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On a 2016 Fusion, at least, the brake caliper bracket bolts are single-use only per Ford service data. Since Ford doesn't supply a "torque plus degrees" spec, I'm presuming they're not torque-to-yield, but the replacement bolts do come prepared with threadlocker. On the son-in-law's Chevy...

It's a Saab! Remember, the 9-5 wagon of the same era had four sliding, removable cargo hooks, each of which was rated to hold the static weight of the car. "Overbuilt" doesn't begin to describe it... not that you'd use the word once you've been in an accident in such a Saab.

He wasn't hired to fix the problem; he was hired to diagnose it by a guy who intends to DIY the fix. And the fix may be "replace the engine, or the vehicle," since the truck is 14 years old—which in salty New York means engine removal could be effected by hitting a speed bump hard.

Computer with a web browser. That means access to factory service data, Alldata, YouTube videos, forums like this... all sorts of places where other people have already figured out the hard bits. Having a dedicated-to-purpose computer in the garage/workshop, with a mouse and keyboard that I...

The ThinkDiag from ThinkCar is full bidirectional; it can do most of the tricks of a $3,000 tool except for stuff that absolutely requires a J-box like firmware updates. It'll do bidirectional actuation tests, settings, variant coding. Currently on sale from the manufacturer's US arm for $84...

I don't have s Hyundai with a Nu, but I have a Kia with a Theta II, and I do have a ThinkDiag. So far, I haven't found a bidirectional command it doesn't have. It won't let you flash new firmware into modules, but it will let you do variant coding. I'm certainly happy with it.

The family has a number of Kias, and they're all easy to work on. Holes in the underbody shield for draining motor oil and replacing the oil filter—no need to drop the entire shield for that. Brake hardware uses lockwashers, not torque-to-yield bolts that need replacing every time they're...

After Dad passed, I moved in with Mom so she could keep the house. Dad was a cabinetmaker, and built a shop on the property. It had two loading bays, one of which he'd converted to do automotive work in his retired years. Because those bays were originally for loading and unloading wood, they...

If it's a CPO used car, the 10/100 will carry over. The Theta II lifetime warranty applies to the owner at the time of the settlement and the first subsequent owner.

This cheap assortment from Amazon has covered all the bases for the family's cars so far. They may not always be an exact match, but they're all perfectly serviceable. And the included tool really works and makes it pretty easy to remove most of these fasteners without undue damage. GOOACC...

5/60 is the bumper-to-bumper warranty. Kia's powertrain warranty is 10/100,000 (or lifetime warranty on the short block if it's a Theta II engine).

The flexible oil drain plug remover. Once you crack the plug loose with your wrench, you snap this on and use it to twirl the plug out with your fingers safely off to the side and out of the way of the hot oil. https://www.amazon.com/OTC-Tools-5911A-Magnetic-Remover/dp/B01MSJEBBO

Tekton may not be Snap-On, but they're far closer to Snap-On than they are to Craftsman or Husky. It's definitely light-years better quality than HF Icon. And Tekton's customer support is no joke, either. Snap a picture of the failed tool, email it to them, and the replacement will probably be...

I bought the Astro 78618 windback tool set. I'm quite happy with it. Works great on standard pistons as well as the windback style. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RDGMNM