Collision-Related Alignments: It’s All in the Angles
src=”elements/100656.gif” width=”180″ height=”131″ alt=”” border=”0″ align=”baseline” /> When a vehicle is involved in an accident, extreme forces are placed upon the design characteristics of the structure, as well as all related and attached system components. This energy management of the collision forces is what began the need for technical training and the formation of I-CAR.
Tire Tech
Coupled Forces Why using less weight is not a shortcut In our July issue on page 26, the article titled “Less Weight, Great Balance” (or at www.brakeandfrontend.com) answered a lot of questions, but it also brought up some new ones. The article was on the new technology that many new balancers are featuring that can
Selling Services…Riding on Air – Or Not: Servicing Air Suspensions
Air springs and electronic ride controls provide a cushy, boulevard ride, but the ride doesn’t last forever. All air suspensions share a common vulnerability: air leaks. And when a system can no longer hold air, it goes flat. When an air ride suspension system goes flat, it can be very expensive to fix. OEM parts
A Brief History of the Steering Wheel & Power Steering
It’s 1956 and the 20-inch-diameter steering wheel on a Chevrolet Bel Air or Ford Fairlane provided the leverage to steer the wheels. But, it was especially difficult to turn the steering wheel when the vehicle was stopped. Turning the wheel required a certain amount of upper body strength that was given by God to truck
Brake & Suspension System Service
Brake and suspension repairs are the best type of routine maintenance repairs that coincide with major service intervals. Brake and suspension components that are in need of replacement could represent a significant profit center for shops when technicians take the time to perform complete chassis inspections. Worn suspension and brake components, as well as a
Wheel Speed Sensors
According to a recent BRAKE & FRONT END survey, the most commonly replaced ABS items are wheel speed sensors and wheel bearing hub units with wheel speed sensors. Pulling a wheel speed sensor code does not mean that you should immediately pull and replace the sensor. If you do not confirm the source of the
Automatic 4WD Hub Replacement
Automatic hubs are used on many 4×4 trucks to disengage the front wheels when four-wheel drive is not needed. Disconnecting the front wheels reduces friction and may improve fuel economy as much as one mile per gallon depending on the vehicle. A one mpg difference may not sound like much, but with gas costing around
CV Joints & Halfshafts
Rear-wheel drive has made a comeback on many large luxury import nameplates, but more than 80% of all cars on the road today are front-wheel drive. Most small- and mid-size cars are FWD, and all import minivans have FWD. What’s more, most of the full-size and crossover 4WD SUVs have halfshafts with CV joints front
Wheel Bearings 101
Service and replacement is making a comeback on some vehicles Some people think servicing wheel bearings is a thing of the past — like measuring dwell on a set of ignition points. But, even with sealed hub units, inspection and service have not gone out of style. Like any moving part on a vehicle that
Tie Rod Geometry
Keeping the angles in line with Ackermann Most people consider the common tire rod to be low tech. But, when you consider how front suspensions have evolved from straight axles to independent designs, the tie rod has had to adapt to new angles and geometry. Keeping it on the road was simple with the straight
Diagnostic Solutions: Wheel Bearing Diagnosis
PROPER PROCEDURES AND CORRECT TOOLS PREVENT COMEBACKS Although wheel bearings are often the most neglected part of the vehicle, they nevertheless have a critical job to do, and in most cases, do it very well. Not only are wheel bearings designed to support the weight of the vehicle and allow it to travel over a
Steering Stabilizers: Suspension Geometry
Big rims or tires can look good and give a vehicle a unique look. But what is invisible becomes real ugly is the alignment and suspension angles that become altered. Also, that extra weight in stylist alloy rims or thick off-road tires can create a gyroscopic problem. Lifting Why do people lift trucks? The primary