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
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
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
Viewpoint: Out of Date, Need an Alignment Spec?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)
Staying On Track
You’ve seen the “Advance Trac” badges on the backs of Explorers and Expeditions, but what is it? Have you ever been asked by your Ford dealer parts department if a vehicle you are working on has “IVD”? What’s IVD? Not all vehicles that are equipped with Advance Trac carry the Advance Trac insignia. Advance Trac
The Future of Steering
The Steering System on light vehicles is one of the most critical interfaces between the road, vehicle and driver. The nature of this interface has remained virtually the same for most of the life of the automobile. Somewhere early one it was decided to upgrade the old “tiller” steering system with the traditional wheel. With
Alignment Update: Consider Long-Term Value of Equipment
Alignments are an equipment-intensive business. Purchasing this equipment is often done with the state-of-mind of “who is the least expensive.” But, “least expensive” is a relative term that can be narrow or broad in definition and scope. Least expensive can be looked from two different perspectives. Short-term is looking at just the one-time purchase price.
Selling Services: Handle Muscle-Car Horsepower with Complete Suspension Upgrade Packages
In the current import market, performance-modified vehicles known as sport compacts are finding themselves equally at home at local road courses and drag strips as they are on city streets. While the most popular hot-rod imports were originally designed to squeeze the last mile out of a drop of regular gasoline, these gasoline-miserly vehicles may
Get it Straight
Customers these days are pickier than ever about the work performed on their vehicles —and an alignment isn’t an exception. If customers aren’t satisfied with how their cars ride, steer and handle after driving them out of your shop, you’ll likely see those customers again — for the redo. What follows are some simple steps
2006 Ford Explorer Pointers
Photo 2). Another change for the 4.6L in 2006 is that it no longer uses a knock sensor. Both, the 4.0L and the 4.6L use a PCM-controlled heated PCV valve. The PCV valve on the 4.0L SOHC engine is located in the back of the left valve cover, mounted horizontally, and is well hidden from
Alignment Update: Alignment Bay Neglect
Four Steps to Help You Get More Alignment Sales