How to Replace Window Glass in an XJS

The Jaguar XJS was a luxury, grand-touring car first produced in 1975. The vehicles V-12 engine was a cause for much discussion for many right up until it was decommissioned in 1996. The XJS was based upon the popular XJ saloon. In 1981, the XJS received a high-efficiencuy efficient engine that raised the power of models sold in the U.S. to 263 hp.

Instructions

1

Open up the door containing the broken glass. Remove the door-panel screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Carefully lift the door panel away from the door.

2

Pull the water deflector away from the door. Pull it toward you until it comes free.

3

Lower the window regulator to its lowest possible position. The window regulator is a metallic. cross-shaped component. It features a horizontal bar at the top that connects to the window.

4

Remove the two bolts which connect the window to the window regulator; use a hex wrench. Lift the window out of the frame.

5

Slide a new window in to the window frame. Line up the bolt holes on the bottom of the window with those on the regulator . Secure the window in place by reattaching the two bolts. Reconnect the water deflector and door panel.

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How to Change Rear Brakes on an Avalanche

The rear brakes on the Chevy Avalanche are comprised of a two-piston caliper, disc pads and a brake rotor. The system is very similar to the front brakes on the Avalanche, giving the truck great stopping power and keeping the brake system very balanced. The brakes are easily replaced in the driveway or garage with basic tools, and the pads are readily available at any parts store or the Chevy dealership&039;s parts department.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of your Avalanche and find the brake master cylinder on the firewall. Open the cover and remove three-quarters of the brake fluid using a turkey baster. Replace the cover on the master cylinder and move to the rear of the truck.

2

Loosen the rear lug nuts with a lug wrench but do not remove them completely yet. Raise the rear of the truck with a jack, then position a set of jack stands under the rear axle to support it. Remove the lug nuts and wheels from the truck.

3

Locate the brake caliper mounting bolts and remove them with a socket and ratchet. Lift the caliper off the mounting bracket and support it with a piece of wire off the suspension of frame of the truck. Remove the brake pads from the mounting bracket and discard them.

4

Position a new set of pads in place on the bracket, then install the caliper over them. Install the caliper mounting bolts and torque them to 30 ft-lbs. with a torque wrench. Repeat the process for the opposite side of the truck.

5

Install the tires and lug nuts on the truck, raise it off the jack stands with a jack, remove the stands and set the truck on the ground. Tighten the lug nuts with a lug wrench.

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How to Install an Oil Pressure Gauge

Basically, an oil gauge is used to indicate oil pressure levels. It is commonly installed on the dashboard of a vehicle in order to help the driver to properly monitor the oil pressure levels. When the warning light on the gauge lights up, it is an indication that the oil pressure level in the engine is very low; hence it must be replenished immediately to avoid engine damage. That being said, the installation of an oil pressure gauge is highly important.

In normal conditions the needle on your oil pressure gauge will remain in the same position and you will become used to it being there. You need to be aware when the needle begins to move downwards as this will normally happen long before the warning light comes on and gives you more time to prevent damage to your engine. If your car is more than a few years old, the gauge is indicating that your oil needs changing or that the usual wear and tear of age is beginning to happen. There may be a great deal of life left in your vehicle, but you will need to carefully watch your oil level from today. If the needle dips wildly downwards and then back up to a normal level, there may already be damage or a drastically low oil level. It can prove to be very expensive to ignore the warning signs.

Installing an oil gauge so that you can keep an eye on your oil pressure is not the simplest task and is probably best carried out by a professional, but if you want to do it yourself here is some information that may help.

Whether you will be installing an electric or mechanical oil pressure gauge, it would be ideal that you know how to properly integrate it into your vehicle system. To help you accomplish that, here is a detailed installation guide that you can follow:

Step one: It is critical that you know where to properly place the gauge. You should know that the port where the gauge must be placed is normally situated six inches behind the vehicles oil filter. In order to easily find the port, you may have to remove the side front wheel on the passengers side. Once it has been removed, you will see a silver-colored filter (located behind the factory oil pressure switch) that has two wires attached to the electrical connector.

Step two: After locating the port, you have to first drain the oil before removing the electric connector present on the pressure switch.

Step three: Once done, you may now disconnect the switch. The rest of the procedure will depend on the type of gauge that you need to install. Normally, pressure gauges include an installation manual, which you have to carefully read and understand, in order to ensure proper installation.

Step four: When the oil gauge has already been installed, make a test run to know if it is already functional. If you are unsure that you did the right thing, it is best that you find a professional mechanic to do the installation for you.

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How to Bleed a New Master Cylinder on an Astro Van

When you change a brake master cylinder on a Chevy Astro van or any other vehicle, it will cause air to get in the hydraulic system that you must bleed out. You can speed up the process of removing air by bleeding the master cylinder before installing it--a process known as bench bleeding. You will need to do this on a surface where the cylinder can be supported without spilling fluid. The process described may also work for a number of other models.

Instructions

1

Insert threaded plugs into the master cylinders outlet holes--the ones on the sides that the brake lines will connect to. Make sure the reservoir is properly seated on top of the cylinder with its grommets.

2

Fill the master cylinder and reservoir with fresh brake fluid.

3

Remove one of the plugs from its outlet hole.

4

Push the piston assembly on the cylinder to expel air from the cylinder. Place a finger on the open outlet hole, release the piston and wait for fluid to flow from the reservoir to the piston bore--this will take several seconds.

5

Repeat the previous step, pressing the piston so it forces your finger off the hole, until only brake fluid comes out the hole, then replace the plug.

6

Repeat the previous three steps for each of the outlet holes on the master cylinder.

7

Fill and top off the master cylinder reservoir with fluid and install the diaphragm and cover onto the reservoir.

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How to Install an Older Model Auto Windshield

Classic car restoration is popular with both professionals and amateurs. Hard to find parts, such as windshields, are readily available for a price. Home mechanics might wonder if windshield replacement on older model cars is a feasible job for amateurs. This job requires a good deal of patience and persistence, but it is not impossible as long as you have the right parts and tools.

Instructions

1

Place the new windshield on wooden blocks or sawhorses, with the inside surface facing up. Optionally, squeeze a bead of flow grade butyl sealant around the inside edge of the new windshield gasket with a caulking gun. Install the rubber gasket around the windshield.

2

Insert a piece of 3/8-inch nylon rope into the outside edge of the windshield gasket, beginning and ending at the bottom center of the windshield. Leave about 1 foot of rope dangling out of the gasket and cut any excess rope to length. Tape the tails of the rope to the middle of the inside of the windshield.

3

Set the windshield into position on the outside of the car with the help of an assistant. Have your assistant gently push on the outside bottom edge of the windshield.

4

Pull on one of the rope ends from the inside of the car, working toward a bottom corner, while your assistant gently pushes from the outside. The rope will cause the rubber gasket to wrap around the metal frame to the inside of the car. Pull on both rope ends, first the bottom edge, then the side edges and then the top edge of the windshield gasket. Pull the rope completely out to finish the job.

5

Inspect the rubber gasket fully, inside and out. Straighten out any kinks with a small screwdriver or a cotter pin tool.

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