Honda Suspension System Diagnosis and Service
Like most vehicles, the suspension system on a Honda or Acura will give its owner many miles of trouble-free service. But with the amount of miles these cars deliver, it’s only a matter of time before they will need some type of repair. And unlike some of the other systems on the car, the suspension
Performance Upgrades: Tuning, Tweaking & Boosting Your Way to New Profits
The import performance market offers a unique service opportunity for you. Import vehicle owners are accessorizing their vehicles like never before, and many are buying aftermarket performance parts in record numbers. Though many of these parts are sold to people who can install the parts themselves (things like wings, spoilers, lights, big bore mufflers, etc.),
Inspection by the Numbers
As the saying goes: “The devil is in the details”. Another saying is: “The truth is in the numbers.” When performing a brake inspection, both are true. Replacing the calipers and rotors with every brake job may not be the cure all for ending all for fundamental brake repair problems. An inspection of every component,
Shock Replacement Option Require a Proper Assessment of Customers’ “Ride” Expectations
Shock absorber replacements are unique because they represent a big ticket, high profit margin, low liability sales opportunity that happens at least once or perhaps twice during the normal service life of a typical vehicle. Modern shock absorber design is also becoming much more sophisticated than it was just one short decade ago. In conventional
Selling Services: Selling the Scope to Your Customer
While replacing a blown head gasket and re-torquing the head bolts, you reach into your tool box and grab your 1/2-inch impact and rattle the bolts down. Just kidding! You would reach for your torque wrench and accurately follow the manufacturer recommendations for torque patterns and values. To guarantee a quality repair, an accurate torque
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
BALL JOINTS & BUSHINGS: Worn Components Take Their Toll on Advanced Suspension Technologies
Too often, shop owners and technicians alike assume that suspension systems haven’t changed much in the past 20 years. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth because today’s import vehicle may incorporate a number of technologies that can be affected by worn steering and suspension components. To illustrate, we’re beginning to see electronic
Monroe Offering Cash-Back Rebate to Consumers Who Replace Worn Shocks and Struts with Qualifying Units in September and October
The fall automotive maintenance season officially begins September 1 at thousands of North American service locations thanks to the Monroe "Count Shockula" consumer rebate promotion from Tenneco Automotive. The "Count Shockula" promotion will reward vehicle owners with a cash-back rebate on one premium replacement* Monroe shock or strut with the purchase of three qualifying units in September or October.
Mount Kisco-Area Tire Store Manager Wins Harley-Davidson Motorcycle in Monroe Shocks and Struts Promotion
Vincent Papa, manager of Mavis Discount Tire in Mt. Kisco, NY, didn’t believe it when he heard he had won a national sweepstakes drawing for a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle from Monroe Shocks and Struts.
Under Pressure and Pounding: What Happens to Wheel Bearings and Suspensions When Wheels Get Big?…Stop Using Percentages if You Cannot Show Your Work!
Custom wheels and tires have been an automotive fashion statement since the 1970’s and today custom wheels have become automotive jewelry with 26-inch spinners on a Hummer as one of the ultimate statements. But, the hidden costs come at the price of wheel bearing life and other wheel end components. As an undercar shop, you
Using Caster to Properly Align Vehicles
Every story has an angle, and this one is no exception. In this case, we’re looking at one of the fundamental wheel alignment angles: caster. Caster is defined as the forward (negative) or rearward (positive) tilt of the steering axis as viewed from the side. Caster is measured in degrees from an imaginary line perpendicular