Managing heat is definitely a hot job these days. The cooling systems in most late-model import passenger cars have been downsized to reduce weight and bulk. At the same time, most new cars and trucks are now factory equipped with air conditioning, which puts an added strain on the cooling...
Disc brake calipers come in many sizes and configurations, including fixed-caliper, multi-piston designs, and the more modern floating-caliper, single piston designs that may also contain a mechanically actuated parking brake. Needless to say, disc brake calipers have undergone a series of design changes that continue to make them more adaptable...
For nearly a decade, vehicle manufacturers have been introducing and using a variety of extended-life coolants. The only thing these coolants have in common is that they all seem to differ in formulation and color. There are orange coolants, green coolants, blue coolants, red coolants, yellow coolants, even pink ones....
Honda Honda has a well-deserved reputation for overall vehicle reliability, which extends to the ABS system. For the most part, bleeding the system will present no unusual problems. Caution: A word of warning when working around the accumulator and modulator assembly. The brake fluid is under thousands of pounds of...
Every technician has struggled with those little wire clips that push the pads onto the pistons on first-generation Mazda Miatas. Those little clips that barely fit into the painted-over holes on the new pads and can shoot across the shop like a rubber band can make a big difference. One...
When a wheel bearing goes out on a FWD car or minivan, it may or may not give much warning. Typical clues include noise from the vicinity of the wheel, possibly some steering wander or looseness in the steering, and/or some abnormal tread wear on the front tires. Also, an...
Some technicians like loaded calipers because everything they need comes in one box. They don’t have to worry about mismatched parts from different suppliers and the complete assemblies are quick and easy to install. Most importantly, they see fewer comebacks because of brake noise or other problems. Loaded calipers do...
es overlap on the same job. Bleeding the system is done to remove all air from the hydraulic system, while flushing is performed to replace the fluid. More and more shops are performing a variety of fluid flush services as a method of increasing shop income. Generally, shops purchase a...
Anyone who works on brakes should be familiar with basic hydraulics and the various components that make up the hydraulic portion of the brake system. So if you’re not as familiar with this subject as you should be, keep reading and we’ll refresh your memory. We’ll start at the heart...
Some friction material companies market their products by saying they are third-party tested or tested on their own brake dynamometer. But, understanding what this really means is tough if you do not understand how a brake dynamometer operates. In the engine performance world, an engine dynamometer is associated with measuring...
