The Long-Lasting Brake Job: Can Your Brake Job Go 12, 000 Miles Without a Problem?
All shops what to see a customer again, but not for a brake comeback. What is the magic number of miles that can separate a comeback from a service situation? In my opinion, the minimum is 12,000-miles. Even installing new friction, rotors and calipers will not ensure a long-lasting brake job. The long-lasting brake job
Viewpoint: Stinky Brake Pads
How you can avoid a sinus comeback. I have been getting a few phone calls lately from readers about bad smelling brakes after a brake service was performed. Most drivers may not know much about their vehicles, but they know when something does not smell right. The customers who typically come back to the shop
GM ‘W Platform’
Preventive Maintenance and Undercar Service
Diagnostic Solutions: Brake Maintenance & Inspection
” height=”234″ alt=”” border=”0″ align=”right” /> Although brake systems wear at a relatively glacial rate, a point will be reached when they can no longer stop the vehicle in an emergency situation and brake system inspections are therefore required to prevent accidents caused by brake component failure. Inspection procedures vary from area to area. Mountainous
Brake Myths: ABS/ESC & Replacement Brake Pads
At most shops, the person ordering brake pads is given the choice of a several levels of brake pads. The good, better and best marketing is sorted out by price and brand rather than solid engineering data. Sometimes the tech has no choice when the choice is dictated by a supply relationship for friction materials.
Cross-Examining: Selling Brake Jobs
Cross-Examining Service Adviser: “May I help you?” Customer: “Yes, I need to get a brake job.” Service Adviser: “OK, sign here and we’ll get right to it.” The technician pulls the vehicle in and finds that the pads are low. The brake job is already authorized over the front counter. The tech does the job,
Hyundai: From Ball Joints to Brakes…
Uncovering Needed Repairs With Undercar Inspections The brake and suspension systems on Hyundai’s popular line of cars and SUVs are both undercar systems where problems can be detected during routine maintenance. From loose ball joints to worn-out brakes, it’s all there to be checked while the vehicle is on the rack for service and, oftentimes,
Service Guide: F-Series New Model 2004
A bold new look and some subtle changes probably best describe the 2004-and-up Ford F150. To the technician, it is the subtle changes that he or she needs to be aware of. Starting with the 2004 model year, Ford launched a new body style for the F150. The new body style truck is a new
Engineering: What Goes Up, Must Come Down!
Validating that the vehicle brake system is capable of getting the vehicle down a mountain is one of the major tests that occurs during the development and “prove-out” of the vehicle. In most cases, the manufacturer or the brake system supplier will test the vehicle on the road. This is also where a lot of
Doing the ‘Complete’ Brake Job
Brake work continues to be a solid service opportunity for independent repair shops because brakes are items that inevitably wear out. Disc brake pads need to be replaced, and the rotors usually need to be turned or replaced. The front brakes do the most of the braking, so they receive most of the attention when
Braking Horsepower: How Much Does Your Car Have?
We all know brakes get hot, sometimes very hot. If you watch closely on race day, it’s not uncommon to see the rotor on a race car glowing bright orange. Iron is in the range of 1,700º F when orange. At the most basic level, a brake is an energy conversion device. Normally people will
Drum Brake Self Adjusters: Understanding These Ancient Devices
d bridge bolts. Opposing piston calipers are bolted to the knuckle and have pins to position the pads. Drum brakes have return springs to return the shoes to a rest position and hardware to hold the shoes to the backing plate. The shoes return to a fully retracted or rest position when the master cylinder