Question

Why is it so hard to find car repair information on the Internet?

Asked by: cuziyq

OK, I am a computer geek who knows a few things about cars.

When I have a computer related question, there are a bazillion sites out there like EE here where I can freely find pretty much anything I want.  All I have to do is Google it.  Takes about 10 minutes to find the information you need if it's obscure, and about 30 seconds if it's common.

Now, when it comes to cars, I have a hard time finding a damn thing on Google.  I have a 1998 Dodge Caravan with a broken wheel stud.  I am totally comfortable with taking the rotor and caliper off and removing the wheel hub.  All I want is a friggin' diagram of the hub assembly before I get started so I can plan out how long it's gonna take and if I even have the right tools for it.  You'd think that information would be easy to find, right?

Good lord, I have been searching for an hour and found basically squat.  Are there no car people out there who know how to use a computer??  Has Mr. Chilton copyrighted every single car part diagram in existence?  Does Google have something against cars?  What's the deal?

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Asked On
2008-05-15 at 14:45:17ID23406805
Topics

Miscellaneous

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Puzzles & Riddles

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Math & Science

Participating Experts
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    Answers

     

    by: grg99Posted on 2008-05-15 at 15:07:04ID: 21578364

    The diagram isn't going to help all that much.

    The real time-wasters are all the things that are not on the diagram, like how stuck the axle nut is, whether it's left or right-hand thread, how rusted the caliper bolts are, how rounded off are the edges, how muddy or greasy the parts are, how loud is the leaf-blower in the next  yard, how much it blows or rains on you,  etc.......

     

    by: cuziyqPosted on 2008-05-15 at 15:27:43ID: 21578469

    True.  Murphy's law definetly applies.  I just want to avoid the situation where I've got the thing half taken apart before I realize that it can't be done before wifey needs it to take the whole family to Wal-Mart to spend my shiny new paycheck on something.

    I just find it odd that I could find the logitude/lattitude coordinates of every single nuclear missle silo in the former Soviet Union, the list of Colonel Sanders' secret herbs and spices, naked pictures of my neighbor's wife, or possibly the cure for cancer on the Internet, but I can't find a stupid drawing of a car that hundreds of thousands of people in this country drive.

    Mind boggling, ain't it?

     

    by: RobinDPosted on 2008-05-15 at 16:51:14ID: 21578859

    I think that people don't repair their own cars so much as they used to. I bought a Haynes manual for mine and it doesn't contain much more than basic routine maintenance that you don't need a book for, and suggestions that 'this is a difficult operation and should only be undertaken by a qualified mechanic', rubbish since I bought the book to tell me how to do it, not to suggest that I can't. The wiring diagram has parts missing too, as if you were never supposed to actually refer to it, but they put it in because they always have.
    The old manuals used to tell you how to get around difficult problems without using the 'special tools' and never referred you to a professional except for machining work - even then I believe they gave you the tolerances just in case you did know how to work a lathe.

    Vehicles are more complicated and there are fewer parts that can actually be fixed without changing the entire assembly (mainly because you can't buy the smaller components). Most modern cars engines can be best diagnosed using a computer, even setting up the timing is a software operation.

    I have found some useful help on the internet, mainly in forums and specialist sites, but nothing as comprehensive as a good old fashioned manual.

    Ever tried changing a headlamp bulb on a Citroen C3? A google search saved me the garage cost of taking the front of the car off - it can be changed by hand with a mirror, probably not in the dark at the roadside, but it can be done.

     

    by: KdoPosted on 2008-05-16 at 05:33:34ID: 21582084

    Hi cuziyq,

    I don't know your particular model, but wheel studs can be particularly difficult for such a seemingly easy task.  The studs are often seated into place with a hydraulic press.  While you may be able to get the broken/stripped stud out via the repeated bashing  with 4 pound mallet, you won't get the new one back in that way without screwing something up.

    As painful as it is, take the assembly to a brake shop and let them press in a new stud.


    Good Luck,
    Kent

     

    by: RDAdamsPosted on 2008-05-16 at 09:01:09ID: 21583932

    Just a thought but it could be because most vehicle repair mechanics spend their time....well....working on vehicles.  Not browsing the internet.

     

    by: RobinDPosted on 2008-05-16 at 09:43:08ID: 21584291

    >most vehicle repair mechanics
    Would probably prefer people not to mess with their own cars. It will be easier for them to fix it if it hasn't been mucked about with already, so they wouldn't want to encourage this behaviour.

     

    by: RobinDPosted on 2008-05-16 at 09:48:53ID: 21584331

    wrong year, but will this help?

    http://www.ebooksquad.com/search/free+owners+manual+2000+Dodge+Caravan

    oh!!!!! I think it lied to me, I can't find a link for the download that it promised.

    ( I searched for '1998 Dodge Caravan wheel assembly schematic' and that link came up)

     

    by: jared_lukerPosted on 2008-05-16 at 12:51:56ID: 21585881

    Your best bet is going to be to find a forum that has lots of activity and is on topic with your issue.  A quick google found this one:

    http://www.dodgeforum.com/

    If the answer you seek is not there (by searching of course), then post your question and hurry up and wait.  Hopefully there will be enough activity that someone will have the info your are needing.  

    It would be nice if there were a cache of good repair manuals out there, but I have not been able to find such a treat.

     

    by: RobinDPosted on 2008-05-16 at 13:18:52ID: 21586105

    http://www.autoboardz.com/Dodge-forum-35.html?gclid=CPS_hqbrq5MCFQ88Qwod_SwTog

    Found another - from that odd 'free manual' page I posted earlier

     

    by: dragonjimPosted on 2008-05-20 at 07:56:48ID: 21606736

    You can also check with your public library - there are databases (subscriptions required) available. (EBSCO's Auto Repair Reference Center) for one.

     

    by: dragonjimPosted on 2008-05-20 at 07:58:43ID: 21606749

    For the Caravan... Link are as follows, prior to getting to select for a wheel assembly.

    Engine Type      Liters      Fuel Delivery      Fuel
                 L4      2.4      FI      GAS
                 V6      3      FI      GAS
                 V6      3.3      FI      FLEX
                 V6      3.3      FI      GAS
                 V6      3.8      FI      GAS
                 Elec      Elec      Elec      ELECTRIC

    20120131-EE-VQP-002

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