trustywrench.com

I now invite you to browse my new car and truck repair tips and tricks website. The goal of this site is to help the weekend mechanic by providing information that will take some of the mystery out of car repair. In the process I hope to hear from other mechanics, who I hope will share their some of their knowledge. Over the years, some of the most helpful repair information I have gotten has come from talking with other mechanics during the breaks between formal training sessions. Likewise, when mechanics move to new jobs there is an exchange of ideas and techniques that helps everyone. Maybe this website can act in that way.

Of course, car repair tips and tricks really is a small part of what it takes to diagnose and repair a vehicle. Mostly, such work is equal parts of intellectual and strenuous physical effort. Why would you want to take on a difficult repair job? The list of reasons probably includes; saving money,  learning about your car and the reward of successfully tackling a problem in a complicated system. Most mechanics get into the business because they just plain like working on machines. A big problem for non-professional mechanics is that they lack the support system that a shop provides. Things like special tools, shop manuals, an engineering hotline and other mechanics to bounce ideas off of.

Another plus for professional mechanics is that they have learned the basic principles that make systems behave the way they do. Problems in systems like air conditioning, brakes and alignment will always be a mystery without a clear understanding of the underlying properties of physics, forces, geometry and materials that automotive engineering is based on. However, once one grasps these issues, correct solutions become obvious. A little studying will make you confident. So, where possible, I will include a discussion of the basics of the system in question. 

In the coming months I will present a series of articles on common vehicle repairs and include photos and graphics to help you get your car back on the road.  And I will sprinkle in some of my own philosophy,  learned along the way, to round out the conversation.

I have been earning a living fixing cars, trucks, forklifts, tractors, and heavy equipment for more than thirty-five years, but no matter how much experience one has, no one knows everything. Use the information you find here, but please, visit the many other good sources and check out their ideas and techniques. Maybe Hillary was right, it takes a village to fix a car.

AND HEY! LET’S BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!