Chassis Talk: Learning The Terminology Is Key To Selling The Correct Chassis Part
By Gary Goms
June 19, 2013
Just about everybody remembers the story of the Tower of Babel, in which people began speaking different languages. Unfortunately, the terminology connected with selling chassis parts often becomes its own Tower of Babel when a local alignment shop p...
read more
Battery 411: Testing, charging and replacing a battery
By Larry Carley
June 17, 2013
In recent years, the electronic content in vehicles has multiplied several times over - and more electronics means more demand on the battery and charging system.
read more
Brake Rotors: When To Resurface And When To Replace
By Larry Carley
June 13, 2013
Like brake pads, brake rotors don’t last forever. The rotors wear every time the brakes are applied. The rate at which rotors wear depends on a lot of variables: the type of brake pads on the vehicle, the metallurgy (hardness and quality) of t...
read more
Innovations In Automotive Specialty Tools
By Mike DuBois
June 6, 2013
One of the most common changes we see with hand tools has to do with comfort and ergonomics. Suppliers are now aware of the need to provide tools that not only work well, but also feel good in the hand and don’t contribute to fatigue or work-related long-term injuries.
read more
Replacement and Service of Loaded Brake Calipers
By Andrew Markel
June 5, 2013
One of the main advantages for the vehicle owner is that loaded caliper assemblies help restore the brakes to like-new condition. Not only do they get new friction, but also a professionally remanufactured caliper and properly matched hardware - shims, bushings, slides, etc.
read more
Long Brake Pad Life
By Andrew Markel
May 14, 2013
Maximize mileage by performing complete brake jobs with quality parts.
read more
Hybrid Vehicle Service
By Larry Carley
May 14, 2013
Examining operation, maintenance and service of the popular Honda Civic Hybrid, which is now in its third generation - with more than 200,000 cars sold to date since its introduction to the U.S. market back in 2002.
read more
Product Spotlight: Shocks & Struts
May 14, 2013
Automotive shock absorbers and struts perform one key task: keep modern vehicles under control. Integral to the vehicle's suspension system, shocks and struts certainly do quite a bit more than just keep a car from bouncing.
read more
Chassis Tech: Rear Suspension Dynamics
By Andrew Markel
May 8, 2013
Independent rear suspensions are starting to become the norm on not only cars, but SUVs of all sizes. The first advantage of an independent rear suspension is ride; the second is handling.
read more
How to Sell and Use Automotive Chemicals
By Gary Goms
May 6, 2013
In the modern era of reduced vehicle maintenance requirements, it’s very easy to develop a complacent attitude toward selling automotive chemicals. But, in our current market, automotive chemicals have become far more than just “sn...
read more
Brake Pad Mumbo Jumbo: How to Sort Out the Bull from the Brake Pad
By Andrew Markel
May 3, 2013
It can be confusing when you look at an advertisement or the side of a brake pad box. Taken at face value, you would think that there would be ...
read more
Brake Lubricants 101
By Larry Carley
May 2, 2013
Under extreme driving conditions, some lubricants can't stand brake heat and melt off, evaporate, oxidize or burn. That's why ordinary, general-purpose chassis grease should never be used for lubricating brake components. What's needed is a specially formulated, high-temperature brake grease that ca...
read more
Tech Update: HVAC Diagnostics
By Scott "Gonzo" Weaver
April 24, 2013
Leave it to the OEMs to take a simple system like heating and air conditioning and turn it into an electronic jumble of wiring, sensors and computer components. HVAC units have come a long way from when I started in the business. A pressure switch wa...
read more
The Brake Job: Stick To Recommendations
By Gary Goms
April 23, 2013
Attempting to cut costs by installing brake friction that doesn't meet original equipment requirements generally produces less-than-desired results.
read more
What's New In Spark Plugs
By Larry Carley
April 22, 2013
The newest spark plug technology can be summed up in one word:Iridium. This relatively rare metal is challenging platinum as the metal of choice for today's spark plugs. Iridium has a higher melting temperature and is six times harder than platinum.
read more
R-134a Refrigerant Retrofits Are an Option - for a Price
By Carl Fedele
April 16, 2013
Is it worth the trouble and cost to have the R-12 freon air-conditioning system retrofitted to R-134a refrigerant? It's important to explain to the customer that the term "retrofit" describes special procedures that are required to convert a R-12 system to an alternative refrigerant. This service wi...
read more
Product Spotlight: Tire Changers
April 15, 2013
A tire changer is a costly purchase, so when shop owners are in the market for a new machine, they want a lasting piece of equipment that can handle the volume and variety of work that comes through their bay doors. The latest tire changers are ...
read more
Brake And Bearing Basics
By Larry Carley
March 29, 2013
Bearings are the forgotten brake service item.
Today’s cars and light trucks don’t require much maintena...
read more
Brake System Scan Tools: The New Essential Tool
By Andrew Markel
March 22, 2013
While there are many times where you will be able to repair a vehicle’s brakes without a scan tool, you only have to run into one car that needs this to make it worth having. The reality is that if your customer’s vehicle is 10 yea...
read more
Steering Angle Sensor Diagnostics
March 12, 2013
Measuring the steering wheel position angle and rate of turn, which are critical for electronic stability control systems, is the job of the steering angle sensor. The scan tool will typically display the information in degrees.
read more
|
|
Entries are now being accepted for the
2013 Top Shop Award Program.
Get your job opening listed here by contacting Karen Kaim
We're adding new jobs all the time! See over a dozen more aftermarket job openings at Aftermarketjobs.com
|