Auto Repair Equipment and Diagnostic Scanner
Diagnostics Through CAN Networks

Since model year 2003, a growing number of domestic and import vehicles have been built with a new onboard communications protocol called CAN (Controller Area Network). CAN is essentially an engineering standard for how computers and modules talk to one another via the serial data bus in a vehicle’s wiring system. It’s a high speed

Viewpoint, AAMCO, Cottman, Monro, Procare: With Size Comes Responsibility

In the past month, we have seen some historic events in the world of undercar service. The reunification of Cottman and AAMCO and the acquisition of ProCare by Monro Muffler have changed the landscape of the undercar service industry. Some people say that the Cottman and AAMCO deal was a shocker. When Rich Silva (Cottman)

TechTalk: A Chevy Tahoe with Shifting Issues

A customer with a 1996 Chevy Tahoe brought the vehicle in, stating that it was shifting erratically, the cruise control would surge from 50 mph to 60 mph and then cut out completely and the speedometer, at times, was drifting. (This Tahoe had a 5.7L vin R engine with a 4L60E transmission coupled to a

Dual Mass Flywheel/Clutch Replacement Options

Dual-mass flywheels are a unique kind of flywheel that have been used on a variety of pickup truck and passenger car applications since the late 1980s. You’ll find them on 1987 Ford F-Series 6.9L diesels, 1987-98 Ford F-Series 7.3L diesels, 1992-1996 Chevy/GMC 6.5L diesel trucks and 1992-02 Chevy/GMC 8.5L diesel trucks. Dual-mass flywheels have also

4WD Clutch Replacement

Here in the upper part of the West Coast, four-wheeling is a very large part of outdoor recreation. Vehicles of all kinds are taken to the forests and mountains every weekend. There are miles and miles of off-road trails, and organized clubs are available for every make, model and size of 4WD vehicle. Toyota trucks

Diagnosing Automatic Transmission Complaints

Automatic transmissions are a mystery to most motorists. They may know the transmission requires some kind of fluid, but have probably never checked the level or even looked for the dipstick unless they drive an older vehicle with a leaker. When internal problems cause the transmission to act up, it takes a fair amount of

Manual Tranny/Clutches: Pre-Installation Inspections Boost Clutch Performance & Reduce Warranty Claims

Because a good “stick shift” driver can always squeeze a few more miles per gallon out of a manual transmission or otherwise out-perform their automatic transmission counterparts, it’s no wonder that clutch replacements continue to be a good business for most import repair shops. In most cases, a routine clutch replacement requires very little in

Medium-Duty Truck Clutch Repair

What is a medium-duty truck? The industry defines it as a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight of 14,000 to 26,000 lbs. At 14,000 lbs., most heavy-duty one-ton trucks qualify as a medium duty vehicle. In light- and medium-duty trucks, the automatic transmission is ever increasing in popularity and numbers. So why am I talking

Driveshaft Service

Driveshafts on most rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles are very durable. Most late-model driveshafts are not serviceable and do not have any lubrication points. But, this does not mean that they can’t wear, or even fail. Driveshaft problems can be spotted from the moment you put the vehicle in gear to pull it