Repair And Fix it

Coil springs are a part of the cars suspension system -- most notably on older model cars. They are a strong component, but not known for having a smooth ride. Not much more than extra large heavy duty springs, removing them to replace with new ones or do other work is a physical but not difficult task. Youll need to take care to avoid injury when compressing these springs during removal.

Instructions

1

Lift the end of the car you will be removing the coil springs from, and secure the tires on the opposite end with wheel blocks. Place the jack stands beneath the car frame.

2

Remove the tires from the working end of the vehicle and set aside. Remove the sway bar linkage and the shock absorber if there is one from one side.

3

Spray the coil spring nut and the surrounding parts with spray lubricant. Insert the coil spring compressor, and compress the coil by turning the nut on the tool. You may have to adjust the placement of the compressor so there is room for the turning screw to raise as you tighten the tool.

4

Place the floor jack beneath the lift arm, and raise just enough to take the tension off the coil spring nut. Remove the cotter pin from the lower ball joint nut, and loosen the nut.

5

Hit the spindle squarely with a mallet. This may take a few tries, but you will feel the pop when the ball joint bolt comes loose. The jack will hold everything in place.

6

Slowly lower the floor jack. The coil spring may or may not slide right out as you do so. If not caully remove it. Decompress the spring very caully from the coil compressor tool.

7

Repeat for the other side, then the other wheels if the car has coils springs on all four.

A catalytic converter helps to remove certain pollutants from the car exhaust, rather than releasing those pollutants into the air. The catalytic converter sits in the car exhaust system, behind the exhaust headers and before the car muffler. Normally, a catalytic converter will last the life of a vehicle, unless an underlying problem causes it to fail.

Emissions Test Failure

A failed catalytic converter that has not clogged can contribute to an increase in hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide exiting the car tailpipe. Normally, the catalytic converter will reduce the amount of these pollutants to extremely low levels. An increase in these pollutants in the car exhaust can also be caused by a faulty air pump, pulse air system or another component of the car air supply.

Fuel Mileage

A catalytic converter that has plugged up will create excessive back pressure in the car exhaust system. This back pressure increase can affect the car fuel mileage, meaning the car will not be able to drive as far under the same conditions with the same amount of gas. The plugged catalytic converter causes the car to work harder to maintain performance, meaning the car engine will burn more fuel than it would if it had a properly functioning catalytic converter.

Engine Power

A plugged catalytic converter can also reduce the car power at high speeds, such as when the car is driving on the freeway. The driver may notice the car cannot pass other vehicles on the road at freeway speeds as it once did. A driver may also notice that, once the car hits a certain speed, its acceleration becomes sluggish. A plugged converter can also cause the car to idle rough, meaning the engine will sputter or fluctuate in its RPMs. The failed catalytic converter can also cause the car to have trouble starting, causing the engine to stumble or stall upon starting.

An alternator creates electricity to power an automobile and charge its battery. It is possible to drive with a bad alternator, but this can cause many problems.

Failure to Start

Starting a car requires a good deal of electrical power. At start-up the battery must power the starter, fuel injection system and other components. A battery that is not being properly charged by the alternator will at some point fail to start the vehicle.

Becoming Stranded

While a car will operate for some time on battery power alone, the battery will eventually lose power and the driver may become stranded along the road. Driving at night when more power is needed for headlights, instrument lights, etc., makes becoming stranded more likely.

Belt Breakage

A bad alternator may seize and stop turning. The alternators drive belt with then attempt to turn on an immobile pulley and likely break. When the belt breaks other components driven by the belt will also lose power which may damage the car or make driving difficult.

Dual exhaust is applicable on motorcycles, trucks and cars. Replacing dual exhaust with an aftermarket system may increase engine power, fuel efficiency and provide a better sound. Aesthetically appealing aftermarket dual exhaust pipes can also replace dull and aged components. Dents in the piping, corrosion, age spots and missing hardware are also reasons for dual exhaust piping replacement. Compromised dual exhaust pipes may increase backpressure within the piping, which decreases performance and suffocates the engine. Each replacement exhaust system will include installation instructions specific to the vehicle but there are general steps each process requires.

Instructions

Removing Old Dual Exhaust

1

Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable. This black cable is marked with a negative symbol. Also follow this step when working on a motorcycle. Doing so will allow the vehicle computer to reset and recognize the new dual exhaust pipes after completing the install.

2

Lift the vehicle off the ground using jack stands. For four-wheeled vehicles place the parking brake on. Leave adequate room underneath to remove the exhaust components efficiently.

3

Lay the new dual exhaust piping adjacent to your vehicle and compare it to the old exhaust underneath the vehicle for reference to where each new part will go.

4

Spray the flange bolts and exhaust clamps mating the exhaust components together with penetrating oil. This will loosen them and make removal easier.

5

Unbolt the tailpipe from the muffler if applicable with the socket and wrench set. Some vehicles feature a retaining clip that clamps around the Y-pipe and muffler. If this is the case, bend the clip back with a flathead screwdriver.

6

Unplug the exhaust sensor located on the piping between the muffler and catalytic converter if applicable. Sensor locations vary by vehicle.

7

Remove the tailpipe and muffler assembly after unbolting each nut and from its bolt. Locate the exhaust hangers and lift the dual exhaust piping off the hook where necessary. You may also use the hacksaw and cut through the front muffler piping, towards the front of the car, for removal. Refer to the new exhaust installation instructions for specifics.

8

Leave the rubber grommets on the exhaust hangers when removing the exhaust components. If you were instructed to cut the old piping off, spray the newly cut section with oil, which will make sliding the new dual exhaust piping into place easier.

Installing New Exhaust

9

Install the new components from the front of the vehicle towards the rear. Follow the new exhaust instruction manual for directions.

10

Hang the new components on their corresponding hangers and then hand-tighten the necessary flange nuts. Do not torque them to the specification listed in the vehicle owner manual yet.

11

Center the new components before tightening each bolt to the required specification.

12

Reconnect the exhaust sensor and negative battery cable.

13

Start your vehicle and listen for exhaust leaks, which make a hissing noise. You may also strongly smell exhaust underneath the vehicle if it is leaking.