Looking at the driveshaft, there appears to be a small problem. This car uses a 2-piece driveshaft; a front 'intermediate' shaft, a center carrier/ bearing, and then the rear shaft. The rear shaft is held in with 8 bolts, 4 bolts attaching it to the differential, and 4 bolts attaching it to a...

I picked up a copy of Popular Mechanics on the newsstand today, and in scanning it, I read through the automotive questions letters. On at least three of the questions, I swear that I have seen the identical posts here on rec.autos.tech. The PM resident guru gave his answers to these...

The check engine light keeps coming on in my girlfriends Acclaim. It has oil and coolant. What else could be causing the light to come on? Thanks.

Did this happen all of a sudden or have you had no-starts before? Usually an engine will give an indication of trouble before it decides to not run at all. Ignition parts are always suspect with a no-run condition but it could be just about anything. Without the computer error codes, if there is...

If hybrids are so great, then why aren't they used in Japan or European countries where gas is more expensive? Answer: poor return on investment. 1. They cost more. 2. They depreciate quicker (and will as hybrid technologh improves). 3. A high mileage car (like a Honda Civic or a Toyota...

Many years ago, some high bucks cars (Jaguar, I believe was one of them), developed inboard disc brakes for their IRS rear axles. These brakes, IIRC, were mounted to either side of the banjo housing. This would allow the banjo housing to be hard mounted to the chassis, becoming sprung weight. ...

http://www.carbibles.com/ I found some interesting reading here, including suspension, oil, etc. The site owner seems to give more documentation than many. Hope you find it worthwhile.

I have a Reatta that, seemingly under the best of conditions, draws a fair amount of resting current. Too darn many systems involved I guess. I don't drive it that often, and yesterday after letting it sit for several weeks, I found that the battery was flat. It charged right back up and started...

With all the problems we have discussed recently about cooling systems, I would like to revisit a question that, I believe, was posted some time ago: Basically, why could not a system be developed that used an electromechanical clutch coupled to the water pump? You might not need a thermostat at...

> wrote in message ... > Just went down and saw a flat on my front right tire ('95 Probe GT). > They're original tires as I hardly drive the car. I've read that one > shouldn't insert Gunk to fill the tire unless you need to...

After enjoying my Dodge Custom Van for several years, suddenly the air conditioner packed it in I haven't had time to check it out yet, but maybe those with considerable experience can serve as a sounding board. The compressor comes on for about 2-3 seconds, then cycles off. Constantly. Holding...

I stumbled across the following site, and posted the link as it might be handy to some of you. You can search for certain types of businesses, not just auto related, on nationwide, state or city basis. Just Brakes doesnt fare too well. http://www.ripoffreport.com/

In trying to find some documented data about DRL use, I went to the US government websites. This should avoid, to some extent, the Scandinavian opinion of these systems. You may find some BLOG type posts from both sides of the question. The following link should take you to a report which I would...

In looking over some of the evaluations of late model automobiles, very few were given a smiley face where road noise was concerned. I have ridden in some cars where the rumble from the front suspension, road noise, wind noise were nearly unbearable. Now, maybe in the higher end cars of similar...

Is there anyone here who knows how this module really functions? Passkey detector apparently activates this module which, when in protective mode, disables the starter solenoid function and also disables starting fuel injection process. Many of us would like to remove this deterrent feature...

Popular Mechanics (for years one of the worst ways to spend a few bucks on a magazine) must have some new management. There are actually some articles that are worth reading , rather than the magazine just being a buyers look at new products. Anyway, they did dyno testing in Houston on several of...

Heard this morning that Delphi has declared bankruptcy. Management apparently voted itself a healthy benefits package just before the filing. They hope to emerge in a couple of years. Management being more important than workers, it is not surprising that they protected themselves first. Sounds...

As a matter of fact, since Katrina and Rita, I have been toying with the idea of cobbling an emergency generator together. A good generator head can be had for about $400, maybe cheaper someplace. But what engine? Gasoline engines work well, but tend to get hard to feed and expensive over...

In a recent post, I voiced my discontent with the way GM had handled the plenum failure problem in general, and mentioned it might be time to look at a Toyota. Someone (pardon for not remembering whom) posted that Toyota had also had problems with sludging engines, leading to failure in some...

At least they are not Consumers Guile (or are they?).... http://www.jdpower.com/cc/auto/ratings/vehicles/FindJdAwards.jsp Allows you to pull up max 4 cars and see what others think about them.