Power Steering Racks: Fluid Leaks & Repairs
Power steering is a wonderful invention, especially for those who lack upper body strength or have puny arms. Years ago it was considered a luxury option mostly for elderly people who drove big Buicks, Cadillacs, Lincolns and Imperials. But today, everybody wants effortless steering, whether they drive an econocar or a three-ton SUV. Consequently, virtually
Parking Brakes: The Forgotten Fourth Pedal…Or the Seldom-Used Stick
How Much Is Really Enough?
Servicing Saturns: A Different Kind of Car Repair?
On January 7, 1985, Saturn was born. That day, Roger Smith, the president of General Motors, announced the decision to create a whole new car company from the ground up. There were 99 people chosen to create a vision of what GM needed to do in order to prosper in the small car business into
Creating the Right Alignment: Performing a Custom Alignment
Customer satisfaction. That’s the one thing you always want to achieve when you align a customer’s vehicle. Satisfied usually means no steering pull, no steering wander, no steering shimmy, no off-center steering wheel – and no comebacks! An alignment provides other benefits, too, such as reduced rolling resistance (which helps fuel economy) and reduced tire
Oil Pumps & the Engine’s Lubrication System
p can restore gear-to-gear clearances but not gear-to-housing clearances. The end plate that covers the pump often develops a heavy wear pattern that is most noticeable on the outlet gear side. Regrinding the face of the plate smooth can restore end play tolerances between the plate and gears but it can’t compensate for wear inside
The Top 5 Favorite Tools of the Country’s Top Technicians
Dan & Kris Cesena Honda Hospital, Inc. San Mateo and Milpitas, CA Our top five favorite tools (and why) are: The Snap-on MicroVAT Battery/Starter/Alternator Tester. Why? Well it makes it much easier to test batteries, alternators and starters; it has an infrared port, which sends the data to an optional thermal printer; and with these
Understanding Seals
It has been a long drive to the lake. The driver carefully backs the trailer down the boat ramp. As the axles hit the water, the hot wheel bearing hubs hit the water. As the bearings’ heat is quenched by the lake water on the outside of the hub, the rapidly contracting air and lubricants
Internal Engine Repairs: Why Head Gaskets Fail
A blown head gasket is bad news for any motorist. It means the cylinder head has to be removed, and possibly resurfaced, to replace the head gasket. If coolant has entered the cylinders and/or crankcase, additional repairs or a whole new engine may be needed depending on the extent of the damage. Anyway you look
Saab 5-Speed Tranny and Clutch Repair
When Saab first introduced the 9000-model lineup in 1986, the gearbox was mounted transversely in the car. It was designed in this way for effective cooling and to provide the shortest possible path for the power flow to the wheels. All Saab transmissions have five forward speeds and reverse – all of which are synchronized.
Engine Lubrication: Motor Oil, Pumps and Filters
The best way to get to the bottom of this subject is to go right to the heart of the engine’s lubrication system and start with the oil pump. The oil pump’s job is to suck oil in from the crankcase and push it through the filter and oil galleries to the crankshaft and camshaft