Tech Feature: Dialing in on Today’s Engine Bearing Trends
When selecting engine bearings, engine builders often focus on getting the proper clearances and maintaining sufficient oil pressure, but other bearing characteristics should also be considered in certain applications. Durability is less of a concern today because the aftermarket and OEMs demand bearings that can last 150,000 miles even under severe stress from a neglectful vehicle owner.
Tech Tip: Brake Maintenance and Inspection
The brake actuating system, consisting of the master cylinder, calipers, hoses and wheel cylinders, experiences wear each time the driver applies the brakes. Some drivers rarely use their brakes and therefore never wear out a set of brake linings. Nevertheless, no matter how little the brakes are used, moisture contamination and rust will eventually cause the brake actuating system to fail.
Tech Tip: Common Mistakes to Avoid when Resurfacing Cylinder Heads and Blocks
Cylinder heads and blocks may need to be resurfaced to restore flatness or to improve the surface finish, or milled to change the deck height for a variety of reasons. The deck surface on the head or block may need to be resurfaced if the surface isn’t smooth or flat. A head may need to be resurfaced after welds or other repairs have been made, or milled to increase the compression ratio.
Techs Can Provide Motorists with Better Ignitability, Durability and Value by Using Autolite XP Xtreme Performance Spark Plugs
Spark plugs supply the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture so that combustion can occur in a gasoline vehicle’s engine. It fires thousands of times a minute with extremely precise timing under varying operating conditions.
Tech Tip: Squeak-Like Sound from Front Bumper Crossmember on Jeep Liberty and Cherokee Vehicles
A customer may experience a squeak-like sound when driving slowly over driveway entrances, road bumps or when performing parking lot maneuvers. The squeak-like sound may occur when the vehicle body/frame is flexed (twists). This condition may occur when the front edge flange of either frame rail rubs against the backside of the front bumper crossmember.
Ford Announces More Stringent Specification Replacement for MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid
Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) announces MERCON V as the replacement for MERCON Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Effective July 1, the production and licensing for MERCON will cease. Automatic transmissions, power steering systems and manual transmissions previously requiring MERCON must, as of July 1, 2007, be serviced with MERCON V.
Tech Tip: Poor Throttle Response on Volkswagen Vehicles
Some 1998-2003 Golf, Jetta, Jetta Wagon and new Beetle models with 1.9L TDI may exhibit poor throttle response. The following Tech Tip from ALLDATA will help diagnose and repair this condition.
Tech Tip: Ford and Lincoln Tie Rod Inspection Procedure
Check the outer tie rod ends by grasping by hand and push up and down. Check the inner tie rod ends, pushing them front to rear. If any free play is observed in a joint, it is worn and should be replaced. Keep reading for additional Ford and Lincoln tie rod inspection tips.
‘My Rotors are Warped!’
Warped rotors are probably one of the most common complaints from a drive upon entering any shop that does brakes. The less confident or sophisticated driver may complain that when he hits the brakes, “my pedal pulses,” “the vehicle chucks during a stop” or “it shakes my teeth during braking.” Generally a quick turn of
Ready-To-Install Struts: Saving Time & Adding Profits
It should come as no shock that preassembled, ready-to-install struts have been a huge hit lately, not only with do-it-yourselfers, but even more so with professional technicians. The pros like them because they are much easier, faster and more profitable to install than ordinary struts. They don’t need a spring compressor to disassemble and reassemble