Low Speed Creak/Squeak From Rear Of Chevrolet Malibu
Some Chevrolet Malibu owners may comment on a squeak or creak-type noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. This noise occurs at slow speeds while driving over small bumps and is most apparent when the underbody of the vehicle is wet. This condition may be caused by the parking brake cables rubbing or slip-sticking on the retainer grommet.
Gates Announces New Online Training Program
The Gates Corp. has announced the launch of its new Acceleration Sessions training series. The sessions feature information on critical systems such as fuel, accessory belt drive, cooling and timing systems. After each video, participants take a short quiz where a passing grade of 70 percent will earn chances to win prizes like NASCAR trips and tool packages, as well as instant dining cash.
OTC To Host Webinar On Diagnostic Tools, Give Away Encore Diagnostic System
With a variety of scan tools on the market in a wide range of prices, choosing the right tool can help enhance a technician’s productivity and save money. Choosing the wrong tool, however, can be a costly investment that a tech may never fully realize. To help make the right purchase, OTC will host a free webinar for North America on Thursday, February 27 at 7 p.m. EST to answer questions and help technicians decide what level of scan tool is best for them.
How Ride Height Affects Toe Angle
How can a mysterious case of tire wear occur in a perfectly aligned vehicle? It happens and the answers aren’t always simple. To better explain, let’s go back a few decades when I aligned a 1983 Mitsubishi rear-wheel drive (RWD) pickup, only to have it return a month later with a tire scuffing complaint. My conclusion was that many independent front suspensions often require a “custom alignment” to compensate for variations in ride height caused by uneven loading.
Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Making A Comeback On Some Imports
Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are the systems that do not have air pressure sensors inside the tires. Rather, they detect a low tire by comparing relative wheel speeds via the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) wheel speed sensors. New systems are taking advantage of better wheel speed sensors and modules to make indirect systems work. Indirect TPMS began making a comeback in 2011 on all Audi models. The highly popular Honda Accord switched to indirect TPMS for the 2013 model year.
Age Of Convenience Dictates Streamlined Communication Methods
The manner in which the majority of your customers prefer to communicate about vehicle service is changing, as their need for convenient and easy information access accelerates. You likely have noticed that their attitudes and expectations are vastly different than what you were used to encountering. There are great opportunities for every business owner to reach their customers and prospects more effectively by embracing e-communication channels like email, social media (Facebook/Twitter) and texting.
Nissan Diagnostics: Check Engine Light And Misfire Issues
The late-model Nissans have proven to be quite reliable when it comes to serial-type problems that would get them to your bay with check engine lamp issues. Nissan has done a good job of addressing some of the problems we’ve looked at in the past. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be seeing Nissans looking for attention, and that spells service opportunities for you.
OBD II Misfire And Diagnosis
When diagnosing misfires, it’s important to use tools that allow you to go beyond a simple code reader that displays a P03XX. Even an OEM-level scan tool can’t tell you what the firing voltage is or what the ignition pattern looks like. Nor can it tell you if the serial data is accurate or correct. For that kind of information you need a DVOM or a graphing multimeter/oscilloscope that can look at sensor voltages directly and display primary and secondary ignition patterns.
Toyota Tech Tip: Front Brake Rattle Noise
Some Corolla and Matrix owners may experience a front brake rattle type of noise when the car is traveling over bumps. Updated front disc brake cylinder (caliper) mountings and disc brake pad support plates are available to eliminate this condition. Conduct a road test to verify the noise condition. Front brake rattle noise will occur when the front tire runs over a depression in the road.
Volkswagen Tech Tip: Clutch Pedal Not Returning To Position
This tech tip provides some things to consider before unnecessarily replacing hydraulic components on Volkswagen Jetta sedans when diagnosing a customer report that the clutch pedal won’t return to its position.
Six Technician Tips I’d Tell My 20-Year-Old Self
Last month, I found my driver’s license from when I was 20. In 1994, I got my first job working at a dealership as a porter, shuttle van driver and service writer trainee. I began thinking about what I would say if I could go back in time and talk to this 20-year-old kid – to prevent so many mistakes and to avoid the missed opportunities. Here are six things I would tell myself.
Performing An Alignment On Ford F-150 And Lincoln Mark LT Vehicles
The 2004-’08 Ford F-150 and 2005-’08 Lincoln Mark LT are not difficult vehicles to align, but they are difficult vehicles to properly inspect and adjust to the optimal specifications. The main difference with the 11th generation is in the front control arms. The lower control arm is forged aluminum. Upper ball joints have a reputation for failing sooner than lower ball joints.