Brake Service Tips and Guidelines
Here’s a handy list of brake service guidelines and causes and solutions to many common brake problems, including: even wear, outer and inner pad wear, tapered pad wear, and overlapping friction material.
When Should The Wheel Bearing Flange Be Replaced?
The hub flange is ground zero for pulsation problems. The rotor will magnify any runout in the flange but how do you know when to replace a flange, stub axle or an entire hub unit? The answer can be confusing and will take some math and a micrometer. All flanges have some degree of runout.
Ignorance Is Intent: Fatalities On The Rise
Recently, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that traffic fatalities were up by nine percent. This number has consistently been declining every year since the 1970s by at least two percent. The last increase was blamed on a computer problem due to the implementation of a new crash reporting system. The blame
Replacement and Service of Loaded Brake Calipers
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.
Selling the Complete Ride Control Job (Shocks & Struts)
A new strut or shock is only as good as the parts attached to it. These "required" components (notice I did not say add-ons) should be sold as part of any shock or strut replacement. Upper Bearing PlateOne mistake to avoid when replacing struts is reusing the original bearing plates. It’s like rebuilding an engine
Long Brake Pad Life
Maximize mileage by performing complete brake jobs with quality parts.
Chassis Tech: Rear Suspension Dynamics
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.
Brake Pad Mumbo Jumbo: How to Sort Out the Bull from the Brake Pad
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 no more brake noise, precise stopping distances and that brake pads last forever. As a technician, you know this is not true. In order to make the
Worn Shocks and Struts Kill: Do I Have Your Attention Now?
Can’t sell shocks and struts? What is your excuse? Do you blame the economy, customer income or even how well late-model vehicles are manufactured? There should be no excuse when it comes to recommending new shocks and struts. By not recommending these items, you are doing the customer a greater disservice than stealing change out
Smart Phone, Dumb Customer
My grandfather owned a gas station and three-bay shop in Denver. On weekends, I would go to the station and hang out with my dad when he filled in. I can remember how much customers valued his opinions and advice on automotive service and maintenance. As a child, it made my dad a very important
Brake System Scan Tools: The New Essential Tool
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 years old or newer, there’s nearly a 100% chance that
Making the Seasonal Change
It’s important to consider TPMS sensors when changing over winter tires – and vice-versa.