Technicians’ Top 5 Favorite Tools & Equipment
Roy Larson, president Beyer Motor Works Inc., BMW/Mercedes driveline experts Chandler, AZ www.beyerdriveline.com and www.beyermotorworks.com Member: BIMRS, Bimmer Tech Group, Mini Tech Group, BMW CCA, ASA, APRA, BBB My 5 favorite tools are: Streamlight Stylus Reach — This pocket flashlight puts the light where I need it, making it ideal to inspect brake pads and
Argus Analyzers Introduces Battery Bug for the U.S. Automotive Aftermarket and Retail
Argus Analyzers recently announced the launch of their newest Battery Bug – a failure monitor for starting batteries. It uses Argus-patented CrankCheck technology to test the health of an automotive starting battery at every start and provides a "replace battery" alert to the motorist before the battery fails from normal aging and use.
Top Five Tools
Earle Kramer Jr., president Green Acres Automotive LLC Perkiomenville, PA Mac Tools’ Mac Mentor with Lab Scope — This is the best and most efficient scanner I have ever owned. ALLDATA — This is the most knowledgeable information system I have used. Smoke Pro Smoke Machine — This machine is cost effective and safe to
Wheel, Rotor and Drum Removal
The traffic whizzed by at seventy plus. The good news: The flat is on the rear passenger side and the lug nuts came off with little strain. The bad news: The alloy wheel is seized on the hub and it isn’t going anywhere. Twist of fate: I forgot to chock the front wheel and the
Shop Management: Uncovering Missed Service
Uncovering missed service can bring an instant profit, while at the same time resulting in customer gratification. Unfortunately, some services are often overlooked in our daily routine. It’s easy to gain tunnel vision in this business, only fixing what the car came in for, while ignoring the rest of the vehicle. Whether it’s because of time constraints, or some other reason, some services just get forgotten about.
Selling Services: Selling the Scope to Your Customer
While replacing a blown head gasket and re-torquing the head bolts, you reach into your tool box and grab your 1/2-inch impact and rattle the bolts down. Just kidding! You would reach for your torque wrench and accurately follow the manufacturer recommendations for torque patterns and values. To guarantee a quality repair, an accurate torque
Rotor Debate: Resurface or Replace?
More often than not, many rotors today are being replaced when the brakes are relined – and some motorists are complaining that new rotors really aren’t necessary. Resurfacing can usually restore the friction surface on worn rotors to like-new condition, unless a rotor is worn down too far to be safely resurfaced or has cracks,
Favorite Tools of the Country’s Top Technicians
David E. Link, owner Quality Racing Toledo, OH ALLDATA – I’ve tried the others, but nothing out there is as comprehensive – especially for auto-electrical. Blue-Point Rechargeable UV Leak Detector Light and Dye Injector – A definite must-have for A/C work. Blue-Point EEDM504B Multimeter – I don’t know how I went so long without
Rotor Debate: Replace, Discard or Machine?
More often than not, many rotors today are being replaced when the brakes are relined – and some motorists are complaining that new rotors aren’t really necessary. Unless a rotor is worn down too far to be safely resurfaced or has cracks, deep grooves, severe rusting, hard spots or other structural defects, resurfacing can usually
Missed Services
Uncovering missed service can bring an instant profit, while at the same time resulting in customer gratification. Unfortunately, some services are often overlooked in our daily routine. It’s easy to gain tunnel vision in this business, only fixing what the car came in for, while ignoring the rest of the vehicle. Whether it’s because of