Brake problem with 1992 Chevy Lumina Car

the rear brakes on our lumina are shot we just bought the car and discovered the pads are missing and the rotors are severely rusted and pitted i do not even know if the calipers work.can the rotors be turned or is it just as well to buy new.any advice would be helpful thanks.



Response:

1) The rotors can be turned if there is enough metal left on them to be safely used. There is a minimum thickness which varies depending on the manufacturer. If you bring it to a shop, most will replace the rotors, just for the extra bux.



2) I would compare the price to buying them new. The cost of new rotors vs turning them on our van was only a $5 difference so we bought new.



3) Remember that with ABS Brakes to block the line and crack the bleeder screws before you compress and that they turn while compressing. You can rent the tool from most auto parts stores inexpesively. Myself, I'd replace the calipers just because my son has a 93 Lumina and know that they freeze up due to mounting hardware issues. The Hardware kit is cheap and easy to install to ensure safety. We replaced the rotors for $30 each(Borg), calipers were $40 each(Wagner), pads were $25 for the Lifetime Pads(Wagner).



4) I wouldn't open the bleeder screws... I'd take the cap off the master cylinder and push the cylinders back with a clamp(front) or rears turn them back with a special tool its a cube with a bunch of different prong arrangements and you turn it with a 3/8 ratchet... About 11 at most parts stores.... That way when your done its not necessary to bleed the brakes



5) You GO RIGHT AHEAD. The 1st time you have to buy a NEW Accumulator you'll have learned 1 expensive lesson about ABS Systems. And THAT Folks is WHY We block the lines and bleed off thru the bleeder screw.

Lamborghini

Lamborghini, originally uploaded by Tai Gray.

Subaru Impreza GC8 HDR

Chonburi Circuit, Subaru Impreza GC8 HDR, originally uploaded by digitalysed.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, originally uploaded by Willem Rodenburg.

Home of the Free Alignment just a myth?

If you live in the US and ever listen to the radio you can't help but hear one of the great commercial going on and on about a free alignment with the purchase of new tires. So we want to clear the air about this free alignment business.



1) they do provide an alignment if you purchase 4 New Tires (PAY the operative word) the price is built in dummy!!



2) Did you wreck your car or have front end work done recently that requires an alignment? Probably not, so you do not need an alignment. Now you are paying more for your tire than you need to so you can get an alignment you don't need. Smart on the advertisers part. Most people do not know that they do not need an alignment.



3) Well my car is pulling? Again, if you didn"t wreck it... you just need tires replaced and no need for over priced tires to get an alignment.



How much do they charge for an alignment without purchasing tires? $69.95. So divide that by 4 and that's about $17.50 per tire. Could you buy tires for $17.50 a tire less. YES, so I am going to have to say that you are not getting a FREE Alignment. Don't let shifty advertising convince you otherwise. Stay alert when dealing with Big Brand Tire Stores.

Hyundai to recall Sonata sedans in U.S.

SEOUL (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor, South Korea's top automaker, will recall some 139,500 Sonata sedans sold in the United States, due to problems with the steering wheel that could cause a loss or reduction of control.



The automaker announced the recall after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a probe into steering problems in August, a move analysts said was aimed at heading off criticism that it was slow to respond.



"Hyundai's pre-emptive action is fast enough to avoid any criticism in handling safety issues," said Kim Byung-kuk, an analyst at Daishin Securities.



No accidents or injuries occurred as a result of improper assembly or loose steering connections, Hyundai said in an email statement on Sunday.



The vehicles were built from December 11 through September 10.



Hyundai sold 128,484 Sonata sedans in the period from January to August, 35 percent of its U.S. car segment sales during the period.



The firm's latest recall comes as the auto maker seeks to increase production of the Sonata, its best-selling model in America, at its plant in Alabama.



Lee Sang-hyun, an analyst at Hana Daetoo Securities in Seoul, said the recall is unlikely to hit Hyundai's sales.



"However, since potential defects related to assembling are not a significant problem with its quality, it will barely impact Hyundai's sales," Lee said.



In February, Sonata, underwent the first recall this year that affected 47,000 units in South Korea and U.S. due to front door lock faults.



Hyundai has been one of the stronger performers in the U.S. auto sector in recent years, gaining market share and logging an 8.3 percent sales increase in 2009, while the industry fell 21 percent overall to the lowest levels since the early 1980s.



Hyundai's affiliate Kia Motors said in early September its co-chief executive resigned to take responsibility for nearly 86,000 recalls of some of its models, including the Soul compact sedan.

