Car Don'ts
 

Don't #1 - If your power steering rack leaks keep adding fluid. Do not drive it long term without fluid. I had to make a drive and I had been getting by without the power steering, so I just kept going. The power steering pump seized (duh, no lubrication) and the input shaft snapped, taking the serpentine belt out.

The stupid part is I brought a gallon of ATF to keep the pump topped up, but it was quiet and seemed okay so I didn't add any. :rolleyes:

The good news is you can drive a very long way in diesel without an alternator. Hours and hours.

Don't #2 - When you replace the rack, and the pump, and the belt, and the FWD car is up on jack stands, don't turn the wheels lock to lock. I did this to get the rack full of oil and the spline pulled out of the CV joint.

Not my best weekend, but I am back on the road. As my father used to say 'if you think education is expensive you should try ignorance'. Live and learn.

Ouch, that's one of those lessons that really hurts because you knew you should be doing something and could have but didn't. I hate those.

Yea, ignoring a big leak is pretty dumb. One of my former co-workers was happy to just keep adding power steering fluid. One day the hose just let go and he was stuck on the highway blocking rush hour traffic. The cop looked at his car and saw worn out tires and metal on metal brakes. He had the car impounded. I was happy to see that POS car off the road.

Thanks for the reminder about not turning the wheels lock to lock.

My friend's son ignored the signs of a slipping clutch with his 2006 Mini Cooper.

After the $400 tow and the clutch replacement set him back $4,500 since the clutch "exploded" and took destroyed the DMF and other parts.

$2,700 was in parts:eek:

It would have only been about $2,500 if he stopped driving it and had it sent to the shop earlier.

[QUOTE=1990C4S;9340125]


The good news is you can drive a very long way in diesel without an alternator. Hours and hours.



I am going to say that a modern common rail diesel will not run very long without proper current. Needs a computer, and lots of voltage to drive the injectors, most have in tank electric lift pumps also .
An old mechanical diesel, till your fuel runs out

Earlier today I saw a BMW 3 series in front of me at a light and both rear tires were completely bald and riding on the cords. Don't want to be behind him on the highway.

Probably. I am on mechanical injection, but I still need my ECU. So I am in the middle.