Top 5 Most Costly Fixes on Your Car

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There is a reason for the saying owning your own automobile is an investment. As much as cars offer convenience, it also puts stress upon its drivers with costly auto repair bills. If constant maintenance and repairs are not given to your vehicle, the possibility of your car needing any one of these five costly repairs is a definite possibility.

Transmission Repair

A transmission is the single most important mechanical device in your car. It is what makes a car run. It is also the most expensive part to fix in your cars engine. Most transmissions on late car models last until the vehicle dies, a little over 80,000 miles. Typically, replacing a transmission can cost anyone from $1800 to $3500, varying from the maker, model and labor costs.

Suspension

The suspensions are what keep the car on the ground, consisting of springs, shock absorbers, struts, and linkages with ball joints connecting to the wheels. It is what keeps the vehicles ride smooth for the cars occupants. The average cost for replacing suspension system is about $1000 to $2000.

Radiator

A cars radiator is what keeps the engine from overheating, a key part of a cars cooling system. If there is a leak in the radiators core, you will need to replace it. Depending on the type of the coolant used, the age of the car, model of the vehicle, the costs can run up from $390 to $516 for passenger cars, $483 to $854 for SUVs.

Muffler/Exhaust Repair

Vehicles making loud noise are probably having exhaust problem, probably with its muffler. Mufflers that are damage can lead to increased air pollution, signaling the search engine light to check the engines exhaust system. Mufflers have many price tags. For passenger cars, after-market parts are $110 to $218, $255 to $380 for original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Prices can vary with different car makes and model.

Brakes Repair

Brakes are what keep a driver safe in their vehicle. Without the brakes, there is no possible way for a driver to stop their vehicle. Brakes making any abnormal noises, slowly dropping to the floor after it is engaged, pulls to one side, brakes need to be replaced. Typically the cost runs from $90 to $250 per axle.

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How to Replace the Parking Brake Cable on a Toyota Truck

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How to Replace the Parking Brake Cable on a Toyota Truck

The parking or emergency brake is actuated by a cable that spans between the parking brake handle or pedal and the rear brake drums. Over time, the cable can stretch beyond adjustment, and under sever stress the cable can snap. Replacing the parking brake cable can be done with simple hand tools and is easily within the realm of the average home mechanic.

Instructions

Removal of the Parking Brake Cables

    1

    Lift the vehicle and support with jack stands underneath the frame.

    2

    Remove the rear wheels and tires.

    3

    Remove brake drums by pulling them off the wheel studs.

    4

    Locate the parking-brake adjuster underneath the vehicle. Remove the nuts from the actuating rod, and pull the brake cables off the adjuster.

    5

    At the brake drum, disengage the parking-brake cable from the brake shoe.

    6

    Remove the retainer that secures the parking-brake cable to the brake drum backing plate.

    7

    Disengage the brake cables from the retainers on the frame, and remove the cable from the vehicle.

Installation of Parking Brake Cables

    8

    Slide the new parking brake cable through the drum backing plate, and reinstall the retainer.

    9

    Connect the parking brake to the brake shoe.

    10

    Reinstall the rear break drums.

    11

    Thread the parking brake cables through the retainers on the frame.

    12

    Install the brake cables to the parking-brake adjusting rod, and reinstall the retaining nuts.

    13

    Reinstall the rear wheels and tires.

    14

    Lower the vehicle.

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