Chassis Parts Overview
The demand for replacement chassis parts has remained fairly steady in recent years. The demand for replacement parts is a function of vehicle age and miles driven. In a soft economy, people are keeping their vehicles longer than ever before. The average age of all cars and light trucks today is at an all-time high
Performing Custom Exhaust Work
Custom exhaust work is one of the first modifications an owner may perform. It can help the car or truck breath better and make more power. But, often some vehicles do not have a performance system available because the vehicle is too new, rare or the owner wants something special.
Suspension and Steering System Maintenance
The most noticeable symptom of spring wear is a sagging suspension system or uneven vehicle ride height. Less common are springs that break due to metal fatigue or to a stress riser caused by corrosion or physical damage on the spring’s surface.
Service Tech 2013
Nearly every tire dealer offers vehicle service, whether basic maintenance or complete repairs. We’ve compiled an extensive collection of key questions often asked by service technicians of all skill levels, and responses from our cadre of auto service experts.
Selling Brake Friction Replacements
A decade ago, a shop’s profitability depended heavily on the routine replacement of spark plugs, timing belts, mufflers, shock absorbers, clutches and brake friction. Due to advancing vehicle technology, many of these profit centers have declined or altogether disappeared, but one of the remaining exceptions is brake friction replacements.
Replacing Hubs Equipped With Wheel Speed Sensors
When engineers came up with the idea of putting the wheel speed sensor (WSS) and tone ring inside a sealed wheel bearing hub assembly, it sounded like a great idea. The sealed environment would help protect the sensor and make it less vulnerable to damage or contamination from the outside world. The first applications date
Alignment Specs: Thrust Angle and Setback
The thrust angle is an imaginary line drawn perpendicular to the rear axle’s centerline. It compares the direction that the rear axle is aimed with the centerline of the vehicle. It also confirms if the rear axle is parallel to its front axle and that the wheelbase on both sides of the vehicle is the
Torque-To-Yield Suspension Components
What do some ball joints, tie rods and suspension components have in common with engines? The answer is Torque-to-Yield fasteners. These bolts and studs that stretch are becoming more common on vehicles not just under the hood, but also under the car.
Wheel Bearing Basics
Wheel bearings can be of either ball or tapered roller type. Those used for front wheel bearing applications are an angular type, which will accept greater thrust loads than a Conrad-type bearing, which will accept a 100% load in the radial or thrust position and any combination of a 100% load. A tapered roller bearing will accept both a radial and a thrust load.
Bushing Testing: How to Tell When a Bushing is Bad
There is no real maintenance schedule for a bushing beyond periodic inspection. While tie rod ends and ball joints might occasionally receive a little “thanks” for all their hard work in the form of a greasy treat, the bushing gets no such thanks. In fact, such a “treat” can mean death to a rubber bushing.
Solving Brake Pulsation Complaints Before They Occur
A shop performs a brake job on a vehicle. On the test drive, the vehicle had zero signs of pulsation, even after an aggressive break-in procedure. Six months and 6,000 miles later, the customer is back complaining of a pulsation in the pedal. What happened?
Stability control and Brake Jobs
Automotive technology continues to evolve in several directions. While many manufacturers are concentrating on electric and hybrid technology, higher mileage, and smaller and lighter vehicles, others are focused on performance, horsepower and ever-higher top speeds.