Somebody has decided to remove most of my door handle in an attempt to get into my car, or in a fit of rage, or something. Will getting it repaired through my insurance make my rates go up? Should I try and fix it myself?
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posted by tehloki
on Sep 18, 2012 -
34 answers
We're a small auto-repair business. How do we deal with a potentially litigious client?
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 11, 2012 -
23 answers
My '03 Hyundai Accent has serious mechanical issues. I'm working poor. Would it be wiser to see if it's worth it to shell out for repairs or immediately pass her on and do without a car until I can get a replacement (that might not be much better)?
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posted by batmonkey
on Jul 10, 2012 -
12 answers
Before I go back to the auto shop to get them to fix something they didn't get right the first time . . . maybe you can help?
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posted by liketitanic
on Dec 21, 2011 -
4 answers
My mechanic said my car would be done four days ago. It's still not done. How can I, or should I, address this?
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posted by stellaluna
on Nov 7, 2011 -
12 answers
I just had to replace my car's entire powertrain. What could've happened? How do I prevent it from happening AGAIN?
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posted by julthumbscrew
on Nov 7, 2011 -
13 answers
Someone hit my car while it was parked and damaged the bumper, which was already damaged before she hit it. How do I handle this?
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posted by JustDerek
on Sep 25, 2011 -
10 answers
If oil was vodka, my '05 Pontiac Vibe would be F. Scott Fitzgerald. Should we have the engine rebuilt or replaced? Automotive snowflakiness inside!
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posted by julthumbscrew
on Aug 22, 2011 -
8 answers
Can (should) I ask my mechanic not to do a job we agreed they would do, after they've ordered the part?
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posted by ramenopres
on Jun 20, 2011 -
10 answers
A few nights ago a young woman, totally wasted, smacked into my pickup, which was parked on the street. Lots of damage. It's an old truck, it might be considered totaled, I'm not sure. My truck needs this, needs that, it's old, 200,000 miles, I'm not the best at keeping it maintained. Do I try to get money from her insurance to purchase a different truck? Because it's old and high miles, how do I keep from them telling me it's only worth this $$ but I can't replace it for what they offer -- I'd intended to drive this truck to at least 250,000 miles, I love the truck. Or if they repair it how do I demand they don't try to straighten out parts she smashed rather than replace with straight? The body of this truck was mint, never even dinged, it was the best thing about the truck.
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posted by dancestoblue
on May 8, 2011 -
21 answers
I'm trying to replace the driveshafts on both sides of a 2001 Grand Caravan. Right now, I'm working on the passenger side, and am completely unable to separate the steering knuckle from the ball joint stud. I've loosened the stud nut (it won't come completely off until the knuckle is raised) and have hammered a pickle fork in as far as it will go in every direction I can manage. It is always stopped by digging into the control arm, never by resistance from the knuckle. I've tried heating the knuckle, with no success. Any tips?
posted by Ickster
on Jul 19, 2010 -
7 answers
Fix-my-car-filter! I have a '92 Honda Accord LE that's showing starting problems; it acts like the battery is dead... but it can't be, can it?
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posted by WidgetAlley
on Jun 13, 2010 -
28 answers
What factors do you consider when thinking about getting rid of your old car and buying a new one?
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posted by reenum
on May 13, 2010 -
17 answers
I have a 2006 Honda Pilot, and noticed that my right headlight went out. Each headlight is comprised of two headlights, a top and bottom one. The top one seems to be working, but the bottom one is out. The top bulb is easy to replace, but the bottom one is a little bit more tricky, as there doesn't seem to be an easy way to remove it. Can anyone point me to a schematic or something? I think the replacement bulb size is H11, I just don' t understand how to replace the lower bulb.
posted by GatorFan2000
on Dec 27, 2009 -
6 answers
Can I get ODB2 (ODBII) diagnostic codes out of my 2005 VW GTI without buying a code scanner?
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posted by maniabug
on Oct 21, 2009 -
17 answers
Is my Audi unrepairable? I have a 2003 Audi A4 1.8T with a CVT (GGT) transmission that's messed up.
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posted by starscream
on Apr 28, 2009 -
7 answers
I can't get the O2 sensor out of my car's engine, and I'm starting to round off the bolt!
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posted by samw
on Mar 12, 2009 -
19 answers
Cars! I don't want to go to the mechanic as a female and say, "I have no idea what's wrong with my car! Please replace half my engine and overcharge me ridiculous amounts!!" I'm hoping to get some ideas on what might be wrong before I go...
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posted by veronitron
on Jan 3, 2008 -
19 answers
ScoobyFilter: It's time to replace the oxygen sensors in my 2001 Subaru Outback. "Universal" replacements run about half the cost of the OEM version. Am I asking for trouble by taking the cheap way out?
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posted by Opposite George
on Jul 31, 2006 -
8 answers
Has anyone here ever installed a salvaged airbag? How hard is it to do yourself? My car got bumped ludicrously lightly, the airbag deployed, and a new airbag is fantastically expensive while a salvaged one is cheap. But I would have to install it myself because local shops won't do it. The car is a volvo 940 1994.
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posted by Mayor Peace Love and Unity
on Jul 21, 2006 -
19 answers
I have a 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 205k miles on it. A few days ago I noticed some loud squeaking coming from the drivers wheel. Name that part (photos inside).
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posted by cgk
on Jun 22, 2005 -
8 answers
I want to fix a couple of things on my car. However, looking under the hood causes to me to collapse with the vapors, forcing me to go purse shopping for an hour to mitigate the effects. Does anyone have an online walkthrough-to-fixin-up-your-car for guys like me? (Details inside.)
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posted by billybunny
on Jan 6, 2005 -
28 answers
I had a windshield installed by a company that comes to your home to do the job. The fellow who showed up to do it asked me if he could move the car from the street (plenty room) to my driveway, which I agreed to.
Next day, my neighbor suggested that they do this in case the fellow gets injured, and since it happened on my driveway, I'd have to pay his medical bills. Anyone knows anything about this possible set up?
posted by semmi
on Nov 2, 2004 -
5 answers
The catalytic converter on my 97 Ford Escort blew out today, and I suspect it ruptured part of the exhaust works in front of the muffler. I can find out how much parts cost on my own, but I'm not going to be doing the service myself, so could someone knowledgeable in the realm of automotive repair hazard a ballpark guesstimate as to how much this might cost me to fix? I just need a general idea so I can figure out how much blood to sell to pay for the repairs.
posted by headspace
on May 24, 2004 -
4 answers
