About a year ago, I realized we were going to need to invest in a new family vehicle. The car that we had was dying fast, and I was worried about my wife getting to and from all of the places that she needed to travel. We started looking around for different places to shop, and I found an auto dealer that was absolutely incredible. I worked with them to negotiate a fair price for the car, and I learned a few tricks along the way. This blog is all about negotiating effectively with an automotive dealer, so that you don't end up with buyer's remorse.
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If you're like many car owners, you are completely intimidated by your vehicle and don't even feel comfortable filling the windshield wiper reservoir, let alone taking on an actual repair. Instead of handing over your hard earned money to a mechanic, it is time to face your fears once and for all by tackling a simple car repair yourself. Here are two easy car repairs that from start to finish can be accomplished in a single afternoon. Additionally, all of these repairs don't require expensive tools and can safely be completed with used parts:
Swap Out Your Damaged Rear View Mirror
Have you become accustomed to driving without a rear view mirror and are reluctant to spend the money on having it repaired or replaced? Luckily, you can easily and affordably swap out your broken rear view mirror with a used model in a matter of hours:
Begin by purchasing a used rear view mirror online, at a swap meet or your local salvage yard. Next, head to the used auto parts store and look for adhesive that is formulated for use on automotive glass.
Wash the inside of your windshield and allow the glass to dry completely. If you're not already parked in a shady area, move your car to a spot that is out of direct sunlight. Also, make sure that the temperature outside is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Any hotter, and the glue won't set properly.
If there is an old button, or the metal piece that was used to attach the old rear view mirror to the windshield, remove it by carefully wiggling a utility knife or razor blade between it and the glass.
Grab a felt-tip pen and use it to mark the spot where you'll place the new rear view mirror. Look for some leftover glue residue and place a small dot there. Once you've marked the spot, carefully scrape away the glue residue with the utility knife or razor blade.
Find the U-shaped button on your replacement rear view mirror. Carefully remove the button from the rear view mirror and get ready to glue it to your windshield. Clean the flat side of the U-shaped button with rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover. This will ensure that it adheres to the glass more effectively. Allow the button to dry completely.
Finally, place a small dollop of glue on flat side of the U-shaped button. Quickly press the U-shaped button on the spot you marked earlier with the felt-tipped pen. Make sure the button is straight, or your rear view mirror won't sit correctly.
Hold the button against the glass for at least one minute. Finish the process by attaching the mirror to the U-shaped button. Depending on the model, you may need to secure the mirror with a set-screw or it may simply slide onto the button.
Replace Your Front Bumper
Once you've tackled replacing your rear view mirror, it's time to graduate to a trickier fix: replacing the front bumper. Again, you can save money by locating a used bumper, just make sure it's the right size and color for your vehicle.
Begin this process by locating any wires that are attached to the bumper, such as the wires for the fog lamps. These will be easy to spot and simply need to be unplugged. Next, lift the front of the vehicle on a jack or drive it onto ramps. If you're using ramps, make sure to place bricks or another heavy object behind each back wheel.
Next, locate the mounting bracket bolts. These will also be easy to spot because you will notice they are attached to the back of the bumper. Remove these bolts with the correct tool, such as adjustable wrench.
Once the bolts are loose, take off anything else that is attached to the bumper, such as your license plate. Carefully lift off the damaged bumper and set it aside. Grab the new bumper and make sure it's the correct fit before continuing. All you'll need to do next is attach anything that you removed from the old bumper before setting the new bumper in place.
You may need to tweak the new bumper a little, but once it's straight, simply attach it to your vehicle with the bolts that came with it. Make sure the bolts are tight before you take your vehicle off the ramps or pull out the floor jack.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the average cost to have your car repaired is on the rise. If you simply don't have the money to get your car fixed, it's time to get your hands dirty and take on this chore yourself!
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