The “Detroit Three” TPMS Cheat Sheets for Chrysler, Ford and GM Vehicles
Tired of looking up TPMS reset procedures for Chrysler, Ford and GM vehicles? BRAKE & FRONT END has a solution!
BRAKELIGHTS: October 1936: Hanging Bums in Hollywood
BRAKE & FRONT END, October 1936 – J.S. Bushey was not a subtle man. The ironic part of this story is that Pep Boys has opened next door to the former site of Bushey’s shop, a company with three mascots. Also, in front of the shop are the stars for Lucille Ball, Gregory Peck and Montgomery Cliff.
Suspension & Alignment Specs: Greatest Hits!
The most difficult issue with some alignments is knowing what you are getting into before you start or your shop even quotes the job. For almost two years, Hunter Engineering has been sponsoring BRAKE & FRONT END’s Suspension & Alignment Specs where Editor Andrew Markel examines a common vehicle platform to figure out what are the service issues and how to make the adjustments.
Preemptive Diagnostics: Solving Pulsation Complaints Before They Happen
Here is a scenario: A shop performs a brake job on a vehicle. The front pads and rotors are replaced. On the test drive, the vehicle had zero signs of pulsation, even after an aggressive break-in procedure. Six months and 6,000 miles later, the customer is back complaining of a pulsation in the pedal. So what has happened in 6,000 miles?
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Brake Job: Dodge Magnum/Challenger/Charger
The 2005-current Chrysler rear-wheel-drive LX-Platform. The LX platform includes the 300, Magnum and Charger. In 2008, the platform was shortened for use in the LC-platform that was used in the Challenger platform. All have rear disc brakes with the parking/emergency brake mounted in the hat of the rear rotor.
Tech Feature: Inspecting Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts are simple devices. Their function is to dampen the movement of the springs, suspension and vehicle pitch. This means that as the spring is compressed, the movement is not sudden and when the energy or movement is released, it is not overpowering.
BRAKELIGHTS: April 1958
Brake & Front End, April 1958— In the 1950s, the focus of many friction material companies’ marketing was safety with a side of gore. In this ad from Bendix, it does not water down the message trying to leave the reader with a “feel good” message.
Viewpoint: Are Vehicle Service Contracts Worth the Trouble?
I would cringe when a customer would pull out a vehicle service contract or extended warranty contract when I was at the service counter. I could just feel a pain in my right ear flare up as I knew I would be on the phone for a long time getting approvals and dealing with representatives that did not know a dipstick from a donut.
Alignment & Suspension Specs: Ford Escape 2001-2010
The Ford Escape is one of the longest running Ford platforms with models that remained unchanged mechanically from 2000 to 2010. While it is not the most complicated alignment, it does have some quirks that have emerged during its past 10 years of service.
Alignment & Suspension Specs: 2007-2011 Ford Edge/Lincoln MKX
In 2007, Ford introduced the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossover vehicles. The vehicles are based on the CD3 platform that is used for the Fusion and other Ford vehicles. FWD and AWD models are on the streets, but the alignment procedures are the same.
BRAKE HARDWARE: Economizing Fuel, Comebacks and Parts
Brake hardware for disc brakes is not a dealer-only item. Your local jobber might carry three lines of hardware. This product category is more than shims, anti-rattle clips or dust shields.