Car repairs can put a strain on your budget quickly; however there are a variety of repairs you can do yourself. Stay tuned to learn what repairs you can do, regardless of technical skill.
What Repairs or Replacement Can I Do on My Car?
There are a variety of repairs you can do, such as replacing your battery and alternator, replacing a broken or worn drive belt, replacing brake pads, fixing exterior coolant leaks, or replacing hoses and other parts. Here are the tools you need to get started.
What Tools Do I Need for DIY?
Standard tools you should consider purchasing for DIY car repairs if you don’t already have them, include:- Pliers
- Torque wrench
- Adjustable wrench
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
- Jack (if your car isn’t equipped with one)
- Socket and ratchet set
Some other “tools” include how-to videos and diagnostic assistance for common parts repair. There are some great tutorials, including AutoMD and Expert Village. Take your phone or tablet out to the vehicle and have it running while you do the repairs.
Battery or Alternator Replacement
When your car doesn’t turn over and the accessories not powering on, it usually means you need a new battery or alternator. The battery is typically a large black box found near the front of your vehicle, which supplies the initial power to the alternator. It’s connected to your car with negative and positive terminals. An alternator is found near the front of the engine with a belt connected to the front. You will need these tools: socket set, wrenches, multimeter (to measure electrical properties like current and resistance), and a screwdriver.
Broken or Worn Belt Drive Replacement
If you hear that awful squealing when you start up your car or when you use certain accessories, your drive belt may need replacing. First, do a visual check of the belts for any looseness, cracks, or wear. If it’s just loose, you may only need to tighten it. The drive belt is located near the front of the engine. The tools you need include ratchet, sockets, wrenches, and screwdrivers.
Brake Pads Replacement
When you pump the brakes, and they squeal, it’s time to replace them, which is easy to DIY. If they grind, instead, the rotor needs replacing, which warrants a visit to the mechanic. Find a video that shows how to replace them. Have these tools on hand: torque wrench, jack, ratchets, tire iron, and a c-clamp. Exterior Coolant Leaks Repair When you park and notice a pool of orange, yellow, or green liquid under the car, consider a leak. The liquid you’re seeing is antifreeze and may be coming from a hole or crack in one of the exterior hoses. Pop the hood and see if the same colored liquid is draining from a hose or plastic piece; however, don’t touch it since it will be hot. You need to unclamp the leaking hose, replace it with a new one, and then reinstall the clamp. Use a wrench and pliers for the job.