Automotive Help

[Hot Rod Dave]

all right, gather round kids....Ima start giving weekly fun facts (at least fun to me) to try and educate yall about cars

LESSON #1
Horespower Measurement

Horsepower was made up by a guy named James Watt. He decided to measure how much power something has. He tied up a horse to a 330lbs bucket and made the horse pull it for 1 minute and measured the distance. That is where the term "horsepower" came from. So the formula will look like this:

Force X Distance X Time
_____________________ =Horsepower
33,000

And the basic idea of measuring horsepower in a car is done by How much air and fuel can be sucked into the engine, fired off, and exit the engine.

Take notes cause there will be a quizz at the end of the week!!

HRD

 

[lobo]

soooooooooooooooooooooooo. fuck this jeep. the belt tensioner went out and shredded my brand new serpentine belt. the belt shredded the stuff on the bottom of the hood, and i, like a retard, decided to drive it the last couple miles home with no serpentine belt, and in the process overheated the fucker and exploded the top of the radiator.

F

M

L

 

[Hot Rod Dave]

soooooooooooooooooooooooo. fuck this jeep. the belt tensioner went out and shredded my brand new serpentine belt. the belt shredded the stuff on the bottom of the hood, and i, like a retard, decided to drive it the last couple miles home with no serpentine belt, and in the process overheated the fucker and exploded the top of the radiator.

F

M

L

Did you NOT hear high pitched squeeling noises from the tensioner? and you drove it home!!?? god damn it lobo!! *facepalm*

The stuff on the bottom of the hood is just insulation, not a big deal.

new belt $30-$40
new tensioner $65-$90
new radiator $150-$175
coolant $11.99 per gallon (youll need just 1 and the rest water)
praying to (insert favorite diety here) you didnt blow a head gasket on an engine thats a real piece of shit, and literally keeps machine shops like mine in business, cause Ill rebuild bout 4 of those a month......PRICELESS!!

allright, all teasing aside. That engine is a real piece of shit if you overheat it. The 5.9 and 4.7 chryslers LOVE to crack heads when they are overheated. I shit you not....If I get 10 sets of those heads in my shop for rebuilds, 6 of them are cracked!! I stock brand new ones ONLY (cause to find used heads that ARENT cracked is almost impossible) and sell em for round $400 each...bare. Which means I also have to swap valves, springs, keepers and retainers over to your heads.

So you have choices. You can invest 2 or 3 hundred bucks on fixing what you broke. Call a couple homies and knock it out on a saturday and cross your fingers....OR....with all the shit this thing has had in the last 6 months, get rid of the damn thing!!

HRD

 

[lobo]

is it a good or bad thing that when it got really hot and POPPED, the pop was the hose blasting off the top of the radiator? i'm hoping that released pressure and maybe saved the engine.

 

[Hot Rod Dave]

OMG.....Well its definetly not a good thing. That means the engine got so fuckin hot that you exceeded bout 40psi of pressure and popped off that hose.

Now by all means anything is possible. Like I was saying, those engines are pieces of shit, but I didnt mean to imply that if you over heat it just 1 time its fucked, cause thats not the case. They are just more suceptable to engine failure than other manufacturers! Is your engine fucked? Its possible that the engine is fine. But ur not gonna know till you fire it back up, check for milkshake in your oil and steam coming out the tail pipe.

When an engine gets that hot, to pop a radiator hose off....man, thats like the last straw before really bad things happen. Cross your fingers my friend. Lemme know if you need me to send you new heads....lol

HRD

 

[teflon2105]

What you guys think of the 2012 Acura TL ??

 

[Hot Rod Dave]

The acura TL's have a great reputation for being great cars. Acuras and Hondas in general are some of the best as far as a good strong running vehicle. I havent dove into the 2012's yet (or any 2012's for that matter) but thats a good choice. Id recommend a acura to anyone.

TL's are big pimpin to!!

HRD

 

[LP]

...why would a spindle make a car make lots of noise?

 

[optymuss]

my dad says it has a bad wheel baring or the break pads are low or shot.

