For U Solution

A fuel-injected engine uses many different sensors to determine how to make your engine run properly. The 1987 and newer GM trucks use one or more oxygen sensors located along the exhaust. Theyre not difficult to replace, but they can take some elbow grease and some basic safety equipment to do properly.

Instructions

Lift the Truck

1

First, make sure the vehicle is turned off, has cooled down for a few hours and the emergency brake is set. Using a jack, lift the front of the truck so that the front tires are off the ground. A good jack point is the front crossmember, or alternatively, the sides of the frame below the doors.

2

With the truck properly supported, slide underneath the vehicle and look for the O2 sensor. Depending on the year of the truck, there will be just one sensor located on the passenger side near the transmission, or several sensors on the later models, located both before and after the catalytic converters. Theyre easy to spot, as they stick out about 2 inches from the exhaust tubing and have two wires coming out from the body.

3

Unplug the harness that connects the O2 sensor to the stock wiring. If the clip that holds the harness together is difficult to disconnect, use a small flathead screwdriver to pop it free.

4

Using an O2 sensor socket or an appropriately sized wrench, loosen and remove the old O2 sensor. It unthreads like any other bolt would, going to the left to loosen. Should the sensor be stuck in the threads, loosen them with some WD-40 or similar product. Should the sensor still not come loose, the bung can be cut out of the exhaust, but it will have to be welded back into place by a professional, and should only be done as a last resort.

5

Before installing the replacement O2 sensor, put some anti-seize compound around the threaded area of the sensor. This will help you the next time you have to replace the sensor, as the heat of the exhaust wont cause the threads to seize up on you.

6

To reinstall, thread the O2 sensor into the bung on the exhaust, reconnect the wiring and lower the truck off of the jackstands.

The 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix has painted side mirrors to match the paint color of the vehicle. Aftermarket replacement mirrors often come with a black finish. These mirrors can be painted to closely match the color of the car or they can be left in black finish. While aftermarket direct-fit mirrors are much more affordable than OEM equipment from the dealership, if matching the color of the mirrors is important, buying the mirror from the dealership would be a better option.

Instructions

1

Open the drivers side door and power the window down. Remove the key from the ignition.

2

Fit the angled pry tool under the bottom of the window control module on the arm rest assembly. Pry off the module.

3

Unplug the four wire harness connections attached to the underside of the control module. The plugs are color coded and only fit in their respective outlets, so keeping track of which one goes where for reassembly is not required.

4

Pry off the two plastic beauty caps from underneath the arm rest assembly with the pry tool to reveal the door panel retaining screws. Remove the screws with the Phillips screwdriver.

5

Remove the interior door lector from the inner housing of the lector with the pry tool.

6

Pry off the small speaker cover on top of the door panel opposite the side mirror.

7

Move the door panel away from the door frame with the pry tool. Start at the bottom and work up each side to release the snap pins from the underside of the panel. Lift the door panel slightly to remove the upper lip from the door frame. Reach behind the panel to disconnect the speaker wire harness plug. Set the door panel aside.

8

Disconnect the mirror wire harness plug.

9

Remove the three retaining nuts of the mirror with the 10-mm nut driver. The mirror may stick to the door from the original gasket, but brace one hand under it when removing the last nut in case it doesnt. This will prevent the original mirror from scratching the exterior paint on the door.

10

Install the new mirror. Replace the retaining nuts and attach the mirror harness plugs together. Reattach the speaker cover, lower speaker wire and door panel assembly by reversing the removal procedure. Reattach the door lector and plug the harnesses back into the window control module before snapping the module back into place.

11

Replace the two door panel retaining screws. Snap the beauty caps back into place below the arm rest assembly.

The rear drum brakes on your 1996 Dodge Stratus need to replacing half as often as the front brakes. Since the front brakes take the most strain when braking, they tend to wear down faster. You should inspect and replace the rear drum brakes on your Stratus if you start to hear a grinding noise as you slow down or stop. Backyard mechanics can save a significant amount of money by replacing the brakes at home instead of going to the repair shop.

Instructions

1

Raise your Stratus with the jack and set the jack stands on both sides of the rear axle. Lower your Stratus onto the two jack stands.

2

Remove the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench and slide the rear wheels off the axle.

3

Clamp the brake drum puller hooks over the sides of the drum on the drivers side. Position the threaded center bar in the middle of the brake drum. Rotate the bar clockwise with the socket and ratchet to separate the brake drum and the hub.

4

Locate the retaining springs linking the brake shoes with the hub, then pull them out with the pliers.

5

Pull the brake shoes up and away from the brake drum and secure the replacement shoes in place with the retainer springs, using your pliers.

6

Slide the drum over the shoes and hammer it into the axle with the rubber mallet. Repeat for the passenger-side rear drum.

7

Push the wheels back onto the axle and use the lug wrench to replace and secure all of the lug nuts.

8

Lift your car with the jack and remove the jack stands. Lower your Stratus with the jack until it sits back on the ground. Then turn on your engine and pump your brakes by pushing down the foot pedal five times.