Brake Pad Standards In The Automotive Aftermarket
A few months back, I wrote an article on brake pad standards. I received a lot of questions about the article. The main question I received was about Department of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and how they apply to aftermarket products.
Toyota Tundra Brake Job
For 2007, the Toyota Tundra was redesigned. The body changed, and the foundation brake system was also updated with larger front brake calipers and rear disc brakes. The control system and hydraulics changed with a new vehicle stability system that included yaw, steering angle and brake pedal load sensors.
Ford Tech Tip: Engine Idle RPM Fluctuation, Hard Start
Various vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 and/or engine idle RPM fluctuation and hard starts. Some vehicles may also exhibit DTCs P2111 and P2112 after a keep alive memory (KAM) clear, battery disconnect or dead battery. On vehicles with over 10,000 miles, the issue may be caused by sludge buildup in the throttle body leading to less than desired airflow.
BRAKELIGHT: July 1948
It is estimated that between 1,500 to 2,000 WWII veterans die every day. Many of them were trained as motor pool and aircraft mechanics in the service and came home to open shops. We owe a great deal to these veterans because not only did they defend our freedoms, they helped to build the auto care industry we know today.
On-Car Rotor Resurfacing
One of my favorite pieces of shop equipment is the on-the-car brake lathes. Not only does they resurface the rotors to the center line of the wheel bearings, they speed the job up in some cases. Its a win/win situation. I remember the earlier models of on car lathes that were a complete pain to set up. Not with today’s equipment, they are painless if you know wat you are doing.
Brake Dragging Condition After Master Cylinder Replacement
Certain vehicles will exhibit a brake dragging or locking up condition once warmed up after master cylinder replacement. This is most likely due to the pedal mechanism or booster pushrod keeping the master cylinder slightly applied, impeding the capability of the master cylinder to allow expanding fluid back into the reservoir as the fluid warms up.
Mitsubishi Tech Tip: Ringing Noise From Front Brakes
Customers may complain of a high-pitch noise from the front brakes during a low-speed light brake application. Refer to the following repair procedure to solve this noise complaint.
WRAF Sensors: How They Work
Wideband or Wide Range Air Fuel (WRAF) sensors don’t generate a voltage signal like common zirconia oxygen sensors. An ordinary oxygen sensor produces a voltage signal of 0.8 to 0.9 volts when the air/fuel mixture is rich, then drops to 0.3 volts or less when the air/fuel mixture goes lean.
CARS And NACE: Training You Can’t Afford To Miss
CARS is no longer a training event. It is now an informational, strategic planning and networking event unlike any other. While there are classes, they have been restructured with a new model in mind.
Honda Insight Brake Job
The Honda Insight might be a rare bird when compared to the Civic or Accord, but it is like all vehicles in that it wears out brake pads, shoes and rotors. Thankfully, servicing the brakes on the Insight does not require dealing with the high-voltage hybrid system.
Will New Overtime Laws Hurt Shops?
It’s the shop owner’s dilemma: Your shop gets flooded with an unexpected onslaught of cars early in the day. It’s getting late, but you can’t quite close because you want to appease the customer who “really needs the car back ASAP.”
GM Tech Tip: Slap Or Clunk From Rear Leaf Spring
Some customers may comment on a rear leaf spring “slap” or “clunk” noise. This noise is most apparent when the vehicle is operated over irregular road surfaces. The rear leaf spring tip inserts may have broken apart from wear and fallen out, or may be severely worn or damaged.
