Editor’s: Notebook: Let The Buyer Beware
Made In China Label Gets Big Black Eye China has been in the news a lot these days, with reports that a wide range of Chinese products are dangerous, faulty and not fit to be sold in the United States. Everyday products, from pet food, to toothpaste, to tires, to seafood, and now toys for
Honda Performance Upgrades
Service & Diagnostics Call it what you want — the compact performance market, sport compact market, import scene or the tuner market — but there’s no denying the import car performance segment has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. According to SEMA’s 2006 Compact Performance Market Report, retail sales for this niche
Diagnostic Solutions: Cylinder Head Service, Restoring the Engine to Precise OE Tolerances
Although cylinder head repairs have been a staple of the import repair shop for many years, modern technology has changed the way we should sell and perform cylinder head services. In years past, for example, a cylinder head repair need last only 30,000 or 40,000 miles until the vehicle was retired from service. Today, however,
Carley’s Corner: No Time for Training? Read This
I may not fix cars for a living anymore, but I do make my living writing about auto repair. For me, training is absolutely essential to keep my knowledge up-to-date. So I can’t imagine how anybody who spends the better part of his or her day hunched over a fender can get by without it.
Powertools: Select Power Tools that Meet Your Service Needs
Considering these definitions, a power tool, loosely defined, is anything used as a means of accomplishing a task using mechanical energy. All power tools use mechanical energy to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be difficult or even impossible to accomplish by hand. Now think about all the jobs that we are able to accomplish with
Rotary Improves SmartLift Inground Lifts
Rotary Lift has improved its twin-post SmartLift inground lifts to offer technicians smoother working conditions and greater efficiency. SmartLift inground lifts are installed a quarter inch above the shop floor to help prevent water from infiltrating the lift housing. This installation had previously created a quarter inch bump that made it inconvenient for technicians to roll equipment, such as jacks or carts, over the lift.
Jeep Liberty Tech Tip: Diagnosing Rear Disc Brake Moan
The customer may experience a rear brake moan-like sound during light or no brake application pressure. This condition is more likely to occur when the brakes are cool (first use) and ambient temperatures are below 50°F. The moan-like sound may be intermittent.
Tech Tip: Honda Ticking Noise from the Engine
A ticking noise may come from the V6 engine of 1994-’97 Passports during normal operation. According to Honda, the probable cause is one or more hydraulic lash adjusters (HLAs) does not fully extend due to varnish buildup inside. This condition results from exceeding the required oil and filter change schedule.
Toyota Racing Development Puts Inefficient Storage in Rear View Thanks to Lista International
A finely tuned engine is what the people at Toyota Racing Development (TRD) strive for. It’s also how they’d like their entire operation to run – smoothly and efficiently with maximum performance and no wasted energy or time. Today, TRD is operating on all cylinders, but this was not always the case – particularly in regards to their workspace and storage equipment.
Tech Tip: Expedition/Navigator Unintended Brake Assist
Some 2003-2006 Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator vehicles may exhibit excessive pedal travel and/or low brake pedal effort due to the mechanical or electronic brake assist being activated. Review the brake assist characteristics and follow the service procedure if required.