Porsche FAB Design Panamera

Porsche FAB Design Panamera, originally uploaded by Niels de Jong.

Opel will build rival to Ford's Ka in Germany

Opel/Vauxhall will build a new small car below its Corsa subcompact in Germany and may add an electric version, the automaker announced today.

Currently, Opel has no entry in Europe's fast-growing minicar segment to compete with cars such as the Ford Ka or Volkswagen's forthcoming Up.

Opel CEO Nick Reilly said the new minicar “will be an important element in our growth strategy.”

The company will invest 90 million euros (about $120 million) to build the model, code-named Junior, in its factory in Eisenach, eastern Germany, on an existing production line starting in 2013. The plant builds the three-door Corsa variant.

With the minicar, Opel is delivering on its promise to expand its product portfolio and enter new segments, Reilly said in a press statement.

He said the new model will be a stylish and fuel-efficient car with "innovative technology and an exciting design."

An Opel press release said: "The future car is geared toward customers who need a small-sized fuel-efficient car in urban areas, for example, but who do not want to compromise on technology, design or convenience."

It added: "At a later stage, this car might also provide the opportunity of a battery-electric version for zero-emission driving in city areas."

Opel said the investment will secure the 1,600 jobs at Eisenach.

Opel's factory in Zaragoza, Spain, which also builds the Corsa, will receive additional Corsa production volume as the new minicar comes on stream.

General Motors Co. has pledged to invest 11 billion euros until 2014 in its Opel subsidiary to boost sales. A small SUV and a coupe version of the Astra five-door hatchback are planned.

Chevy clash fears

Opel has remained outside the minicar segment to avoid clashing with its GM sister brand Chevrolet, which sells Korean-built entry-level cars in Europe.

But Reilly convinced GM bosses in Detroit that Opel needs a minicar because there has been a structural change in customers' habits with more people downsizing to smaller cars.

In 2004, Opel unveiled the Trixx minicar concept at the Geneva auto show but the 3+1 seater never went into production because GM decided at the time that the Chevrolet Spark/Matiz would be its only entry in the segment in Europe.

Opel's announcement about the minicar is the third major investment commitment from the automaker this month.

On Sept. 15, the company said it will significantly strengthen its Kaiserslautern, Germany, plant as a component manufacturing center and expand local engine production. Six days later, the company said it will invest 500 million euros in its engine plant in Szentgotthard, Hungary, to build a new facility for the production of three new Euro 6-compliant engine families.

Nissan race 4x4

Terepralli, originally uploaded by Locsmandisz.

Chrysler Turbine

Chrysler Turbine, originally uploaded by Berliner Fotomanufaktur com.

Styling Program for Lexus LS460 by WALD

Japanese tuners Wald are now taking orders for their new kit for the 2010 Lexus LS460 facelift. The car with the styling mods debuted in January at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2010.

Engineers designed a sportier package for the facelifted model than their previous kit. It includes a blacked-out grille ringed in chrome, an aggressive front bumper, and new sidesills. A new diffuser surrounds the dual tailpipes, like the previous Wald kit, but this package has a more squared-off bumper.

The company does not plan to stop here. An e-mail sent to us from the tuner says they are working on a package capable of fitting the LS Hybrid.

Delivery of the Wald Lexus LS460 package will begin in mid-March. The package is also available through select Lexus Japan dealers.

How do you tell if the belt tensioner assembly is bad?

How do you tell if the belt tensioner assembly is bad?

How do you replace it? I am still having some clattering from the tensioner pully after changing the harmonic balancer.

I am stumped again, I installed the dampner, pushed it on good and tightened the center bolt. The pulley appeared to be inline with the others, so reinstalled the belt. Started the engine and ran for 10 min. idling, then went down the road for a mile or two and back. After I got back home, I heard clanking, the belt tensioner pulley was jumping some? I took the pulley off, the bearing seemed pretty good, just a little rough, was able to inject grease into the bearings. I finally replaced the pulley with a new one, then the problem is still there???????

The tensioner pulley jumps erratically with the clanking. I don't know if it is the tensioner assembly or some other pulley grapping the belt at times?

So far the belt is not being damaged yet. The belt tensioner assembly has good tension and strong, with no slack/slop in it but it is jumping on/off as the belt is rotating.

Do you think maybe the pulleys are still out of alignment some kind of way? Is it possible that the dampner could push in too far or does the shaft key stop it properly?

Please send me some help, I don't what to replace a $125 belt tensioner assembly and the problem continues.



