Balancing Commercial Tire/Wheel Assemblies
The issue of tire/wheel assembly balance has been debated for decades. Several significant changes have influenced these discussions, which resulted in changes to maintenance policies and, in some cases, later reversals of these policies. Historically, the goal has been to use balancing to prevent or solve complaints of truck ride, vibration and even wheel hop.
Cover All the Bases of Modern Charging Systems
To quote a familiar situation: “My customer’s car is now on its third alternator in six months and my jobber store refuses to warranty a fourth.” In other words, the parts supplier believes that an underlying problem is causing these alternators to fail and, therefore, won’t warranty more alternators. While we occasionally experience a sequence
Thinking Like A Modern Transmission Can Accelerate Your Diagnostic Efforts
The transmission game has changed. Solenoids, sensors and computers have replaced vacuum lines, governors and kickdown cables on modern automatic transmissions. The tools have also changed: scan tools, scopes and meters have replaced pressure and vacuum gauges. Even with codes and datastream information available, you must be able to think like the transmission to find
ASE G1: Drive Belt Inspection, Replacement
The ASE G1 Certification test contains 55 scored questions, plus 10 unscored research questions, that cover a range of skills and knowledge related to maintenance and light repairs in engine systems, automatic transmission/transaxle, manual drivetrain and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical, and heating and air conditioning. As part of the engine systems portion, you
Keeping It In the Family
The back screen door of Rolph’s Diner slammed shut as the owner/chief cook (the title ‘chef’ being far too kind for the dreck he served up) appeared in the alleyway, his battered coffee pot in one hand and a serving plate in the other. “How ‘bout a refill, Tooner? It looks like you’re gonna be
Tire Noise and the Sounds of Silence (Sort Of)
If you’ve been an observant motorist for 20 years or more, you may remember when truck tires were noisy. Really noisy. Much has changed over the years and one benefit of modern tire technology is that line haul radials are now almost universally quiet, to the point that the noise generated by rolling down the
Under The Gun…Literally?
Note from the editor: This story is based on an actual case history. We’d like to hear from you. Tell us…how would you handle things if a customer arrived at your shop under questionable circumstances? Send your comments to Editor Jim Smith at [email protected]. I glanced up at the plastic clock nailed above the
Firestone Key for Bridgestone in UK this Year
Bridgestone has revealed its plan to increase the prominence of its Firestone brand in the UK passenger car tire market during summer 2014. The manufacturer says its marketing drive will link the Firestone badge explicitly to its lengthy history in motorsport, and Bridgestone is hoping that this renewed effort will put its mid-range brand in
How Vehicle Software is Changing the Stopping Game
There was a time when advancements in brake technology were entirely hardware based. The change from drum to disc brakes, the introduction of semi-metallic and ceramic pads, and the addition of power brakes as standard equipment were all changes achieved by redesigned and improved brake system components. Today, electronics is driving most of the advancements
No Touchy da Tools, Or Not
Tool-borrowing customers break your bank faster than they buy, but there are some tricks.