Cheap Brake Pads
Selling cheap brake pads can help automotive technicians market their services, but what is the real cost of installing inferior quality brake pads?
2000-2010 Ford Focus Alignment Specs
The 2000-2010 Ford Focus is one of the most common cars on the road. Proper alignment of this vehicle takes knowledge of common problems with the platform to avoid premature tire wear.
Change Your Mind When It Comes To Rotors and Pulsation Comebacks
How do you handle a pulsation or comeback? Blame the pads? The driver? Defective rotor? When you point your finger at these items, there are three fingers pointing back at YOU. How much stock do you put into these common shop myths about brake rotors?
Chrysler Tech Tip: Stability Control System Engages Prematurely
Problem: ESP system may prematurely activate momentarily when negotiating a curve or MIL illumination due to diagnostic trouble code P0340, P0344 or P0116. Overview: This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with new software. Models: 2004-2007 Durango 2007 Aspen 2007 Ram Truck 2005-2007 Grand Cherokee 2006-2007 Commander 2004-2006 Liberty Note:
Honda Tech Tip: Dampers Lock Up After Lowering Vehicle on a Rack
You’ve got your service customer’s vehicle up on a rack to do some work. You lower it back down, but now it looks like a 4×4 ready for some serious off-roading or it feels like it’s got a rock-solid suspension. If you’re wondering what’s going on, the dampers locked up. Damper lock-up is a wear-and-tear
Tech Tips: Avoid Repeat Bearing Failures on Subaru Legacy and Impreza 1992-2003 Models
To help avoid repeat bearing failures on 1992-2003 Subaru Legacy and Impreza models, the bearings experts at SKF have outlined some commonly overlooked problems, as well as the steps to fix them. First and foremost, always follow manufacturer guidelines during removal and installation. Before removing the old bearing, it’s important to check runout and endplay
TPMS Q&A
Q: When should tire pressure be checked? A: Most TPMSs are calibrated to a vehicle’s cold tire pressure, but check the owner’s manual for the correct procedure. Volvo, for instance, recommends a vehicle be parked for at least three hours before filling the tires with air to the cold tire pressure specs in the owner’s
Alignment Specs: 2006-10 Volkswagen Passat
The VW Passat for 2006 was completely new. The four-link front suspension with four ball joints was replaced with a cast-iron lower control arm and a McPherson strut. In the rear, the Passat received an independent suspension with a trailing link design. Also, the design of the AWD model was much more simplified. But, when
Bulletproof: What 20 Years Can Do To Your Health
I once worked at a repair shop next to a small body shop, and I would occasionally see the two guys who worked there on my smoke breaks. Talking to these guys you could tell that something was not right. It seemed the busier they got, the more drunk they got. But, I never saw
Why Selling Four is Better Than Settling For Just Two
We have all been in a situation where the customer comes in with a damaged or leaking shock/strut that needs immediate attention, while the rest of the shocks/struts have more than 80,000 miles on them and are due for replacement. Recommending replacement of all four units is the right thing to do, but after you
Top 10 Brake Mistakes
Here are the top 10 most common brake job mistakes made by rookie mechanics when replacing brake pads, rotors and calipers. Not cleaning the brake slides and hardware: Just slapping new pads and abutment clips where the old ones once resided never works. The caliper bracket slides need to be clean and free from rust.
Tech Tip: FIAT 500 Rear Axle Alignment
Rear axle alignment shims are available in a kit containing two shims and replacement spindle mounting bolts. The front shim is used to correct an out of specification toe-in condition, and the rear shim is used to correct an out of specification toe-out condition. Only one of these shims, front or rear, will be used
