c/budget-project-cars

After three weeks of fighting a seized brake caliper on my $800 Miata, I finally got it free by hooking a grease gun to the bleeder valve and pumping it full of grease (which pushed the piston right out, no special tools needed).

Has anyone else tried this weird method, or is there a better way to deal with a totally stuck caliper without buying a whole new one?

2 comments

joelsanchez•1d ago

My buddy swore by a $20 junkyard part that actually worked

He told me to grab a used throttle position sensor from a 2004 Civic at the local pick-n-pull for my project. I was sure it was a waste of time and money, but I did it anyway. Plugged it in and the idle smoothness on my '91 Accord improved in minutes. That was six months ago, and it's still running perfect. Has anyone else had a cheap junkyard part surprise them like that?

2 comments

jesse_barnes37•1d ago

TIL a $20 junkyard alternator can leave you stranded if you don't bench test it first

I swapped one into my Civic last month and it died after 80 miles, forcing a tow from the highway. What's your go-to method for checking used parts before you bolt them on?

2 comments

taylor.jessica•2d ago

Just crossed the $500 mark on my 'free' Miata

The car itself was a gift from a friend, but I've been tracking every single part and fluid. I hit $503.27 yesterday after buying a new radiator hose and a gallon of coolant. It's crazy how fast the little stuff adds up, even when you're scouring junkyards. Anyone else have a 'cheap' project that quietly bled your wallet?

2 comments

troy996•3d ago

My buddy's rusted-out Civic taught me a $50 lesson about priorities

He was so focused on finding a cheap turbo kit that he missed a hole in the floorpan you could see the road through. It made me realize my project's 'cool' mods can wait until the car is actually safe to drive. Anyone else ever get tunnel vision on upgrades and skip the basics?

2 comments

joelsanchez•4d ago

I was wrong about using a parts car versus just buying new parts

I picked up a rusted out '98 Civic for $300 to use as a parts donor for my project. I figured it would save me a ton of cash. After three months of fighting seized bolts, stripping threads on the only good caliper, and having the alternator from the donor die a week after I put it in, I added up my time. I spent over 40 hours just pulling and cleaning parts, and I still had to buy a new radiator and master cylinder. For my next job, I just ordered a rebuilt steering rack online for $180 with a warranty. It showed up clean, bolted right in, and took an afternoon. Has anyone else found that a cheap parts car ends up costing more in hidden ways?

2 comments

the_james•7d ago

Rant: I was under my buddy's '91 Civic in his wet driveway when the jack stand shifted.

Now I won't even THINK about working on a car without putting the wheels I took off under the frame as a backup, just in case.

2 comments