Rhett Betz

Rhett Betz Specializing in car repair and restoration from maintenance to classic rebuilds, we deliver reliable service and quality workmanship you can trust.

Got rear-ended and I'm trying to figure out what I'm looking at here.The damage is obviously pretty significant on the d...
06/15/2026

Got rear-ended and I'm trying to figure out what I'm looking at here.

The damage is obviously pretty significant on the driver's side rear corner, but I'm not sure if this is something that can realistically be repaired or if the car is headed toward being totaled. The quarter panel is crushed, the taillight is destroyed, and the trunk doesn't look like it's lining up correctly anymore.

I'm feeling pretty discouraged because the car was running great before this happened, and now I'm trying to understand what kind of repairs might be involved and whether it's even worth fixing.

For those of you with body shop or collision repair experience:

What would it take to repair damage like this?
Does it look like there could be frame or structural damage?
Would you repair it, or is this the type of hit that usually gets totaled by insurance?

Any

Need some advice from the community!I’m in the middle of replacing the rear main seal on my imported kei van and decided...
06/15/2026

Need some advice from the community!

I’m in the middle of replacing the rear main seal on my imported kei van and decided to do the clutch while I had everything apart. After pulling the transmission, this is what the flywheel looks like.

The dark spots have me wondering if they’re just normal heat marks/hot spots or if this flywheel is at the point where it should be resurfaced or replaced. I already called a machine shop, but they asked whether it’s an all-steel flywheel or an aluminum flywheel with a steel insert, and honestly I’m not sure.

The challenge is that replacement parts for this little 660cc engine aren’t exactly sitting on local parts store shelves. If it needs a new flywheel, I could be looking at a 3–4 week wait (assuming I can even find one).

For those with more clutch and flywheel experience:

Does this look reusable?
Would you resurface it or replace it?
Can you tell from the photo if it’s all steel or has an insert?

I’d really appreciate any input before I start putting everything back together. Thanks in advance!

2004 Silverado 5.3 Knock Sensor Stuck – Need Some Advice!I'm replacing the knock sensors on my 2004 Chevy Silverado 5.3L...
06/15/2026

2004 Silverado 5.3 Knock Sensor Stuck – Need Some Advice!

I'm replacing the knock sensors on my 2004 Chevy Silverado 5.3L and ran into a snag with the rear sensor.

The front sensor came out without any trouble, but the rear one is being stubborn. After taking a closer look, it seems like the inner threaded portion is no longer grabbing the outer housing. The center section (the part with the tick marks) just spins freely, while the outer shell appears to still be stuck in the engine block.

I've attached a photo of the sensor for reference.

Before I make things worse, has anyone dealt with this before? Any tricks for getting the remaining housing out without damaging the threads in the block? I'm trying to avoid turning a simple sensor replacement into a much bigger repair.

Any tips, experiences, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Help! Any idea what happened to my Mirage? 😟I was driving my 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage on the highway when I suddenly heard...
06/15/2026

Help! Any idea what happened to my Mirage? 😟

I was driving my 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage on the highway when I suddenly heard a loud pop. Earlier in the trip, my transmission fluid had overheated, so I pulled over and let the car sit for about an hour and a half before continuing.

The strange part is that the pop happened after the break, and I didn't get any warning lights, check engine light, or transmission warning afterward. The only thing I noticed was that my A/C started blowing much warmer air than normal.

When I got home, I found this black residue/splatter around the hood and fender area (photos attached). It looks like it may have come from under the hood, but I'm not sure exactly what failed.

I'm taking it to a mechanic on Monday, but I'm pretty worried and was hoping someone here might recognize what I'm looking at or have an idea of what could have caused it.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Rear Main Seal Installed Too Deep? Looking for Some Advice 😬I just installed a new rear main seal and now I'm second-gue...
06/15/2026

Rear Main Seal Installed Too Deep? Looking for Some Advice 😬

I just installed a new rear main seal and now I'm second-guessing myself.

After getting everything together, I started reading that the seal is supposed to sit flush with the rear of the housing. The problem is mine ended up recessed a bit farther in. The old seal I removed was also recessed, but not quite this much—and it wasn't leaking.

The photo shows the new seal installed, along with a reference mark comparing it to where the old one sat.

Now I'm finding conflicting information online. Some sources say flush is critical, while others say a slight recess is perfectly fine as long as the seal lip is riding on a good surface of the crankshaft and isn't blocking any oil drain-back passages.

Before I tear this back apart and potentially create a problem that doesn't exist, I'd love to hear from anyone with experience on these engines:

Is this seal installed too deep?
Would you run it as-is?
Has anyone had success with a seal sitting slightly recessed like this?

Trying to avoid making extra work for myself, but I also don't want to button everything up only to discover a leak later. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

What size wheel stud and lug is this for my 19 ft boat trailer?Needed to cut a wheel stud and lug off. Salt water is a k...
06/13/2026

What size wheel stud and lug is this for my 19 ft boat trailer?

Needed to cut a wheel stud and lug off. Salt water is a killer 😂 Does anyone know what size stud and lug this is? O’Reillys was no help…need to order one online. TIA!

Help Getting this Stud OffI just replaced the a/c condenser in my car and I have to take this old a/c line screw out and...
06/13/2026

Help Getting this Stud Off

I just replaced the a/c condenser in my car and I have to take this old a/c line screw out and install it in the new condenser, but it’s not budging. The top has been rounded off. Any tips on how to get it out, or how to find a new one?

I’m going to lose it. What are these studs made of?? Irwin 1/16th drill bit on a
06/13/2026

I’m going to lose it. What are these studs made of?? Irwin 1/16th drill bit on a

Wheel Stud Replacement on a 2016 Subaru Legacy (Pricing Question)Broke the stud. Firestone quoted 350 to replace. I thou...
06/13/2026

Wheel Stud Replacement on a 2016 Subaru Legacy (Pricing Question)

Broke the stud. Firestone quoted 350 to replace. I thought that seemed way too high but I'm not a mechanic. How much should it cost to get this replaced? Got a short commute so I'm gonna drive on four studs for a couple more days then take it to my regular guy.

How to remove what's left of this stud?2005 4.7 durango drivers front suspension, stud or bolt sheared off using a stud ...
06/13/2026

How to remove what's left of this stud?

2005 4.7 durango drivers front suspension, stud or bolt sheared off using a stud extractor, and a drill bit broke off in it after that, and im not sure if drilling it is doing anything anymore, if there is, its extremely slow, i think the drill bit is somehow preventing it from being further drilled, and i do not have access nor the money to get a welder, and theres not enough space on the other side for me to get it with the stud extractor i have

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