Maybe I’m having a quarter life crisis, but I want to learn some DIY car maintenance. Fortunately, I’m in a position where my family really could get by with one car, and my partner’s old car, a 6th gen Ford Fiesta, mostly sits unused.
I figure that this might be the best opportunity for me to learn some new skills. I have to force myself to take occasional errands in this car just so it doesn’t rot in the driveway, so I’m pretty sure I can take my sweet time with any project I start on it. I’d like to think I have some mechanical aptitude and have half a clue on how basic systems work on a car. I already do some really basic stuff - air filters, wiper blades, windshield washer fluid.
What are some basic projects that I should look into? What are some essential tools to have on hand that may not be too obvious?
Learning to do your brakes can save you a ton of money over time. Most of the time you can do a complete brake job with a basic socket set and a large c clamp(or anything to compress the caliper piston, like a big pair of channel locks or a specialized tool). I believe you also need a large hex key to remove the caliper slide pins on that car.
I’d recommend getting a torque wrench for safety reasons. Buy a repair manual or find a tutorial before you start and check what tools you’ll need. A good guide will include torque specs for the caliper mounting and slide bolts.
Many auto parts stores will do free loans of specialized tools, like spring compressors, bearing tools, pullers, etc. I’ve saved tons by borrowing tools from AutoZone.
Don’t force it if a bolt won’t come loose. Apply penetrating oil and wait, if it still won’t come loose apply heat and more oil.
Have fun!
Some cars need a special caliper wind-back tool because the cylinder screws into the caliper. As with most specialty tools, you can usually get a loaner tool from an auto parts store if you put down a deposit.
That’s the goal - a new hobby that’ll eventually save me some money!
I’d recommend getting a torque wrench for safety reasons. Buy a repair manual or find a tutorial before you start and check what tools you’ll need. A good guide will include torque specs for the caliper mounting and slide bolts.
I picked one up last week, actually, and used it this weekend when I fixed a misaligned hubcap (held on by lug nuts) on the family car. I’ll probably shop around for repair manuals next.
I’ve had luck finding pdf repair manuals on torrent sites and on web forums. The Haynes/Chilton physical manuals are convenient sometimes, but the factory service manual in PDF format is usually better quality especially the diagrams.
I found this, it’s for a 2014, which I believe is mk6: https://www.dropbox.com/s/s7wts7x85s2yu9e/2014 Fiesta.zip?dl=0
Hope that helps, enjoy!
pirate a copy of ALLDATA or Mitchell1, I find the navigation much easier than the pdfs
This is very helpful. Thanks a lot
Check everything rubber in and on your car
If you’re disassembling something complicated, take detailed pictures or video(s) and use that as a guide to reassemble. Also, a good way to keep your bolts/screws organized is to punch them through a piece of cardboard and label where they go with a permanent marker.
But, the absolute most important thing is to get a service manual (either OEM or a a Chilton/Haynes aftermarket manual) and torque wrenches (borrow/rent them from an auto store in the beginning). You need to know the torque specs and to be able to apply that specified torque. A lot of people get by with “the grunt system” where you just kinda wing it. My buddy learned the hard way about torque specs when five of his six wheel lugs on one wheel sheered off on the highway. This might sound scarier or more difficult than it really is, and you can surely find some YouTube video on how to do it.
Oil change? Tune up? Tire rotation? Brakes?
Do you already have an impact driver to go with your socket set? Even a low-end one will make your life so much easier, especially if you live in an area that salts the roads for ice control. And if you do live in such an area, maybe a torch for heating the things that the impact driver can’t loosen?
Oil change? Tune up? Tire rotation? Brakes?
These were roughly what I was thinking of. Definitely would need two more jack stands to make tire rotation not a pain in the ass.
Do you already have an impact driver to go with your socket set? Even a low-end one will make your life so much easier, especially if you live in an area that salts the roads for ice control
Fortunately we only get 1-3 snows a season where I live, but an inpact driver does seem like a swell upgrade for the future.
I sent my husband - mechanic, hydraulic tech, & industrial fab - this thread and asked if he had suggestions, and he said:
I think your reply was good and others have made some good suggestions.
I would make the firm point that a solid respect for safety before doing anything is the single most important thing to keep in mind. No job is worth the loss of a body part. Get a solid pair of jack stands and floor jack before attempting anything that requires lifting the car off the ground. Have good eye protection on, and always pay attention to where the force of your hand is going to move when you are breaking free a fastener.
Noted: will be sure to stock a healthy fear and respect for the 2000-something lb machine :)
I’d say oil change, engine and cabin air filter change, spark plugs (once you feel comfortable and have done other stuff/as needed). It really depends, you’ve got a car that had a bunch of engines made for it so there might be specific stuff. Best way to figure out what might be needed/doable is probably car forums. There’s likely one for the fiesta.
If the shocks and struts are worn out, they’re not too hard to replace, as long as the bolts aren’t rusted solid. You might need a long wrench handle (breaker bar), an electric impact driver, penetrating oil, and/or a propane torch to get the bolts unstuck. You’ll need to get an alignment after you have everything put back together.
The trickiest part is using spring compressors, because if they slip off, the spring can launch suspension parts with a lot of force. I always keep the strut horizontal when compressing the spring, with nothing important in the line of fire. You can borrow spring compressors from most auto parts stores if you put down a deposit.
My car could use some work if you’re in Portland
