Undercar Archives - Page 8 of 16 - Tire Review Magazine
Steering Geometry Diagnostics

When many of us started our careers in the wheel alignment trade, we inevitably experienced a vehicle that would come back with steering quality complaints or unevenly worn tires after having had the caster, camber and toe angle adjusted to specification. Tire casing problems aside, the fault would nearly always be found in defective steering

7 Brake Myths Busted

There are some myths about brake pads, rotors and hydraulics that need to be busted. These myths can hurt and hinder a technician’s ability to diagnose and solve some brake problems and customer concerns. On the surface, some of these myths make sense. The logic can seem sound and explain a problem, but they do

MAF Sensor Testing Methods

Turbulence in the intake air stream can also affect MAF sensor calibration. For example, a reverse pulse wave in the intake duct caused by a poorly seating intake valve or cylinder misfire can momentarily reverse the airflow into the MAF. While diagnosing such problems are beyond the scope of this text, remember that intake manifold

Solutions to Stopping Brake-Related Comebacks

Nothing is worse than a customer returning to your shop after a brake job complaining of a noise or performance issue. These comebacks can be frustrating because they negatively impact your shop’s productivity and reputation. The following are 10 tips that can help you more efficiently and effectively solve a brake comeback due to noise.

When To Replace Sensors And Why

pressure is low, if the oil needs changing, if the engine has a mechanical problem or if the engine has quit running (unless the fault is related to a key sensor that can also affects emissions). Many motorists simply ignore the Check Engine light, especially if their engine seems to be running normally (no other

Brake Pulsation Returns

Don’t blame the pads or rotor – runout causes thickness variation that leads to pulsation problems

Brake Myths Revisited

The overall response to our Eight Brake Myths Busted article was huge… Some readers felt compelled to write in explaining their own experiences.

Inspecting Shocks and Struts

Shocks and struts are simple devices. Their function is to dampen the movement of the springs, suspension and vehicle pitch. This means that as the spring is compressed, the movement is not sudden and when the energy or movement is released, it is not overpowering. For the most part, the suspension handles the best when

Exhaust Leaks and the Stoichiometric Ratio

When I was a kid, I used to watch my dad, who started out as a diesel mechanic, tune up cars and trucks from time to time.  He would turn the adjustment screws on the carburetor until the engine smoothed out and started to purr. Then, after listening closely to the rumbling of the motor,

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.

Pushing Engines Farther

In recent years, the primary driving force behind engine innovation has been the never-ending quest for better fuel economy with little or no sacrifice in performance. Government regulations and rising fuel prices are forcing automakers to develop new technologies and powertrains that squeeze more power out of every drop of fuel while producing less pollution

Chassis Talk: Learning The Terminology Is Key To Selling The Correct Chassis Part

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 places a phone order. In many cases, term “tie rod” often becomes interchangeable with “tie rod end”