BRAKELIGHT: April 2013
Customer came in with the complaint of a slight brake squeal when applying the brakes. — Image courtesy of: Todd Bender, Angels Auto Care
BRAKELIGHT: 2000 GMC Sierra
“Here are a couple photos from a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L. Vehicle has 309,821 miles and customer stated noise had started just a couple days before bringing it to us. Pictures are of the passenger front rotor.” — Michael Conover, Midas Auto Service Experts, Cleburne, TX
BRAKELIGHT: The Car Cradle (March 1986)
Some ideas just never catch on… I wonder if the Car Cradle paid for itself by shaking out the coins that were trapped in the seats? The ad claims that there is no oil in your face. I think the inventor forgot that most vehicles are filled with fluids and oils that can leak out
BRAKELIGHT: Two Piece Rotors
This rotor gives a new meaning to “two-piece rotor.” According to Andy Polin of AB&S Undercar Specialists, the customer wanted to know why they did not replace the rotors with two-piece rotors like those that were originally on the car.
BRAKELIGHT: Chevy S10
When the customer drove the vehicle in, he stated that the brake pedal was low and there was a wet spot under the truck. It was a busy day at the shop and I didn’t have time to get it in the shop to see what it needed. Given the description, I decided to go out to the parking lot to see where
BRAKELIGHT: The Tale of Sam & Joe (December 1961)
Quality art never goes out of style. OK, so maybe you don’t remember “The Reluctant Student” from the December 1961 issue of Brake & Front End, but the message is as important now as it was then — maybe even more so. In the cartoon, we have Joe, who is content with his book of
BRAKELIGHT: BFE Sponsors Soapbox Derby
In the summer of 2013, Brake & Front End sponsored a soapbox derby car for the National Super Kids Classic. Held in conjunction with the All American Soapbox Derby, the National Super Kids Classic is for disabled children to race at one of the most iconic American sporting events. Sponsoring a racecar or sports team can
BRAKELIGHT: Children in Advertising (1937)
Using fear to sell safety components like brakes is nothing new. But Amco broke new ground when it used children in advertising to enhance its safety message.
BRAKELIGHT: Ford Helps Disabled Veterans (June 1951)
More than 250,000 soldiers were wounded in WWII. Some of them could not operate a car using the normal controls. Car makers and shops realized that they had a debt to pay to these veterans. When new cars could be bought after the war, just about every automaker offered hand controls at no extra cost.
BRAKELIGHT: SUV Air Ride Suspension
This customer chose an interesting solution when the air ride suspension on his SUV started to leak. The rubber block looks like a wheel chock wired to the trailing arm of the suspension. I am sure the ride was not the most comfortable.
