If you car begins to exhibit strange throttle behavior, lacks throttle response, or has surging power, the likely culprit is the fuel pressure sensor. It's very common for this sensor to get...
A few weeks ago I had a rear passenger unexpectedly break off the rear roof handle as he was leaving the vehicle. We all had fun with it saying he was trying to do a chin-up on the way out but we also were all surprised it broke off to begin with. None of us have ever seen something like this...
I recently found 2 of the 3 engine cover bolts to have stripped out threads on a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc. The bolts no longer would bite and just kept spinning indefinitely. The bolts were fine but the threads inside the holes were damaged. One popular option to repair stripped threads is to use...
This is one of those car topics that gets debated like politics or religion. This article isn’t meant to fan those flames but instead it’s to share what I’ve observed so you can make your own decisions. Most modern factory-produced cars including European cars like BMW have a knock sensor which...
Worn balljoints may introduce vibration at highway speeds, vagueness in the steering and in extreme cases clunking noises in the suspension. At the first indication of wear, or if the boots are broken, these balljoints should be replaced. Most E/C/CLK and SLK models from the mid-90’s through...
Normally this job would require the use of a special (Klann type) spring compressor, as access to the spring is limited by the design of the upper spring perch. The perch is attached to the car and not the shock. This is not a coil over design and the bracing of the spring perch prevents the use...
To many people, a car key is just a key. It unlocks the doors, it may control lights, and it is a tool used for starting the vehicle. However, technology and design have progressed to the point that automobile keys are now treated like expensive jewelry. Buy a new Volvo today and your keys will...
The half axle is rotated by the transmission, and transfers the transmission movement to the wheels. The half axle is composed of two different mechanisms. The inner side has three roller bearings, which move in and out of the cup in relation to the suspension movement. The outer end has a rzeppa...
The drive belts on the BMW e39 engines are regular maintenance items, but the pulleys and tensioners need careful attention once a car passes 100,000 miles. The job is not particularly difficult if done it at the same time as a cooling system service, like a water pump or thermostat. Whenever...
It is often suggested that skid plates are only necessary for off road vehicles or lower cars. While it is more likely for an oil pan to be damaged during off road exploration or scraping the city streets, the underbelly of a car is constantly at risk from standard road debris, animals,...