This section will cover mechanical maintenance for your car to keep it in good working condition. It will include how to change brake pads, discs, wheel bearings, hubs, basic service, brake lines etc. Most of these guides are a step-by-step process showing you what to do and what is involved. Most if not all the guides are also available in downloadable formats, such as Acrobat Reader format (printing) or the guide itself compressed (zipped) for downloading for later reading. You will need the following programmes as shown on the left to be able to view or use them. Use the key below to gauge how difficult each task will be. Please pick from the list below.

Step-by-Step Guide

This is a step-by-step guide on changing the oil and flushing the engine oil out of your car. This is a basic service procedure that can be done in under 20 minutes.

Step-by-Step Guide

This is a step-by-step guide on replacing a outer CV Boot on a driveshaft. If this gets split or cracked then it is a MOT failure, plus if the damaged CV boot doesn't get replaced very soon, then the driveshaft and velocity joint will most likely get damaged, which costs a lot of money to replace.

Step-by-Step Guide

This is a step-by-step guide on bleeding the brakes on any car. The guide is based on a Vauxhall Nova, but should be similar to all other Vauxhall models. Bleeding the brakes is necessary if new brake hoses or calipers are fitted. But the fluid should also be renewed annually.

Step-by-Step Guide

This is a step-by-step guide on replacing the rear hub bearings on a Vauxhall Nova (any model). However, the same method can be applied to other models which have rear drums for the braking. This maintenance procedure can cure those annoying whinging sounds you get while driving around town, i.e. warn bearings,

If your car has been lowered then PLEASE READ THIS. There is a potential fuel hazard which is caused by the rubbing of the steering tie rod arms in the engine bay (take a look at the fuel pipe on the left).

Warning Article No.2

Vauxhall owners of 2L 16v XE (non-EcoTec engines) that were fitted in Astra, Frontera, Cavalier, Omega, Vectra, Tigras, Corsas and Calibra's built between September 1993 to September 1996 should read this article! It could be a very expensive if you don't.