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Knowing how to tow another passenger car is essential when you are out on the road. Whether it is you or a stranger who has broken down, having the right equipment and being able to connect the the two cars correctly can be the difference between getting help and being left stranded by the side of the road. Although you can use any strong rope for towing, it is best to use a proper tow rope with snap hooks at either end.

Instructions

1

Lift up the bumper of the broken down car and attach one end of the tow rope to its frame, using the snap hook. Do not attach the tow rope to the bumper - it is not strong enough and will come off when towing.

2

Reverse the other car to within six feet of the broken down car. Attach the snap hook at the other end of the rope to the underside of the car. Again make sure it is attached to the frame. Some cars have a towing strap on their underside, specifically designed for this purpose.

3

Turn the ignition key in the broken down car but do not start the engine. Put the hazard lights on. If the hazard lights and not working, put a sign in the window saying In Tow.

4

Work out your route before you begin towing and drive slowly, particularly when taking corners. The person in the vehicle being towed must pay careful attention to the brake lights of the towing vehicle in front. Extra pressure on the brake pedals will be needed. Also power steering will not work as effectively when the engine is not running.

The fourth generation of the Chevrolet C/K series of full-size pickup trucks was in production from 1987 to 1998. The Z71 off-road package for these vehicles included skid plates and improved shock absorbers. The anti-lock braking system, or ABS, for the 1998 Chevrolet C/K series required a module to control the braking power to each wheel during an emergency stop. The Z71 package did not affect the procedure for replacing the ABS module.

Instructions

1

Record the position of the electrical connectors and brake lines on the ABS module so you can attach them correctly later. The ABS module is in the engine compartment on the left side of the engine. It is a small box-like component that has brake lines connected to it.

2

Detach the electrical connectors from the ABS module. Remove the retaining bolts from the brake lines with a socket wrench, and disconnect the brake lines from the ABS module.

3

Disconnect the bolts from the ABS mounting module bracket with a socket wrench. Detach the bracket from the vehicle with the ABS module still attached. Remove the retaining bolts from the ABS module, and separate the ABS module from its mounting bracket.

4

Mount the new ABS module to its mounting bracket, and tighten the bolts to 5 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Connect the bracket to the vehicle, and tighten its mounting bolts to 33 foot-pounds.

5

Attach the brake lines to their original fittings, and tighten the fittings to 16 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Attach the electrical connectors to their original positions on the ABS module.

6

Bleed the ABS braking system, then bleed the regular braking system.

Transmission leaks may lead to serious problems for your automobile. Manual transmissions are not forgiving of low fluid levels, and will malfunction within a short time when the fluid levels drop too low. The major causes of transmission leaks are loose nuts and a loose transmission pan or dried out gasket seals. Stop-leak transmission fluids may be useful for your manual transmission, as they condition and repair leaky seals. However, manual transmission fluid leaks are more often caused by loose fittings.

Instructions

Prevent Leaks Through Routine Maintenance

1

Prevent transmission fluid leaks through routine maintenance of your automobile engine. Follow the instructions in your automobile manual. Manufacturers of most engines recommend transmission fluid changes every 30,000 miles.

2

Drive your automobile for approximately a mile or around the block to warm up the transmission fluid.

3

Elevate your vehicle with a jack or put it on a ramp. Make certain the vehicle is secure before working under it.

4

Using your wrench or ratchet, remove the outer plug -- if applicable -- and then remove the transmission fluid drain plug. Drain the fluid into a plastic or metal container.

5

Clean the drain plug with a clean cloth. The transmission drain plug is magnetic so that it captures small bits of metal as the transmission gears wear. Wipe the plug thoroughly and replace after all fluid has drained out. Tighten the plug.

6

Pump new fluid into the transmission through the fill plug. This plug is usually located on the side of the transmission. Use the amount of fluid recommended by your automobile owners manual.

Stop Leaks

7

Notice the signs of transmission oil leaks: oil on the driveway, sluggish transmission, low fluid levels as determined by checking with a dip stick.

8

Perform routine maintenance when a transmission fluid leak is evident. Drain the fluid from the transmission, according to the previous steps.

9

Loosen oil pan bolts with a wrench and remove the pan. Clean the pan with soap and water and wipe dry.

10

Spread gasket sealant around the gasket ridge of the oil pan. Make certain sealant is around each bolt hole.

11

Press the gasket into place in the sealant on the drain pan. Put bolts through the holes to keep the bolt holes open. Let cure for 30 minutes. Replace the pan. Make certain bolts are tight.

CV joints, constant velocity joints, fit between the wheels and the drive shaft or transaxle of a car. The function of a CV joint is to allow a shaft to rotate over a flexible bend or angle without losing speed. An example would be where the steerable front wheels join to the cars axle in a front-wheel drive car.

Function

CV joints allow power to pass smoothly from the engine to the wheels without friction or play in motion. This is necessary because the front wheels of a car turn at different angles. CV joints cushion against up-and-down movements and allow wheels to be steered in front-wheel drive cars.

Compared to U Joint

U joints, or universal joints, also allow for rotation of a shaft over a bend. CV joints accommodate a wider range of angles without losing speed. For this reason, U joints are used mostly for wheels that are powered but not steerable, such as the back wheels in a rear-wheel drive car. However, CV joints are common in rear-wheel drive cars with independent suspension, where the left and right back wheels have greater independence of movement.

