Live-Axle Wheel Bearings
Replacing wheel bearings on a vehicle with a live rear axle may not be one of the most frequent jobs performed, but it can be one of the most profitable. While the basics have not changed in more than 60 years, new seal materials and differential designs have added new challenges. Bearings Replacing rear wheel
The Changing Functional Fluid & Filters Market
What ever happened to the $19.95 oil change? The answer is that it disappeared, along with the “dinosaur” oils of the day. Using the $19.95 oil change as an example of the unique challenges faced by the auto repair industry in general, its original intent was to attract vehicles into the service bay for visual
Why Selling Four is Better Than Settling for Just Two
We have all been in a situation where the customer comes in with a damaged or leaking shock/strut that needs immediate attention, while the rest of the shocks/struts have more than 80,000 miles on them and are due for replacement. Recommending replacement of all four units is the right thing to do, but after you
10 Alignment Tips to Help You See Past The Angles
1 Talk to the driver. Always ask questions at the time the vehicle is written up. Find out why customers think they need an alignment. 2 Take notes. Nothing is worse than a repair order that just says “perform alignment” or “needs alignment.” Notes on the repair order can prevent comebacks that stem from a
Good or Replace? Testing Today’s Batteries
A weak battery, or one that is rundown, may not deliver enough amps to crank the engine when temperatures plunge and the oil thickens. While cold weather can be hard on batteries, so can hot weather because it increases water loss from the electrolyte inside the battery. That’s why batteries in hot climates usually don’t
TPMS Update: FORD Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
Ford embraced Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) as early as the 2002 model year on the Explorer and Windstar. These systems can be direct or indirect, and all 2007 models have TPMS standard. From 2006-2009, Ford used banded sensors that are mounted in the center of the rim. In 2010, Ford reverted to the valve
The Impact and Importance of Compressed Air
Compressed air is the energy source for most shop equipment and many tools. Inadequate airflow or pressure interrupts work flow just like an electric power outage would. Here’s some advice for choosing and maintaining your compressed air system. Pressure Pitfalls Avoid a common pitfall – don’t over-pressurize. Very few tools require pressures above 100 psig.
Cheap Brake Pads
Ever since the first issue of Brake & Front End came off the presses, the magazine has warned of the costs of using inferior friction materials. In the 1930s, the magazine fought the fight against inferior materials coming from “mail-order houses.” In the 1940s, inferior materials were blamed for costing the war effort in terms
Test Drive Techniques
Test drives on the surface can seem like one of the most unprofitable tasks a technician can perform. But, it can be one of the most profitable processes a shop can do to help sell more service. You just have to have procedures and training in place so a test drive is more than just
Who Regulates Brake Pads?
Everybody wants safe brakes, right? You want the assurance that any brake linings you install on a customer’s vehicle will provide adequate braking and meet all applicable safety standards. But guess what? There are no federal safety standards for aftermarket brake linings. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 105, 126 and 135, which are issued
Cooling System Diagnostics
Springtime brings with it the vacation season when many families will hitch a boat or camping trailer to their fully loaded family car, SUV or pickup truck and travel to some remote wilderness hideaway. Needless to say, both the parents and their vehicle’s cooling system will be stressed out long before the trip is over.
The Complexity of a Cartridge-style Wheel Bearing
More and more vehicles are being equipped with cartridge-style wheel bearings — a style that requires a lot more labor to replace when compared to hub units or tapered roller bearings. What’s new? What should you watch for? While the fundamentals of the job have not changed since the 1980s, what has changed is the
