Repair 7

Its almost as though theyre trying to irritate their parents. Back when it debuted, gearheads regularly referred to the Impala in reverent tones as "the SS," or "the 409." Later "enthusiasts," though, came to think of the Impalas chrome emblem as depicting a leaping donkey, and the "Donk" was born. And so it was that heathens world-wide devised a whole new way to irritate Mom and Dad.

Pads

As of 2013, youre looking at about $15 for the cheapest front pads, and the same for the rear. Add in $15 for ancillary items like brake fluid, anti-squeal lubricant and brake cleaner, and you can expect to spend about $45 minimum in parts to replace the pads on all four wheels. some of the better pads can run upward of $50 per set, for a total of about $115 for the best brake pad replacement possible.

Rotors

The cheapest front rotors are about $37 a piece, and the upgraded "severe duty" name-brand front rotors are about $50; dimensionally and in terms of materials, the two are identical, and the cheaper rotor is actually a bit lighter. The cheapest rear rotors are about $25 a piece, and 5 pounds lighter each than the $40 slotted rotor, which will last longer and run cooler. The most expensive rear rotor is about $55, but doesnt offer any real advantages over the $25 rotor. So, add between $124 and $210 for four new rotors, depending on the units you choose.

Shop Estimates

Shops typically determine labor by "book time," or the number of hours the shop manual says the job should take. They multiply those "book hours" by the shops per-hour labor rate, which as of 2013 is about $40 to $65 for a decent independent mechanic. Book time for the front pads is 1.2 for both sides, and 1.6 hours for the rear; which means $50 to $80 for the front pads, and $64 to $104 for the rear. Thats about $115 to $184 for labor. Suggestion: If youve got a floor jack and basic hand tools, just save yourself the money and do this simple, DIY job yourself.

The ignition is a part on your Impala which helps you to start the engine. Continuous use of a vehicle can cause difficulties in starting the engine over time. This can lead to certain parts of the vehicle needing to be replaced. If you have tried replacing both the starter and the alternator and your vehicle still wont start, then you may have to replace the ignition. The process is challenging but you can complete this in your own garage.

Instructions

1

Open up the hood and disconnect the negative connection from the battery. Use a screwdriver to remove the safety bolts on the upper and lower steering column covers.

2

Remove the steering wheel from its fixed position. Use a wrench to remove the retaining nut around the wheel. Disconnect the horn wire. Remove the turn signals on the steering wheel by pulling them and disconnecting the wiring.

3

Slide off the steering column cover. Use the screwdriver to unscrew the ignition mounting screws. Disconnect the wiring connector from the ignition switch and pull the switch out.

4

Place the key in the ignition and turn it to the locked position. Use the screwdriver to remove the retaining pin and turn the key back to free the ignition. Remove the key cylinder.

5

Insert the new ignition switch in the cylinder. Make sure the contacts line up correctly. Reattach the ignition and replace the steering wheel and switches. Turn on the engine to ensure it is working correctly.