Why Shocks And Struts Wear Out
Ask any one working the front counter what is the most difficult items to sell and two items will always come up, diagnostic fees and struts. When shocks and struts wear out, there are almost no visual clues. The car will not turn on a light or leave the customer stranded. The clues are all in the “seat of the pants” of the driver. When a unit is leaking, it is a sign of failure and not wear. Even the “knee on the bumper” test can give false results due to how some units handle low-frequency movements.
ASE A5 Prep: Electronic Brake Distribution (Video)
Anti-lock brake systems (ABS) and the HCU are replacing proportioning, combination and other valves to change the braking forces in the front and rear. This is called Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and it can dynamically change to proportioning to take into account if the vehicle is turning or is loaded. The system can also use EBD to perform a “soft stop.” This routine is performed when a vehicle is slowing at low speeds and the brake force is varied in the front and rear so the vehicle’s attitude is controlled and weight is evenly transferred. This means a flatter and more stable stop.
10 Cordless Tool Myths
The myth that cordless tools are not as powerful as air tools is false for the majority of cordless tool categories. Most cordless tools are just as powerful as air or corded tools. Compare the specs; you might be surprised! Take impact wrenches for example, apples-to-apples, some professional cordless tools can match and exceed maximum or break away torque of similar 3/8″ or 1/2″ air impacts. Check the specs.
How Long Should a Brake Job Last?
The Pressure Is On With New Customer Expectations
Catalytic Converters: Replacement Is Changing
If your shop is not in California, the replacement of the catalytic converter is simple and typically there is only one replacement option. Most shops understand that they must replace the converter and that using a test pipe or bypassing the converter is bad for business and against the EPA regulations and could result in big fines.
Why Do Ball Joints, Tie Rods And Control Arms Wear Out?
The ball and socket joint has been around on animals and humans for millennia. This simple design has been used on vehicles since the turn of the century because it works. But, just like our hip joints, ball and socket joints, like ball joints, tie rods and sway bar links, wear out.
TPMS Sensor Corrosion: 5 Tips To Help Avoid A Snapped Stem
Since TPMS became standard equipment in 2008, many sensors are starting to show their age. While some of these sensors may have a lot of battery life left, the sensors’ stems are starting to fall victim to corrosion. Here are five tips that can help you avoid snapping stems and have the shop eat a sensor.
Viewpoint: Here Is My List Of What Is “In And Out” This Month
In: Being able to re-flash and calibrate computer modules.
Out: Longer than normal time downloading a file because someone is watching Netflix in the front office.
Servicing Bent Arms And Struts
Normal driving usually won’t knock the wheels out of alignment or damage the suspension. However, normal driving also involves encounters with the unexpected, which often includes potholes, curbs, railroad crossings (which are famous for being rough), parking lot speed bumps and other things that jar and stress the suspension. For this reason, periodic alignment checks are a good way to ensure proper wheel alignment and to detect damaged, worn or bent parts that might need attention.
Identifying The Toughest Wheel Bearing Jobs
Some wheel bearing jobs are easy. These are typically unitized hub units. All that is required is removing the caliper, rotor, axle nut and the four bolts holding on the unit. Some wheel bearing jobs can take as many as three hours and require removal of the knuckle from the vehicle. Collected in this article are some of the most difficult vehicles as reported by technicians, labor guides and bearing manufacturers.
Chassis Service On 1999-2006 Honda Insight Hybrid
One of the defining elements of the Honda Insight Hybrid is the rear suspension. The rear wheel track is significantly narrower than the front. Another item is the skirts over the rear wheels. The skirts are attached with two fasteners at the bottom of skirts’ lips and slide down out of the clips.
Toyota Scion TC Brake Service Tips
The replacement of the pads and rotors is straightforward, but there are some things that you should know before you start. This car is designed for ceramic friction material formulations. If everything is operating correctly, it is not uncommon for a set of rotors to last three sets of ceramic pads. Toyota even recommends not machining the rotors if the rotors are within specifications for thickness, thickness variation and runout.