Honda Performance Modifications
While the “fast and furious” nature of the import performance market has cooled down, there is still some excitement in the market and you shouldn’t be surprised to find a customer at your front counter asking if you can do this kind of work, says Import Specialist Contributor Bob Dowie.
Tool Tip: Maximizing Tools: Diagnosing ABS/ESC Hydraulic Control Units
Brake & Front End Editor Andrew Markel finds the root cause of a brake pull using Innovative Products of America’s Brake System Analyzer.
Honeywell Friction Materials Doubles the Size of its Annual Customer Loyalty Program
Both automotive service center technicians and counterpeople will be rewarded for their loyalty to Bendix products this year with the launch of Ultimate Rewards 2012, the newly expanded and simplified incentive program from Bendix.
Win a Ford F-150 Lariat From Performance Friction
Visitors to the Performance Friction website can register to win a brand new 2012 Ford F-150 4X4 Lariat equipped with a PFC Big Brake Kit.
Tech Feature: Subaru Service Essentials
My stint at being a service advisor for a number of dealer service departments over the years gave me a lot of experience in “bundling” services into a package. Having a service plan or “menu” built value for the customer. It also provided the service department with reliable income. Though there are good and bad points to service menus, the basic idea is a good one, and works well for any kind of automotive service or repair facility.
Preemptive Diagnostics: Solving Pulsation Complaints Before They Happen
Here is a scenario: A shop performs a brake job on a vehicle. The front pads and rotors are replaced. On the test drive, the vehicle had zero signs of pulsation, even after an aggressive break-in procedure. Six months and 6,000 miles later, the customer is back complaining of a pulsation in the pedal. So what has happened in 6,000 miles?
Alignment & Suspension Specs: 2005-2010 Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5
If you were to look at the underside of a 2005-2010 Chevy Cobalt or Pontiac G5, the recipe doesn’t look that much different that a 1995-2004 Chevrolet Cavalier or Pontiac Sunfire. The basic ingredients of a strut front suspension and loaded beam axle rear suspension are still there. But, GM introduced several new ingredients that can change how this vehicle is aligned.
Bendix by Honeywell Launches the Ultimate Service Center Promotion
To reward the loyal automotive service centers that recommend and install Bendix by Honeywell products, the company is giving back with its Ultimate Rewards 2011 technician incentive program.
Tech Feature: Nissan Undercar Noise and Vibration Repairs
When it comes to Nissan undercar work, Import Specialist Bob Dowie discusses the first challenge you face and that is selling the work. While he uses the word “selling,” what you are actually doing is making the customer aware of issues that need to be addressed to maintain the reliability and, more importantly, the safety of their vehicle.
Undercar Repairs on 1996 to 2005 Volkswagens and Audis
Just as we get used to the types of powertrain, suspension, brake and exhaust systems that are coming into the marketplace, something different comes along. In this article, I’ll take a look at the designs and repair of the suspension, brake and exhaust systems of Volkswagens and Audis from 1996 to 2005. I won’t be able to cover everything in this article, just some of the highlights of the various models.