Solving Lower Ball Joint Removal and Installation Issues
When installing a replacement ball joint in certain applications, technicians may note that the new ball joint may not fit tight in the opening of the lower control arm. Affected vehicles are: Ford Expedition, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, F-150, F-150 Heritage, F-250, Ranger, Lincoln Navigator, Mazda B2300, B3000 and Mercury Mountaineer.
Tech Tip: Common Brake Symptoms Can Require Unique Solutions
Diagnosing brake related complaints can be a challenge. A well-trained brake technician can follow a methodical diagnostic procedure and still be faced with the same annoying brake complaint. Sometimes the technician will resolve a problem temporarily, only to have the vehicle return at a later date with the same condition.
Autolite Team Dispels the 100,000 Mile Tune Up Myth
As some auto manufacturers recommend 100,000-plus mile spark plug replacements, many consumers seem to believe that all cars have “100,000 mile plugs”… to the detriment of their car’s fuel efficiency and performance.
Tech Feature: BMW and J2534 Pass-Thru Programming
In the U.S., 8 percent of the cars on the road are European vehicles. OK, that doesn’t sound like much, but think of it this way: an average repair yields more dollars per repair than most domestic and Asian vehicles. In most cases, each repair pays better. Plus, the vehicle owners have more invested into the vehicle, so they want to spend the money to fix their vehicle correctly. That 8 percent of cars on the road can pack a powerful punch when it comes to automotive repair shops making money.
Downloading Repairs
Have you looked at technical service bulletins lately? Especially ones for vehicles built since 2004? The fixes have changed drastically. I remember a time, not too long ago when the fix in a typical TSB was to install an updated part. From where I stand now in a Ford dealership, it seems like the hardware
Tech Tip: Diagnostic Thinking from A to Z
A customer brings their car to your shop with a concern. How do you get from broken to fixed? I’m sure you’ve had many people ask you over the years a question that goes something like this, "Sometimes my car doesn’t start, we already tried a new this and a new that, but it stills does it. What causes them to do that?" What’s worse, they could say that the shop down the street tried a new this and that and didn’t fix it. Yeah, maybe it was the shop down the street, but it still put a bruise on the same repair ….
Tech Feature: Gaining Access to Perimeter Anti-Theft Systems
It could use the same acronym, but is perimeter anti-theft the same as PATS? No, PATS, which stands for passive anti-theft systems, is a system that is designed to identify the key, and was discussed in the July 2007 issue of Underhood Service. Perimeter anti-theft is a system designed to identify unauthorized vehicle entry. There
Tech Tip: In-Tank Electric Fuel Pump May Cause Buzzing Noise in Radio Speakers
After replacing the alternator, customers may complain about a hum, whine or buzzing noise that is heard through the speakers of the vehicle radio or two-way radio when the fuel pump runs. The in-tank electric fuel pump may be the cause of the electrical noise.
Staying On Track
You’ve seen the “Advance Trac” badges on the backs of Explorers and Expeditions, but what is it? Have you ever been asked by your Ford dealer parts department if a vehicle you are working on has “IVD”? What’s IVD? Not all vehicles that are equipped with Advance Trac carry the Advance Trac insignia. Advance Trac
Decoding the Past
“I’d like for you to hook it up to the code machine and see what it says to replace” – anonymous customer Sound about right? It sure does. Of course, as auto repair professionals, we know better. We know that reading the code is not diagnostics, but rather that is where diagnostics might begin. We