581E44D33EBD373CFDE0581E44D33EBD373CFD&FORM=VIRE