 

[Hot Rod Dave]

http://8wayrun.com/threads/automotive-help.6613/

Heres the thread I made that tells all what Im about and shit. But Ill answer your question with a few other questions.

year
make
model
what are the symptoms

but to answer your question. Technically there is NOTHING a spindle has that can make noise. Its the things attatched to it that will make noise.

Optymuss has 1 possibility. a wheel bearing can make noise (only while moving)
you also have ball joints (which will "clunk" while going over bumps)
and Tie rod ends (will make noises while making turns)

some european cars have bushings in the spindle, some have ball joints built in, theres all kinds of things that can cause that.

Tell me what kinda car (year, make & model) and I can prolly narrow it for you and even give you some ball park prices on how to fix it!!

HRD

 

[Synraii]

You an engineer HRD? Cool. =)

Just pray it's not an American car - 5000 parts all made by the lowest bidder ~_~.

 

[lobo]

You an engineer HRD? Cool. =)

Just pray it's not an American car - 5000 parts all made by the lowest bidder ~_~.

man, from a mechanic POV, american cars are a godsend. waaaaaaaaaay easier to work on, find parts, maintain. i still have nightmares about tracking down brake pads for my old SAAB.

 

[Synraii]

As an Englishman, I'm a jag man - saving up for an old XK right now ^_^

 

[Hot Rod Dave]

Brake pads for a saab.....pssshhhh....easy shit!!

Im no engineer offically. I did have a patent on a complete suspension system for old hot rods and such that allowed for +/- 15 degrees of caster and +/- 10 degrees of camber! In laymens terms it means you can do everything from lift up a truck and slam your hot rod down on the ground. But those days burnt down with the california wild fires that destroyed my house, shop and every toy that I had.....thats for another thread tho.

In america, yes american parts are easy to come by and easy to work on, cause....well....theyre american. But if you were in the UK and tried to get parts for your american car, I promise it wont be that easy. But youre right synraii, american cars are made by the lowest bidder and more often than not in foriegn countries!!!

Im no engineer per say, but Im 32 now and have been doing this shit since I was 8 years old. Ive done everything from sweepin floors, painting cars, engine rebuilds and even owning my own brake and alignment shop. Cars are my life, I dont know how to do anything else. I barley know how to play SC, but I still do!!

This thread should be moved to my "Automotive Help" thread so I can get that thread more active!!

@Synraii, an XK huh? better save your franks or marks or whatever yall got over there. Thats some high dollar shit!! You must be big pimpin

HRD

 

[GreatOne1939]

Damn Dave, I'm gonna have to drive down there with my beat up old shit and have you work on it for me. I'll bring the beer/liquor along with our HD projector so we can play that SC on a 150 in. screen. We'll eat some mescan food and have a party of it. I'll pay for all the parts of course. lol

 

[LP]

http://8wayrun.com/threads/automotive-help.6613/

Heres the thread I made that tells all what Im about and shit. But Ill answer your question with a few other questions.

year
make
model
what are the symptoms

but to answer your question. Technically there is NOTHING a spindle has that can make noise. Its the things attatched to it that will make noise.

Optymuss has 1 possibility. a wheel bearing can make noise (only while moving)
you also have ball joints (which will "clunk" while going over bumps)
and Tie rod ends (will make noises while making turns)

some european cars have bushings in the spindle, some have ball joints built in, theres all kinds of things that can cause that.

Tell me what kinda car (year, make & model) and I can prolly narrow it for you and even give you some ball park prices on how to fix it!!

HRD

It's a 2002 Lexus GS 300. I guess it makes a 'bending' sound when I'm going over uneven terrain; it's completely slent whe driving on the highway.

 

[LP]

And, yeah, I'm all for merging the topics. Could someone ask Partisan to? Power's off and posting from my phone.

Damn, read the first page of your topic, HRD and now it feels like I insulted you by making this. Can you ever frgive me, Automotive God, sir? =(

 

[Hot Rod Dave]

And, yeah, I'm all for merging the topics. Could someone ask Partisan to? Power's off and posting from my phone.

