Engine Tuning & Chassis Upgrades
When car manufacturers come out with a new engine design, some car enthusiasts eye the new technology from a perspective of how to squeeze more performance out of it. The smaller displacement engines that are turbocharged or supercharged tend to be the most likely chosen because of their power-to-weight ratio. When Saab introduced a turbocharged
Tech Tip: School Bus Inspection and Maintenance
Now that school is out, school bus inspections and maintenance is taking place in preparation for the next session in the fall. Many school districts are outsourcing the maintenance of their buses. This could be your chance to increase your shop’s customer base. While the coach work (body) of buses is changing to incorporate features like air conditioning, the tires, wheels, brakes and suspension the have not change much in 20 years. The biggest changes are under the hood ….
Tech Tip: Diagnosing Knocking Noise Coming from Front Suspension on Pontiac GTOs
Some 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO customers may comment on a knock noise from the front suspension when driving at low speeds over bumps or uneven road surfaces. This condition may be caused by the lower coil of the spring touching on the side lip of the spring seat. The spring coils contacting the body sheet metal within the wheelhouse area may also cause this condition ….
Getting a Fix on Piston Diagnosis and Inspection
Piston failures in late-model engines are relatively uncommon thanks to computerized engine controls that keep a close watch on the air/fuel mixture, and knock sensors that back off spark timing advance if detonation is detected. Pistons are also lasting longer because many engines now come factory-equipped with stronger hypereutectic alloy pistons that can withstand higher
Tech Tip: Vehicle Safety Hinges on Understanding, Checking and Replacing Ball Joints
If the engine quits at 60 mph, you have a chance of getting off the road safely. If a ball joint quits, you have a chance of crashing off the road. The ball joint is one moveable part of a control arm assembly. The control arm bushings are just as important as the ball joint – if the ball joint is worn, chances are the bushings are just as worn. In the case of a strut suspension, the upper mount can receive as much wear as ….
JGR Propelled to Victory Again on SPICER Chassis Technology
Dover International Speedway (Dover, DE) saw Joe Gibbs Racing team members Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin take the checkered flags over the weekend. Busch won Sunday’s Sprint Cup Best Buy 400, and Hamlin crossed the finish line first at Saturday’s Nationwide Series Heluva Good! 200 ….
Rack & Pinion VS. Recirculating Ball
Most steering systems you will see in your bays are sealed. But, this does not mean that they do not need to be diagnosed, serviced or replaced. The most important thing to effectively accomplish this is to understand what is going on inside the steering box or rack. You may think the diagnosis of a
On-Car Rotor Resurfacing
Are you doing it Right?
Performance Brakes
It’s been a long winter here in the upper Midwest. Snowfalls have been well above normal in the Detroit area. However one of the sure signs of spring in our part of the world is when people start to dust off their Rods and Mods and start prepping for show season. Here in Detroit we
The ABS Phenomenon: Profitability Hinges on Solid Preventive Maintenance Program
Profitability Hinges On Solid Preventive Maintenance Program An unusual event happened last week: a customer actually wanted a glowing warning light on his anti-lock braking system diagnosed! A preliminary interview revealed that: a) the ABS warning light was continuously illuminated, b) the brakes pulled to the right, and, c) the brake pedal pulsated when pressure