Have you ever wished you could ask a professional an automotive question and know that he wasn't giving you an answer just to get a job ? We now have someone that is an automotive technician, though he prefers mechanic, who has agreed to take questions. Now as we all should realize, many mechanical issues are not just black and white and can not be diagnosed over the internet. That isn't what I have in mind here. Wolf has agreed to take questions and give us an answer from a mechanics perspective. It may be that he can tell us what to look for when we take a vehicle to a local mechanic or what a problem sounds like it might be. And it may be that we have no questions for him.

Yes another trial and error section but hey, who knows until we try.

cool idea...

Wow, this is an awesome idea, TM!

wow!! thats very nice of him

Hi Gang,
TM asked if I would offer any suggestions that I might have on repairing your automobiles. It sounds fun to me. I started working on automobiles part time in a gas station in 1974, my Junior year in high school. After I graduated I started at Firestone doing Brakes, Suspension, and Tune Up work. After two years I went to an independent garage and have had several jobs since in dealerships and independent shops. I am currently an independent shop working on a pretty wide variety of different makes and models.

It is very difficult to give conclusive answers to "My car does this, What's wrong with it" questions. Most symptoms can have any number of causes and require specific information to begin the diagnostic process. Maybe we can explore what some of the best ways you can have that information ready before you drop your vehicle off to be repaired. If you are mechanically inclined, maybe I can give you a hint that will help you solve the puzzle.

Or maybe you just want to blow off a little steam because you feel you've been ripped off and you want to yell at a mechanic. We'll talk it out.

I will try to check in as often as I can and reply as soon as I can. You may be surprised once you get this discussion going how much you can help each other. It hope it will be fun and interesting.

Wolf
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist

wolf, my old junker is on it's last leg...where do i bury it? ha ha just joking...the old rust bucket just keeps on running! without a mechanic!

Hey Wolf I'm curious. What makes or models of vehicles would you put at 1 and 10 if 1 is the best and ten is the worst ?
I know it may not be that simple and we won't hold you responsible if one of use buys your number 1 car and it turns out to be a lemon.

Wow! How did I miss this thread?

Wolf,


I do have a question that may be a "My car does this, what's wrong with it?" type of question.

1997 Chevy Cheyenne 2500

The truck runs great and drives great. However, when I apply the brakes, it feels like the front-end is bouncing.... almost as if there were a knot on one of the tires. There is no sound at all, and the steering doesn't pull to either side specifically, but wiggles back and forth just a bit.

Also, when turning mildly to the right at highway speed, sometimes the front-end will suddenly dive into the turn.

My question is this. Are both of these symptoms caused by the same problem, or do I have two separate problems?

Thanks in advance for any info you'd be willing to share Wolf.

Talimook

Hey Wolf, you've got mail.

I figured you missed this somehow, it happens to me often.

"It usually will be most noticeable in a curve at highway speed and present itself as normal steering and all of a sudden it feels like something gave away and you turned into the curve farther than you were intending"

Yes, that is EXACTLY what it does. So is the sensor something that can be replaced at home? Can you buy one at the parts store?

Thanks Wolf. I consider this to be good news.

Talimook

Hey TM. Since you started this thread, I think you should come down and help my wife fix it! Say tomorrow.... sevenish?

Is she going to have some of those warm buns you posted pictures of ?

Sure TM. She can bake and do truck mechanics at the same time.

Tali

Don't under estimate your wife Tali1 she is a Mom & we Mom's can multitask!

"I would love to head your way and help you walk your wife through this task"



Problem is, my wife doesn't walk through anything.... she runs!

My son and I were replacing the water pump in her van last spring and we were having a devil of a time removing a bracket. After trying and trying and trying to remove it for about 2 hours, we finally gave up. I stormed into the house and told her to call a tow-truck.

She asks "Do you want me to go out and take it off?"

I replies "You CAN'T take it off, the bolt head is deep in a recess and is rounded off!"

Out the door she goes, I poor a cup of coffee and light a smoke.
3 minutes later, she comes in and lays the bracket on the table in front of me. Both me and my son 'bout fell in the floor.

How in the world did she do that???

Allie, she told me she used a fork..... somehow, I believe her!

Wolf, I certainly won't blame you for anything at all.



Talimook

You are on your own Tali.

she told me she used a fork..... somehow, I believe her!

too funny!

Tali,

Here is a picture of the sensor.

Oh Wow! That'll help me locate it easier. Thanks Wolf.


Tali