Periodic Alignment Checks Can Detect Damaged, Worn Or Bent Parts
Normal driving usually won’t knock the wheels out of alignment or damage the suspension. However, normal driving also involves encounters with the unexpected, which often includes potholes, curbs, railroad crossings, parking lot speed bumps and other things that jar and stress the suspension. For this reason, periodic alignment checks are a good way to ensure proper wheel alignment and to detect damaged, worn or bent parts that might need attention.
A Thorough Chassis Evaluation Must Precede A Proper Alignment
Thanks to all the potholes caused by our harsh winter weather, we tend to do a lot of alignments here in Northeast Ohio. But wherever you live, it’s a good idea to check the alignment whenever you put on a new set of tires or replace a worn suspension component. And, sometimes you might encounter a problem due to a unique chassis setup. Take the Volvo 850, S70 and V70, for example, which from 1993 to 2000 had a slightly different split rear axle setup that was adjustable.
AASP-MN Scores Fall Seminar ‘Hat Trick’
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) will host “Wheel Alignment Diagnostic Angles & Resetting Electronic Stability Control Systems,” Tuesday, September 10, 2013, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., at Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis.
David Byrd Named 2013 Mitchell 1 Educator Of The Year
David Byrd of Goldsboro, N.C., was named the Mitchell 1 2013 Educator of the Year during North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference held recently in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Each year, Mitchell 1 recognizes one of the nation’s top teachers for excellence in automotive repair instruction. Byrd was presented with a check for $500 and a recognition certificate. He will also receive a one-year complimentary subscription to Mitchell 1’s ProDemand repair, diagnostic and maintenance information program for the school where he teaches.
Alignment Specs For 2010 Camaro
The 2010 Camaro was GM’s re-entry into the pony-car wars with Ford and Chrysler. Like the Dodge Challenger, the Camaro borrows its platform from an existing rear-wheel-drive platform. The Camaro is based on the Zeta platform that includes the Chevrolet Police Patrol Vehicle and Pontiac G8. The front suspension uses strut and dual lower control arms. Always check the front lower control arm’s inboard bushing for damage in the form of rubber separating from the metal components. When this bushing goes bad, it will change the SIA and caster.
Uncovering Potential Repair Issues On Mazda3
In this article, we’ll take a look at routine services on a Mazda3 and some of the more common problems that may be uncovered as they are performed. Our shop has always subscribed to 30,000-, 60,000- and 90,000-mile major service intervals with oil changes and inspections at a maximum of 5,000 miles. That may not exactly match the factory recommendations, but it works well for our customers and us, and covers all of the recommended services.
Performing An Alignment On A 2005-2011 Cadillac STS
The STS is one of those vehicles where a scan tool would be handy if you are performing alignment and chassis repairs. Every STS requires a scan tool to reset the steering angle sensor. Also, it maybe necessary to have an enhanced or factory scan tool to read codes, clear codes and look at sensor information.
Alignment Service On A 1998-2006 BMW 3 Series
The BMW E46 was the best selling generation of the 3 Series. And while the rear-wheel-drive sports sedan is one of the more complicated cars to align, it offers many service and repair opportunities. The front suspension is a strut design with the familiar sickle-shaped control arm that was introduced on this platform in 1983. The rear suspension carried over from the E36, but it has a unique rear trailing arm design.
Diagnosing Air Ride Systems
Air ride diagnostics is more than a spray bottle of soapy water. On today’s late-model vehicles, it requires a scan tool, meter and scope. Swapping components will only lead you down a diagnostic black hole that leads to an angry customer and parts supplier. Modern air ride systems have a compressor and a module to control the flow of air to the struts or shocks. Control modules can have as many as 10 valves. They can also have three or more sensors to measure the pressure.
Servicing Honda Civic Hybrid Vehicles
The number one problem with Honda Civic Hybrids has been the high-voltage IMA battery. The first generation cars use a 144-volt nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery, while second generation cars use a higher voltage 158.4V NiMH battery. Third generation cars use a totally different kind of battery, a Lithium-Ion 158V battery that is about 30% more powerful than that in the previous models.