Andrew Markel, Director of Content
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Viewpoint: Brine Time/Corrosion For Cash

It is not the adverse driving conditions that scare me. It is a truck with a large white tank strapped to the back spraying brines on the roads as a new strategy called “anti-icing.”

Brake Job: 2000-2007 Ford Focus

The 2000-2007 Ford Focus is based on the Ford global C1 platform, shared with the European Ford Focus and Volvo S40. Nothing is really groundbreaking about the brake system. However, not paying attention to the details can end in a post brake job comeback.

BRAKE PAD WEAR CHART

Even Wear   Pads have equal amounts for friction material, within 2-3 mm,  on both pads. Cause:  • Brake caliper and connected hydraulics are operating properly.   Solution: • Replace the brake pads. • Replace hardware including  abutment and anti-rattle clips.  • Service caliper guide pins and slides.   Outer Pad Wear     The outboard brake

Wheel Bearings: Pressing Bearings In Less Time With Fewer Comebacks

Servicing these bearings requires a little bit more finesse and tools when compared to hub units or tapered roller bearings. With the right tools and information, these jobs can be moneymakers.

Alignment Specs: BMW 3-Series 1998-2006 E46

The BMW E46 was the best selling generation of the 3-Series. The rear-wheel drive sports sedan is one of the more complicated cars to align, but it has many service and repair opportunities.

2005-2011 Cadillac STS

The STS is one of those vehicles where a scan tool would be handy if you are performing alignment and chassis repairs. Every STS requires a scan tool to reset the steering angle sensor.

BRAKE PAD MUMBO JUMBO: How To Sort Out The Bull From The Brake Pad

It can be confusing when you look at an advertisement or the side of a brake pad box. Taken at face value, you would think that there would be no more brake noise, precise stopping distances and that brake pads last forever. As a technician, you know this is not true.

Torque Troubles Skipping The Torque Wrench Or Sticks Creates Comebacks

It’s not difficult to torque wheel fasteners properly, but it’s not difficult to foul up the job, either. We’re not using double talk here; we’re shootin’ straight from the hip. The easy part of proper wheel fastener torquing is knowing the vehicle manufacturer torque specifications for a particular passenger car, light truck or medium truck,

Menu-Based Pricing Must Go!

There is no doubt that menu pricing can simplify the selling of maintenance, but when it comes to solving brake, suspension and wheel assembly problems, it can create more problems than it can solve.

Brake Job on 2000-2006 Honda Insight

The Honda Insight might be a rare bird when compared to the Civic or Accord, but they are like all vehicles in that they wear out brake pads, shoes and rotors. Servicing the brakes on the Insight does not require dealing with the high voltage hybrid system.
The Insight has a conventional brake system

Fuel Pump Diagnostics – Using Voltage Drops and Current Draw

Fuel pumps and voltage drops are never a good combination – at least the wrong kind of voltage drops. Good voltage drops occur with fuel pumps that are given multiple speeds with a module that is connected to a computer with a dedicated signal wire that tells the module to go to a lower or higher speed.

Rotor Runout and DTV: How to Decrease Comebacks with Two Simple Tools

Replacing rotors on every brake job is not a cost effective or efficient way to perform brake service. You may save 10 to 15 minutes by not having to use a dial indicator and a micrometer, but your chance for comebacks can dramatically increase.