I recently received an email from a field representative from the American Automobile Association (AAA) about the use of heat on suspension components. He was looking for TSBs and service information concerning whether or not some OEMs had banned the use of torches or set any blanket service rules.
The one thing that popped up was an alignment service procedure from Chrysler advising not to use heat to change the “alignment angles.” The last time I tried this was on a Ford truck with a front I-Beam suspension almost 20 years ago.
Any technician who is still attempting to bend or adjust a modern suspension component by heating it with a torch needs to switch professions and become a blacksmith. However, a little heat and common sense can go a long way if you are trying to get a component loose on a rusty car or truck.
Common Sense
I know if I try to heat a tie rod with a blazing torch for a prolonged period, I will probably damage the component. The damage will typically affect the plastic insert, boot or the grease. In all cases, the damage will result in play and the eventual failure of the joint. If I turn up the heat, I know I can change the metallurgy of the component.
I was taught to focus the heat on the bolt and threads since the expansion and contraction will break loose the bonds of corrosion. As a rule set by my teachers and mentors, I never heat a component to get it back into its original or new position. I also never use heat on aluminum or similar lightweight alloy because it might damage the coating or plating.
My education on how to use the gas wrench was imparted early in my career by German master technicians. They also taught me a lot of common sense techniques and procedures for fasteners and metallurgy. It was the kind of stuff that you can’t find in any service manual. It has saved me endless hours of having to extract broken bolts and repairing threads.
Keeping Curious and Current
Even if you are taught by the best in the industry, eventually that learning reaches its limits over time. My teachers couldn’t have anticipated yellow thread-locking compounds and new plating methods found on newer fasteners and components. But, my best teachers realized that vehicles were constantly changing, and that it was their job to stay on top of the changes. To them, this curiosity was just as important as common sense.
Another change agent is tools. Twenty years ago, the induction heater using magnetism would’ve been science fiction. Now, I find myself using my portable induction heater more than I ever would have with my acetylene torch. I even use it on stubborn bleeder screws that I would have broken off before. An induction heater will change how you work on vehicles
But, here is the thing bugging me about that email from AAA: He wanted to use bits and pieces of information to make a blanket policy for all technicians on all makes because an OEM or supplier wrote it. I often find that this type of “policy think” does more harm that good because policymaker often ignore the exceptions to the rules. I also know if I write something and use the words “all” or “always,” there will be a letter, email or comment on the website pointing out an exception.