RESPONSE:



With the serpentine belt off, the tensioner pulley arm has zero sideways movement when pulling on it. It also has a substantial tension and recoil with the belt off. I just notice that the tensioner groans when raising it and on releasing it when installing the belt, it goes to a point and stops, then you can push it downward by hand maybe another 1/16" at times.

I am eyeing the pulley alignment and had someone with mechanical experience involving pulley drives on heavy equipment, take a look,listen. He thought everything looked normal and was rotating well now, after cycling the a/c compressor clutch off/on, trying to get some tensioner pulley chatter.

So I don't know if I can have full faith in it right now. I will put some miles on the car tomorrow around town and see if it reappears and eats another belt.

I cleaned all the drive pulleys to make sure there wasn't some of the old torn up belt debris/crud in the grooves, either making it prone to jump or grab while rotating, (a long shot effort) ???

After running for 10-15 mins. warming up, so far all is ok, I revved the engine to about 2000 rpm, up/down and no noise at all, no squealing or chattering.

New Chinese policy may force foreign automakers to share intellectual property

Foreign automakers may have to share innovative electric-vehicle technology with Chinese companies in exchange for access to the nation's growing light-vehicle market, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing executives at a group of international automakers familiar with the government's plans.

China's Ministry of Industry is drafting a 10-year plan aimed at making the nation a leader in hybrid and electric-car technology.

The ministry's proposal could require foreign automakers to enter into joint ventures in which Chinese companies hold majority stakes, the newspaper said.

Major foreign automakers fear China will use the initiative to gain control of their intellectual property. China is now the world's largest vehicle market and a major source of sales and profits for many foreign automakers. Under China industrial policy, foreign automakers typically have to establish joint ventures with Chinese automakers to gain access to the market.

At the same time, the country has yet to produce a domestic automaker that can compete globally on the same scale as Toyota Motor Corp., Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co.

Chinese government officials see the electric and hybrid initiative as an opportunity to create such an automaker, The Journal said.

Raising a hurdle

A draft of the Ministry of Industry's electric-vehicle plan includes an investment of up to 100 billion yuan, or $15 billion, in charging stations and other infrastructure.

It also would create three to five globally competitive Chinese car companies with a capacity to build 3 million hybrid cars by 2020, according to The Journal. China hopes the initiative also will produce two to three global makers of core parts, such as advanced batteries and electric motors.

One foreign auto executive quoted by The Journal said the Ministry of Industry's draft "unnecessarily raises the hurdle for our plans for producing an electric car in China." Because China is likely to be a major market for electric cars and plug-in hybrids by 2020, foreign automakers will need to build such vehicles in China, the unidentified executive told the paper.

“The new pending policy would make the process unnecessarily more cumbersome and complicated," he said.

For automakers and other industries, China's importance has grown in the wake of the global financial crisis. But at the same time, Chinese leaders have sought to trade market access for technology to transform the country's industrial base.

In July, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned that China's policies are "forcing foreign technology companies to anguish over balancing today's profits with tomorrow's survival."

The Beijing government, according to The Journal, says concerns about the country's investment environment are unfounded.

"China is committed to creating an open and fair environment for foreign-invested enterprises," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told global business leaders at a meeting of the World Economic Forum in China this week. "Foreign-invested enterprises in China on the whole enjoy a good environment and have reaped good returns."

94 Olds Delta 88, 3.8L V-6 serpentine belt replacement

My 94 Olds Delta 88, 3.8L V-6 is on a belt chewing tantrum. The old serpentine drive belt was several years old with cracks across the belt ribs. Well, it separated apart, splitting completely along the ribs last week. I replaced the belt with a new belt from O'reilly auto parts, "Master Pro" brand. I installed the new serpentine belt, making sure that the pulleys were clean of any old belt debris and according to OEM belt routing diagram. I have taken the same belt off/on this engine many times in the past so I am very familiar with the belt routing.

Now after several days of using the car for 25-50 miles. I heard clunking sounds and after raising the hood, the new belt has chewed the inner side up and nipped off a 12" long thin piece, like one rib wide.

Since the belt is shaved, it is now riding out of line from one pulley to another.

What is the cause of this belt chewing? I checked/double checked to make sure the new belt was routed and seated in the pulleys correctly.

All pulleys appeared to me ok, rotating well with no (in/out)end play.

The only other thing that I noticed was it put some holes in the under hood insulation padding and the top covering, cloth, I think was hanging down where IT POSSIBLY could have been caught in the serpentine belt, would that throw the belt off line and caused the belt damage/shave?

