Repair 7

Pushrods are the longest and most visible pieces in a chain of mechanical components that connect a cam shaft inside a Harley-Davidson Evolution engine, with the rockers that open and close the exhaust and intake valves in a Harley cylinder head. The "lift" of these valves determines how much air and exhaust enters and leaves the cylinders. Within this chain of components, pushrods or rockers may be adjusted. It is easier to adjust pushrods than it is to pull apart the top of the engine. Harleys are shipped with non-adjustable pushrods, but the motor company does sell a set of quick install adjustable pushrods that bolt in as follows.

Instructions

1

Shift the motorcycle into top gear. Raise the bike on a motorcycle jack until the rear wheel is completely off the ground.

2

Cut the stock pushrods in half with a bolt cutter and pull them off the engine.

3

Remove both spark plugs with a spark plug socket and a socket wrench. Shine a flashlight into the front spark plug well and look into it.

4

Slowly turn the rear wheel by hand until the front piston is at the top of its stroke.

5

Replace the O-rings, the lower pushrod covers and the spring cover keeper with new components supplied in the kit by hand using a flathead screwdriver when needed.

6

Loosen the locknut on all of the pushrods with an open end wrench and adjust them to their shortest length.

7

Install the pushrods with pushrod covers by hand, ensuring that the adjuster end of the pushrod is down and the ball end of the adjuster is in the tappet socket. Adjust the pushrods for your motorcycle according to the instructions in the kit.

8

Lower and remove the motorcycle jack. Replace the sparkplugs with a sparkplug socket and socket wrench.

Makita produces a variety of hand and power tools for commercial and personal use that make completing projects easier and quicker. The Makita impact gun is a cordless impact drill that produces significantly more power than a standard cordless drill designed to drill hard surfaces and remove stubborn fasteners.

Safety

Makita impact guns are powerful tools. Use them with caution. Wear protective gear when using any drill, to prevent debris from harming your eyes. Gloves can protect your hands if they slip off the drill, striking a sharp object, or in case something falls onto your hands. Keep the Makita cordless impact drill away from liquid substances, including water, as they could cause an electrical shock and damage the product.

Size

Makita produces its impact drills in varying sizes according to the battery strength. The amount of battery strength directly affects the power output of the drill. Smaller models work well for most household uses, and large models stand up to commercial use. Using an underpowered drill can result in damage to the drill if the motor overheats. Only use the battery charger designed for the size battery of your drill, and remove fully charged batteries promptly from the charger to prevent damage.

Drilling

When using your Makita impact drill to penetrate into hard surfaces, maintain a firm grip with both hands. Apply pressure straight into the bit, but do not bind the bit. If you do bind it, you can be injured from the bit breaking apart. Choose the drills setting according to the surface you are drilling into. Use a lubricant if the drill bit repeatedly overheats. Harder surfaces require faster rpm modes. Start with the soft hammer mode when utilizing your impact drill to install screws or lag bolts into a material, adjusting the power level as needed.

Removing Items

Makita impact drills feature power to remove stubborn nuts, bolts, screw and fasteners caused by over-tightening or corrosion. Spray any rusted or corroded metal fasteners and nuts with a lubricant or penetrating agent to aid in the removal. Keep the impact drill on a low power level initially so you dont break the bolt or fastener. Increase the power as necessary. Hold the drill firmly when removing stuck items, and never apply leverage to the drill when trying to break loose an item. Leverage can damage the drill.

Hydraulic cylinders are found in automobiles, boats and other large equipment. Hydraulic oil or another pressurized fluid powers the cylinder and forces a piston located inside a barrel to move back and forth. The inner diameter of the barrel, where the piston moves, is known as the bore, and is a critical measure for the operation of the hydraulic cylinder. The lifting force of a cylinder is based on the size of the bore diameter multiplied by the hydraulic pressure. Measure the bore of a hydraulic cylinder to help calculate generated force.

Instructions

1

Disassemble the cylinder so that the bore is accessible. The exact procedure depends on the type of hydraulic cylinder. Clean any fluid from inside.

2

Twist the ratchet on the end of the telescopic bore gauge until the anvil and head are slightly larger than the opening in the bore.

3

Place the opened anvil and head against the bores opening at a gentle angle. Slowly straighten the bore gauge until the base of the instrument stands vertical and the head and anvil touch opposite sides of the bore wall. Rock the gauge gently in the bore to lock the anvil in place.

4

Remove the telescopic bore gauge from the bore. Measure the distance between the head and anvil with a micrometer or caliper to determine the diameter of the bore.

