Thorough Brake Inspections Are Comeback Preventers & Profit Builders
How many times have you seen a hand-painted sign in a shop window that advertised a menu-priced brake pad replacement for “$XX.95 per axle.” Of course, a menu-priced brake replacement would be good if a simple brake pad replacement would cure all of the root causes of a brake performance complaint. Unfortunately, menu-priced brake pad replacements are a customer comeback in the making because the customer often leaves with the same squeaking, grinding, pulsation, grabbing or pulling complaints that brought him to the shop in the first place.
False ABS, ESC Activation Causes And Cures
The first mass-produced anti-lock braking systems (ABS) were introduced in 1985. By 2008, almost every passenger vehicle came standard with ABS. Next, electronic stability control (ESC) became a mandated safety feature for the 2012 model year. Along with all these advancements have come false activation complaints.
GM Late-Model Brake Job
GM currently has about eight active vehicle platforms in North America, and many of these platforms share foundation brake technology and systems, like ABS and parking brakes. Compared to the previous generation of GM vehicles, these brake systems are more robust, yet more precise, and focused on reducing brake noise problems. Nearly every GM passenger
Tracking Down the Coyote: Capturing Ford RestoMod Engine Work
One thing that is becoming popular is known as a “restomod.” This is the art of combining the old with the new. Even though newer body styles are not sought after to restore, the technology is what’s important. When restoring a nostalgic car, things like fuel injection, bigger brakes, independent front suspension, air conditioning and air ride tend to be hot topics. Engines of today outperform their predecessors along with five- and six-speed automatic and manual transmissions. So why not mix the two and have the style of yesterday with the technology of today?
Servicing Timing Chain-Driven Water Pumps
Automakers are always trying to remove items from the accessory drive belt. This improves the efficiency of the engine and can extend the life of the belt. But where do you put the water pump? Some manufacturers like Ford and Mazda have driven the pumps with a pulley on the exhaust camshaft. Other manufacturers have
Venturing Into Duramax Territory
Back in the 1990s, GM wasn’t making too many waves in the diesel truck market. The 6.2L and 6.5L engines had been around for sometime, but they were no match for the release of the Cummins 6BT in the Dodge truck in 1989 and the Ford Powerstroke in 1994. GM never really had a strong
Coming of Age: Dodge Cummins Diesel
When you hear the name Cummins, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Most of the time, if you have any knowledge of trucks, a Dodge truck is the first thing that comes to mind. The Cummins diesel engine has always had a great reputation for reliable diesel power. Though the Cummins diesel
Undercover: How Vehicle Software Is Changing Braking Hardware
There was a time when advancements in brake technology were entirely hardware based. Today, electronics is driving most of the advancements in braking technology.
Servicing Hybrid & Electric Vehicles: Then and Now
With instructions and some common sense, these vehicles can be repaired just as safely as any others in your shop.
Report Card: Making Tracks — Kia’s Track’ster Concept
A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine pumps 250 horsepower to the pavement, a 66% increase over that of the production Kia Soul. Power is routed to all four wheels via an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system.