Van Parts - How Do You Replace a Torque Converter?

If you're faced with the decision on whether or not to fit your own torque converter and are unsure how to do this, then do not fret. We'll take you through how, in our step by step guide.

Depending on your speed and levels of skill, this job will take around three hours to complete. It is a fairly tricky job to undertake so please take the time to read through the instructions and ensure that you feel competent and confident in your ability to complete this work.

The first thing to note is that you will need to have the car jacked up completely, at both ends and of course ensure that it remains level. Jacking the car involves raising one side at a time and ensuring that both sides are jacked adequately.

The first step of the process to replace a torque converter is to locate the driveshaft. The rear axle will connect to this and at that location the driveshaft will be held in place by bolts- four in total. You will need to remove these bolts before continuing. The next steps will instruct you on what to do in order to remove the drive shaft from the rear axle.

Ensure that the van (or car) is in the neutral position. This is very important to enable you to turn the driveshaft. Carefully move the driveshaft so that it becomes loose, enabling you to free it up from the rear axle. Once you have moved the driveshaft, pull it away from the axle and once you feel you have done this enough, pull the driveshaft away at the other end too- from the transmission.

The next step in this process is to open the bonnet and locate the transmission filler tube. You will need to remove this tube and you can do this by following the tube all the way through to the transmission and loosing the bolt that holds it in place at this area. Once loosened, pull out the tube. It is important at this point that you ensure the car is back in park.

The next step in the process is to locate the torque converter attached to the transmission. You will need to go back underneath the vehicle for this. There are bolts holding these together which will need to be removed before you will be able to remove the converter. In order to remove the bolts effectively, you will need to jack up the transmission slowly. The reason for this is to take any pressure off the cross member, enabling you to disconnect the parts. Only once the pressure is taken off the cross member, should you try to remove the bolts holding these two parts together. The bolts connecting the cross member to the frame of the van or car should also be removed. Once this is complete, remove the cross member itself.

After this, disconnect the transmission from the engine and this is firstly done by freeing up the bolts connecting these two parts. You will most probably need a socket set for this. Once the bolts are gone, lower the transmission on to the jack and then on to the floor.

Next, pull the old torque converter from the input shaft. Congratulations- you're now ready to fit the new converter!

Firstly, top up the new part with transmission fluid in order for it to function correctly, and slide into place, into the input shaft. Gently push the converter side to side until it fits correctly, this may take a little manipulation to get it snug.

To secure the new parts, follow the sequence you took to remove the bolts in reverse order. You must make sure that everything is fitted correctly and connected together with bolts as was the condition found.

Once complete, you can now lower the vehicle ready for use. Check the transmission fluid and top up with some more new fluid if required.

Lastly, you will need to turn the engine on and let it run idle for a period of time- usually and few minutes in order that you can check levels when the engine is running and warm. If you need to top up again after this then so, it is perfectly normal for the vehicle to require another top up.

Building Background - Benefits of Using Sentence Frames to Build Background Knowledge

Even as native English speakers we sometimes struggle with just the right word to explain, describe, clarify, or elucidate what we want to convey. We always understand more than we can speak. One of best ways to engage English language learners (ELL) in actively acquiring new material is to connect their background knowledge to the new topic. So, let's give them some sentence frames to help them use language.

We will be most successful if we remember to always start with the concept or theme.

#1 When beginning a new topic, let pairs pretest one another. Write this sentence frame on a board, overhead, or PowerPoint, or make your own blackline master with the sentence frame repeated four to six times on a page so you can cut them into strips to hand out to the pairs.

A: "Do you know anything about (topic)?

B: "I'm not sure, but I do know _____."

or "I think it could be _____ because I learned _____."

After students copy the sentence frame, or use the handy strips, erase the word 'topic' in the first sentence. Write in the topic for today. It might be a theme, or a characteristic, or an emotion.

• Read the sentence frame aloud to the students.







• Read it again, and this time the students should repeat after you.







• Give them sixty seconds (yes, really time it, using the entire sixty seconds) to look at the word and think about everything they know about it. No talking. No writing. Just thinking.







• Next, let students use another 60 seconds (yep, time it again) to write words and phrases to capture their thoughts about the topic.







• Finally it is time to talk.

This is time well-spent. Your lesson will be stronger and more relevant. Your students will be engaged. You can continue to spiral the content, connecting it to what they already know or previously learned. The ELs will build confidence as they are encouraged to think, write, and talk about what they already know.

#2 Plan more opportunities for student interaction. Here's another sentence starter than can be used with individuals, then shared in small groups.

