Automotive Component Disassembly And Reassembly Basics

It was once observed by a most wise, efficient as wealth auto dealership owner that a major lesson and teaching of his life was that in the machine shop and automotive trade that neatness on the mechanical not only made life as well as any repairs easier, but also that neatness in any automotive repair facility paid and indeed made those garage owners and mechanics wealthy and prosperous.

The basic and simple maxim and guideline to live by of disassembly and reassemblies of auto and automotive components - is never to force anything, ever. If you find that you are not sure or unsure - then stop dead in your tracks. The second rule and corollary is always to carefully note and mark down everything - their configurations and placements, plus any other relevant and useful information and data. Do this both mentally as well as in writing your notebook or tablet laptop computer. How were these automotive components assembled originally? How were they put or held together? In what and which the sequence were or did they came apart. On top of that take the time to note as well, and to locate if they fall off the workbench or spring of what fasteners and fittings were used. They may look simple, but once lost they may be irreplaceable to obtain, by any means or manner.

Somewhere down the line or the highway your mechanical gizmo will have to be put back together. Even a tent comes with a set of instructions of how to raise it properly. So be it with the engine that you are working on. It does not matter if the item or items that you are taking apart - to later reassemble came from a car, truck, bus, tractor, Harley motorcycle or van. The procedure, steps and rules are in essence all the same, you can count on it. And so you should.

Disassemble components carefully to help assure and ensure that the parts will and do go back together totally properly. Again note the sequence in which parts are removed. This cannot be emphasized and overemphasized too much. Make special note of special characteristics or marks on parts that can or could be installed in more than one way or manner of form. For example think of the positions that a grooved thrust washer on a shaft could be placed.

It can be said to be a good practice and overall wise idea to lay the disassembled parts out on a clean surface in the order in which you removed them. It may also be helpful to make simple or even more elaborate sketches or even to take digital photos, with a standard digital camera of components before removal. If a large auto insurance company like the Manitoba Public Insurance Corp (M.P.I.) can do it so can you. Digital photos in essence cost nothing - only your time. Not long ago the same could not be said of the cost of Polaroid instant photography photos. A standard simple digital camera or even the camera on a run of the mill 2009 cell phone can easily do what used to take high end polo raid cameras to verify and record. Better yet it is all instant, basically free save your time. On top of that you can easily store and retrieve your photos on your PC computer and easily print them out hard copy if need be for easy reference when it comes to working out in the garage or even in your backyard or basement machine shop. Lastly if you do need professional garage man or the assistance of your expert mechanic photos can always be used for easy description and assistance in working on and completing your automotive project.

When you remove fasteners from a component, keep track of their locations. Thread a bolt back into a part, or put the washers or nut back on the stud. This will simply prevent mix ups later. If this is not practical put fasteners in a standard fishing tackle box or in a series of small boxes. Alternatively a cupcake or muffin tin or even an egg crate carton can be most useful for these purposes. Each cavity can hold the bolts as well as nuts from a particular area (for example oil pan bolts, valve cover bolts, engine mount bolts etc.). A pan or pans of these types is most helpful especially when working on assemblies with very small parts such as the drive train. Just remember to mark each cavity with paint or tape to identify the contents.

Lastly when you unplug the connector or connectors between the two wire harnesses or even two wires. It always a good and wise idea to identify the two haves with numbered pieces of masking tape - or a pair of matching pieces with colored electrical tape - so that they can be easily reconnected.

By following these simple steps and procedures - all of which are fairly basic and standard you will save yourself a lot of wasted time, energy and spare yourself a great amount of exasperation. Let alone time and money saved.