Place to post REAL basic questions?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: laurel md
Place to post REAL basic questions?
I just bought my first vette, I don't know much about mechanics and have a few real basic tech questions. Is this the place to post, or is there a better place? Example - I just had the universal joint replaced. I know I had a REAL bad squeak and now it's gone, so my mechanic must have done something, but I'm not sure what the universal joint does. I do know it's under the car :-) Also, how much should that cost. The place I bought the car replaced it - even though it wasn't covered under the warrenty! Cooper Corvettes in Triangle Virginia. I can't say enough good about them.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 354
Likes: 0
From: Red Oak TX
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (lfmn16)
I'll be happy to answer your questions.
Also, if you want a good source for finding out how things work, a good site to check out is: http://www.howstuffworks.com
They have a rather decent collection of automotive articles that are indepth and easy to understand.
Also, if you want a good source for finding out how things work, a good site to check out is: http://www.howstuffworks.com
They have a rather decent collection of automotive articles that are indepth and easy to understand.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (lfmn16)
Welcome to the forum. :seeya
Any question you have of a technical nature (mechanics) can be asked in this forum. As a courtesy to those members with dial ups you might want to shrink your sig pic. Thanks. Ask away and welcome to the forum.
Any question you have of a technical nature (mechanics) can be asked in this forum. As a courtesy to those members with dial ups you might want to shrink your sig pic. Thanks. Ask away and welcome to the forum.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (lfmn16)
Welcome to the forum :cheers:
Pro
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
From: Medina, Ohio
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (lfmn16)
This is the place for your C4 Tech ?'s, they also have a Non-Tech ? Forum.
U-Joints is a pretty easy job, He shouldn't have charged you to much for that.
Good Luck with your Car and welcome to the Forum :cheers:
U-Joints is a pretty easy job, He shouldn't have charged you to much for that.
Good Luck with your Car and welcome to the Forum :cheers:
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (dans86)
Welcome to the forum! :cheers:
Be sure to try the *search* engine supplied on the site. You can change the menu to reach the archieved topics...too.
Good luck! :cheers:
Be sure to try the *search* engine supplied on the site. You can change the menu to reach the archieved topics...too.
Good luck! :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Place to post REAL basic questions?
Welcome aboard! Nice dog(Car's cool too !!!) :) :yesnod:
Tech questions are here...general one's are in general
There is NO better place on the net for camaraderie like we have here and info..BAR NONE.
Enjoy your stay. :cheers:
Tech questions are here...general one's are in general
There is NO better place on the net for camaraderie like we have here and info..BAR NONE.
Enjoy your stay. :cheers:
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Monongahela PA
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (ski_dwn_it)
ttt
Someone answer his question!!... The universal joint is:
a) On each end of the driveshaft
b) on each end of the two drive axles which turn the wheels.
The cost can vary depending on which joint is replaced. The driveshaft joint replacement is more expensive because they are more difficult to get to. You probably had one of the axle shaft joints replaced. My guess would be in the $50-$60 range. But I do my own work, so I don't know.
Someone answer his question!!... The universal joint is:
a) On each end of the driveshaft
b) on each end of the two drive axles which turn the wheels.
The cost can vary depending on which joint is replaced. The driveshaft joint replacement is more expensive because they are more difficult to get to. You probably had one of the axle shaft joints replaced. My guess would be in the $50-$60 range. But I do my own work, so I don't know.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 10
From: Montrose Colorado
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (qwerty111)
Welcome to the forum, everybody has to start their knowledge base somewere. These are great people here, chances are any question you have can be answered from personal experience. Some good, some not so good. Anyway welcome aboard. 84 CF 91 ZR-1
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (lfmn16)
Hey man, don't feel embarrassed about asking "simple" questions. There was a point at one time when each and every one of us here didn't know what a universal joint was. Some learn sooner than others, but this is definetely THE place for help.
When I got my car 2 1/2 years ago, I knew very little about Vettes (or cars in general). Now, with most credit to the Forum, I just got done installing a new engine in my Vette! How's that for a knowledge base? :cheers:
When I got my car 2 1/2 years ago, I knew very little about Vettes (or cars in general). Now, with most credit to the Forum, I just got done installing a new engine in my Vette! How's that for a knowledge base? :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (lfmn16)
Welcome to the Forum and congrats on your new Vette.
I took mine to a Chevy dealership that had an $84/hr flat rate and paid several hunderd $$ to have the universal on my right half-shaft replaced.
BTW,
the drive shaft runs between the transmission and the differential, in the rear, and has a universal at each end.
a half shaft runs from either side of the differential to the rear wheels, and has a universal at each end.
