Larry Carley, Author at Brake & Front End - Page 6 of 31
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Snap-on Hosts 90th Anniversary Celebration at Wisconsin Headquarters

Snap-on was founded in 1920 by Joseph Johnson and William Seidemann, who pioneered the idea of interchangeable sockets and wrench handles. The company manufactured and marketed 10 sockets that would “snap on” to five interchangeable handles, a concept that revolutionized the tool industry.

Tech Feature: Brake Pad Friction Material Formulas

Have you ever wondered what exactly is in the friction material that’s on the brake pads and shoes you install on your customers’ vehicles? Most brake suppliers use generic marketing terms such as “ceramic” or “semi-metallic” or “NAO” to describe their products, but they don’t give you any details as to what exactly these terms mean. That’s because no two brake suppliers agree on what these terms actually mean.

Tech Update: Gaskets, Seals, Sealants and Fasteners

Some gaskets can go the distance, while others can not. The factors that typically cause a gasket to fail include age, heat, thermal expansion, abrasion, pressure, vibration, corrosion, material breakdown or poor design.

Closing the Gap on Intake Manifold Gaskets

Back in the days when most engines had cast iron blocks, heads and manifolds, the intake manifold could be easily sealed with simple and relatively inexpensive die cut fiber faced metal gaskets (solid or perforated core). Sealer was usually required to ensure a leak-free installation.

Tech Feature: Taking it to the Streets

We have all seen in our industry that a “streetable” racing engine or a “raceable” street engine appeals to a broad spectrum of potential engine buyers because of its flexibility. Yet, everyday street driving is not the same thing as serious drag racing.

Tech Feature: Diagnosing and Replacing Chassis & Ride Control Parts

Worn chassis parts are often-overlooked causes of tire wear, steering and handling problems, and even road noise. Worn tie rods are the most common culprit for causing rapid tire wear, but worn control arm bushings or ball joints can also contribute to tire wear.

Tech Tip: Window Lifts: Unappreciated When They Work

Sometimes, a window may quit working for one reason or another. It may be time to replace a regulator.

Tech Tip: New Aftermarket Automotive Belts and Hoses Last Longer

pylene diene monomer), a synthetic rubber that is far more durable, heat-resistant and wear-resistant than Neoprene. This means serpentine belts and hoses made of EPDM may last up to 100,000 miles or more before they have to be replaced. But that doesn’t mean they will last forever.

Bolt-on Horsepower: Choosing an Induction System

Like a houseful of teenagers, today’s high performance engines are hungry and thirsty. Whether running on the street or the strip, our ravenous appetite for speed means their ravenous appetites must continue to be fed.

Tech Tip: Motor Mount Inspection Guidelines

Most motor mounts are relatively simple in design and consist only of metal attachment plates and large rubber insulator blocks. But some vehicles have “hydraulic” or “hydro-mounts” with hollow chambers filled with glycol or hydraulic fluid.

Tech Tip: Diagnosing Faulty Spark Plug Wires

Ignition systems have changed a great deal in recent years, with coil-on-plug (COP) ignition systems being the most common setup on many late model engines. COP ignition systems have a single coil for each spark plug mounted on top of the plug. This setup eliminates the need for a spark plug wire and the troubles it can cause. Most other distributorless ignition systems (DIS) still have plug wires, as do older vehicles with distributors.

Diagnosing A/C Systems with Automatic Climate Control

Diagnosis is often the biggest challenge, especially if the cause of a no-cooling problem is not obvious. Is it the refrigeration circuit, an electrical problem or a control issue?