BRAKE & FRONT END, August 1952: The “Pull a Wheel!” campaign from the 1940s and 1950s played a critical role in stressing the complete inspection of brake systems. Most vehicles of this period had drum brakes. It was possible to see the thickness of friction material on the shoes through inspection holes, but it was impossible to inspect the condition of the entire shoe. Pulling a wheel on some of these applications could be labor intensive and involve adjusting the wheel bearing.
Here are a few tips to follow when diagnosing brake pull during a test drive.
A brake pull can be a simple repair or an exercise in frustration if the cause is not methodically diagnosed. Oftentimes, a shotgun approach results in parts being replaced needlessly in search of a cure. A methodical diagnostic routine will save time, parts, money and customers.
Let’s start with a few tips when diagnosing brake pull during a test drive. Don’t forget to check the simplest, most obvious thing: tire inflation pressure or mismatched tire sizes. These can cause a constant pull or one that’s most noticeable during braking. Try swapping tires from side to side, as a bad tire can also cause a pull.
Vendors, suppliers, manufacturers and shop owners got the chance to visit the Babcox Media headquarters.
Will aftermarket intelligence ever take over the world and kill all humans? Probably not.
The supply of incoming techs from post-secondary programs dropped 11.8% from 2021-2022, according to TechForce Foundation.
Each year engine bay covers get bigger and more difficult to remove.
The secret is to be quiet & listen, as the customer will tell you almost everything relevant to the repair you need to know.
New vehicle ADAS and autonomous features all rely on the alignment being exactly as it should be.
Knowing what the common issues are & understanding the options available to isolate & fix problems are the keys to success.
Guessing the correct torque setting is a bad idea.
