Air Management Systems: Controlling Air From The Throttle Body To The Combustion Chamber
It is easy to manage fuel when compared to managing air.
VIDEO: How Turbochargers Control Pressure
Jason Stahl discusses turbochargers, and how they manage pressure by using solenoids and a wastegate to optimize engine efficiency.
Ride Control And Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
For all 2012 model year vehicles and newer, stability control is mandatory.
The Trouble With Troubleshooting Integrated Trailer Brake Controllers
There are many misconceptions floating around about trailer brake controllers. Brake controllers are designed to regulate power from the vehicle to the trailer’s electric braking system.
VIDEO: Diagnosing The Oil Control Valve
Andrew Markel details a case study involving a Honda Accord whose valvetrain displayed a timing malfunction.
Matching The Components To The Application: Ride Control System Protocol
A shock absorber is designed to dampen oscillations in leaf or coil springs by enclosing a piston and rod assembly inside a cylinder filled with oil. The shell or casing generally mounts on the axle or control arm while the piston rod assembly mounts to the frame.
VIDEO: Rear Brake Pads On Vehicles With Stability Control
Andrew Markel explains why special attention needs paid to brake pads on vehicles with stability control, including oversteer and understeer corrections and differential replacement.
Ride Control: 15 Tips To Sell The Job And Do It Right
The customer will not be happy if he brought the car in for a knocking noise, was sold a couple hundred dollars worth of struts and/or ball joints, etc., and the noise is still there. If he then takes the car elsewhere and the knocking noise is fixed with a couple of $20 sway bar bushings, that guy is going to think he got beat. This underscores the importance of addressing the customer’s complaint before that vehicle leaves your shop.
VIDEO: Inspecting Ride Control Components The Correct Way
In this video, Andrew Markel covers why the old-fashioned knee test is not valid for late-model cars and trucks when inspecting shocks and struts. Modern shocks and strut have valving that can sense low- and high-frequency movements that can create problems for technicians who test these components with their knees.
Brake Pad Chamfers, Slots And Shapes: Controlling Brake Noise
When the brake pad’s friction surface is not in harmony with the caliper and rotor, the result is usually noise. But, brake pad manufacturers have some tricks to prevent this problem or at least shift it outside of the range of human hearing.
