Tech Feature: Loaded Brake Calipers
Loaded calipers provide a variety of benefits when doing brake jobs on customers’ vehicles. Most brake suppliers have a loaded caliper program today so availability is seldom an issue. If price becomes a hurdle, that’s when it’s time to inform your customers of the features and benefits of loaded calipers.
GM Tech Tip: Squeak Noise On Brake Pedal Application
Some customers may comment on a squeak noise when the brake pedal is applied or when released. This noise is normally heard when the brake pedal is slowly applied with the engine on or off, but can occur when the brake pedal is released. The noise may be isolated to the master cylinder area.
Hyundai: Rear Brake Caliper Removal
The access to the rear caliper lower mounting bolt is obstructed by the upper control arm. The service procedure below provides the steps necessary to remove the rear brake caliper.
Tech Feature: Solving Brake Pedal Pulsation Complaints
Reoccurring pulsation complaints are perhaps the second most common reason a customer returns after having brake service. The brakes operate normally for the first 3,000 to 6,000 miles, but then the customer notices a high-speed pulsation when getting off the exit ramp on his way to work one morning. The customer returns to the shop with the pulsation complaint and leaves with usually one of two “fixes” – the rotors being machined or replaced. The usual explanation given the customer is that the rotors “warped.”
Tech Feature: Nissan Undercar Noise and Vibration Repairs
When it comes to Nissan undercar work, Import Specialist Bob Dowie discusses the first challenge you face and that is selling the work. While he uses the word “selling,” what you are actually doing is making the customer aware of issues that need to be addressed to maintain the reliability and, more importantly, the safety of their vehicle.
Brake Tech Feature: Buick Lucerne Service
The 2006-current Buick Lucerne is the largest sedan that General Motors offers. It is built on the same line as the Cadillac DTS at the Hamtramck, MI, GM plant. The two vehicles share many brake components and the same Regular Production Option (RPO) codes for the brake system.
Boosted Brakes: A look at the history of power-assisted brakes.
Since we are talking brakes, let’s do a little comparison of the most popular brake systems that brought us away from dragging a flat plate against the wagon wheel or mashing your foot down on a mechanical linkage arm that eventually either slowed the car down or gave you one really strong leg. What I’m talking about is the power-assisted brake systems we find on modern cars and trucks.
Tech Feature: Electric/Electronic Parking Brakes
The current emergency/parking brake is the most unused device on a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. But, the electrically actuated parking brake is changing the parking brake into a multi-purpose mechanism on modern vehicles. Using an electric motor to apply the parking brake results in the mechanical linkage being eliminated from the vehicle passenger compartment.
Tech Feature: Performing the Complete Brake Job
The problem with routines is that we tend to – you guessed it – fall into a routine. Because the braking system on many modern imports is integrated into other systems like vehicle stability control (VSC) and traction control, modern braking systems must meet minimum levels of performance. For that reason alone, short-cutting a brake repair with substandard procedures and materials is a recipe for future comebacks.
Tech Tip: Mercedes-Benz ESP Warning Lamp On/Multiple DTCs Set
Models affected: 163.113/128/154/157/175 VIN range as of 371935 up to 442083 with ESP control unit MK25 If you receive customer reports in the above models of the Electronic Stability Control (ESP) warning lamp being illuminated with the following stored fault codes (listed below), perform the following repair procedure. • C1140 – B34 ESP Brake Pressure
Tech Tip: Erratic Fluid Level Readings/Filler Tube Leaks in Ford Vehicles
Vehicles affected: Ford: 2000-’07 Taurus and Windstar; 2004-’07 Freestar; Mercury: 2000-’05 Sable; 2004-’07 Monterey
Tech Tip: Toyota Corolla and Matrix Front Brake Rattling Noises
Some customers may experience a front brake rattling noise when their Corolla or Matrix traveling over bumps. Updated front disc brake cylinder (caliper) mountings and disc brake pad support plates are available to eliminate this condition.