Having good, clean oil in your engine, in this case a BMW 328i, is one of the more important things you can do to ensure a long lasting engine. This is the most common starter DIY because there is...
If hitting a bump is loud inside the vehicle, you may be dealing with struts that have failed or are failing. You’ll need to confirm though as it could be a number of things in the suspension. In my case I could tell it was the struts simply by looking at it and considering its age. One side’s...
The CV joint boot on the front left of the E53 BMW X5 is notorious for premature failure - quite often it is found to have failed whilst the other 3 corners are near pristine! When the boot tears, grease inside the joint can escape allowing dirt and grit in. When this happens, failure of the...
Volvo's use of transverse engine configurations in it's '93+ FWD and AWD models means it needs a rather large subframe to hold everything together. The subframe holds the engine, transaxle, steering rack, and lower control arms together and is bolted into the unibody with rather large and...
Have you ever heard a clicking noise lasting a few seconds near the glovebox of a Saab 9-3 when unlocking or locking the car? Chances are you’re dealing with a recirculation motor with a few broken gears making that noise. How to confirm what you’re dealing with A definite way to confirm this is...
Every car manufactured has a unique identifier for it known as a VIN or Vehicle Identification Number. “It is the automotive equivalent of human DNA” as stated from www.vanguard.org. Each letter and number in a VIN corresponds to specific information about that specific vehicle as the DNA in your...
In this Brake DIY Scott Skrzypczak goes over the process of replacing brake pads and rotors on a B8 chassis Audi S4. This DIY will help with the important steps needed to perform the install yourself while learning more about your car. Must Haves for this: Jack Jack Stands Ratchet Gloves T-30...
Normally, if you suspect your engine is having some serious issues, the easiest way to figure out what is wrong is to take your car in to the local indie mechanic, exchange some cash, and walk out with either a fixed car, or at least knowledge of what’s wrong with your car. Most of the time, this...
Does everyone know what a Nivomat Shock Absorber is and what the difference is compared to a regular shock absorber? Nivomat’s are self leveling monotube shock absorbers which utilize movement of the vehicle between the chassis and the body to create mechanical energy. They are typically mounted...
If you own an AWD S70/V70, chances are it doesn't have a TRACS/STC switch. This switch is located to the left of the sunroof control switch. The STC system is an upgrade on the TRACS system of 98 and prior cars. In addition to braking individual wheels during a wheelspin event, the newer system...