Damaged Cars: A Financial Alternative

As the economy declines, more and more people are opting to buy a used car rather than a new one. The obvious reason for this is because buying a used car, as opposed to a new one, is a great way to save money. However, there are even better ways to save money when shopping for a car.

damaged-cars-pic2

One such way is to shop for damaged cars along with the used cars that you are looking at. Slightly damaged cars that you can fix up yourself or have repaired cheaply are the way to go if you are looking for cheap cars. A damaged car is a great car to get for a teenager who is just starting off driving. Even if you put a thousand or more dollars into the machine, you will still save a lot of money in the long run and if your teen wrecks the car it is not as big of a loss. Damaged repairable cars, along with the parts to repair them, can be found in almost every junkyard.

 

Finding just the right car can sometimes be a hassle, however with a little diligence it is possible to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. An important tip if you decide to shop for repairable or salvage cars is to take a mechanic with you. By taking a mechanic, you will have someone there that can help you find a repairable car that he believes can be fixed up for a small price. Be sure to pay the mechanic for his time, even if he is a family friend. If it saves you thousands of dollars in the long run, it is the least you could do.

 

Another cheap alternative to damaged repairable cars are repossessed cars. Repossessed cars are taken to pay off debt and often are sold at a fraction of their market value. Because of this, it is sometimes possible to finds a great deal on a good car without having to pour extra money into fixing it up and putting it in working condition. Again, taking a mechanic with you when shopping for a decent repossessed car might not be such a bad idea. While shopping for a repossessed car, damaged repairable car, or even just a decent used car might be difficult and time consuming, there is no doubt that the savings are rewarding. With just a little bit of time and effort, it is possible to save thousands of dollars and still come home with a decent enough car.

Is Your Steering Wheel Shaking ?

steering wheel shaking
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Some of the most common causes for a steering wheel shaking come from wheel and tire problems, but you must also consider suspension issues and faulty brakes might also be the problem. When does the shaking happen, this should be the first thing drivers pay attention.

Very often, vibrations during acceleration or when traveling at high speeds indicate a problem with the vehicle’s wheels or having trouble when slowing down is more often due to brakes. A number of suspension issues and imbalances can also contribute, particularly if the vehicle is over ten years old.

Steering Column

If the steering wheel is shaking, there is a problem in the steering column itself. This happens when there are lose screws or twisted wires in the connection between car and steering wheel. People with these sorts of problems often notice the shaking when the temperature is very cold. Frozen screws and sockets don’t always have the same friction as they do when thawed, which can make sounds and vibrations more pronounced.

Bent Wheels

The vehicle’s wheels are always the first to check by a mechanic when there is shaking steering wheels problem.. Cars and trucks depend on a complex system of working parts for stability, but the four tires are the backbone of that system. During movement, if a wheel is bent, the whole frame of your vehicle can shake. People with this problem often notice that their steering wheels almost always shake a little bit, though the real effects tend to be most pronounced during acceleration.

Damaged Bearings

 

Wheel bearing problems are similar. Cars transfer energy to the tires through a drive shaft anchored by wheel bearings that help balance the weight of the car (known as the radial load) with the energy of movement (known as the thrust load). The pressures can become imbalanced when one or more bearings is no longer doing its job. It is a common warning, that when a steering wheel shakes while driving straight but then it stops going around a curve means that a ball joint is in need of replacement. In addition, a steering wheel that is smooth while driving straight but becomes shaky while turning is often a sign of bad tie rod ends.

Tire Trouble

Sometimes the problem is as simple as a flat tire. In this case, minor shaking is the very first thing a driver will notice when they start to drive. Very often, the shaking is accompanied by violent vibrations all over the car that gets worse as driving progresses. Soft or bulged tires often bring about similar reactions.

A broken belt may be to blame in the case of radial tires. Broken belts can cause the tire tread to take on an S – shaped form or simply to bulge out in the tread line. Either problem will cause the steering wheel to shake and wobble.

Simple tire imbalance can also be a cause of shaking. Most mechanics recommend that motorists have their tires rotated, or balanced, every few thousand miles. This is recommended to promote even wear, but it is also to maintain equilibrium in the car as a whole. If one side or all of the wheels of the car has seen excessive or not proportioned wear, the steering column will sometimes shake as a consequence.

Brake Problems

The goal of the brakes is to slow down the entire vehicle, which is often more complicated than simply stopping the tires from spinning. Problems with brake pads, cords, or connections can lead to shaking or vibrating in the steering column as misguided energy seeks an outlet.

 

Suspension Issues

A car or truck’s suspension is a complex system of rods, pistons, and shocks. This system keeps the vehicle balanced, both in terms of energy output and actual stability and problems with this system can lead to shaking. Though loose connections, faulty tires, and worn or corroded cylinders are also some of the most common problems. These sorts of problems can be difficult to self-diagnose for people without mechanical expertise. You may ask help from Audi Stuart Service Center to check on your car.

 

To Install New Or Recycled Car Parts?

If you’re mechanically inclined, good for you! You probably know a lot about installing your own car parts. The problem you might have is the cost of the part that needs to be replaced. There are some options which can help you cut your costs. One great option is using recycled or used car parts.

More and more recyclers are out there than you can ever imagine. And what’s more even great is that their prices are very affordable and so hard to beat. This is because insurance companies tend to just drop off wrecked vehicles at a junk yard to save money.

Here are some facts to consider when using recycled car parts:

• You save money. Instead of buying a new part, used car parts are usually cheaper and most of all, has the same level of quality. Almost all junk yards will give you a warranty on most of their parts so no need to worry.

• You help prevent pollution. Manufacturing new car-parts use up a lot more resources such as oil and raw materials and this is saved by recycling. Our environment benefits when we avoid using raw materials.

• Save a lot of space in landfills. Do not just throw it away, it might be of use. Buying some used car parts will give you the same quality as the original manufactured part.

 

But remember, the do-it yourself installing of your car parts can only be achieved perfectly if you truly have the knowledge and are familiar with the procedures. The manufacturer’s manual is usually not as helpful as a good repair manual for your specific make of car when it comes to installing or replacing your car parts.

Doing this can be a cost-effective way to replace parts in your own car. But if time comes that you doubted yourself, many recyclers are fully certified mechanics who can install your car parts and even help you find the right part for your car.

If you know or you have your own trusted mechanic, you can ask them about recycled car parts, and have them locate and replace the part, or if you want, you can get involved and source the part for them to install for you. Good car recyclers can source the car part needed to be replaced. Your trusted mechanic can also offer you advice on whether to buy recyclable parts or if a new one is required.

Some parts are better suited to buying used than others. Components that wear out like mufflers and brake pads are best replaced with new ones due to safety reasons while standard items such as bumpers and interior trim parts are a great option to buy used ones.

To know more about cars you can click here.