Damn, read the first page of your topic, HRD and now it feels like I insulted you by making this. Can you ever frgive me, Automotive God, sir? =(

Im far from a god. LOL!! All is forgiven. You can make it up to me at DEV by playing me a FT5 for braggin rights!! LOL

It's a 2002 Lexus GS 300. I guess it makes a 'bending' sound when I'm going over uneven terrain; it's completely slent whe driving on the highway.

Ahhhh....Lexus. What complicated pieces of shit.

Anyway. You can rule the wheel bearing out. That would have more of a "howling" noise while driving constantly. I got my wife a 92 LS400 quite a few years ago, and have fix tons of suspension on those damn things.

If you hear a clunking noise while going over bumps. Id take a look at your upper/lower ball joints. The upper is a ball joint/control arm assembly thats fairly easy to replace. Lower ball joints require pressing at a machine shop (such as mine) and a big pain in the ass.

Im not positive bout your particular lexus but, most of the GS300 & LS400 have air ride suspension. Which means instead of a shock, it has a fancy air filled strut that adjusts as you drive (a strut is a really fancy shock). So if you decide to dabble and try to fix it your self be very careful and look out for air lines, sensors and other fragile electric shit.

this is a example of a UPPER ball joint/control arm for a lexus. The blue dust cover is actually the ball joint.

this is the lower control arm. The ball joint is (for lack of a better term) the pointy thingy on the right.

You also have rubber bushings. 2 total in each arm. and obviously you have a upper and lower control arm on both sides.

dont worry.......almost over

and easy way to check your suspension:

get the front wheel of the ground, only raise it bout 4 or 5 inches off the ground. obviously make sure your e brake is on and the rear tires have wood behind them

take a big bar. pry bar, fence post something thats bout 3 to 4 feet long and pretty sturdy. Shove the pry bar UNDER the front wheel and lift up on the end of the bar. What you want is to look at the suspension and get it to move. almost simulating while driving.

You take a good look at the ball joints upper and lower. Look for popping movements, listen for noises. The suspension SHOULD be real smooth and stiff (easy lobo!!!) it should be fairly difficult to move it around.

If you locate popping movements, put ur hand there. have someone move the bar around. Youll feel the popping in your hand.

Then if you still dont really find anything. Get in front of the tire like your gonna take the tire off. Grab the front of the tire and the rear of the tire and shake it. You shouldnt have any play what so ever. If you do you have tie rod issues.

OR

go to a suspension shop and have them check it. Its usually free or something like $20 or so. I used to do it for free at my shop.

Feel free to go to a shop and get an estimate and run it by me. I used to own a suspension shop so I will tell you if they are full of shit or not!

sorry bout the long rant. I like to teach people how to fix cars rather than spend a ton of money for something thats actually quite simple if you have half a brain. Someday I wann be a high school auto shop teacher so this is good practice.

Damn Dave, I'm gonna have to drive down there with my beat up old shit and have you work on it for me. I'll bring the beer/liquor along with our HD projector so we can play that SC on a 150 in. screen. We'll eat some mescan food and have a party of it. I'll pay for all the parts of course. lol

Dude it would be fuckin heaven for me if you did that shit. Ill put you up for a few days we'll kick back, wrench on cars, and play some fuckin SC!! I wouldnt even charge you, you buy the parts at my cost, and Ill put em in for you!!

and is MEXICAN......dumbass

HRD

 

[GreatOne1939]

Im far from a god. LOL!! All is forgiven. You can make it up to me at DEV by playing me a FT5 for braggin rights!! LOL

Ahhhh....Lexus. What complicated pieces of shit.

Anyway. You can rule the wheel bearing out. That would have more of a "howling" noise while driving constantly. I got my wife a 92 LS400 quite a few years ago, and have fix tons of suspension on those damn things.

If you hear a clunking noise while going over bumps. Id take a look at your upper/lower ball joints. The upper is a ball joint/control arm assembly thats fairly easy to replace. Lower ball joints require pressing at a machine shop (such as mine) and a big pain in the ass.

