Loss Leader: Lost Cause?
It seems like there are always certain services that are routinely performed by repair facilities at a loss. Sure, they might generate enough revenue to pay for the direct expenses of doing the job, such as parts and technician labor, however, they often fail to make their needed contribution to the overhead expenses of owning
Wheel Bearing Failure Diagnostics
On a typical passenger vehicle weighing around 3,400 pounds, each pair of front-wheel bearings, as well as the rear-wheel or axle bearings, support saround 850 pounds, depending on the weight balance and driveline configuration. If it’s a 6,000-pound SUV, each bearing might carry about 1,500 pounds. This load is concentrated on the relatively small bearing
Ride Control Repairs
Keeping Your Customers’ Tires Glued to the Road
A/C Update: The Logic Behind Automatic Temperature Controls
Many new cars and trucks now have automatic temperature control (ATC) systems that not only regulate cooling but also heating for year-round passenger comfort. Most of these systems have their own computer that may be built into the control panel head, located elsewhere or integrated into the body control module. One thing’s for sure: the
Selling Services, Tools for Selling Ride Control
It has been estimated by one ride control manufacturer, that 80 percent of vehicles in junkyards still have their original shocks or strut units. Part of the reason is that selling shocks and struts is difficult. It is an item that when it wears, it does not cause the vehicle to stop running. When it
A/C Update: Underhood Service: January 2006
MACS Jumps on the Express Train 2006 Show Preview Although temperatures are always changing, one thing remains constant: hot summers and cold winters bring great volume to the air conditioning, radiator and heater repair business. “Nothing is more important to our industry than the weather,” said Elvis Hoffpauir, Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide (MACS) president
Suspension Vibration Diagnosis
The song “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys may have been a big hit in its day, but there’s no such thing as good vibrations or noise when it comes to a customer’s vehicle. Vibrations are annoying and may be a warning signal that something is amiss. So don’t ignore such symptoms. Investigate any unusual
Nissan Suspension Repairs
Basic Safety Checks Benefit Both Your Shop and Your Customers
Honda Suspension System Diagnosis and Service
Like most vehicles, the suspension system on a Honda or Acura will give its owner many miles of trouble-free service. But with the amount of miles these cars deliver, it’s only a matter of time before they will need some type of repair. And unlike some of the other systems on the car, the suspension
Performance Upgrades: Tuning, Tweaking & Boosting Your Way to New Profits
The import performance market offers a unique service opportunity for you. Import vehicle owners are accessorizing their vehicles like never before, and many are buying aftermarket performance parts in record numbers. Though many of these parts are sold to people who can install the parts themselves (things like wings, spoilers, lights, big bore mufflers, etc.),
Inspection by the Numbers
As the saying goes: “The devil is in the details”. Another saying is: “The truth is in the numbers.” When performing a brake inspection, both are true. Replacing the calipers and rotors with every brake job may not be the cure all for ending all for fundamental brake repair problems. An inspection of every component,
Shock Replacement Option Require a Proper Assessment of Customers’ “Ride” Expectations
Shock absorber replacements are unique because they represent a big ticket, high profit margin, low liability sales opportunity that happens at least once or perhaps twice during the normal service life of a typical vehicle. Modern shock absorber design is also becoming much more sophisticated than it was just one short decade ago. In conventional