Repair 7

The 1964 Ford Thunderbird was fitted only with the 390 cubic-inch engine. The 390 was a big-block engine and featured exhaust manifolds that tilted downward at a sharp angle, making removal difficult. To make matters worse, the Thunderbirds engine compartment was relatively small. Whereas the exhaust manifolds on most cars of the time could be removed from the top of the engine compartment, the Thunderbirds limited access requires that some bolts be removed from above the car and the others from underneath it.

Instructions

1

Raise the hood and remove the bolt at the center of the manifold, the three bolts at the front of the manifold and the bolt at the top of the back end of the manifold with a wrench.

2

Raise the front of the car with a jack to increase the work space underneath the car, then lower the Thunderbird onto safety stands.

3

Remove the two bolts that secure the exhaust pipe to the back of the manifold with a wrench, then pull the pipe away from the manifold.

4

Remove the two remaining exhaust manifold bolts from underneath the car with a wrench.

5

Pull the manifold off of the cylinder head from above the engine compartment.

6

Guide the manifold out of the engine compartment from underneath the vehicle.

You can remove the heater core from your 1992 Dodge Caravan yourself using tools and supplies that can be purchased from any auto parts store. The heater core is like the radiator, only smaller. Unlike the radiator, which cools the engine, the heater core warms the passenger compartment. It can be found under the dashboard. You will save yourself a lot of money on repair bills if you can do this job yourself.

Instructions

1

Drive the Caravan onto a car ramp. Shut off the engine and allow it to cool. Place a drain pan under the radiator in the front of the vehicle. Loosen the radiator cap by turning it counterclockwise. Open the radiator drain plug by turning it counterclockwise with a wrench. Let the radiators coolant drain into the pan.

2

Get under the vehicle and find the two hoses connected to the firewall. The firewall separates the engine from the driver. Using pliers, loosen the spring clamps and slip them down the hoses to remove the hoses, which connect the heater core to the engine. Watch your face and body because some coolant may leak out as you do this.

3

Plug up the holes with rags.

4

Spread blankets over the entire front interior of the vehicle to protect it from coolant leakage.

5

Use a screwdriver to remove the passenger side kick panel, radio trim panel, foot well and access panel.

6

Remove the dashboard by pulling back on it away from the windshield.

7

Remove the screws from the heater core cover using a screwdriver. This cover can be found behind the glove compartment.

8

Remove the strap holding the heater core in place using a screwdriver. Pull out the heater core, taking care not to spill any coolant.

You can remove the exhaust system from your Jeep Grand Cherokee yourself. The exhaust system is a pipe that allows the air from the engine to exit out the rear of the vehicle. The air passes through a catalytic converter to eliminate the harmful byproducts of the engine. It also passes through the muffler, which eliminates engine noise. The exhaust may need to be removed for a variety of reasons, and you can complete the process in about an hour.

Instructions

1

Locate the exhaust under the vehicle along the passengers side.

2

Loosen and remove the bolts on the exhaust flange directly behind the muffler with a ratchet and socket. The muffler is the round section that is mounted in-line with the exhaust pipe.

3

Unscrew the bolts on the flange at the muffler and the down-pipe with the ratchet and socket.

4

Remove the bolts that secure the down-pipe to the headers with the ratchet and socket. The headers branch apart to attach to each cylinder on the engine block.

5

Lubricate the stock rubber isolators with lubricating fluid.

6

Remove the exhaust system by pulling the metal bars from the stock rubber isolators. Continue until the tailpipe, muffler, catalytic converter and down-pipe have been removed.

Removing the dashboard on your Jeep Cherokee is a simple, but finicky task. The Jeep Cherokee dashboard includes the lower instrument panel, instrument cluster bezel, radio and heater control panel, and defroster cowl panel.

Remove the Lower Instrument Panel

Remove the lower instrument panel first by removing its four retaining screws. Lower the panel and disconnect all the wire connectors attached to it. Make a note of where each wire connector attaches.

Remove the Instrument Cluster Bezel

Remove the four screws that hold the instrument cluster bezel in place. Unsnap the cluster bezel at the eight snap fit locations. Be gentle on older models of Cherokees to prevent breaking the snaps as they keep the bezel firmly in place and stops it from making annoying rattling noises.

Remove the Radio and Heater Control Panel

Unscrew the two screws holding this panel in place. Pull the radio control panel out and disconnect the electrical connectors to the radio. Pull out the heater control unit.