Types

There are two types of CV joint. The CV joint at the inboard end of the drive shaft is called a Triax joint. It adjusts for the up-and-down movement of the suspension. A second type of CV joint appears on the outboard end of the shaft, adjacent to the wheels. This joint is very flexible and allows wide range of movement in the front wheels.

Problems

Constant velocity joints are protected by a weather boot that keeps out moisture and dirt. If the boot is in good condition, joints are trouble-free. If the boot is damaged, the constant velocity joints are at risk. Check the boots condition regularly to prevent possible damage to the joints.

A head gasket creates the seal between the engine block and head. A cylinder head gasket leak test is a method of determining if the head gasket has failed without removing the head and visually inspecting the gasket.

Method

A cylinder leakage tester and air compressor are required to perform a cylinder leak test. A threaded insert is attached to the spark plug hole and an air gauge, then air is pumped via the compressor into the cylinde. A cylinder leak is determined by monitoring the gauge for pressure loss.

Locating the Leak

There may be various causes for a cylinder pressure leak. During the test, listen and feel for the escaping air to determine the source. Air gurgling through the radiator is the typical sign of head gasket failure. However, a cracked head may also cause air leaks into the radiator.

Alternatives

In addition to the cylinder leak test, there are other methods of testing for a defective head gasket. The cooling system can be pressure checked using a cooling system pressure tester. A block checker is another device that can test the head gasket. The block checker reacts to exhaust gases in the cooling system which indicates a leak.

Polyurethane was first developed in Germany during WWII as a synthetic replacement for rubber, and was patented by Dr. Otto Bayer in 1937. Polyurethane is commonly used to make tires, shoes, insulation, bumpers, spandex and catheters. All polyurethanes are based on the reaction of organic isocyanates with compounds that contain a hydroxyl group. The two groups of polyurethanes are thermoset (PUR, RIM or RRIM) and thermoplastic (TPU) and this difference affects the way that each one can be welded. Both are common as automotive pieces, especially bumpers.

Instructions

Welding Thermoset Polyurethane

1

Identify which type of plastic you have by heating the plastic welder to max and touching it to the back of the piece of plastic. If it is thermoset polyurethane, it will smoke and discolor and once cool it will still be sticky. Thermoplastic polyurethane will not smoke and discolor and once cool it will not be sticky. If the plastic is thermoplastic polyurethane, proceed to Section 2 for welding directions.

2

Align the broken pieces together with clamps or aluminum body tape. Apply the tape on the finish side of the piece. With a teardrop bit on the air die grinder, grind a V-groove along the complete break halfway through the break.

3

Turn the airless plastic welder to the lowest setting for R1 repair rod and allow it to heat up. Insert the rod through the welding shoe. Hold the shoe off of the base plastic and allow the melting plastic fill the V-groove. The process is more akin to brazing or soldering than welding. Fill only about 2 inches of the V-groove at a time and let it cool.

4

After completing the V-groove on the back side of the piece, remove the aluminum tape from the finish side and make a V-groove halfway through from the finish side. Sand the slick finish off with the die grinder and a Rolex sanding pad.

5

Fill the V-groove from the front as directed above. Sand the fill flush with the Rolex pad. The part is now ready for finish work and painting.

Welding Thermoplastic Polyurethane

6

Align the broken pieces together with clamps or aluminum body tape. Apply the tape on the finish side of the piece. With a teardrop bit on the air die grinder, grind a V-groove along the complete break halfway through the break.

7

Turn the airless plastic welder to the setting for TPU repair rod and allow it to heat up. Insert the rod through the welding shoe. Lay the shoe on the surface of the base plastic and allow the melting plastic rod to fill the V-groove. Fill only about 2 inches of the V-groove at a time and before it has time to cool go over the area with the welder to make sure the base material and rod are melted and blended together. Continue this process until the whole break line is filled and welded.

8

Remove the aluminum tape from the finish side and make a v-groove halfway through from the finish side after completing the backside of the piece. Sand the slick finish off with the die grinder and a Rolex sanding pad.

9

Fill the V-groove from the front as directed above. Sand the fill flush with the Rolex pad. The part is now ready for finish work and painting.

Coleman Recreational Vehicles are used for camping and cross-country trips. If youre having problems with your Coleman RVs air conditioning, there are a few things you can do before you take it to a technician. If your RV requires a major repair, its best to take it to a repair shop. Minor problems can be fixed with little hassle. You dont have to be a mechanic to get your air conditioning working again.

Instructions

1

Turn on the engine to your Coleman RV. Turn on the air conditioning from the control panel on the front console. Turn the temperature setting all the way down.

2

Put your hand to the vent to see if air is coming through the system. If air is coming through hot, you have probably lost some refrigerant in the system. If there is no air coming through the vent, have a professional take a look at your unit.

3

Pop the hood on your Coleman RC and look over the air conditioning compressor. The compressor is on the left side of the engine. Locate the compressor belt on the unit. Make sure the belt isnt damaged or worn. If the belt is worn or broken, replace it.

4

Remove the low pressure side cap of the compressor. The low pressure side is the smaller of the two steel lines. The cap should be blue. Connect a pressure gauge to the low side.

5

Check the gauge to make sure that your pressure level is within the Green band. If the pressure level is within the green, your AC unit is fully charged. If the air conditioner isnt working and youre in the green, the compressor is dead.

6

Have the air conditioning unit serviced by a professional if the gauge isnt in the green. This means that your system is not fully charged. Have a technician charge your system.