My friend is having major problems with her car, need advice

[Greg12]

on or about augest 10-20th my friend gave her car to her uncle to get it repaired. Her uncle took it to a friend's mecanic who would do it. He (uncle) offered to do it for free.

The car needs:

New CV boot
New headlights
New Horn
New Power Steering Belt

The uncle has been bullshitting on it's done date since september. He's said it's not ready, guy broke a hand, guy needs to weld an axel, melt the cv boot down.

She wants to get the car and take it to anouther shop to get it fixed. What is the best way to do this? the uncle refuses to give any information on the shop such as address or phone number. She wants to avoid, if possible, a lawsuit.

Any advice

Btw: it's a mitsu eclispe.

[ViRaL1]

Got a bat?

[Greg12]

i think we r trying to avoid killing the family to

[thecoalman]

I could do that myself in an afternoon...

[ViRaL1]

Got a bat?

i think we r trying to avoid killing the family to

I could do that myself in an afternoon...

Yeah, I guess the average family isn't as larges as it used to be.

[thecoalman]

Got a bat?

i think we r trying to avoid killing the family to

I could do that myself in an afternoon...

Yeah, I guess the average family isn't as larges as it used to be.

[ZAPPER]

Get the car back, get a book, get the parts and do it yourself. No biggie.

[thecoalman]

Get the car back, get a book, get the parts and do it yourself. No biggie.

Besides the boot you don't need a book unless your a complete nitwit.

[ViRaL1]

I'm still a little fuzzy on the whole killing the family thing. Can anyone recommend a book?

[offline]

The Manson Family Audio Biography is out on CD

[thecoalman]

I'm still a little fuzzy on the whole killing the family thing. Can anyone recommend a book?

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/kuklinski/persona_7.html?sect=8

This guy killed for fun..... Ever see the HBO documentary?

[ZAPPER]

Get the car back, get a book, get the parts and do it yourself. No biggie.

Besides the boot you don't need a book unless your a complete nitwit.

I read what I think I see. I thought CV Boot read as CV joint. I am kind of a nitwit sometimes and a peek in a book makes me think that it will be easy enough for me to do

[thecoalman]

I am kind of a nitwit sometimes and a peek in a book makes me think that it will be easy enough for me to do

Wasn't calling you a nitwit, just that all those things are easily done. Two of them can probably be accomplished with nothing more than screwdriver or simialr fastener driver.

[Greg12]

how does she get the car back if the uncle refuses to tell her where it is

[thecoalman]

how does she get the car back if the uncle refuses to tell her where it is

That's where the bat comes in 8)

[ZAPPER]

I am kind of a nitwit sometimes and a peek in a book makes me think that it will be easy enough for me to do

Wasn't calling you a nitwit, just that all those things are easily done. Two of them can probably be accomplished with nothing more than screwdriver or simialr fastener driver.

Ahh, but I am kind of a nitwit. I said that I confused the boot with the actual joint Funny thing with all of the crap that I own it always seems that I have the one bastard version of it. Like the wrong colors in the wireing harness, mid year changes in components, and for some reason the damb breaks are always a size different than the spec book says they should be

[ViRaL1]

Get his car. Then you won't need the bat.

[rallynavvie]

Which year and model Eclipse? I know DSMs pretty well.

CV boots are a bitch depending on which model it is. It it's the AWD model the halfshaft comes off pretty easy. The outer boot kit is only like $30 from the stealership, cheaper online. If its the inner one then that's about $80. Again it depends on the model Eclipse.

Why do you need to fix the horn? I never used mine and removed it so I could use the fuse for something else. All horns do is piss people off anyway. Personally I rev at people in place of using a horn because it tends to scare them more than anger them.

Headlights are easy but some models have replacement bulbs and some you replace the whole headlight fixture.

There was a TSB out on 2G DSM steering belts going faster because of improper alignment/tension. Otherwise replacing the belt is pretty simple.

[thecoalman]

Why do you need to fix the horn? .

Not sure about where you live but you need a working horn here to pass inspection.

[VideoTechMan]

Why do you need to fix the horn? .

Not sure about where you live but you need a working horn here to pass inspection.

Unless you live in a state where they dont do inspections. My state doesnt do inspections and i think Ohio is another.

If the CV boot needs replacement, its usually best to replace the whole shaft....less hassle. My outer CV boot broke on my car druing my trip to TX several weeks ago....fortunately there was an autoparts store nearby for me to get a replacement. Replaced it myself within 40 minutes.

I dont trust others on my car; I do my own repairs....at about this time last year I replaced my rear brakes, shoes, drums and even the springs, which are usually the most pain to work with. Had it done within an hour. Replaced the rear shocks too.

I would suggest if her uncle refuse to give her car back, then legal action could be in his future. Not right to keep someone's vehicle and not tell the owner where is it so they can get it fixed properly.

VTM

[Craig Tucker]

Her uncle sounds like a real nice chap, you dont expect to get ripped off by your family. As has been mentioned before 3 of the jobs can be done without even getting your hands dirty. The only one that requires any level of mechanical knowhow is the CV boot. The joints can be a pain to split to get the boot off. You certainly dont need to melt them to get them off.

You can cut the old boot off, and you can get split boots which can be glued on so the drive shaft does not even need disconnecting. However these really are a false economy as they dont last 5 minutes.

[Dr. DOS]

Call Dad (if on his side) or Mom (if on her side) to ask Unlcle the question, "WTF"

[sacajaweeda]

Tell him that if he doesn't let you know where the ******* car is that you'll just get the cops to come out and make him tell you.

[Faustus]

Just replace the radio. From the way my little brother acts thats all cars ever need.

[zzyzzx]

I would also be asking the police what you should do. Possibly reporting it stolen might help. If she never gets it back tell her to count her blessings because Mistubishi motors makes crappy cars.

[northcat_8]

CV joints are no easy task to put in, matter of fact, those absolutely suck to replace.

Power steering belt is also no easy task since the engine is crammed in the front end like a 350 lb woman in size 12 Laytex.

I don't know what to tell you about dealing with her uncle other than just go get the car. That's her fault for trusting untrustworthy family in the first place.

But last time I checked, replacing a CV joint did not involve welding an axel replace, don't weld. And melting the boot??? Ermmm....Okay....if he says so

[bazooka]

how does she get the car back if the uncle refuses to tell her where it is

That's where the bat comes in 8)

A tire iron is better

[SquirrelDip]

Call Dad (if on his side) or Mom (if on her side) to ask Unlcle the question, "WTF"

This is probably your best bet - If this doesn't work and things go really strange then you could report the car as stolen (technically true if they won't give it back).

If you're the CV work yourself - do one side at a time. If things get screwed up (or you get a little confused) you can use the other side as a reference. Simple point but may prove useful...

[LSchafroth]

Any home garage mechanic could do all that in a hour or two, inlcuding the time it takes to drink the 6 pack.

LS

[badger_fruit]

report the car as stolen - claim on insurance; buy better car