ASE Releases New English/Spanish Glossary
A new English/Spanish Glossary of technical automotive terms has been released by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The translations contained in this glossary represent most, if not all, of the terms a technician may encounter on the associated bilingual certification exams.
Selling Services, Tools for Selling Ride Control
It has been estimated by one ride control manufacturer, that 80 percent of vehicles in junkyards still have their original shocks or strut units. Part of the reason is that selling shocks and struts is difficult. It is an item that when it wears, it does not cause the vehicle to stop running. When it
Rancho Wins Second Straight SEMA “Best in Show” Award
For the second consecutive year, the engineering team at Rancho has captured honors for the best new off-road suspension for a popular light truck or sport utility vehicle model. Rancho’s first-to-market Hummer H3 suspension system was judged “Best New Off-Road/4-Wheel Drive Product” at the 2005 Specialty Equipment Markets Association (SEMA) Show.
Tech Tip: Uncovering Tire Noise
By now you’ve probably become an expert at explaining the noise differences between a “mud” performance tire and one designed for "all-terrain" use. Tire lugs are dead giveaways. Even someone with trifocals can see the difference.
Volvo Unveils Two Hot New Concept Cars at the 2005 SEMA Show
The two exciting new concept cars from Volvo explore the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of just how far vehicle design may be pushed. Painted a glittering Saffron color reminiscent of a desert sunset, the XC70 AT (All Terrain) takes the production Volvo XC70 crossover wagon to the off-road extreme. The T6 Roadster takes Volvo to the drag strip with its 1930s inspired body, wide tires and low beltline.
Servicing Import ABS Systems
Import anti-lock brake systems (ABS) are pretty much the same as domestic ABS systems. In fact, the same OEM suppliers who make the ABS system components for import vehicle manufacturers also make them for domestic vehicle manufacturers. The differences that do exist are typically limited to calibration, diagnostic codes and procedures, and wiring. The ABS
Rotor Debate: Resurface or Replace?
More often than not, many rotors today are being replaced when the brakes are relined – and some motorists are complaining that new rotors really aren’t necessary. Resurfacing can usually restore the friction surface on worn rotors to like-new condition, unless a rotor is worn down too far to be safely resurfaced or has cracks,
Rotor Debate: Replace, Discard or Machine?
More often than not, many rotors today are being replaced when the brakes are relined – and some motorists are complaining that new rotors aren’t really necessary. Unless a rotor is worn down too far to be safely resurfaced or has cracks, deep grooves, severe rusting, hard spots or other structural defects, resurfacing can usually
Using Caster to Properly Align Vehicles
Every story has an angle, and this one is no exception. In this case, we’re looking at one of the fundamental wheel alignment angles: caster. Caster is defined as the forward (negative) or rearward (positive) tilt of the steering axis as viewed from the side. Caster is measured in degrees from an imaginary line perpendicular
Chassis Dynamics
A Firestone sales jingle gave us a good definition of chassis dynamics: “Where the rubber meets the road.” There are four tire tread contact patches that support the weight and control the motion of a vehicle. There are a lot of terms used to describe the motion of an automotive chassis and how it affects