No car owner wants to hear that the problem the car is having is in the transmission. Transmissions are one of the most expensive parts that a car owner might have to replace – if the car is old enough, it sometimes makes more sense to replace the car entirely than to replace the transmission. But I’ve found that there are ways to save when you need transmission work! Not only are there ways to save money on a new or rebuilt transmission, there are also ways to locate transmission problems and have them fixed before they become too serious. This blog is designed to help you take better care of your transmission, and avoid paying too much for transmission repairs.
When you drive a vehicle regularly, you should expect the brakes that are in place to last somewhere between 30,000 and 70,000 miles before they must be replaced. If you are like a lot of drivers, when your brakes need to be replaced, you will go to the local parts store to get what you need and plan to install the brakes on your own. Even though you can get the basics of installing brakes from just about anywhere, there are huge mistakes that rookies tend to make when it comes to this job. Here is a look at some of the more common brake installation mistakes rookie mechanics tend to make and why they should be avoided.
Mistake: Installing new brake pads in a backwards position.
Why? The why on this is an obvious thing, because even a rookie knows that backwards brakes are not going to work properly. Even though it may seem like a nonsense mistake that would be difficult to make, installing the brake pads in a backwards position does happen fairly often. This is simple due to lack of experience with the inner working parts of the brake system on a vehicle and how things should be properly positioned. You would be amazed at how confusing things can get and how easy it is to get turned around while you are working on brakes.
Mistake: Ignoring the rotor during brake installation.
Why? So you have a brand new box of brake pads and all that you have to do is slap them in place to work, right? Unfortunately, once brakes start to wear thin, it can take a toll on the rotor that they press against to cause the vehicle to slow down, leaving behind grooves, notches, and surface discrepancies. If you choose to ignore the rotor and not have it turned or machined by a professional during new brake pad installation, you could still have problems with squeaking, grinding, and rough turning. Make sure you carefully assess the rotors of each wheel after removing the tire to install new brakes and have the rotor machined back to a new surface if necessary.
Mistake: Not taking the time to remove soil and debris from hardware during brake installation.
Why? Gunk, grime, and debris builds up over time on the hardware of the brake calipers, pads, and shoes. Before you put new brakes in place, make sure you take a few minutes to clean all of these things. If you don't, it can compromise the quality and stopping power of the new brakes you install.
The bottom line is this: Installing brakes is not always as cut and dry as what you likely think. If you need new brakes, it is a good idea to take your vehicle in for brake service with a certified mechanic instead of trying to tackle the task on your own.
Share14 December 2015
