Automatic 4WD Hub Replacement
Automatic hubs are used on many 4×4 trucks to disengage the front wheels when four-wheel drive is not needed. Disconnecting the front wheels reduces friction and may improve fuel economy as much as one mile per gallon depending on the vehicle. A one mpg difference may not sound like much, but with gas costing around
CV Joints & Halfshafts
Rear-wheel drive has made a comeback on many large luxury import nameplates, but more than 80% of all cars on the road today are front-wheel drive. Most small- and mid-size cars are FWD, and all import minivans have FWD. What’s more, most of the full-size and crossover 4WD SUVs have halfshafts with CV joints front
Management: Selling Specialty Chemicals
Chemicals are hot commodities because they are profitable to sell and help customers with a variety of needs. So let’s take a look at some of these products to see what kinds of needs they meet and benefits they provide.
Tech Tip: Motor Mounts – Supporting the Engine and Transmission
Motor mounts are not a very glamorous product, but they do have an important function: They support the engine and transmission, and dampen noise and vibration. The mounts isolate the engine and transmission from the chassis so vibrations and noise are not transmitted to the rest of the vehicle.
Sealing It Up Right: Proper Engine Bolt Use
How important are the various fasteners in an engine? Consider this: the head bolts have to withstand tremendous loads to keep the cylinder head sealed tightly against the head gasket and block. In an engine with 4” cylinder bores and peak combustion pressures of around 1,100 pounds per square inch, each cylinder exerts about 13,827
Editor’s Notebook: Deflating a Growing Crime
If you think air bag theft is a bunch of hot air, think again. Insurance and auto industry reports indicate that vehicle air bags can fetch hefty sums on the black market and are becoming increasingly attractive to thieves. There’s even a growing Internet market for air bags. Insurance industry statistics show that approximately 50,000
Tech Tip: Oil Pan Leakage in Ford Engines
The AERA technical committee offers the following information regarding a revised oil pan gasket and installation kit for 1986-2001 Ford 3.0L VIN U engines. The issue of continued oil pan leakage has prompted this new installation kit.
Double Hit
It’s not difficult to torque wheel fasteners properly, but it’s not difficult to foul up the job, either. We’re not using double talk here; we’re shootin’ straight from the hip. The easy part of proper wheel fastener torquing is knowing the vehicle manufacturer torque specifications for a particular passenger car, light truck or medium truck,
JohnDow Industries Launches ShopRx Automotive Service Supplies
The ShopRx automotive shop fastener systems offer a number of benefits that will increase shop productivity and profits. Having the right fastener available when needed reduces bay down time. Plus, the ShopRx systems offer considerable savings compared to locally purchased fasteners and hardware.
The Right Tools at the Right Time
The toughest part about changing a timing belt on most engines is just getting to the belt. The timing belt is sealed inside a protective cover on the front of the engine. Replacing it typically requires removing everything on the front of the engine that obstructs the timing cover. This includes the serpentine belt and/or