Welcome to Andrew Fixes

The aim of this site is to inspire you to fix things and show you how to do it.

I love repairing, building and improving mechanical and electronic things. With this website and the Andrew Fixes YouTube channel I’ll share some of my repairs with you and hopefully inspire you to have a go yourself. Or at least help you to be better informed when arranging repairs by a 3rd party.

You’ll find cars, motorcycles, bicycles and tricycles on here, along with garden equipment, tools, home electronics and remote controlled toys.

Most of the articles are categorised by the type of item being repaired, but there are also some ‘general principles’ articles in their own section. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find something interesting here.

Cars

This is the largest category! As well as looking after my own cars and several cars for other family members, I also import cars from Japan. These sometimes require servicing or small repairs before sale. There will be electric hybrid vehicles in here as well as petrol and diesel power.

Nissan Leaf 6.6 kW charger

Picture showing the charge time display on a ZE0 Nissan Leaf with the optional 6.6 charger
Explaining the difference between Nissan Leaf 6.6 and 3.6 chargers, including why it matters and working out which you have.

Garden Equipment

My interest in engines started with lawnmowers, so it’s no surprise that they still feature in my fixing repertoire.

Home electronics

What do I mean by home electronics? Computers, washing machines and dishwashers are the main contenders.

Video

This whole thing started as a YouTube channel and it’s still going strong! In fact, for brand new content, the YouTube channel is ahead of this website. Here is a selection of the most recent videos:

