Tech Tip: What Should a Technician Know When Ordering Rotors?
It is tough for a technician to know what they are getting when they buy a rotor. According to a recent U.S. International Trade Commission report, 80% of the rotors sold today are made in a country other than the United States. If the technician or counterman is only going on the price on the screen, it is difficult to pick the best rotor ….
Tech Tip: Rotor Runout Checklist
The vehicle owner may say that under light braking the vehicle pulses to a stop, or under heavy braking the vehicle shudders. Technical service bulletins (TSBs) often describe these symptoms as a "judder." There are only two causes for judder – lateral runout and disc thickness variation on the rotor’s friction surface. What could have caused the lateral runout? The causes of the condition range from ….
Tech Tip: Use Anti-Squeal Shim to Cure Low Brake Pedal on 4Runners
Some customers with a 2003-2005 4Runner may experience a slightly lower brake pedal feel on an intermittent basis. A new brake pad anti-squeal shim service part has been developed to address this concern. Continue reading for the complete Repair Procedure ….
Tech Tip: Silverado Owner Complains that ABS Light Comes on at 40-50 mph
At speeds over 40-50 mph, the ABS and brake indicators come on, and the fuel and volt gauges sometimes drop low at the same time. The technician had already verified the condition and checked for codes before calling Identifix. He found code C0237 (rear wheel speed signal erratic) stored as a history code, but it had not reappeared for him. Next he road-tested with a scanner, watching the vehicle speed input through the powertrain control module (PCM) and electronic brake control module (EBCM) data. When the ….
Tech Tip: Uncovering the Cause of Brake Shudder or Vibration
Some owners of 2004-2005 Dodge Durango vehicles may complain of brake shudder or vibration. The following technical service bulletin involves installing brake pads, resurfacing the rotors and checking rotor runout. The vehicle may exhibit pulsation or vibration in the brake pedal and/or steering wheel when the brakes are applied. The condition is most noticeable at speeds over 50 mph, but can occur at lower speeds. If the customers indicate that ….
Camry Tech Tip: Uncovering Cause of Pull when Brakes are Applied
If you encounter a 2000 Toyota Camry 3.0L that pulls in one direction when applying the brakes, it may be the result of a sticking or seized brake caliper that can cause the vehicle to pull in one direction when applying the brakes. Rusty, corroded brake caliper hardware can also restrict brake caliper movement ….
Tech Tip: Brake Burnishing Procedures for New Brake Pads or Shoes
After every brake job the technician should first confirm that he has a good brake pedal by gently stroking the pedal to move the wheel cylinders and caliper pistons back out to the normal position. After confirming a good pedal, the follow burnish procedure should be used during the test drive ….
Tech Tip: Lower Mass Brake Rotor Causing Noise, Fade and Failure Problems
If a customer complains of noisy brakes, increased stopping distances and pedal pulsation after brake rotors were replaced or machined, the rotors may be the source of the problem. It’s easy to blame the pads or brake hardware, but technicians need to look at the rotor. Affinia Global Brake & Chassis discovered during a recent benchmarking study of the competition that some rotor companies have reduced their ….
Tech Tip: When Drums Lock Up
Drum brakes that occasionally lock up should not be ignored, but a relatively recent drum-brake-lockup condition is often dismissed because it doesn’t happen all the time. Since it’s usually not present by the time a technician gets to look for its cause, it’s often tempting to suggest the customer simply live with it ….
The 3rd (or 4th) Pedal
When was the last time you used your park brake? During a training seminar recently filled with brake people I got a lot of blank stares. Ok, rule number one don’t ask open ended questions right after lunch. Rephrasing, how many of you used your park brake when you parked the car today, one hand
Brake Fluid Testing: Bleeding and Flushing Minimizes Internal Corrosion in the Brake System
Brake fluid is something that should always be changed when the brakes are relined or when replacing a caliper, wheel cylinder, brake line, hose or master cylinder. But what about at other times? Should brake fluid be replaced for preventive maintenance? Most brake experts say yes! DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluid contains glycol
Truck Brake Update: Service Procedure Boosts Performance while Eliminating Steps that Add Time and Expense
Toyota trucks have been the standard bearer for small trucks for more than 40 years. The Hilux (now known as the Tacoma) line has been the small truck class leader, and over the last 15 years the T100 and Tundra models have moved into the medium- and full-size classes to set new standards there. With