Ride Control Upgrades: Struts, Springs and Sway Bars
Some magazines write about suspension modifications on some of the most mundane vehicles, BRAKE & FRONT END never takes the easy way out. When most people think about lowering springs and other modifications, they think of Asian imports shaking the fillings out of a young driver. You almost never think of a BMW 7 Series.
Spring Service:The Do’s and Don’ts of A/C Repair
As vehicle owners in many parts of the country begin using their air conditioning systems for the first time this year, some will be surprised to find their A/C system is not functioning properly or isn’t blowing out cold air like the summer past. The following is a recap of common A/C system problems, followed
Kia: 4WD Front Hub and Brake System Service
Being import specialist techs, we may not be real familiar with 4WD systems and the associated parts, but that’s no reason to turn away this profitable work. For this article, we’ll look at the 2000 Sportage. The most common complaint you’ll encounter is no 4WD operation, which can usually be traced to problems with the
Keeping on Track with Steering Position Sensors
Cars just keep getting smarter all the time. Sensors are being used to monitor more and more functions, and to share information between vehicle systems that formerly were mute or didn’t communicate with one another. One such sensor is the steering position sensor. The sensor’s basic function is to monitor the driver’s steering inputs. This
Spring Service: Do’s and Don’ts in A/C Repair
As vehicle owners in many parts of the country begin using their air conditioning systems for the first time this year, some will be surprised to find their A/C system is not functioning properly or isn’t blowing out cold air like the summer past. The following is a recap of common A/C system problems, followed
Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Faulty Water Pump
The water pump is one of those parts that no engine can run long without. If the water pump shaft seal leaks, the cooling system will lose coolant and the engine will overheat. That means a breakdown – and a sale of a replacement water pump. The water pump circulates coolant between the engine and radiator to keep the engine from running too hot. Almost a third of the heat produced by combustion ends up as waste heat absorbed by the ….
Tech Tip: Fuel Pump Failures Can Set in with Little or No Warning, and Can Happen for any Number of Reasons
The fuel pump is the heart of the fuel system. Most late-model vehicles have an electric pump mounted inside the fuel tank. If the fuel pump stops working for any reason, the flow of fuel to the engine stops and the engine dies. Fuel pump failures tend to be sudden and unpredictable, with few symptoms to warn the motorist that trouble is brewing. And the higher the mileage on the vehicle, the greater the risk of ….
Tech Tip: Inspect the Cooling System When Replacing the Water Pump
Water pumps work hard. As the miles add up, so does the wear and tear on the pump shaft bearing, seal and impeller. Erosion inside the pump can wear away the vanes on the impeller, causing it to pump less efficiently as the impeller is eaten away. This may lead to engine overheating on hot days or when the engine is working hard. If the water pump seal becomes worn ….
Viewpoint: Out of Date, Need an Alignment Spec?
When I receive a call from a shop looking for alignment angles, it is usually a rare or exotic vehicle. It might be that 0.1 percent vehicle that has rare options like manual steering, off-road package or all-wheel-drive, that is not in most alignment spec databases. I can usually find the specs. Try me, (330)
15 Ride Control Tips
These tips will help you sell the job and do it right!!! The customer will not be happy if he brought the car in for a knocking noise, was sold a couple hundred dollars worth of struts and or ball joints, etc., and the noise is still there. He takes the car elsewhere and the
Cartridge Wheel Bearing Service
Wheel bearing service on import front-wheel drive cars with cartridge-style wheel bearings can be a challenge if you don’t have the proper tools. The wheel bearings are pressed into the knuckle and are impossible to remove unless you have a hydraulic press or a puller designed to push the wheel bearings out of the hub.
Subaru: The ‘Complete Service’ Value Proposition
Begins With Determining How Customers Use Their Vehicles