One other thing I will note is the engine harmonic balancer has a slight wobble but it has had that for quite a long time.

Please give me some advice on correcting this belt monster. I wouldn't want to buy a $40 better belt only to have it eaten too.



Response:

Check your Belt Tensioner out. It sounds as if it is worn out and out of line. These are available at most parts stores for around $50 and have 2 plastic inserts for the water jacket and Heater Hoses. Also most people don't look at them just the pulley. If you can see any of the internal spring, it's worn out.

2005 Ford Mustang GT

2005 Ford Mustang GT, originally uploaded by stecki3d.

SzeptEmber Feszt 2010

SzeptEmber Feszt 2010, originally uploaded by GreenHooligan.

Transmission has no operation, PCS ?

how do i know if my pcs went out? i was driving down the road all of the sudden it was like i was in neutral no forward or reverse.changed fluid and filter,still nothing. there was no noise or any thing when it happened just kind of like it went into neutral no slip or anything



Response:

Your vehicle would have the check engine light on and have a P0700 code referring to a transmission issue. Using a capable scan tool, there will be at least one transmission code that would indicate a failure, possibly the pcs.



More Comments: PCS Testing Procedure Video

GM's OnStar said to consider free services, targeting Ford

DETROIT (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co.'s OnStar in-car communications unit may offer some free services next year to rival Ford Motor Co.'s Sync music and information system, two people familiar with the plans said.



OnStar, a subscription service that provides accident alerts, directions and vehicle diagnostics, is scheduled to introduce an upgraded system this month that links vehicles to the social media site Facebook and translates voice messages to text, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the details aren't public.



In-car technology features attract tech-savvy consumers and allow carmakers to charge more for smaller, cheaper models, said Brandy Schaffels, an analyst at TrueCar.com. GM, the largest U.S. automaker, is adding features to keep pace with systems including Ford's Sync.



“When Ford came out with Sync, they met OnStar's services and upped the ante,” Schaffels, content manager at the California-based researcher, said in an interview. “Technological features are where GM and Ford are going to found their reputation with the next generation.”



OnStar may begin offering entertainment and information services that link to a user's smartphone without a subscription or fee, said one of the people. OnStar is now offered free in many models for the first year and then for $199 to $299 a year, depending on the features.



Jocelyn Allen, a spokeswoman for OnStar, declined to comment.



Voice-to-text



The voice-to-text system will be studied with a test audience while the company decides whether to offer it to all customers, the person said. The new version of OnStar will have enhanced services for emergency response, which alerts an OnStar operator when there is a vehicle crash, the person said.



OnStar will unveil a new advertising theme with the tagline “Live On,” while individual services will have their own themes, such as “Always On” to promote accident alerts, the people said.



The unit also is studying ways to use OnStar outside of the car, where immediate contact with an operator or access to other services such as safety or security might be useful, said the people, who declined to give specifics.



OnStar, available on more than 40 vehicles from GM's 2011 model year, has about 5.7 million subscribers, according to a GM regulatory filing. OnStar and Google Inc. said in June they would partner to offer eNav, a turn-by-turn navigation feature that allows drivers to send Google Maps destinations to their vehicle.



Ford Sync



Ford has been selling Sync, based on Microsoft Corp.'s in- car, voice-activated technology, since the 2008 model year, Alan Hall, a Ford spokesman, said in a telephone interview. The company added features such as touch-command controls and voice-activated climate control this year.



The technology, available as a $395 option on some models, helps make cars more profitable and is included standard on higher-end vehicles.



Ford said in January it plans to bring social networking, Web browsing and thumb controls similar to those on Apple Inc.'s iPod into 80 percent of its models by 2015.

Smoking Tires

Smoking Tires, originally uploaded by Kelly Bakker.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin, originally uploaded by Berliner Fotomanufaktur com.

Vibration after Replacement of new rotors

I recently purchased 2 new rotors for my suzuki grand vitara and had my tech install the new rotors, when I drove off… I had a shake in the steering wheel when applying the brakes and it felt like the brakes was slipping when pressing on the brakes. I took off the wheel to check for oil or dirt on the rotors and didnt see any oil/dirt on the rotors. I then took it back the tech and he install the old rotors back and didnt have the problem anymore. My tech informed me that the rotors wasnt a good set and where not balance and I needed to take them back to the store and get a replacement. Was this information correct that I was told?



Response:

This is accurate information. The new rotors you had put on were no good right out of the box, it happens form time to time.



