Alignment & Suspension Specs: 2005-2011 Toyota Avalon
Some people call the Toyota Avalon the “Japanese Buick” due to its size and plush ride. The suspension design of the Avalon does not vary that much from Toyota’s smaller vehicle platforms in overall suspension design. If you get on of these vehicles in your shop for an alignment, there are three things you need to do at the time of the alignment.
Federal-Mogul’s MOOG Steering and Suspension Brand Poised to Win 46th Straight NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship
What began in 1966 with David Pearson and the No. 6 Dodge Charger will continue 46 years later this Sunday when either Carl Edwards or Tony Stewart captures the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title in a car equipped with precision-engineered MOOG steering and suspension components from Federal-Mogul. Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series finale, the Ford 400, will be held at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL.
Cadillac Ciel Concept Celebrates the Journey
The spacious and elegant concept car Ciel is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter Direct Injection V-6 engine, paired with a hybrid system using lithium-ion battery technology. The Ciel – pronounced “C-L,” the French translation for sky – is a four-seat convertible that opens a new chapter in Cadillac’s design and product ascent, pushing the brand’s Art & Science philosophy into a new stratum.
Todd Parrott, Crew Chief for Marcos Ambrose and No. 9 Ford, Named NASCAR MOOG ‘Problem Solver of the Race’ at Charlotte
Marcos Ambrose’s third straight top-10 finish was the ticket to crew chief Todd Parrott’s second MOOG Chassis Parts “Problem Solver of the Race” Award in Saturday night’s Bank of America NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Charlotte (NC) Motor Speedway.
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.
Suspension & Alignment Specs: Greatest Hits!
The most difficult issue with some alignments is knowing what you are getting into before you start or your shop even quotes the job. For almost two years, Hunter Engineering has been sponsoring BRAKE & FRONT END’s Suspension & Alignment Specs where Editor Andrew Markel examines a common vehicle platform to figure out what are the service issues and how to make the adjustments.
Wheel Bearings
Wheel bearings can be of either ball or tapered roller type. The ball bearings used for front wheel bearing applications are an angular type. An angular-type ball bearing will accept greater thrust loads than a Conrad-type bearing, which will accept a 100 percent load in the radial or thrust position and any combination of a 100 percent load. A tapered roller bearing will accept both a radial and a thrust load. All wheel bearings come in sets.
Equus Products Marks 10-Year Anniversary of INNOVA 3100 Diagnostic Tool
Equus Products has announced the 10th anniversary of its INNOVA 3100 CanOBD2 Diagnostic Tool, which has surpassed 750,000 pieces sold since it was first introduced during the 2001 Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo (AAPEX).
Drew Blickensderfer, Crew Chief for David Ragan and #6 Ford, Named MOOG ‘Problem Solver of the Race’ at Richmond
David Ragan captured his fourth top-five finish of 2011 and his crew chief, Drew Blickensderfer, was named Federal-Mogul’s MOOG Chassis Parts “Problem Solver of the Race” in Saturday’s Wonderful Pistachios 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond (VA) International Raceway.
Tech Feature: Inspecting Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts are simple devices. Their function is to dampen the movement of the springs, suspension and vehicle pitch. This means that as the spring is compressed, the movement is not sudden and when the energy or movement is released, it is not overpowering.