Changing the transmission fluid and filter on a Toyota K210 CVT transmission. This one is mounted in a 2008 Toyota Sienta imported from Japan. 0:00 Introduction 1:34 Check fluid level before 3:06 Draining the fluid 4:31 Transmission pan removal 8:01 Removing the filter 9:26 Cleaning the pan and magnets 12:24 Fitting new filter 14:19 Refitting the pan 17:02 New fluid 19:06 New vs old fluid colour comparison 19:35 Closing comments #toyota #toyotasienta #cvt
Toyota Sienta CVT service | K210 transmission fluid and filter replacement
Review of the Facom RXPICO R. 180HX low profile ratchet and socket set. This is a really well made set and very useful for working where space is restricted. It's only 18 mm high! I bought this set for replacing the water pump pulley and friction drive unit on a 2013 Mini Countryman, as there is limited clearance between the side of the engine and the chassis leg. It comes with sockets from 5.5 to 14 mm. Here is a link if you want to buy this set: https://ebay.us/d2CqJ0 Here's the Facom bit driver ratchet set also featured in the video: https://amzn.to/3vBfLGd #facom #tools
Facom low profile ratchet and socket set review | Mini Countryman water pump drive replacement
This Honda Acty had a large tear in the seat base vinyl. It was catching on trouser pockets / buttons etc. and was only going to get worse, so I replaced the vinyl cover on the seat base. The video shows you how to remove the seat, then how to remove the seat base from the frame and how to remove the seat base vinyl cover and fit a new one. I used a genuine Honda replacement item, imported from Japan just like the Acty itself. If you'd like me to source parts from Japan for you, please get in touch using this form: https://andrewsjapanesecars.com/ask-me-a-question/japanese-import-car-parts/ Tools 12 mm socket, ratchet, extensions. Plastic trim tools https://amzn.to/3R7vGUX Hog ring pliers https://amzn.to/47BSClf Side cutters https://amzn.to/3Rbyq3S Sections 0:00 Introduction 1:36 Removing the seat 5:51 Removing the seat base 8:25 Removing the old seat cover 11:44 Fitting the new seat base cover 19:03 Refitting the seat base 19:53 Refitting the seat 23:01 Closing remarks Thanks for watching! #hondaacty #keitruck #660cc
Honda Acty seat base vinyl replacement | Fixing torn seat fabric on a 2001 Honda Acty HA7
OK, I broke my speakers! The Audi A3 speakers stopped working after listening to some bass-heavy music at quite high volume. In this video I investigate the cause of the problem and end up fitting some new speakers to the front doors. This car has quite a basic (for Audi anyway) speaker system, so no rear door speakers etc. to worry about. Sections 0:00 Introduction 3:01 Removing the door card 6:12 Removing the loudspeaker 7:19 Testing the speaker 9:41 Preparing the replacement parts 14:02 Installing the new speaker 17:45 Refitting the door card 20:21 New speaker test! 20:59 Failure analysis 21:55 Closing remarks Thanks for watching! andrewfixes.com #audia3
Missy Elliott broke my speakers 🤣| Audi A3 speakers not working – speaker replacement
This Suzuki Carry had an oil leak from the rear differential, so I replaced the oil seal. This video shows how I did it. It's a 2004 Suzuki Carry 4WD kei truck imported from Japan (DA63T model code) with 55,000 km. The process started with raising the truck up on some wooden blocks to improve access. Axle stands would be fine too. With the truck raised up I drained the differential oil and disconnected the prop shaft. This revealed the driveshaft nut. I bent the staking straight and undid the nut, which allowed the driveshaft flange to be removed, revealing the oil seal. At this point the old oil seal could be removed and the new one installed. Then the driveshaft flange was refitted, the prop shaft connected and the differential filled with oil. The final step was a road test to get the differential and oil nice and hot, then check for leaks. No more dribbling differential! Tools used 12 mm, 19 mm and 22 mm sockets. 3/8 drive ratchet or breaker bar for the oil fill plug. Puller https://amzn.to/3GG9sny Hammer - I used a nylon faced hammer, not strictly necessary but I like using it for jobs like this - https://amzn.to/3mAB2M6 Mandrel or socket for knocking the new oil seal into place. Torque wrench Thread lock Jack https://ebay.us/R1M8mU Sections 0:00 Introduction 0:37 Draining the differential oil 2:42 Disconnecting the prop shaft 4:33 Removing the driveshaft flange 9:04 Removing the oil seal 9:53 New parts 10:56 Fitting the new oil seal 12:49 Refitting driveshaft flange 17:48 Refitting prop shaft 19:45 Refilling with oil 20:24 Summary Head over to andrewsjapanesecars.com to learn more about Japanese import vehicles. andrewfixes.com #suzukicarry #keitruck #differential
Fixing Suzuki Carry differential oil leak | DA63T differential oil seal replacement
Showing you how I fixed the right rear indicator bulb fault warning on a 2009 Audi A3. This was a frustrating intermittent fault and was not due to a problem with the bulb at all. In the video I go through how to remove the rear light cluster. Visual inspection revealed that the earth / negative /ground pin for the light cluster had been getting hot and had melted the plastic around both male and female sides of the connection. Having identified the problem I go on to fix it using a replacement connector and bulb holder. I used solder sleeves to splice the new connector into place. This repair fixed the problem and it's been faultless for a few thousand miles now. Parts used Replacement wiring harness plug with wire tails https://ebay.us/5z1a1j Replacement bulb holder https://ebay.us/n9gLGI Solder sleeves https://ebay.us/lQLR1N Amalgamating tape https://amzn.to/3w25UpO Tools used Hot air gun https://amzn.to/3kgB5ez Wire strippers https://amzn.to/3Xv720L 13 mm socket, short extension, 1/4" drive ratchet. Mine were from Halfords years ago but if I was buying now from scratch and I could afford it, I'd go for a Wera set https://amzn.to/3COsuWE Sections 0:00 Introduction 2:07 Removing the light cluster 3:54 Checking for damage 6:00 Replacement parts 7:02 Fitting replacement bulb holder 9:34 Replacement wiring harness plug 15:43 Refitting light cluster 17:01 Testing the repair 18:25 Summary and ending I hope this helped you fix your car, or understand what might be wrong with it. Thanks very much for watching and please consider subscribing if you haven't already. andrewfixes.com
