‘Toe’-ing The Mark
How Ride Height Affects Toe Angle
Why Do Ball Joints, Tie Rods and Control Arms Wear Out?
Humans and animals have had the ball and socket joints for millennia. This simple design has been used on vehicles since the turn of the century because, well, it works. But, just as our hip joints grow feeble with use and age, the ball joints, tie rods and sway bar links on a car wear
Ball Joints Critical To Steering, Suspension
How do you fix an air ride suspension that has gone flat?
What Really Wears Out Inside Shocks & Struts
When shocks and struts wear out there are almost no visual clues. When a unit is leaking, it is a sign of failure and not wear. Next to performing an autopsy or throwing the unit on a dynamometer, there is no conclusive way to determine if the internal components are worn to a point where
Starter & Alternator Replacement
Rotating electrics in older vehicles make for added sales opportunities
Ride Control System Protocol – Matching The Components To The Application
During the fall of 1989, when I was working as a mechanic for an off-road desert racing team, we raced the famous Mint 400 held in Las Vegas. At that time, the 400-mi. road course consisted of bumps, jumps and basketball-sized rocks just waiting to break a suspension system. About 50% of all vehicles entered
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.
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.
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”
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.