This new theme of _____ reminds me of a time in my life when _____.

#3 Make sentence frames with the word 'because' to have students explain connections between previous learning and the new topic.

"I think the next topic will be _____ because our last lesson was _____."

This kind of sentence frame encourages prediction according to prior learning. This is a good time to show the students how much they have learned and how it all links together.

#4 After reading a story, a sentence frame can be used to let students speak with a partner. You can expand this speaking activity to include a second partner, like elbow- partners and across-the-aisle partners. Provide a sentence frame:

For example, "I think _____ is a hero, because _____."

#5 Ask students to make comparisons to concrete objects in linguistic ways. Hand out objects to students and give them some time to think and write again, before speaking.

Try this sentence frame with a variety of objects:

I am like this _____(Snickers bar), because I am _____ (nutty).

I am like this _____(Matchbox Ferrari), because I am _____ (small and fast).

I am like this _____(red pencil) because I am _____ (my face is red because I have to talk aloud).

The objects you use can be almost anything!

Now that your imagination is gearing up, make up some sentence frames to use tomorrow.

• Think about how you would want the smartest student in the school to speak.







• Then use your target vocabulary and academic language to make a sentence frame.







• Encourage your ELLs to speak in complete sentences in all conversations in the classroom. This will increase their academic vocabulary, which maximizes learning, and builds confidence.







• Kids like to feel smart!

How to Purchase Forklift Parts

All forklifts have certain common components. These forklift parts are vital to the performance and operation of the equipment. Due to constant use and wear and tear, some parts such as forks, brakes and transmissions components have to be replaced quite often.

Usually forklift parts are purchased from different sources. Both new and used parts are available. There are many dealers who have printed catalogs listing all the parts that are available with them. Also there are a number of different manufacturers exclusively for forklift parts. A company that manufactures forklifts also produces replacement parts.

The most important component of the forklift is of course the forks. Without quality forks, the forklift may not be able to transport the materials quite efficiently. These forks are also called blades or tines which vary from model to model. The other important part of a forklift is the brakes. Forklift brakes operate in a similar manner to the brakes of an automobile and they have many parts in common. Brake shoes and break drums are among the most commonly purchased forklift brake parts.

Forklift transmissions are vital to the machine's operation. Forklifts can use either manual or automatic transmissions. Manual transmissions are probably more common and are easier to fix, but many people prefer automatic transmissions because they are easier to use. Many forklift parts dealers have both new and used transmissions for sale.

The Roll Clamps is also another important part of a forklift. There are various models of roll clamps which are available to handle all types and sizes of paper rolls including newsprint, Kraft paper and tissue and coated papers. The models of roll clamp include rigid arm, pivot arm, slide arm and spilt arm clamps all of which are designed to meet the different requirements.

The Carton Clamps is another important attachment for handling multiple unpalletized products such as appliances, furniture, cartooned, canned or frozen goods. Large rubber faced pads gently squeeze the side of the load (containing numerous cartons) until it can be lifted, and then transported to either the warehouse or trailer.

The Rotator is also one of the most important forklift parts. The rotator is used to aid the handling of skids that may have become excessively tilted and other specialty material handling needs. Some forklifts are fitted with an attachment that allows the tines to be rotated. This type of attachment may also be used for dumping containers for quick unloading.

It is very important that only good replacement of the forklift parts is purchased in order to keep the machines in good running condition. Many forklift parts dealers offer extensive warranties on their products. Most forklift parts of every model and make are available in the market so a replacement for a part of a particular make or size can be easily found.

What Is Bitcoin and Is It a Good Investment?

Bitcoin (BTC) is a new kind of digital currency-with cryptographic keys-that is decentralized to a network of computers used by users and miners around the world and is not controlled by a single organization or government. It is the first digital cryptocurrency that has gained the public's attention and is accepted by a growing number of merchants. Like other treaties, users can use the digital currency to buy goods and services online as well as in some physical stores that accept it as a form of payment. Currency traders can also trade Bitcoins in Bitcoin exchanges.

