Coni-Seal and DSPCon Prognostics to Revolutionize Automotive Maintenance with IntelligentParts Forecasting System
Coni-Seal and DSPCon Prognostics have teamed to announce an initiative focused on bringing peace of mind to drivers and their families. The IntelligentParts Forecasting System, a joint effort of both companies, embeds sophisticated technology into any type of moving vehicle. The technology can predict potential points of failure and notify drivers before a situation becomes worse.
Jimmie Johnson, MOOG-Equipped #48 Chevrolet Increase Chase Points Lead; Crew Chief Chad Knaus Named ‘Problem Solver of the Race’ at Charlotte
Four-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and the MOOG chassis parts-equipped #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet recovered from an early accident to increase their 2010 Chase points lead with a third-place finish in Saturday’s Bank of America 500 at Charlotte (NC) Motor Speedway. Following the race, Johnson’s crew chief, Chad Knaus, was presented Federal-Mogul Corporation’s MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Award.
Tech Tip: Vibrations on Volvos While Driving
Wheel vibrations may occur if the wheel is not installed in the exact center position on the wheel hub. To avoid radial misalignment between the wheel and the hub, they must have the same diameters. It has been discovered on some cars that the wheel hubs (spare parts as well as production parts) may have a center cone with a “too small” outer diameter. If a wheel is installed on such a hub, it is possible that the wheel is installed with an offset of 1.5 mm (0.059″), which can cause wheel vibrations while driving.
Planetary Gears 101
The most confusing systems on any car is the automatic transmission. The main stumbling block for most technicians is not the electronic control systems, but the humble planetary gear. The planetary gear sets in an automatic transmission provide forward underdrive and overdrive gear ratios, plus reverse. The machinery handbook describes planetary gearing as a compact means of driving inline shafts with speed reduction (underdrive) and induction (overdrive).
Advantages of planetary gears over parallel axis gears include high power density, large reduction in a small volume, pure torsional reactions and coaxial shafting. Disadvantages include high bearing loads, inaccessibility and design complexity. The planetary gearbox arrangement is an engineering design that offers many advantages over traditional gearbox arrangements. One advantage is its unique combination of both compactness and outstanding power transmission efficiencies.
Priming the Preventive Maintenance — Water Pump Replacement
A water pump is a relatively simple component consisting of a drive shaft, bearing, seal, impeller and impeller housing. While the shaft, impeller and housing are considered non-expendable components, the bearing and seal are expendable.
Jimmie Johnson, MOOG-Equipped #48 Chevrolet Take Chase Points Lead at Kansas; Crew Chief Chad Knaus Wins ‘Problem Solver of the Race’ Award
Four-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and the MOOG chassis parts-equipped #48 Lowe’s/Johns Manville Chevrolet moved into the 2010 Chase points lead with an impressive runner-up finish in Sunday’s Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway.
Clint Bowyer, MOOG-Equipped #33 Chevrolet Win First Chase Event, Jeff Gordon Crew Chief Steve Letarte Captures MOOG ‘Problem Solver’ Award
Clint Bowyer and the MOOG chassis parts-equipped #33 Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet won Sunday’s Sylvania 300 Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The race was the first in the season-ending series of 10 Chase for the Sprint Cup events. Following the race, Jeff Gordon crew chief Steve Letarte was awarded the NASCAR MOOG “Problem Solver of the Race” Award in recognition of Gordon’s sixth-place finish.
Tech Feature: Sports Compacts – Performing in a ‘Maturing’ Market
What started out in the 1990s as an affordable way for kids to bang around with cars that were often handed down from their parents or siblings, later grew into a fledgling market all its own.
Tech Feature: Steering Gear Diagnostics
We need to understand the basics of how a power steering system works before we can develop an assessment technique. At its most basic level, the steering system’s power steering pump can generate up to 2,000 psi of hydraulic pressure. This hydraulic pressure is metered to a steering assist cylinder through a steering gear pressure control valve. Both the cylinder and valve are integral to the steering gear assembly on modern vehicles.
Tech Feature: Brake Job on 2004-2008 Toyota Corolla
The 2004-2008 Toyota Corolla was one of the best selling vehicles in North America. The front brakes for all models are, for the most part, the same. The only changes came in the configuration of the brake pad shims. The Corolla was not subject to the unintended acceleration recalls for floor mats or gas pedal.