Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange
Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [parts]

Note that shopping questions are off-topic.

124 questions
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What damage does a car suffer if not regularly used?

Sometimes I use the car on daily basis, but there are months when I don't use it at all, and it sits parked outside for 5+ weeks, with the battery disconnected. (Main reasons: working from home that time, excellent coverage of city by public…
miroxlav
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What's the most environmentally responsible method of car parts cleaning?

I'll be the first to admit that this one has been hard for me. I clean cylinder heads, axle bearings, calipers, crankcases....the list goes on. I want to be clear here. I am not talking about professional shops. I'm talking about all the people…
DucatiKiller
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How to find a part lost in the snow

How can one go about finding a very small part lost in the snow? — while working on my motorbike, one of the battery leads fell out and I can't find it. Buying a metal detector for the sake of finding a piece of metal less wide than my pinky finger…
errantlinguist
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13
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1 answer

Car Parts Software To View Parts of a Car

Is there computer software that lets you see parts of a car for common car models, like European brands, and browse them in 3D. Is there anything that would have autocad schematics or something like that?
ppk
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11
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4 answers

Do I need to replace rear differential if it's leaking?

When we got an oil change, he said it's "leaking, but not out of fluid or low". Do we need to do any replacement/maintenance on it, or just wait until it gets worse? How would I check something like this?
Matt
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10
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3 answers

Buying Car Parts Online

It's clear to me that car parts are cheaper when purchased online rather than through the mechanic. I've been buying tires and brake pads online for years with few problems. Now the wheel bearings on my 2009 Toyota Prius need replaced. I want to buy…
MrOodles
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9
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2 answers

Do parts (like Brakes) & brake dust still contain Asbestos? What years did parts contain Asbestos (or anything equally / more dangerous)?

Is Asbestos still used in any currently manufactured parts, brakes or others? Specifically asking about the USA & Canada, but info on anywhere else in the world is good too. If it's not still used, what year did Asbestos stop being used? - Just in…
Xen2050
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Can I get a core refund without an exchange?

I recently replaced one of the half-shafts on my Saabaru with a new aftermarket part. I know that the old factory one I took off can be rebuilt, and if I'd bought a rebuilt unit I'd've had to put down a hefty core deposit. Does anyone know if it's…
rmalouf
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Is it normal for brand new brake rotors to look a little rusty

By looking at these images, would you think these parts are used? There is a very slight lip at the edge of the surface where the pads will rub.
TecBrat
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7
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4 answers

Where to buy interior parts, that OEM doesn't sell?

I am trying to find an armrest cushion in Altima 2008 (this part). But Nissan and all OEM re-sellers will not sell the cushion only, they are only selling it as a whole door panel, which is very expensive and I don't need it. Is there any…
galets
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7
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1 answer

Are bucket shims for mainstream Japanese cars interchangable?

I have two Japanese cars ( a Mazda and a Nissan ) which use cams placed directly over the valves ( no rocker arm ) which contact a shim sitting on top of a bucket over the valve. Are the shims used by different manufacturers all the same…
Robert S. Barnes
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Benchmark about quality levels in car parts

I want to replace a front grille of Honda Civic 2014 EX Sedan (4 doors). I've been suggested to buy it from this auto part dealer RockAuto which has a great catalog. I found the part in "CAPA" and "Economy line" in stock. I would really like to buy…
Maximus Decimus
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How to remove the clips of the Honda Emblem. Safely

Can someone suggest me how to remove the clips/pins behind the emblem of the front grille of a Honda Civic 2014 EX Sedan. I wanna replace the grille because it's cracked. I saw many tutorials in youtube where people break these pins to replace it by…
Maximus Decimus
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7
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1 answer

DIY carbon-fiber parts layup

I'm gathering the necessary equipment to start my next little hobby project building my own fairings. I got about 5 yards of carbon-fiber/Kevlar and another 5 yards of fiberglass, 10ft of 3' carbon fiber "tape", a gallon of epoxy, a quart of pva…
davidcondrey
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7
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Long term storage of parts

I recently bought some spare parts for my Subaru Forester XT and would like to store them the right way until I need them. Specifically, I have a turbo, injectors, exhaust and intercooler that needs to go in the garage. How would you guys handle…
Captain Kenpachi
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