There are several major differences between Bitcoin and traditional currencies (eg US dollar):

1. Bitcoin does not have a centralized authority or clearing house (eg government, central bank, MasterCard or Visa network). The peer-to-peer payment network is managed by users and miners around the world. The currency is anonymously transferred directly between users through the internet without going through a clearing house. This means that transaction fees are much lower.
2. Bitcoin is created through a process called "Bitcoin mining". Miners around the world use mining software and computers to solve complex bitcoin algorithms and to approve Bitcoin transactions. They are awarded with transaction fees and new Bitcoins generated from solving Bitcoin algorithms.
3. There is a limited amount of Bitcoins in circulation. According to Blockchain, there were about 12.1 million in circulation as of Dec. 20, 2013. The difficulty to mine Bitcoins (solve algorithms) becomes harder as more Bitcoins are generated, and the maximum amount in circulation is capped at 21 million. The limit will not be reached until approximately the year 2140. This makes Bitcoins more valuable as more people use them.
4. A public ledger called 'Blockchain' records all Bitcoin transactions and shows each Bitcoin owner's respect holdings. Anyone can access the public ledger to verify transactions. This makes the digital currency more transparent and predictable. More importantly, the transparency prevails fraud and double spending of the same Bitcoins.
5. The digital currency can be acquired through Bitcoin mining or Bitcoin exchanges.
6. The digital currency is accepted by a limited number of merchants on the web and in some brick-and-mortar retailers.
7. Bitcoin wallets (similar to PayPal accounts) are used for storing Bitcoins, private keys and public addresses as well as for anonymously transferring Bitcoins between users.
8. Bitcoins are not insured and are not protected by government agencies. Here, they can not be recovered if the secret keys are stolen by a hacker or lost to a failed hard drive, or due to the closure of a Bitcoin exchange. If the secret keys are lost, the associated Bitcoins can not be recovered and would be out of circulation. Visit this link for an FAQ on Bitcoins.

I believe that Bitcoin will gain more acceptance from the public because users can remain anonymous while buying goods and services online, transactions fees are much lower than credit card payment networks; the public ledger is accessible by anyone, which can be used to prevent fraud; the currency supply is capped at 21 million, and the payment network is operated by users and miners instead of a central authority.

However, I do not think that it is a great investment vehicle because it is extremely volatile and is not very stable. For example, the bitcoin price grows from around $ 14 to a peak of $ 1,200 USD this year before dropping to $ 632 per BTC at the time of writing.

Bitcoin surged this year because investors speculated that the currency would gain greater acceptance and that it would increase in price. The currency plunged 50% in December because BTC China (China's largest Bitcoin operator) announced that it could no longer accept new deposits due to government regulations. And according to Bloomberg , the Chinese central bank barred financial institutions and payment companies from handling bitcoin transactions.

Bitcoin will likely gain more public acceptance over time, but its price is extremely volatile and very sensitive to news-such as government regulations and restrictions-that could negatively affect the currency.

Therefore, I do not suggest investors to invest in Bitcoins unless they were purchased at a less than $ 10 USD per BTC because this would allow for a much larger margin of safety .

Otherwise, I believe that it is much better to invest in stocks that have strong fundamentals, as well as great business prospects and management teams because the undering companies have intrinsic values ​​and are more predictable.

Disclosure: Victor Liang has has no positions in Bitcoins and has no plans to change his position in the next 72 hours.

Buy Cheap Tires Without Sacrificing Quality

We all want a bargain, but we also want to know that the product we are buying is of good quality for the money we are paying. Tires are no exception to this, but buying cheap car tires does not need to be the same as buying poor quality tires. By shopping around for the best price, you can often find deals on mid-range or even premium car tires that will save you money both in the short term (low price!) And the long term (by reflecting you much longer).

The EU tyre labels that will be mandatory from November will help you to see the quality of the ty at a glance by showing you how they perform at wet braking, rolling resistance and exterior noise. However, this should just be the start of your research as you will not always be braking in the wet, and sometimes you might even want to go around corners! Both handling and dry braking will also be important factors, and there are also many other aspects of performance and safety that the tire manufacturers test their tires for, so use the internet to look at the quality of the tires more closely. Once you have found a brand that delivers the performance you want, and you know which model you want, it is time to shop around!

The internet comes into its own when we're talking about shopping for the best prices; there are so many websites available to help you with this, and nowadays, even your average search engine will bring up some prices if you search for the product. So have a look around to see if you can find a cheaper price than your local dealer. Remember to take into consideration fitting costs and disposal of old tires, as well as inconvenience to yourself if you have to go to a specific garage. It is no use finding cheap as chips tires that you have to drive for 50 miles and use up loads of fuel to get fitted!

Once you have a few prices, you can make a few phone calls, as often a tire fitting service will price match with a competitor. This is why it makes sense to call the most convenient tire fitting service first. You may find that a mobile ty fitter can offer the best prices due to lower overheads. Replacing tires may be a necessity, but by spending a little time shopping around, you can get great quality tires at cheap tyre prices !

