Undercover: Getting a ‘Crash Course’ in ABS Systems
Vehicle Safety Hinges On Solid Preventive Maintenance Program
Undercover: Debating a Complete Brake Job
One of the major issues with selling customers a “complete” brake job is that the components in the brake system do not wear at the same rate.
Undercover: Bearing the Load
When engineers came up with the idea of putting the wheel speed sensor (WSS) and tone ring inside a sealed wheel bearing hub assembly, it seemed like a great idea. The sealed environment would help protect the sensor and make it less vulnerable to damage or contamination from the outside world.
Undercover: Joining the ‘Brake Booster’ Club
In school, I took physics and wondered if I would ever use any of the scientific stuff. All of that stuff is kind of important if you want to know how altitude can affect the performance of a vacuum brake booster, engine, your body and a whole lot of other devices.
Undercover: Getting a Charge out of Monotube Gas Shocks
From the outside, most shock absorbers and struts look pretty much alike: a round steel tube that telescopes up and down with bushings or fittings on both ends. But inside there can be significant design differences that affect not only the ride control characteristics and performance of the damper, but also its cost.
Undercover: Double Down — The Advantages of Twin-Tube Shocks
Twin-tube shocks and struts have been used as original equipment on most vehicles for many years.
Undercover: Sensing Dangers: Safety System Diagnostics
How Wheel Speed Sensors Play a Vital Role in Safety System Activation.
Undercover: Herding Cats Can be ‘Exhaust’ing
Real life has proven that the life span of a catalytic converter varies as greatly as the life span of the vehicle itself. One catalytic converter may not fail in 200,000+ miles, while another won’t even make it out of the vehicle’s base warranty. One thing is for sure, they aren’t going away as long as vehicles are powered by fossil fuels. So let’s talk some about how they work, then move on to spotting one that is misbehaving.
Undercover: Suspension Upgrades for the Sport Compacts
Unfortunately, too many hot-rod sport compacts don’t have enough suspension upgrades to handle their muscle-car horsepower. Import specialist shops may be asked, on an increasing basis, to align, modify or fine-tune increasingly elaborate suspension systems.
Undercover Take II: Becoming Unbalanced
Tricks and Tips to Help You Handle Common Ride Complaints
Undercover: Getting Adjusted — Servicing Brake Self-Adjuster Systems on Classic Vehicles
While the combination of using front disc brakes with rear drum brakes on vehicles had its origins beginning in the 1970s, there are still quite a few of these old braking systems on the road that you might service, especially if you have customers who are classic car buffs. In this article, we’ll take a look at why this brake design was developed, and what to look for when servicing vehicle models from the 20th century.
Undercover: Check It Out – Making Drum Brake System Inspections
Though it isn’t required, many brake experts recommend replacing the drum hardware when the brakes are relined to restore the brakes to like-new condition. But often the hardware isn’t replaced because it doesn’t seem necessary.