Andrew Markel, Author at Brake & Front End - Page 115 of 116
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Viewpoint: Quality not Price

During the AAPEX show in Las Vegas, I visited the lower level where many overseas companies were exhibiting aftermarket parts. In small 10’x10’ booths arranged by country, they displayed their wares in hopes of a buyer. The former underground parking structure of the Sands Hotel and Casino was filled with the two best things America

Your Responsibility to Your Safety

Is ignorance bliss or is it a death sentence? I once worked at a repair shop where a small body shop was next door. I would occasionally see the two guys who worked there on my smoke breaks. Talking to these guys you could tell that something was not right. It seemed the busier they

Exhaust Parts

Too Much Weight

How to Unlock the Potential of Your Management and Information Software

Software is a unique tool. Every time it is used, it becomes more valuable to your shop. With every customer profile, parts data and billing information that you input, it will become more valuable to your operation. Also, with every technical service bulletin or bit of repair information found, you become more valuable. For automotive

Friction Fundamentals

A brake, according to the dictionary, is a device for arresting the motion of a wheel or vehicle. The original brake, like the original wheel, was invented before history was accurately recorded, but we know from pictures drawn by ancient Phoenicians and Egyptians that it is one of the oldest of mechanical devices. For thousands

Mileage Maintenance

A mere 0.7 of a mile does not sound like much, it is about 3,700 feet, or less than one-third the distance around Daytona International Speedway. On average, the U.S. population of vehicles will get 20 miles per gallon (including light trucks and passenger vehicles). A 0.7 of a mile improvement represents only a 3.5

Alignment and Scan Tools

How can centering a steering wheel during an alignment cause a vehicle to turn a blind eye? In the past two years we have seen more vehicles on the market with stability management and adaptive cruise control. If a vehicle with one of these systems comes into your shop for alignment, be aware that any

Eyeball Estimates: Stop Using Percentages if You Cannot Show Your Work!

I have been seeing a lot of estimates recently that project how much “life” is left in the brake pads. This number is often expressed as a percentage. While I do realize that it is a number most customers might be able to understand, it is misleading and often inaccurate. The typical estimate says, “20

Brake NVH: Part Two

An in-depth look at individual brake components and how each can produce noise and how to resolve the malady.

Viewpoint: The Bi-Polar Aftermarket Image

Last month’s editorial titled the “Pricing Game” spured an unexpected discussion with fellow readers on the current state of the image of the aftermarket and what should be done to create a more uniform message that benefits all involved. There have been numerous threads on iATN making this problem sound like an “us against them”

The Ultimate Answer?: Brake NVH: Part One

In recent years, North American OEMs have had to spend more than $100 million annually at the dealership level to resolve brake noise issues. Also, JD Powers studies indicate brake noise is the third highest complaint identified by new-car buyers in the first 90-days of ownership. Brake noise on the aftermarket level is even more

The Pricing Game: Technology Puts Part Prices in the Hands of Your Customers

What is the right amount for parts mark up? 20%, 35%, 100%, or do you just go by the retail price of a part as determined by the manufacturer, jobber or WD? This is a tough question in terms of business practices and ethics. This gray area can get a lot of people in trouble.