Author: David Sander

I recently discovered a neat trick to help form new hard brake lines. I am a huge fan of nickel copper tubing; it is very easy to form and lasts forever. I have found that it makes sense to leave a little more material on the end of the line when making flares, as the…

Guest W. Jones this month shows you how to…..  The starter motor is heavy, sturdy and unlikely to get much attention, but a faulty one will be a real headache. Often located in the depths of the engine bay, making it hard to access even in a workshop, it’s not the sort of component that…

This month’s question comes from Wendell Noble. Anyone who knows Wendell and Mary know they have a preference for manual transmissions. Wendell asked me if I knew why his owner’s manual advises not to keep a hand on the gear shift lever while driving.  The answer is, yes, I know. The gear shift lever is connected…

Happy New Year! Although 2021 will have many challenges, I truly hope we will all have a better year.  Absent any questions this month, I decided I would write a review for a very affordable and useful tool. I purchased a stud welder/slide hammer from Harbor Freight. This tool allows me to pull dents out,…

had a question recently that may be of interest. The question was: “How do I lubricate my window slides and door lock hardware in my antique cars?” I use Fluidfilm to lubricate window regulators and the latch on the inside of the door. I undercoat my cars with Fluidfilm in the fall, and keep a…

Dave’s Garage is giving space this month to the 2020 Golden Wrench Award Recipients. Congratulations to you all.  The Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts  Golden Wrench Award  May 29, 2020  (Address & student name……..)  Congratulations! You have been selected to receive VAE’s Golden Wrench Award. We have found you best exemplify the qualities of the positive attitude toward…

When I pulled the Subaru in to take the winter tires off and wash the undercarriage I heard the unmistakable sound of a muffler leak. I was a bit surprised, as the car is only 5 years old.  I looked at the muffler, and it looked like it was in good shape, until I saw…

When the cars go in to the garage for the winter, I have always believed they should be drivable and ready to be driven out quickly if there is a fire. I leave battery tenders on lead acid batteries (but not gel cell batteries, they have no static discharge) and always disconnect the batteries to…

Dave,  I want to share, with you, my story on ethanol gas. As I recall you have done pieces on this topic in the past, however, I thought I would share with you my totally unscientific finding.  I religiously try to use the non-ethanol in my old cars, lawn mowers, weed whacker, chainsaw, etc.  Last…