Inexpensive Car Repair
Now that we have access to some of the best inexpensive, effective, and quick vehicle repair methods, we need tools in order to actually use the knowledge.
First we need a set of wrenches, sockets, and ratchets. The least expensive stores to buy these items are as follows:
Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/browse/hand-wrenches/wrench-sets/1072864_1031899_1067609_5163607_6564002
and
Harbor Freight:
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools.html
At minimum one would need either the SAE or Metric 11 piece Wrench set from Walmart and a socket set, with ratchet, like the Hyper Tough UN00020Z 54 Piece, 3/8 Inch Drive Socket Set also from Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-UN00020Z-54-Piece-3-8-Inch-Drive-Socket-Set/16539503
A set of screwdrivers and hex keys would also be useful.
Both Walmart and Harbor Freight sell what they call "Mechanics Tool Sets". These sets contain most of the tools most people would need to perform most car repairs:
Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-141-Piece-Multiple-Drive-Mechanics-Tool-Set/825105035
Harbor Freight:
https://www.harborfreight.com/301-pc-mechanics-tool-set-63464.html
Sometimes these tools can be found on craigslist for prices cheaper than Walmart or Harbor Freight. Simply navigate to craigslist and go to the "for sale" section and then click on tools and search for "wrench sets" or "socket sets".
Some auto parts stores allow people to rent tools, though, most of the time, people use it to rent special tools that will only be used once or twice, like gear pullers, A/C recharging equipment, etc.
Now one also needs a way to lift the car, so as to increase the ground clearance and allow one to crawl underneath the car to perform repairs. Sometimes one can use the tire change jack, included with the vehicle, to perform basic repairs, maybe one can use cinder blocks to support the vehicle. Ideally it would be safer and less time consuming to use a hydraulic car jack and jack stands: (Walmart often sells these items at the least expensive price anywhere, even online)
Hydraulic Jack:
https://www.walmart.com/search/?cat_id=0&page=1&query=hydraulic+jack&sort=price_low
Jack Stands:
https://www.walmart.com/search/?cat_id=0&page=1&query=jack+stands&sort=price_low#searchProductResult
Make sure that the Hydraulic Jack and Jack Stands are appropriate for the weight of the vehicle. Much of the time only one wheel is lifted off the ground while placing jack stands to support the vehicle. So the Hydraulic Jack and Jack Stands at minimum need to support approximately 1/4 the weight of the vehicle.
Using plastic ramps may be easier than using a hydraulic jack and jack stands:
https://www.ebay.com/i/151459334148?chn=ps&dispItem=1
Though, it limits the type of repairs one can perform, for example, one could not repair the brake system or axle bearings using the ramp.
Now, that we have the tools we need to find parts, simply perform a search on google for the cheapest auto parts:
https://www.google.com/search?q=cheapest+car+parts+online
Rock Auto Often has the lowest prices:
https://www.rockauto.com/
Sometimes it is less expensive to buy car parts locally, since the shipping costs for Some online items may raise the prices above the least expensive local car parts store. Also, there are car wrecking yards or "junk yards", so it pays to search extensively, search the internet, call local junk yards, and contact "pick-n-pull" car yards.
If one is looking for a vehicle, possibly for use as a stealth vehicle or as a daily driver, craigslist is the best website. Navigate to Craigslist, go to the "For Sale" section and click on cars+trucks, then click on the link for dealers and individual sellers or private party no-dealers. You can then set you maximum price and click on update search.
https://www.google.com/search?q=craigslist+for+sale+car
It is often easier to repair a 4 cylinder inline engine since it is easier to perform major repairs without removing the engine. One can replace pistons, piston rings, rod bearings, and crankshaft bearings, simply by removing the heads and/or by removing the pistons from the bottom.
First we need a set of wrenches, sockets, and ratchets. The least expensive stores to buy these items are as follows:
Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/browse/hand-wrenches/wrench-sets/1072864_1031899_1067609_5163607_6564002
and
Harbor Freight:
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools.html
At minimum one would need either the SAE or Metric 11 piece Wrench set from Walmart and a socket set, with ratchet, like the Hyper Tough UN00020Z 54 Piece, 3/8 Inch Drive Socket Set also from Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-UN00020Z-54-Piece-3-8-Inch-Drive-Socket-Set/16539503
A set of screwdrivers and hex keys would also be useful.
Both Walmart and Harbor Freight sell what they call "Mechanics Tool Sets". These sets contain most of the tools most people would need to perform most car repairs:
Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-141-Piece-Multiple-Drive-Mechanics-Tool-Set/825105035
Harbor Freight:
https://www.harborfreight.com/301-pc-mechanics-tool-set-63464.html
Sometimes these tools can be found on craigslist for prices cheaper than Walmart or Harbor Freight. Simply navigate to craigslist and go to the "for sale" section and then click on tools and search for "wrench sets" or "socket sets".
Some auto parts stores allow people to rent tools, though, most of the time, people use it to rent special tools that will only be used once or twice, like gear pullers, A/C recharging equipment, etc.
Now one also needs a way to lift the car, so as to increase the ground clearance and allow one to crawl underneath the car to perform repairs. Sometimes one can use the tire change jack, included with the vehicle, to perform basic repairs, maybe one can use cinder blocks to support the vehicle. Ideally it would be safer and less time consuming to use a hydraulic car jack and jack stands: (Walmart often sells these items at the least expensive price anywhere, even online)
Hydraulic Jack:
https://www.walmart.com/search/?cat_id=0&page=1&query=hydraulic+jack&sort=price_low
Jack Stands:
https://www.walmart.com/search/?cat_id=0&page=1&query=jack+stands&sort=price_low#searchProductResult
Make sure that the Hydraulic Jack and Jack Stands are appropriate for the weight of the vehicle. Much of the time only one wheel is lifted off the ground while placing jack stands to support the vehicle. So the Hydraulic Jack and Jack Stands at minimum need to support approximately 1/4 the weight of the vehicle.
Using plastic ramps may be easier than using a hydraulic jack and jack stands:
https://www.ebay.com/i/151459334148?chn=ps&dispItem=1
Though, it limits the type of repairs one can perform, for example, one could not repair the brake system or axle bearings using the ramp.
Now, that we have the tools we need to find parts, simply perform a search on google for the cheapest auto parts:
https://www.google.com/search?q=cheapest+car+parts+online
Rock Auto Often has the lowest prices:
https://www.rockauto.com/
Sometimes it is less expensive to buy car parts locally, since the shipping costs for Some online items may raise the prices above the least expensive local car parts store. Also, there are car wrecking yards or "junk yards", so it pays to search extensively, search the internet, call local junk yards, and contact "pick-n-pull" car yards.
If one is looking for a vehicle, possibly for use as a stealth vehicle or as a daily driver, craigslist is the best website. Navigate to Craigslist, go to the "For Sale" section and click on cars+trucks, then click on the link for dealers and individual sellers or private party no-dealers. You can then set you maximum price and click on update search.
https://www.google.com/search?q=craigslist+for+sale+car
It is often easier to repair a 4 cylinder inline engine since it is easier to perform major repairs without removing the engine. One can replace pistons, piston rings, rod bearings, and crankshaft bearings, simply by removing the heads and/or by removing the pistons from the bottom.
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