The store should Brake Article

the rear brakes on this stratus and the right rear caliper will not release

I replace the rear brakes on this stratus and the right rear caliper will not release. There seems to be nothing wrong with the caliper itself. The pressure does not back off when you take your foot off the brake. I think it has anti-lock braking system. Any Ideas.



Response:

Is it only one side that will not release? How do you know that. Did you try squeezing the caliper back away from the pads?

1) Sounds like the rubber part of the line has collapsed,that line has a inner line that gets weak and when you press on the brake pedal it lets the fluid flow out to the caliper but when you let off and the fluid tries to return back the line collapses keeping pressure on caliper not letting it release...

2)And to prove this, get a c-clamp and push the piston back into the caliper. Remove the clamp and the piston should stay in the caliper. Start the car, push on the brake petal, turn the car off, and check to see if the piston stays in the out position. If so, replace the rubber hose. You will need to bleed the air out of the lines when that is done. Get some penetrating oil. I like Kroil, others on this list like PB Blaster. Spray the bleeders until you can loosen them. You will also need a friend to help with the bleeding.



3)

Do you know the the stratus has screw in rear calipers and not push in calipers???

Redesigned 2011 Dodge Durango has three rows of seats, new logo

New Dodge Durango

Dodge today released the first pictures of the 2011 Durango SUV.



The Durango will be built at Chrysler's Jefferson North assembly plant on the same platform as the Jeep Grand Cherokee. It will arrive in dealer showrooms in the fourth quarter this year.



The Durango comes with seven seats while the Grand Cherokee comes with five. The Durango will have 22 seating configurations, according to a statement by the company. Like the Grand Cherokee, the Durango will be available with two engine options: a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and an optional 5.7-liter HEMI V-8.



The new Durango will receive an all-new cabin as part of Chrysler's ongoing campaign to upgrade interiors across its entire lineup.



Chrysler stopped making the previous-generation Durango in 2008, when it shut down its Newark, Del., assembly plant. The new vehicle bears no resemblance to its predecessor. The old vehicle was a body-on-frame SUV derived from pickups. The new platform is a unibody-style structure with rear- or all-wheel-drive options.



Dodge is describing it as a “three-row performance vehicle.”



The Durango will be the first vehicle to sport the new Dodge logo, featuring a restyled, chrome-accented version of the crosshair grille that Dodge and Ram shared before Chrysler's new management separated the brands last year. The distinctive Ram's horns are gone, having stayed with Ram, which is now exclusively a truck brand.



The vehicle will make its first public appearance at the Dodge Rock ‘n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon presented by SunTrust in Virginia Beach, Va., over the Labor Day weekend.



Although Dodge no longer sells trucks, it's still the top-selling brand in the Chrysler Group stable. Dodge sold 35,364 vehicles in August, up 8 percent over the same month last year.

Supercopa Seat León. A las carreras con la abuela.

En este 2010 se está celebrando la novena edición de la Supercopa Seat León, una competición en la que todos los coches son de este modelo de la marca Seat. Gracias a que los premios son jugosos, las reglas técnicas y deportivas están bien pensadas y a que el Seat León es un coche que se presta a este tipo de cosas, esta competición monomarca es todo un lujo.

Madrid, Valencia, Portimao, Navarra, Andalucía o Barcelona serán escenario de las carreras. Si os apetece ir “por lo jeta” a disfrutar de las carreras no dejéis de visitar www.emocionsinlimite.com, donde podéis conseguir entradas a parte de tener toda la información sobre la competición.

También podéis disfrutar en Facebook de la Supercopa Seat León, además de informaros y comentar lo que queráis sobre las carreras, los pilotos, o qué haríais vosotros si os dejaran meter vuestro Seat León en el circuito. Pero bueno, por orden, para lo primero, algo más serio y oficial, está http://www.facebook.com/supercopaseatleon. Para lo segundo, para decir sandeces, colgar fotos gansas y hasta charlar con algunos tipos importantes está http://www.facebook.com/aaaesl, que es el FB de la Asociación de Abuelas Amantes de la Emoción Sin Límites.

El vídeo de arriba es el de este año, y es que no hay nada como llevarse a la abuela a las carreras. Eso sí, en plena carrera, a pesar de todo, no se podrá aguantar y dirá aquello de “hijo, que vas muy recio, levanta el pie”; así que mejor dejarla cuidando del coche y haciendo unos pañitos para los asientos, que siempre visten mucho.

El vídeo del año pasado tampoco está nada mal. Aquí os dejo el enlace: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQrVbg9xXLE. No os olvidéis de que por mucho Seat León que tengáis, a correr a los circuitos y con casco.