Police Motorcycle Auctions - Steps to Buy a Seized Bike Now

Everybody likes to save money when they make a major purchase such as a used ATV or a powersports bike. This is especially true in this period of economic crisis.

There are many normal auction houses which allow potential motorcycle purchasers to make significant saving, yet arguably the safest way to buy a bike is to visit one of the popular police motorcycle auctions.

Over the last decade it has been increasingly common to find the police selling off all sorts of goods, sometimes at rock bottom prices, purchasing a motorcycle from a police auction is possibly the best way to procure the bike you want at a bargain price.

Officers sell motorcycles for many reasons. Usually these bikes have been stolen and then recovered, or the motorcycles were just designated by the government. Although in this situation the bike will usually be purchased without a number plate or documentation, the new owner will need to re-register the bike.

Some police motorcycle auctions will have already taken care of the paperwork, meaning the bike is ready to put back on the road. Often officers will have exotic items like all terrain vehicles, which they have been designated and confiscated from a criminal or criminal group, and are unable to track down the original owner.

In this case the government will keep the item for a set period of time, to allow the original owner to come forward and claim it, after a certain time the bike will be put up for sale.

Lastly, the police motorcycle auctions will occasionally sell off used equipment, including bikes, these will have all of the branding and special equipment removed before they are put up for auction. These can be exceptionally good purchases if you are lucky enough to find one.

As mentioned in the previous section, purchasing and ex-police bike from a can be an excellent way to procure an exceptional bike at a great price.

Officers have a policy of decommissioning vehicles within 3 years of purchase and during their lifecycle they are maintained impeccably. During the time that they are used by the government they are seldom driven aggressively, and when they are it is in the hands of a very experienced and highly trained rider.

Therefore, almost every bike will be in superb mechanical condition when it comes up for auction. We also need to consider the fact that some local forces order their motorcycles with factory configurations already installed.

These come in the form of increased engine performance, better braking systems, improved suspension and suchlike, finding one of these bikes at auction is something of a gold mine, you can avail yourself of a factory modified bike at the fraction of the cost of purchasing one from the manufacturer.

Police motorcycle auctions are fairly safe when it comes to risks involved. That being said, it is still important that you check out any bike you intend to bid upon before the auction starts.

You will have no worry over the actual financial transaction involved in buying a bike from a police auction, although you will still need to make sure your choice of bike is suitable and in good order.

Removing a Locked Club or Steering Wheel Lock

What do you do when you have lost your keys to your Locked Club or Steering Wheel Lock also called a steering wheel car theft prevention device?

In cities with high auto theft and theft of autos drivers have to use car theft prevention devices like the The Club to lock the steering wheel to prevent their cars from being stolen. In 2009, British Columbia had the highest car theft frequency in Canada. Approximately 11 vehicles per 1,000 or 2-4 times the auto theft of other provinces and regions. British Columbia is the auto theft capital of the Western World.

A quick search of the Internet will result in several suggestions on how to remove a steering wheel club. Several website recommend forcing the lock with a screwdriver or to freeze the lock with Freon. Both of these methods do not work and usually result in damaging the wheel, front windshield or causing the airbag to deploy at the cost of hundreds of dollars (one person had the front and side air bags deploy at the cost of over $3000). Another persons' fingers were frost bitten not to mention how expensive and environmentally unfriendly using Freon to freeze the lock. Has anyone ever seen the results of using Freon work on any lock? Urban myth or something for MythBusters.

Bottom line: Screwdrivers and Freon does not work. Clubs have been designed to prevent the average or above average car thieves from removing them.

An Automotive Locksmith has been trained to safely, and with no damage to the car, remove a locked Club or Steering wheel lock. Most of the time they can pick the lock with their lock picks quickly and efficiently.

Despite the risk of you losing your key to your steering wheel lock they are still a great deterrent to prevent the theft of your car. Even if your car has an alarm system, immobilizer or the car is equipped with transponder or chip key security system a club or steering wheel lock is highly recommended to install on your car. And if you do lose your Club key, a car Locksmith will remove the steering wheel lock with no damage to your car or steering wheel.

If you have auto insurance, Canadian Automobile Association, American Automobile Association or other emergency auto/RV/motorcycle/bike roadside service, and if your keys are locked inside the car or trunk, or your keys are lost or broken, they will cover emergency locksmith service up to $100. A professional automotive locksmith will provide you with a receipt so you can submit it to your auto insurance provider for reimbursement.