Loaded Caliper Installation Guidelines
Caliper replacement is often the best course of action to ensure that a braking system will perform at an optimal level, both in terms of safety, performance and maximizing brake pad life. There are a bunch of small reasons to recommend caliper replacement: rubber boots, seals and gaskets that wear down, dry up and eventually
Ford Fusion Alignment Spec (2005-‘13)
Millions of Ford Fusions were sold in the U.S. between 2005 and 2013. When it comes to alignments, it is critical to diagnose the customer first, to find out if their Fusion drifts or pulls, and then to check all of the possibilities for the complaint before throwing it on the alignment rack. Front Suspension
TPMS Service: Taking Temperature Into Account
Winter is upon us, which means shops in cold weather cities might see an influx of illuminated TPMS lights. However, many of those lights might be false alarms. The reason? Look no further than the thermometer. As a tire rolls down the road, deformation takes place at the tire footprint. The sidewalls deflect and the
Stop the ‘Warped’ Rotors Myth and Service Brakes the Right Way
Myths take hold because either A) they seem completely logical or B) they are so often repeated that they just become common knowledge. The warped rotor myth is a little bit of both. A rotor that contributed to a pulsation condition certainly appears “warped.” Plus, everyone says it — even technicians that know the rotor
TPMS Updates: From Reflashes to Refills
Tire pressure monitoring system technology isn’t “new” in the sense that some form of TPMS has been around since the mid 2000s, but these systems are still evolving as manufacturers update their functionality and work out kinks discovered over time. Here are some of the most recent technical service bulletins issued by OEs concerning TPMS
Decoding the TPMS Wireless Signal
In order to properly service a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), you must first understand the functionality of the system’s wireless signal. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there about the TPMS wireless signal, which could get in the way of your diagnostics and your ability to sell TPMS service. For example, Googling
Clutch Repairs Made Easy: Making Use of Something We Normally Throw Away
Clutch replacement is a job that normally takes a good bit of time, and we want the job to go right the first time. Whether it’s a 4-wheel drive Ford F-450 or a Chevrolet Cobalt, we don’t want to do the job twice, but that’s exactly what may happen if the clutch installation does not
Diagnosing Clutch Assembly Noises
Noise can resonate from many areas of a vehicle’s driveline. There are several types of noises associated with the clutch assembly. The release bearing is most often blamed for being the cause of noise when, in many cases, it is not the release bearing at all. For example, technicians often describe a squeaking noise emanating
Brake Edge Code Updates Explained
Notice anything different about those edge codes on that set of brake pads you just ordered? If you haven’t yet, you will. Here’s the deal: Brake friction formulations are now covered by new regulations in California and Washington, which require the phase out of copper and other metals potentially harmful to the environment. As a
Air Conditioning System Advances Change Service Opportunities
The attention-grabbing headline in the world of air conditioning is usually the switching of refrigerants as the industry and regulators continue to search for the next level of environmental friendliness. But the underrated A/C story that’s slowly developed during the same time period is the overall improvement of A/C systems.
Platinum prices, catalytic converter thefts on the rise?
Platinum miners in South Africa went on strike toward the end of January. This situation half a world away could have real impact on the price, sales and safety of catalytic converters. Also, read how some resourceful shops are marketing services to guard against the rise in catalytic converter thefts.