Oldsmobile is a brand of car manufactured by General Motors. The Oldsmobile models that were in production in 1989 include the 88, 98, Cutlass Supreme and Toronado. All of these vehicles use a harmonic balancer, or crankshaft balancer, to keep the crankshaft stable as it rotates. The crankshaft balancer is a weighted disc mounted on the end of the crankshaft. The procedure for replacing the harmonic balancer in a 1989 Oldsmobile is generally the same for all models, except for the components you need to remove to access the crankshaft.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench to avoid starting the engine during the crankshaft balancer installation. Turn the drive belt tensioner counterclockwise to relieve the tension on the drive belt. Detach the drive belt from the crankshaft pulley.

2

Remove any additional components needed to access the crankshaft. This can include the shroud for the cooling fan, the cooling fan and the radiator, depending on the specific Oldsmobile model.

3

Disconnect the attaching bolt for the crankshaft damper with a socket wrench. Attach a puller to the crankshaft damper, and pull the damper from the crankshaft. Release the puller from the damper.

4

Mount the new crankshaft damper to the crankshaft, and fasten the mounting bolt for the damper with a socket wrench.

5

Install the components you removed in step two to access the crankshaft. Mount the drive belt to the crankshaft pulley, and turn the belt tensioner clockwise to apply tension to the drive belt. Connect the cable to the negative battery terminal with a socket wrench.

There are two oxygen or O2 sensors in the exhaust system on the 1995 Chevy Astro van. The process of changing the O2 sensors is the same whether it is the upstream or downstream sensors that you need to change, except that the location is different. These O2 sensors are critical to the proper operation of the fuel system and performance of the engine in your van. If you have a bad sensor, change it right away to correct drivability issues, hard stats and poor fuel mileage.

Instructions

1

Raise the front of your Chevy Astro with a jack and support it under the frame rails with a set of jack stands. Remove the jack once the van is securely on the stands.

2

Locate the O2 sensors from under the van. The upstream sensor threads into the exhaust pipe coming down from the engine manifold. It is on the inside edge of the pipe, closest to the engine block. The downstream O2 sensor is in the exhaust system just forward of the catalytic converter.

3

Determine which sensor you need to change, and position yourself below it. Locate the wiring harness coming out of the back of the top of the sensor and follow it up to the connector where the sensors harness and the vans wiring harness join. Disconnect the two halves of the connector by releasing the locking tab and pulling them apart.

4

Remove the O2 sensor from the exhaust pipe using an O2 sensor socket and ratchet to turn the sensor counterclockwise until it is free from the threads. Discard the old sensor and install the new one into the threaded hole on the exhaust pipe using your hands to get it starter. This will help prevent cross threading.

5

Tighten the O2 sensor with your O2 sensor socket and ratchet. Run the wiring harness connector from the new sensor up to the connector on the vans wiring harness. Push the two halves of the connectors together until the locking tab engages. If you are replacing both sensors, move to the other sensor and repeat the process.

6

Raise the front of your Astro off the jack stands with a jack. Remove the stands from under the van then lower the jack, setting the van back on the ground. Test run the engine to verify the sensors are functioning properly.

You can reset the airbag or SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) computer on your 1996 Dodge Caravan right from your home garage, saving yourself time and money. The On-Board Diagnostics computer stores trouble codes from sensors positioned throughout the vehicle. The Caravan alerts you to an airbag malfunction by illuminating the SRS light on the instrument panel. If you see this light, stop the vehicle and have it towed to your mechanic.



Once the airbag has been examined and replaced, you can reset the computer using a diagnostic reset tool. This is a small hand-held device sold at all auto parts retailers.

Instructions

1

Locate the fuse panel cover under the steering column. Open the cover by turning the knob and pulling down.

2

Find the open port in the fuse panel that is the same size and shape as the diagnostic reset tool connector end. Plug this tool into the port.

3

Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "II" position but dont start the engine. Wait for the light to stop blinking on the reset tool. Once it has stopped flashing, the airbag computer will be reset.

Optima is a manufacturer of sealed, lead acid batteries used in motor vehicles. The batteries manufactured by Optima are created using the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hazard communication standard.

Safety

When used in the correct manner, as described by Optima, the batteries produced by the company are safe for use. When handling or performing maintenance on a battery, Optima recommends the use of protective clothing including eye protectors, face and hand protection.

Lead

Under extreme heat, such as fire, the protective case surrounding Optima batteries can break and leak toxic chemicals including lead. Exposure to lead can be a health hazard resulting in loss of appetite, diarrhea and constipation with stomach cramps.

General

Optima publishes general safety guidance for its products, including installing and performing repairs on a battery in a ventilated area to avoid exposure to fumes. Motor vehicle batteries manufactured by Optima contain sulfuric acid that can cause breathing problems and severe burns.