If you decide to do some wrenching on your Vette, I strongly suggest you buy a copy of the GM Shop Manual for your year. Though difficult reading at first, it will have most all you need to know (along with illustrations) to repair your Vette.
If you're thinking of donig some performance mods, start with the easiest ones first and you will gradually get to know your Vette (and your local Sears store) realy well.
I took mine to a Chevy dealership that had an $84/hr flat rate and paid several hunderd $$ to have the universal on my right half-shaft replaced.
BTW,
the drive shaft runs between the transmission and the differential, in the rear, and has a universal at each end.
a half shaft runs from either side of the differential to the rear wheels, and has a universal at each end.
If you decide to do some wrenching on your Vette, I strongly suggest you buy a copy of the GM Shop Manual for your year. Though difficult reading at first, it will have most all you need to know (along with illustrations) to repair your Vette.
If you're thinking of donig some performance mods, start with the easiest ones first and you will gradually get to know your Vette (and your local Sears store) realy well.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (lfmn16)
Give your self time to see what your vette needs....don't rush.....all us guys on the forum have all kinds of ideas....go fast...etc..but the bottom line is you and your $$$$$$$$$$$...
Just drive it awhile..you'll see where you want to go....
Hang in there...
tony :D :D :D :D :D :D
Just drive it awhile..you'll see where you want to go....
Hang in there...
tony :D :D :D :D :D :D
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (oldace84)
Welcome to the forum. Good people here. Hey the only dumb question is the one NOT asked. As for the universal joints........ they are a part that allows two shafts to operate together at different or changing angles. For a hands on demo try to go to Sears and go to the tool dept. Ask the sales person to show you a 1/2 " drive universal. then get a couple of extensions and put one in each end. turn tem and you'll see how this works....... you Corvette has six of them . NAPA has them about 12 bucks a peice with a slight discount. You can install them yourself but the best thing is to WAYCH someone do them first. In the old days we used a BIG HAMMER to get them out but Corvettes use aluminum shafts so that's not adviseable........... hey ........again ........welcome :cheers: :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (lfmn16)
Most of us are more than willing to ask simple questions :jester
[Serious mode on]
Ask away, most of us have been through it once or twice or a hundred times before (just ask scorp how many times he's R&R'd his transmission)
Welcome to the addiction, and don't forget to wave! :seeya
[Serious mode on]
Ask away, most of us have been through it once or twice or a hundred times before (just ask scorp how many times he's R&R'd his transmission)
Welcome to the addiction, and don't forget to wave! :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: Camden SC
Re: Place to post REAL basic questions? (VetBoy89)
Hello and welcome aboard,
The recommendation for Factory Service Manual is sound advice. The books many sections will explain the system and help in getting a better understanding of how the car works. The electrical supplement is excellent.
Second book you may find at Barnes and Noble, "How to Tune and Modify Chevrolet Fuel Injection" by Ben Watson. Although my car is stock to the bone, this book provides a good basis for understanding computerized fuel injection. If you like computers, you will like fuel injection.
If you really really like what your're reading, Service Technology Group develops training manuals for GM service technicians, as in off the street, entry level texts. Let me know if you want the 800 number. They should soon have a new catalog. Bad news is, much of the C4 stuff is considered "obsolete" and the supply is getting really low. These books are very reasonably priced, like around $20 or less for numerous texts dealing with fuel injection, Antilock Braking System (ABS), Rack and Pinion steering, GM heating and ventilation, and on and on. I have seen them on ebay go for twice the new price.
Enjoy.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks
The recommendation for Factory Service Manual is sound advice. The books many sections will explain the system and help in getting a better understanding of how the car works. The electrical supplement is excellent.
Second book you may find at Barnes and Noble, "How to Tune and Modify Chevrolet Fuel Injection" by Ben Watson. Although my car is stock to the bone, this book provides a good basis for understanding computerized fuel injection. If you like computers, you will like fuel injection.
If you really really like what your're reading, Service Technology Group develops training manuals for GM service technicians, as in off the street, entry level texts. Let me know if you want the 800 number. They should soon have a new catalog. Bad news is, much of the C4 stuff is considered "obsolete" and the supply is getting really low. These books are very reasonably priced, like around $20 or less for numerous texts dealing with fuel injection, Antilock Braking System (ABS), Rack and Pinion steering, GM heating and ventilation, and on and on. I have seen them on ebay go for twice the new price.
Enjoy.
dlmeyers 90 coupe zf6 3 speed shocks