Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Best Junkyards to Scavenge in the US

While most people see junkyards as a place where all things undesirable are left to rot and rust, the same cannot be said for a lot of people. Many car enthusiasts and spare parts seekers view junkyards as sacred and holy ground, a nook that offers a lot of possibilities for good and valuable finds.

In the United States, there are hundreds of junkyards strewn across the lands, serving as the graveyard for tons of automobiles that are way past their prime. But some junkyards do hold a number of automotive treasures that range from classic car frames to turbochargers to intact engines, things that will make any car aficionado salivate.

The following junkyards have been deemed as the best yards to scavenge for car parts. You might want to try these places out and see what these junkyards may have in store for you.
  1. Corvair Ranch. This has been the go to place for people who are looking for collectible items and rare cars. Located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Corvair Ranch holds more than 600 cars.
  2. Arizona Desert. With no homeowner associations to hound you, you can easily take your time as you browse through the rows and stacks of abandoned cars and thoroughly dissect them for parts and scrap metal. The junkyard is nestled between Kingman, AZ and the mighty Hoover Dam.
  3. Desert Valley Auto Parts. Still located in Arizona, this holy land of abandoned cars and scrap metal parts attracts hordes of car collectors and restorers in search for their next masterpiece.
Other junkyards in other countries worth checking out:
  1. Historische Autofriedhof, Switzerland This junkyard boasts of the largest collection of scrap European cars. The keyword here is that most abandoned autos in this spot in the planet are classic models.
  2. Scrapheap Challenge, United Kingdom. Junkyards are great places to look for that supercharger you desperately need. But what can be more fun than actually building a fully functional car out from scrap? In the UK, junkyard addicts pit themselves against each other in a race for junkyard fame.

About Our Junk Car Removal Company
More Cash For Junk Cars Atlanta
Address: 1170 Peachtree Street Suite 1261 Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 468-4589


Monday, October 28, 2013

Bad Transmission: Replace or Repair?

A transmission is one of the most complicated components of a car’s internal structure. Without a transmission system, your car won’t be able to shift gears and gain speed. Handling the vehicle will be a serious problem and a failing transmission means you are not going anywhere.

A transmission is a complex component composed of gears, hydraulics, and even electronic materials. With every gear you crank and every shift you make, the whole system wears. When you accelerate hard at the time you shift, the more wear the system takes.

In most cases, it fails earlier than the engine. Most car engines can go for 200,000 miles with regular maintenance. That means a transmission can fail as early as 80,000 to 150,000 miles. After that, you will feel and see something is wrong with your shifting. Gears slip when you shift. Clunking and rattling can be heard whenever you change gears. Then you will notice grinding and thumping instead of smooth transitions while shifting.

So what are you going to do if your car’s transmission is not performing well? Should you have it repaired, replaced, or junk the car altogether? Your decision requires a lot to consider. However, determining whether your transmission requires repair or needs to be replaced is still a case by case basis.

Regular car maintenance can help detect any flaws in your transmission. Having your mechanic check your car on a strict schedule will not only get your car in tiptop condition, but it will also help you avoid the huge costs of complicated repairs. Maintenance checks allows your mechanic to see what minor problems are present in your car and provide a quick fix. A new clutch or a replacement gear costs around $1,000 to $1,500.

Getting rid of small transmission problems are not only cost effective in the long run, but it keeps your transmission working efficiently.

The cost of replacing the entire transmission system, on the other hand, is significantly high. Most mechanics often recommend replacement parts when the conditions of a transmission system are almost beyond repair. Replacing extensively damaged components like shafts, pumps, converters, the casing and gears involve taking the whole transmission out from the car and opening the system for inspection and cleaning. On the average, the costs of transmission replacement range from $1,800 to $3,500.

Whether your car’s transmission requires repair or replacement is totally up to you. But here’s a tip: if you have a 15-year old car that is worth $3,000 and its transmission is bad, it doesn't make any sense to repair or replace that transmission. You can junk the car for a few extra bucks and that will help you buy a car that doesn't need much work. If you have a car that is properly maintained and is in tiptop shape, investing in a transmission replacement may not be a bad idea.


About Our Junk Car Removal Company
More Cash For Junk Cars Atlanta
Address: 1170 Peachtree Street Suite 1261 Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (404) 468-4589