Audi A3 rear indicator bulb fault | Fixing it with a new bulb holder and wiring harness connector
This Suzuki Carry kei truck wouldn't go into 1st gear, so I decided it needed a new clutch. This video shows you the clutch replacement process. Before embarking on clutch replacement I checked that the problem couldn't be resolved by adjusting the clutch cable. Unfortunately for me, it couldn't! I started by raising the truck up nice and high, so there was plenty of space for me and the transmission jack underneath. Next it was time to disconnect the battery, prop shafts, electrical connections and control cables. I removed the starter motor and then removed the gearbox. With the clutch removed, there wasn't one obvious catastrophic failure, but the pressure plate, friction disc and release bearing were clearly all past their best. Here is a link to the Luk clutch failure analysis guide I mentioned in the video: https://www.partinfo.co.uk/files/LUK%20Clutch%20Fault%20Finder.pdf I fitted a new Aisin 3 piece clutch kit (you can contact me here https://andrewsjapanesecars.com/ask-me-a-question/japanese-import-car-parts/ if you need parts for your Suzuki Carry) and then put it all back together. I'm pleased to report the new clutch fixed the not shifting into 1st gear issue and transformed the driving experience! Sections 0:00 Introduction 4:35 Disconnecting the battery 4:41 Draining the gearbox oil 6:09 Disconnecting front and rear prop shafts 9:01 Removing starter motor 9:48 Sensor cables 11:13 Shift control cables 15:07 Clutch cable 15:52 Removing the gearbox 18:29 Removing old clutch 19:51 Removing release bearing 21:03 Clutch failure analysis 23:39 Fitting new release bearing 26:37 Fitting new clutch 36:03 Clutch cable fitting and adjustment 36:41 New gear oil 37:11 Summary #suzukicarry #clutch #keitruck andrewfixes.com andrewsjapanesecars.com
Suzuki Carry won't go into 1st gear | DA63T Suzuki Carry clutch replacement
Whilst working on the rear brakes I noticed the shock absorber dust covers were had slipped down and were offering absolutely no dust protection whatsoever. I didn't have time to fit new bump stops and covers so it was time to reach for the cable ties! This is a 2009 Audi A3 1.9 TDi, 8PA model code. It has covered about 185,000 miles. The chrome damper rods are exposed to all the muck thrown up by the rear tyres, so I wanted to get the dust covers back in place to protect them. After removing the wheel, I used 5 cable ties to secure the dust cover back in place. It's lasted over 1000 miles so far! #audia3 #ziptie #shockabsorber andrewfixes.com
Audi A3 rear shock absorber dust cover slipped – zip tie / cable tie fix!
This 2009 Audi A3 (8PA model code) had noisy rear wheel bearings, so I decided to change them. I also changed the rear brake discs and pads at the same time as they were ready for doing. Just for good measure the caliper on the side I chose to video was stuck, so it got a new brake caliper too! This car had covered 184,000 miles. I started by jacking the car up and supporting it with axle / jack stands. After that I removed the road wheel and unbolted the brake caliper from its slider pins. This enabled the brake pads and brake disc to be removed. The wheel bearing unit is held in place by a single bolt, which requires a M18 12 point / XZN / triple square bit. It's tight! With the new wheel bearing unit and brake disc fitted, the time came to retract the brake caliper piston to accommodate the new brake pads. The piston was stuck so it was time for a new caliper. It is possible to refurbish the existing caliper but I didn't have time for that on this occasion. I swapped the short brake line from the old to the new caliper and installed it on the car. Next it was time to bleed the air out of the new caliper and I used a pressure brake bleeder to help with this. Finally the new brake pads could be installed, then it was time to put everything back together and take it for a test drive. Success! Tools M18 triple square / 12 point driver. Long breaker bar T30 torx bit and driver 10, 13, 15 and 17 mm spanners / sockets 11 mm brake line spanner https://ebay.us/9m151l Pressure brake bleeder https://amzn.to/3nzUp3H Wire brushes https://amzn.to/34W8Zeg Jack and axle stands Parts Wheel bearing FAG 713 6109 60 Brake pads Textar 2355402 Brake discs Textar 92120903 Brake caliper Apec RCA235N Brake fluid Sections 0:00 Introduction 1:33 New parts 2:26 Noise from old bearing, wheel on 3:02 Wheel removal 4:03 Undoing brake caliper 6:06 Removing brake disc 7:01 Bearing noise with disc removed 7:24 Removing wheel bearing assembly 11:36 Fitting new wheel bearing assembly 17:28 Cleaning brake pad carrier 19:58 (Attempting to) retract caliper piston 22:22 Removing brake caliper 27:25 Fitting new brake caliper 36:18 Fitting new brake disc 37:50 Fitting new brake pads 41:09 Finishing up 41:58 Ending Link to download Audi manuals: https://erwin.audi.com/erwin/showHome.do #audia3 #brakes
Changing Audi A3 rear wheel bearing, brake discs, pads and caliper (8PA model code)
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Bicycles

Cycling has been my main form of exercise since childhood, so being able to build and repair my own bicycles has been a useful skill!

3 wheels

I’ve done enough work on 3 wheeled vehicles for them to have their own category. There’s a mixture of human, engine and electric motor power in here.

Tool reviews

I can barely express in words how much I enjoy buying new tools! Here are my reviews of some of my purchases.

General principles

AKA “things I wish I’d known much earlier in my fixing career!” This section covers general topics that can apply to a wide range of fixing situations.