You have chosen to fix your own car. .. Personally, i find it very enjoyable and satisfying to know whats wrong, ,taking action and repairing it. I have made this website focused at the 2001 Nissan Maxima A33 , fully imported model.( if you live in Australia)
. My car has done 325,000 kms, Its not the prettiest car in the world..Ocasaionally i wash it when i have the energy, as most of us will agree, by the time the week is done, its probably the last thing on the to do list.
Before venturing out into the d.i.y world of automobile repair, i have some very strict rules which i live by, and i hope you do as well.
1 Be safe at all times. This includes jacking your car up,whether it be your scissor jack in the boot, or a proper floor jack only on a flat surface, where there are proper jacking points.. If your on a tight budget, you can use the jack given to you in the boot where there are the proper jacking points under the sil
.When jacking up the front of the car, make sure the hand brake is always applied When jacking up the back of the car, make sure the transmission is in Park. Using wheel chocks for extra safety is recommended., especially if you use car ramps.
Dont underestimate your factory jack though. You can use it to jack up each side so you can place a jack stand underneath., but never jack the whole car up with this jack It may be used for other purposes, like a second pair of hands to take the weight of ceretain components, or parts, we will get to that.
3: Never get under the car if it is only supported by the jack. It may be very tempting to put total faith in your jack,moving under the car for a quick check of a part or a feel or the tyres.. It only takes a second or two to grab that jackstand, and put it under your car.
2: Absolutely no drugs and alcohol, but a good strong cup of jo is perfectly fine, and gets me singing in the morning, hm, well, lets not go there shall we? Of course though, you may celebrate your repair with a beer or two..You have definately earned it.
4: If you have long hair, tie it back. Ladies, this includes you too. Dont wear clothing thats too loose or baggy. when testing pulleys and belts , you might get your clothing or hair caught .If your under your car, you may get clothing or hair caught in a bar or spring. There may be no one around to help you, .
5: Use leverage. Dont break your back trying to un do a bolt or nut only to find you are at the physio next week. Trust me on this one. Leverage makes your life easier, and is your best friend. just ask one of my shoulders. If that stubborn nut or bolt still wont budge, hit it with some penetrating oil, walk away for a bit, then try again.
There are several options here. You can get a piece of pipe to place over the spanner or wrench, make your own tools with a welder, or simply buy extended wrenches and spanners.
6: Dont sit on the cold concrete, even in summer. I have a piece of old carpet i lay out so it covers most of the floor of my garage. Another option is to use gym mats. They are quite cushiony and interlock together, which makes it easier to tuck away when your repairs are done.
These mats are fairly easy to clean, but they are not expensive to buy, if need be. Comfort is important, as well as having enough room to swing your extension bar, or torque wrench.
7:Use P.P.E where applicable.(Personal Protective Equipment.). Rattle guns and compressors are noisy,Wear ear muffs or ear plugs .If you are undoing old rusty nuts or bolts, safety glasses are a must .The last thing you need for the day, is that crap going in your eyes..
Always wear dust masks when dismantling old brake shoes .. You never know what they may be made of.. Take no chances. When undoing rusty components also, it can get dusty.
Gloves are a life saver iif reaching in a tight spot ( within reason) and will stop your hands being carved up. Sometimes though, its hard to reach with golves on. Use your own discretion here. Being a Japanese car, there are a lot of tight spots. Gloves are a must.
When changing old motor oil, wear good strong chemical or even kitchen gloves.. Used motor oil is carcogenic., meaning don’t get it on your skin
Lastly, proper footwear is paramount. You dont want to be wearing thongs or runners, and you drop the rear axle or strut on your foot. Yes, it has happened to me, but the old steel caps ive been wearing for ever saved the day. they dont need to be the most expensive boots on the shelf, , but experience has taught me, take your time in choosing a pair of steel caps. Take a good walk around the store. Make sure the caps dont hurt your feet.
8: Try to maintain a clean and safe work area at all times.. I know this one sounds a little cliche, but when doing a big repair, you need a lot of different assortment of tools.. Its easy to slip or roll over a socket or spanner , never ending well..If you have the room, asemble a table, keeping your tools off the ground .A foldable card table is ideal if your like myself, working in limited space.
Cordless tools are now becoming less epensive for the d.i.yer. Extension cords can be a nuisance, as well as a trip hazard. The less chance of accidents, the better.
When doing oil and chemical changes for the first time, spills are gauranteed. Always mop them up as quickly as possible. If you own a shredder, the shredded paper is a great choice Kitty litter is cheap, and effective.. Sawdust is also good, Follow up with some degreaser. Use hot water. You mighten get it all the first time around, but your work area will be safer.
9: Never work fatigued, and plan your repair. If its been a big day, stop, give yourself time to reflect,, then restart the next morning.I will admit everyone, im guilty of it too. You might think, im almost finished, another hour or two , the repair is done.. .If you are tired, stop, this is where mistakes and accidents happpen
If doing a repair like a wheel bearing replacement, plan ahead. Buy your parts in advance. If money allows, buy spare parts for next time. With tools you need, the night before, place them on your table so the following morning you can get straight to it..the night before, hit the equipment with penetrating oil, so it soaks overnight. This can help you go through a smoother repair..
10.Keep oils and lubricants stored. When changing your oil, try to keep at the least, a lid on the bottle, Spills can be nasty, while getting oil off the concrete can be challenging. Once the oil is emptied into your tray, tip the old oil into another oil container ready for recycling. Dont leave that old oil lying around.
Most local mechanics workshops or some auto parts stores should take the old oil, as well as old coolant, for you. Dont just throw it in your rubbish bin. Please spare a thought for the environment..
Doing a coolant flush, keep pets and children away. I have both a dog and cat. They are locked in the laundry when the coolant is emptied into a container. I realise this may seem a little cruel, and they don;t understand whats happening, but coolant to pets tastes very sweet., Even short exposure can cause severe organ damage.
Once the coolant is emptied, place a rag or plug over the hoses. It can still slowly drip out. If the area is wet, ,mop it up., then hose it down. Even the tiniest trace or smell can attract your pets. They have an incredible sense of smell. Make sure it is all gone.
11. Keep a diary and schedule of each repair, or service. Write down each time you change your oil, coolant flush, checked the front end as an example.It will help you greatly in terms of when you last did something, when its time to do it again. I never used to do this myself, but later found it an absolute life saver for record keeping.
12. Make sure you use the right tools. It can be very tempting to use an incorrect tool for a quick undo of a component. If your ratchet slips, you could graze your knuckles, or even worse, rounding off of your nuts or bolts. Remember, the equipment is old.
Make sure the socket or spanner fits tight.A tiny amount of movement is okay. Once that fastener is rounded off, your repair just became a totally different ball game
13. Most importantly, have fun. Enjoy your new found hobby..
The information provided here is for educational purposes. If you feel the information i’ve provided could be improved upon, or if you need a hand with anything at all, please leave a comment below. .Im sure you could teach me some things as well.
All the best , and thankyou for reading and stopping by.
Doug
www.repairyourowncar.com
.
