Hai Gaiz!!

I recently went to the local inspection station to get a sticker for my 1994 Lexus ES300, .

IS IT POSSIBLE for someone with some natural mechanical ability but little know-how (will look-up official repair manual shortly), to make any of these repairs, and what sort of tools or part sellers would you recommend, and any other knowledge on becoming a better mechanic through practice?


Here is the list I was given as to what was in need of being fixed:

*Exhaust Leak (O2 Sensor, someone decided to attach the hose to the exhaust pipe with scotch tape - it fell out)
*A.B.S. Light On
*E-Brake Doesn't Work
*Rear Side Marker Lights (Both Sides)
*Left Front C.V. Shaft Boot (Open like a clam with grease spewing out)
*Right Rear Wheel Well (Hole that I just need to put Bondo or sheet metal on)
*Drivers Door Mirror


I was also told that the brakes need to be taken out, un-rusted and then re-attached but that seems like something I'd want a professional to look at beforehand.

I have ramps and a jack and a few basic tools such as wrenches, pliers, cable cutters, and one of those multi-socket/screwdriver handles with bits and sockets. If I need other things to do the job, I'd like that info.

Thanks,

:D

Bump!

Just checked out the repair manual, couldn't find a download that didn't cost money so unless someone else can find one for me, I need to put some cash on my card before I purchase one.

*Exhaust Leak (O2 Sensor, someone decided to attach the hose to the exhaust pipe with scotch tape - it fell out) - use duct tape
*E-Brake Doesn't Work - use two bricks

Anyhow: https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusd ... ual-search. Looks that for Repair Manual you'll need to go to Lexus dealer (http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/docum ... pdf/rm.pdf)

o2 will prolly require a piece of pipe welded into the exaust with the fitting for the sensor on it.

cv shaft will be a whore.. id let it be unless its clicking when you turn, otherwise a shop would be best

ebrake will be cbles under the car, and/or, inside the rear drum... another shop job..

mirror can prolly be found at a salvave yard.. most have three bolts under the trim inside the door.

lights could be corroded, or just burnt out..

Where do you live? My grandpa is a know it all mechanic. He lives in Ohio. I could send you his way

You could end up doing more harm than good with the brake lines. I wouldn't trust myself doing that kind of stuff.

Did your (usually threaded) bung fall off? Usually there is a threaded bung welded into your exhaust pipe which the o2 sensor screws into. If your bung is gone, an exhaust shop can weld another one on cheaply, provided you know what to ask for (or if you give them the o2 sensor and they can fit it). If you make them do the leg work, it'll be more expensive. Optimally, you'd figure out if you're missing the bung, and if so, buy another one and take it to the exhaust shop. They'd love that and it'd be a ton cheaper.



I've seen this be anything from low brake fluid levels (~$5) to a cracked master cylinder (~$800). See if you can't con someone into scanning your codes for you for free, it might give you more insight if it that model logs brake events to the OBDC.



Sounds like a fuse is out or there is a deeper wiring issue. Have you tried the obvious, swapping out the bulbs? You will want to get a hold of the wiring diagrams / harness info. My service manual gives me enough information to check both fuse issues as well as harness problems. Some more modern repair shops subscribe to some online service where they can print out wiring diagrams for any make/model -- you should see if some guy will hook you up with those for cheap if you can't find a manual with them.



You should figure out whether its just the boot (cheaper) or the cv joint as well (more expensive, in both parts and labor). If its just the boot, replace it ASAP.

I have never heard anyone refer to turning rotors and drums as unrusting before, lol. I don't fix my own shit, I have family for that so i am no help but other then leave the brake stuff to pro's it's worth the money in the end.

Take this advice. I don't know shit about cars, but I don't think brakes are something you just want to jump into. You F*CK those up, and you put other people in danger. Things like that should be done by certified mechanics. That's just my 2 cents.

I just got some replacement bulbs today, will be putting those in shortly, I disconnected both light caps from inside the trunk and pulled the bulbs out myself and the mechanic said it was probably just the bulbs anyway.



I've always been told that brakes are best left to people who are competent and insured for doing this kind of work, aka taking it to a shop.

Today I plan on starting on my Bondo job for the wheel well, I bought the Bondo, a few spreaders and one of the files that are manufactured by the Bondo company for sanding it down. This is what I'll be doing after I put in the lights and it'll be either today or tomorrow depending on how much visibility I have as far as the sun goes. When I acquire artificial lighting for use in outdoor car repair the amount of daylight won't matter.

I'm also looking into replacing the cracked mirror glass myself.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am grateful.

Update:

I bought a metal screen to use for the bondo job and now I gotta sand it down. (haven't spent much time on this because I'm battling strep throat from too much *LOLLING*).

Driver's side mirror glass, new O2 sensor and e-brake cable are on the way.


Also, Fomenta: The bung you mentioned, it has a piece of the O2 sensor RUSTED INSIDE OF IT AND SNAPPED OFF...so basically the little dongle on the end of the sensor tube is broken in half with one half stuck in the dongle and so that apparently means I need to get out some KY Jelly and lube up the bung hole.

NICE!!!!