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
Gasket Surface Machining in Cylinder Head Repair
I recently had a chat with a technical representative for a major aftermarket gasket manufacturer who shed some light on some of the problems facing the cylinder head gasket market. According to this representative, the relatively short production life of modern engines also shortens the time that an aftermarket gasket company needs to remedy application-specific cylinder head sealing problems.
Product Spotlight: Shocks & Struts
When it’s time to replace shocks and struts, some of the latest parts you’ll find offer superior comfort and the ability to adjust to the road without any disruptions in the ride or handling. Many brands cover an array of vehicle models and provide extensive warranties to get the most out of the product. Some
Back to Basics 1: Basic Tire Repair
This guide to step-by-step tire repair, which includes photos and a downloadable poster, should be helpful to not only newly trained technicians, but also veterans who want to brush up on their techniques.
Lube Bay Strategies for Vehicle Inspections
The traditionally recommended 3,000-mile oil change interval is now rapidly becoming part of automotive history, meaning shops may have a reduced number of repairs sold during a routine lube bay visit. Here’s how to check for added profits during a standard oil change.
Complete Brake Job Protects Driver, Other Vehicle Components
The problem with routines is that we tend to – you guessed it – fall into them. Because the braking systems on many modern vehicles are integrated into other systems like vehicle stability control (VSC) and traction control, modern braking systems must meet minimum levels of performance. Last, but not least, a service writer must
Live at SEMA: TIA Releases 2011 TPMS Relearn Chart
The newest version of the Tire Industry Association’s TPMS Relearn Chart, which includes domestic and import vehicles through model year 2011, is now available. The chart serves as a valuable, comprehensive and quick reference guide that technicians can easily navigate to service most vehicles equipped with TPMS, TIA said. The chart is divided into domestic
Pickup Tools: No Longer Out of Sight or Out of Reach
Have you ever dropped a nut or a bolt into an open intake manifold? Or dropped a fastener and watched it disappear into a crevice in the engine compartment? Or tried to find a wiring connector, plug or fastener by feel on the backside of an instrument cluster up under the dash? These are all
Safety, Reliability and Value of Striking Tools
It all started thousands of years ago. Grogg picked up the jawbone of a T-Rex in one hand and a piece of broken tooth in the other hand. Voila! The first chisel is invented. Early on in our history, man realized he could do more work (or damage!) with the use of struck or driven
Forming Tight Connections on Intake Manifold Gaskets
Back in the days when most engines had cast iron blocks, heads and manifolds, the intake manifold could be easily sealed with simple and relatively inexpensive die cut fiber-faced metal gaskets (solid or perforated core). Sealer was usually required to ensure a leak-free installation.But, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, fuel systems and manifolds