BRAKELIGHT: Beware the Brake Racketeer (1932)
In the 1930s, brake services like relining and adjustments were performed more often than oil changes. Most vehicles with mechanical brakes required adjustment every 1,000 miles to make sure they stopped straight or even stop at all. Shops were being forced to compete with people who performed brake repairs in backyards and at the side of
BRAKELIGHT: The Tale of Sam & Joe (December 1961)
Quality art never goes out of style. OK, so maybe you don’t remember “The Reluctant Student” from the December 1961 issue of Brake & Front End, but the message is as important now as it was then — maybe even more so. In the cartoon, we have Joe, who is content with his book of
BRAKELIGHT: Chevy Avalanche
A customer recently brought in a Chevy Avalanche due to a slight brake noise. Both pads were gone, the caliper piston was AWOL and the rotor looked like this. — Submitted by Ryan Dickerson, Blackville, SC
BRAKELIGHT: BFE Sponsors Soapbox Derby
In the summer of 2013, Brake & Front End sponsored a soapbox derby car for the National Super Kids Classic. Held in conjunction with the All American Soapbox Derby, the National Super Kids Classic is for disabled children to race at one of the most iconic American sporting events. Sponsoring a racecar or sports team can
BRAKELIGHT: Gone Vanning (March 1979)
In the 1970s, “Vanning” was a trend that no one could really explain. Most early vans were all about the interior that was usually covered in shag carpet. By the end of the decade, vanners wanted more. The answer was to put a 4×4 drivetrain on a van and go off road. By 1981, vanning
BRAKELIGHT: Spiffs from the 1970s (1976)
A spiff, SPIF (Sales Performance Incentive Fund) or spiv is typically given by a manufacturer or distributor for selling a specific product or for buying an assortment of parts. Special spiffs have been around since the start of Brake & Front End. Products that could be used outside of the shop were a little more
BRAKELIGHT: Children in Advertising (1937)
Using fear to sell safety components like brakes is nothing new. But Amco broke new ground when it used children in advertising to enhance its safety message.
BRAKELIGHT: Ford Helps Disabled Veterans (June 1951)
More than 250,000 soldiers were wounded in WWII. Some of them could not operate a car using the normal controls. Car makers and shops realized that they had a debt to pay to these veterans. When new cars could be bought after the war, just about every automaker offered hand controls at no extra cost.
BRAKELIGHT: SUV Air Ride Suspension
This customer chose an interesting solution when the air ride suspension on his SUV started to leak. The rubber block looks like a wheel chock wired to the trailing arm of the suspension. I am sure the ride was not the most comfortable.
