Brendan Baker, Author at Brake & Front End
Alignment Shims and Kits

Listen to what the customer says and sell them the cure to their problem, using examples to explain why they need it.

All About Engine Timing Chains

You’ve probably noticed that a chain rather than a belt drives the camshaft. Why is this the case?

Trico Products Introduces Universal Rear Beam Wiper Blade Program With TRICO Rear

The TRICO Rear program includes an advanced connection system that reduces SKU count from 27 to 11, while increasing coverage and consolidating space.

Consulting On Coilover Conversions

There are several ways to restore and upgrade a suspension. Engineers spend a lot of time tuning the springs and valving of the suspension to give an acceptable ride and handling characteristics to a broad audience.

Stopping Brake Noise

Squeals, groans, creaks and chatters are all noises nobody wants to hear when they apply their brakes. Whether a vehicle is brand new or one that is 10 years old with 120,000 miles on the odometer, most people today expect their brakes to be quiet and not squeal, groan or howl in protest every time the vehicle comes to a halt.

Transmission Fluid: Just Because It’s Red Doesn’t Mean It’s The Same

Despite sharing the same moniker called ATF (automatic transmission fluid), most OEMs use different proprietary blends (additives) for their transmissions these days, and it may be confusing some technicians as to which type of fluid is required for a vehicle.

Specialty Wheel Alignments And Parts

Many OEMs are building cars with little to no alignment adjustment capabilities because of the tightened tolerances they have already. While the alignment is perfect when it rolls out of the factory, what happens when it starts to age and the body and cradle start to settle? With the limited adjustments available, there’s almost no range left. And, it doesn’t take long before tires wear and the vehicle begins to display other unwanted handling characteristics.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder Brake Job (Fourth Gen)

The Pathfinder’s brake layout is relatively straightforward with ABS and Traction Control on all four wheels. The system switches fluid pressure of each brake caliper to increase, hold or decrease via signals from the control unit in the ABS actuator and electric control unit.

Brake Pad & Rotor Matching

Many techs believe that installing new pads and rotors is the solution to brake noise and vibration, and that installing new parts makes everything perfectly aligned so that no other steps are needed to bring the system back to service. Well, this is true and false.

Ford F-150 (2009-2014) Brake Job

There are more than 3.6 million 2009-’14 Ford F-Series trucks on the road today, and the majority of these are the F150 model. The 12th generation of the truck, and specifically its brake system, has had very few problems since most of the brake system was carried over from the previous platform.

First Generation Kia Soul Brake Job

Brakes on the Soul are conventional single-piston calipers and four-wheel discs on most trim levels and very straightforward to service. Some of the basic trimmed models had drum brakes in the rear. While these brakes have been relatively trouble-free in the first generation models, there have been some complaints about brakes that “grab” or feel “too sensitive” when engaged.

Wideband Oxygen Sensors Vs. Narrowband: Understanding The Differences

Wideband air/fuel oxygen sensors may appear similar to conventional narrowband oxygen sensors, but there are quite a few differences that you need to be aware of to service vehicles with this new style sensor.