Im not positive bout your particular lexus but, most of the GS300 & LS400 have air ride suspension. Which means instead of a shock, it has a fancy air filled strut that adjusts as you drive (a strut is a really fancy shock). So if you decide to dabble and try to fix it your self be very careful and look out for air lines, sensors and other fragile electric shit.

this is a example of a UPPER ball joint/control arm for a lexus. The blue dust cover is actually the ball joint.

this is the lower control arm. The ball joint is (for lack of a better term) the pointy thingy on the right.

You also have rubber bushings. 2 total in each arm. and obviously you have a upper and lower control arm on both sides.

dont worry.......almost over

and easy way to check your suspension:

get the front wheel of the ground, only raise it bout 4 or 5 inches off the ground. obviously make sure your e brake is on and the rear tires have wood behind them

take a big bar. pry bar, fence post something thats bout 3 to 4 feet long and pretty sturdy. Shove the pry bar UNDER the front wheel and lift up on the end of the bar. What you want is to look at the suspension and get it to move. almost simulating while driving.

You take a good look at the ball joints upper and lower. Look for popping movements, listen for noises. The suspension SHOULD be real smooth and stiff (easy lobo!!!) it should be fairly difficult to move it around.

If you locate popping movements, put ur hand there. have someone move the bar around. Youll feel the popping in your hand.

Then if you still dont really find anything. Get in front of the tire like your gonna take the tire off. Grab the front of the tire and the rear of the tire and shake it. You shouldnt have any play what so ever. If you do you have tie rod issues.

OR

go to a suspension shop and have them check it. Its usually free or something like $20 or so. I used to do it for free at my shop.

Feel free to go to a shop and get an estimate and run it by me. I used to own a suspension shop so I will tell you if they are full of shit or not!

sorry bout the long rant. I like to teach people how to fix cars rather than spend a ton of money for something thats actually quite simple if you have half a brain. Someday I wann be a high school auto shop teacher so this is good practice.

Dude it would be fuckin heaven for me if you did that shit. Ill put you up for a few days we'll kick back, wrench on cars, and play some fuckin SC!! I wouldnt even charge you, you buy the parts at my cost, and Ill put em in for you!!

and is MEXICAN......dumbass

HRD

Only someone living around mescans for a long time in the WC would worry about that. Down in the south where all the real ones are they're just used to hearing that. Esses don't run the south like they do Cali. Lol! Dude you said the magic words. I'll probably drive down there some time in the next few months and knock this shit out. I've been needing to get my car worked on for awhile and I don't trust these non-greasy mechanics up here.

I'll play as much as you want, but I know shit about working on cars. So I can be your gogo cheerleader (I know I got my boots somewhere around here) while you show me real guy type knowledge. I'll probably come down there with my boy Sweets, that's a freaking 24 hour drive so we might have to stop somwhere half way in Cali before we get there. Either way it'll be fun. I"ll let you know when it seems the most plausible time.

 

[Hot Rod Dave]

Only someone living around mescans for a long time in the WC would worry about that. Down in the south where all the real ones are they're just used to hearing that. Esses don't run the south like they do Cali. Lol! Dude you said the magic words. I'll probably drive down there some time in the next few months and knock this shit out. I've been needing to get my car worked on for awhile and I don't trust these non-greasy mechanics up here.

I'll play as much as you want, but I know shit about working on cars. So I can be your gogo cheerleader (I know I got my boots somewhere around here) while you show me real guy type knowledge. I'll probably come down there with my boy Sweets, that's a freaking 24 hour drive so we might have to stop somwhere half way in Cali before we get there. Either way it'll be fun. I"ll let you know when it seems the most plausible time.

odelay vato!!

Hell yeah. Im actually going on vacation middle of next month. If its something you really wanna do. Hell yeah homes, im totally down for that. Yall should pick up krayzie and NDK on the way. I know NDK needs work on his hot rod. Itll be a fuckin party!!

Yeah the vatos run the streets down here for shizzle. Got easy access weed tho. LOL

HRD