OE vs. Aftermarket Brake Pads: Smoke, Mirrors and Friction
I was recently doing a brake job on my 2002 Jaguar X-Type. On one of the rear caliper bolts there was a 12-oz rubber and steel donut. The reason for the weight is to help dampen vibrations and shift the frequency.
BRAKE JOB: Bob on Brakes
Bob Dowie knows brakes. Dowie has been in the automotive service business for more than 30 years, and his shop, Village Auto Works in Chester, NY, specializes in Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Nissan repair. Dowie owns and runs a Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra SER in SCCA GT5 racing, and gets his technicians involved in various aspects of the sport. In this installment of BRAKE JOB, Bob shares some of his best tips for doing as complete brake job.
Popular Wagner ThermoQuiet Brakes Consumer Rebate Offer Extended Through October 31
Federal-Mogul Corporation’s “Smart Choice” rebate offer on premium Wagner ThermoQuiet brake pads and shoes has been extended through October, 31, 2010, in response to strong consumer demand.
Raybestos Brand Surpasses 1,400 Parts Listings for 2011 Model Year
Raybestos Brake and Chassis – a member of the Affinia family of brands and the Official Brakes of NASCAR – says it continues to lead the industry in first-to-market coverage for late model cars and trucks. To date, more than 1,400 brake and chassis parts listings have been added to Raybestos Brake and Chassis cataloging for the 2011 model year.
Performance Friction’s Carbon Metallic Disc Brake Pads Meet State Legislative Requirements
Performance Friction Corporation recently announced that its Carbon Metallic brand of disc brake pads meet all the requirements of California’s proposed legislation SB346 and the state of Washington’s SB6557 reducing copper and other contaminants.
Consumers Can Cash in When They Brake with Bendix
The Bendix team is bringing back its popular consumer rebate program for the fall but this time, they’ll be mailing consumers a $30 Visa Gift Card when they purchase two sets of qualifying Bendix premium brake pads and shoes.
Tenneco Offering $20 Rebate on Qualifying Monroe Brakes Purchases During September and October
Tenneco Inc. will offer consumers a $20 mail-in rebate for qualifying purchases of Monroe Brakes products this fall through the brand’s “Put on the Pads” promotion, running September 1 through October 31, 2010.
New Raybestos Professional Grade Packaging Makes Selling Easier
New packaging for Raybestos Brakes – a member of the Affinia family of brands and the Official Brakes of NASCAR – will be released later this fall. The new Raybestos Professional Grade packaging was redesigned to unleash the power of clear communication. Compelling facts and attention-grabbing visuals provide the product validation technicians need to confidently sell a premium brake job.
Tech Feature: Brake Job on Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is an SUV based on a the CD3 platform. The brakes on these vehicles are straightforward and do not break any new ground. The brake systems on all variants have disc brakes at all corners. There are no major changes to the brakes system from 2007 to 2009. For the 2008 model year, ABS became a standard feature, as did a direct tire pressure monitoring system. The worst brake component to service is the master cylinder. Getting to the unit requires removal of the trunking for the air intake, battery tray and other components.
Formula Truck: The Future of Motorsports?
August can be one of the cruelest months for racing fans. Races seem to linger unwatched for long periods on the DVR. Going to races in the hot weather can be torture. Also, most of the series have entered into the doldrums with fans performing mind numbing calculations of who will be the champion if X, Y or Z happens.
Tech Tip: Mazda ABS Warning Light On and Grinding Noise from Front Wheels
If a customer brings in a Mazda with an ABS warning light and a grinding noise from the front wheels, it could be due to problems with the sensor rotor or with the front brake disc, depending on the model.
Tech Feature: Brake Pad Friction Material Formulas
Have you ever wondered what exactly is in the friction material that’s on the brake pads and shoes you install on your customers’ vehicles? Most brake suppliers use generic marketing terms such as “ceramic” or “semi-metallic” or “NAO” to describe their products, but they don’t give you any details as to what exactly these terms mean. That’s because no two brake suppliers agree on what these terms actually mean.