Remove the Defroster Cowl Panel

Loosen and remove the four screws holding the defroster cowl panel in place. The cowl panel has retaining clips on the drivers side, which must also be removed. Take care not to let the clips fall off the panel when you remove it.

The Jeep Commander is an all terrain vehicle, widely used in off-road conditions. In such extreme conditions, damage to the side mirrors is a possibility. The side mirrors assembly on a Jeep Commander is secured inside the front door trim panels of the side doors. To remove the mirrors, you must also remove the side doors; without doing so, you cannot disconnect the mirrors assembly.

Instructions

1

Open the side door of the Jeep Commander. Remove the front door trim panel from one of the side doors by removing the three screws that secure it to the Jeep, using a screwdriver. With a firm grip, pull the trim panel from its place in an upward and outward direction. You will hear the seven plastic retention clips release as you remove the panel.

2

Remove the mirror flag clip, belt seal, knob and latch lock link located on the rear of the panel from the front door trim panel by pulling the connections apart. Take note of which connection you pull apart, it will be helpful during reassembly.

3

Disconnect the wire harness connectors and the interior door handle actuator rod from the front door trim panel by again pulling the connections apart.

4

Release the three nuts that attach the mirror to the door with a socket and ratchet. Hold on to the mirror as you do this to prevent damage either to the mirror or the paint and/or bodywork of your Jeeps side door.

5

Disconnect the battery negative cable by pulling the connectors apart; this cable powers the motor for the power mirror assembly.

6

Pull mirror apart from door carefully.

7

Repeat on the other side door for the second mirror.

The 1998 Pontiac Grand Am has two parts to the ignition: the lock key and tumbler, and the electrical switch. The ignition switch is located on the steering column under the dash. The rod from the lock and key runs to the ignition switch to activate it. When you turn the key, this in turn will activate the ignition switch to make your vehicle start. All of your accessories run off your ignition switch.

Instructions

1

Raise the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent a short.

2

Detach the screws in the steering column cover and remove both pieces. You will need a Phillips screwdriver for the screw. You may need a flat screwdriver to separate the pieces of the cover.

3

Find the ignition switch on the steering column. The switch is attached by a screw or a bolt. Unscrew the bolt or screw and remove the ignition switch .

4

Unsnap the wiring from the switch and remove the wiring harness.

5

Replace the wiring in the back of the ignition switch. Replace the switch to the steering column and attach the screw or bolt. You will need a screwdriver or a wrench.

6

Replace the two parts of the steering column and replace the screws.

7

Rotate the key to crank the engine to start the vehicle. The new ignition switch will allow the vehicle to start up.

Manual vehicle transmissions house a variety of different mechanical components, including the flywheel, for gear control. Saab vehicles use a basic solid flywheel as part of its clutch assemblies. Flywheel removal requires opening the transmission body.

Identification

A flywheel is a circular gear that attaches to the engines crankshaft. The flywheel provides the attachment between the transmission and engine. This attachment allows both assemblies to spin in unison when the clutch is disengaged.

Removal

Saabs clutch assembly design requires a factory-specific compression tool for accessing the flywheel. Attach the compression tool to the clutchs pressure plate, while an assistant presses the clutch pedal down inside the vehicle. After securing the pressure plate with the compression tool, remove the plate and then unbolt the flywheel behind it.

Considerations

The Saabs flywheel has one dowel pin attached to its assembly. Turn the flywheel so the dowel pin points to the 11 oclock position for easier removal from the clutch assembly.

The 2000 Toyota RAV4 is fitted with two oxygen sensors mounted on either side of the catalytic converter. If your RAV4 has dual exhaust, there will be four sensors, two on each pipe. When your RAV4s "Check Engine" light illuminates and your gas mileage appears to have decreased substantially, you likely have a bad oxygen sensor. Remove and replace the sensors as soon as you discover they have failed.

Instructions

1

Raise the RAV4 with a jack and place it on jack stands. Locate the oxygen sensors in front of and behind the catalytic converter. The sensors look something like spark plugs threaded into the exhaust pipe and have electrical connectors attached to the top.

2

Pull the wiring harness connection apart to disconnect it. Remove the sensor with a ratchet fitted with an oxygen sensor socket. Youll want to install a new sensor rather than try to fix the bad one.

3

Coat the threads of a new oxygen sensor with anti-seize compound. Do not get anti-seize compound on the sensor head. Insert the new sensor by hand. Tighten the sensor with the ratchet and oxygen sensor socket.

4

Push the connector together on the wiring harness until it clicks. Remove the jack stands and lower the car to the ground.