Brake Fade
Brake fade is something nobody wants to experience. When you step down on the brake pedal with a certain amount of force, the vehicle should slow predictably. But when the brakes get too hot and start to fade, it takes more and more pedal effort to get the same amount of braking force. Eventually the
Wheel Bearings 101
Service and replacement is making a comeback on some vehicles Some people think servicing wheel bearings is a thing of the past — like measuring dwell on a set of ignition points. But, even with sealed hub units, inspection and service have not gone out of style. Like any moving part on a vehicle that
Tie Rod Geometry
Keeping the angles in line with Ackermann Most people consider the common tire rod to be low tech. But, when you consider how front suspensions have evolved from straight axles to independent designs, the tie rod has had to adapt to new angles and geometry. Keeping it on the road was simple with the straight
News: KYB Taps Mike Fiorito
KYB America LLC recently named Mike Fiorito to the position of director of business development, announced KYB Senior Vice President Mike Howarth. “As KYB continues to expand in the North American aftermarket, and with the recent announcement by CARQUEST that KYB will become its full line shock and strut supplier, we had a need to
AC Update: Finding and Fixing Leaks
Finding refrigerant leaks is a major aspect of A/C service. It makes no sense to recharge a leaky system with refrigerant if it will soon leak back out. Ultraviolet dyes can make even the smallest leaks clearly visible. But not all OEMs approve of their use. The domestic OEMs (Ford, GM and Chrysler) all use
Olds Engines: Gone But Not Forgotten
By Larry Carley Times change and vehicle makes and nameplates come and go. The last official Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line on April 29, 2004, when General Motors pulled the plug to stop the hemorrhage of red ink in their ailing Oldsmobile car division. Though the brand is now history, there are still millions
Diagnostic Dilemmas: Fuel System Foul Ups
Are the fuel pump returns from your shop going up? Understanding the root cause of technician errors is the first step to successfully managing fuel system parts purchases and returns. Over the years, vehicle fuel systems have become more complex as OEs look to improve fuel burning and engine efficiency. And during that time, industry
Scan Tools: Tune In, Tune Up, Cash In
What is with all the new interest in music? Everywhere in the car industry and the aftermarket, people are talking about the “tuner” market. Are they talking about the old stereo of Dad’s in the den? Maybe they are talking about the newest disk player that can support mpeg and iPod? No! The interest is
Katech Performance is Your Best Source for LS Performance
Katech Performance, the aftermarket performance division of Katech Inc., is ready to meet the demands of the most discerning LS engine enthusiasts – on the street and at the track.
DIY Activity Continues to Decline, According to New AASA Research
All types of do-it-yourself (DIY) activity have dropped over the past 10 years, according to new research from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). A detailed DIY analysis is included in the soon-to-be-released 2006-2007 AASA Automotive Aftermarket Status Report.