Get the Drift: The Ins and Outs of Sport ‘Drifting’
Drifting is not a sport for SUVs. If it were, it would probably be called “rollovering.” Nor does it lend itself very well to cars with front-wheel drive. Drifting is all about sliding around curves with the rear wheels smoking all the way. Drifting sounds like an activity dreamed up by the tire manufacturers to
Servicing Wheel Ends
The trucking industry has a confusing term it uses called “wheel ends.” The term covers (brakes, hub caps, tires, seals, lubricant, bearings and spindle nuts. A 16 wheeler truck can mean more than 10 wheel ends units that can go bad. While the scale of these vehicles is rather large, the basics are the same
CrossOver SUVs: Rear Suspension Dynamics
Higher gas prices are increasing sales of cross-over SUVs. These smaller SUVs have ditched the live axle in favor of rear independent suspension. While the designs are often borrowed from a car-type platform, some do have more travel in order to boost the off-road and load capabilities. Where the car ends and the truck begins
Engine Tuning & Chassis Upgrades
When car manufacturers come out with a new engine design, some car enthusiasts eye the new technology from a perspective of how to squeeze more performance out of it. The smaller displacement engines that are turbocharged or supercharged tend to be the most likely chosen because of their power-to-weight ratio. When Saab introduced a turbocharged
Cabin Air Filter Q & A
Question: How do you replace a cabin air filter? Answer: First you have to find it. The cabin air filter is usually located behind the glove box or at the base of the windshield in the cowl area over the HVAC inlet duct. The exact location can be found in the vehicle owner’s manual or
Tech Tip: Tool Needed to Replace Timing Chain-Driven Water Pump
Replacing this water pump requires a special tool to secure the water pump sprocket. Failure to do so could result in misalignment of the engine’s balance shafts or significant engine damage. Remove the water pump access plate from the timing cover and install J 43651 Water Pump Sprocket Holding Tool, or equivalent. Secure tool to the sprocket and front cover and remove the sprocket bolts. Remove the water ….
Tech Tip: Coolant Leak Leads to Unnecessary Pump Replacement
A coolant leak from a source above the water pump or from an improperly installed bypass tube on the water pump itself will cause coolant to pool on top of the timing cover on 1993-2003 Dodge trucks and Jeeps. This coolant then rolls across the front of the pump and behind the pulley, making the pump appear to leak from the weep hole. This often results in unnecessary pump replacement ….
Tire Changer Q & A
Tire Changer Q & A We talk to Pete Liebetreu of Hunter Engineering on Tire Changers This month we talk to Pete Liebetreu, tire changer product manager of Hunter Engineering, on the future of the market and how shops can get the most out of this vital piece of equipment for most undercar shops. BRAKE
Air Springs and Suspensions
ed air suspension to their SL sedans and limousines. Air springs returned in 1974 for the rear suspension of the new GMC Motor Home RV26. This time the springs came from Firestone and the compressor was driven by an electric motor. The mid 1980s saw a revival of air suspension at all four corners for
The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
Now that school is out, school bus inspections and maintenance is taking place in preparation for the next session in the fall. Many school districts are outsourcing the maintenance of their buses. This could be your chance to increase your shop’s customer base. While the coach work (body) of buses is changing to incorporate features
Rack & Pinion VS. Recirculating Ball
Most steering systems you will see in your bays are sealed. But, this does not mean that they do not need to be diagnosed, serviced or replaced. The most important thing to effectively accomplish this is to understand what is going on inside the steering box or rack. You may think the diagnosis of a
Tech Tip: GM Truck HVAC Out of Control
Some GM truck and SUV owners may comment that they cannot control the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Others may comment that the HVAC system defaults to the Defrost mode. If a technician checks for diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), they could find that the following DTCs have set ….