Engine Compartment Archives - Page 7 of 72 - UnderhoodService
Low Speed Creak/Squeak From Rear Of Chevrolet Malibu

Some Chevrolet Malibu owners may comment on a squeak or creak-type noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. This noise occurs at slow speeds while driving over small bumps and is most apparent when the underbody of the vehicle is wet. This condition may be caused by the parking brake cables rubbing or slip-sticking on the retainer grommet.

US Motor Works Receives Extra Miler Award At AutoZone De Mexico Summit

US Motor Works LLC, a manufacturer and distributor of water pumps, fan clutches, electric fuel pumps and timing kits for the automotive and heavy-duty industries, was awarded the “Extra Miler Award” at the AutoZone de Mexico 2014 Summit held Feb. 6, 2014, at Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Toyota Tech Tip: Front Brake Rattle Noise

Some Corolla and Matrix owners may experience a front brake rattle type of noise when the car is traveling over bumps. Updated front disc brake cylinder (caliper) mountings and disc brake pad support plates are available to eliminate this condition. Conduct a road test to verify the noise condition. Front brake rattle noise will occur when the front tire runs over a depression in the road.

Measure Rotor Thickness, Runout: Stop Pulsation Comebacks Before They Start

Let’s say a vehicle had .003″ of lateral runout when measured at the outside face of the rotor. If this vehicle is riding on 205/55R16 tires, in one mile, the high-spot with .003″ of runout goes past the caliper approximately 836 times. Over 6,000 miles, that spot on the rotor will go past the pads more than 5 million times. Every time this spot passes the pads, a little bit of the rotor’s material is removed. Over the course of those 5 million revolutions, enough material is removed to create a thickness variation that can be felt by the driver. This is why it is critical to measure thickness and runout in a brake rotor and wheel flange even if new rotors are going to be installed.

Brake Service On A Volkswagen Routan

The 2008-2012 Volkswagen Routan is a rebadged variant of the Chrysler mini van platform with revised styling, suspension tuning and brake service procedures. So this van has a bit of a split personality when it comes to servicing the brakes. The customers who drive the Routan and the Chrysler minivan are two different customers judging by the TSBs. The Routan has five different TSBs about addressing customers who complain about brake noise. The Chrysler mini-van has zero.

Diagnosing Nissan Front Brake Caliper Fluid Residue

While servicing 2005-’07 Maxima (A34), 2005-’06 Altima (L31) and
2007 Altima (L32 and H32 Hybrid Electric Vehicles-HEV), if you confirm there is oil residue on the brake caliper and it’s not assembly lubricant, refer to the Service Procedure as part of your normal brake diagnostic procedure.

Relax – R1234yf Is Not The End Of The World

I attended the Mobile Air Conditioning Society’s 2014 Training Event and Trade Show in New Orleans last month. The main topic of discussion was R1234yf, or “twelve-thirty-four” in A/C lingo. There has been a lot of hype about the changeover to this refrigerant. Don’t panic. The reality is that it is not the “air conditioning apocalypse” some are predicting.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Honors ASC Industries For Cataloging And Content Excellence

ASC Industries Inc. was honored by O’Reilly Auto Parts for excellence in cataloging and content at O’Reilly’s recent Annual Manager’s Conference in St. Louis, MO.

Centric Parts Adds 100,000 Square Feet Of Additional Warehouse Space

Centric Parts, a leading manufacturer and supplier of aftermarket brake components and systems under the Centric, Posi Quiet, C-TEK and StopTech labels among others, has announced the addition of 100,000 square feet of new warehouse and office space.

How Vehicle Software Is Changing The Stopping Game

There was a time when advancements in brake technology were entirely hardware based. The change from drum to disc brakes, the introduction of semi-metallic and ceramic pads, and the addition of power brakes as standard equipment were all changes achieved by redesigned and improved brake system components. Today, electronics is driving most of the advancements in braking technology.

Meritor Unveils New Mobile Training Trucks

Meritor Inc.’s aftermarket team unveiled mobile training with two new training trucks during Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2014 that will deliver on-site product and systems education to warehouse distributors, independent service garages and fleets in the United States and Canada.

Centric Parts Releases New 2014 Medium Duty Brake Systems Catalog, Program Guide

Centric Parts has released the latest additions to its award-winning library of brake system catalogs – the Centric Parts 2014 Medium Duty Brake Systems Catalog (CMD2014), along with the supplemental Centric Parts 2014 Medium Duty Brake Systems Program Guide (CMDB2014).