Mitch’s World: High Noon at the Schneider Corral
I pushed the office door open and walked out into the middle of the driveway. I turned to my left and looked out toward the arroyo. That’s when I first saw the dark outline of a man walking up the hill toward me. The sun was in my eyes and I had to squint in
Top Five Tools
Ron Promisson, owner Promisson Automotive Service Center Bushnell, IL Power Probe II — This is an indispensable tool for all kinds of diagnostic problems. Probably the one tool I couldn’t do without. Raytek AutoPro ST25 Infrared Thermometer — This is another favorite that can be used for many different applications. Snap-on Vantage — The diagnostic
Mitch’s World: Getting Started …
Mitch Schneider, a nationally recognized automotive service professional, author and lecturer, has joined Babcox Publications as a senior contributing editor. He will have a regular column on Autocarepro:news. This is his first column and we look forward to many more to come.
Tech Tip: 2000 Honda Odyssey Drifts to the Right
If you encounter a 2000 Honda Odyssey that drifts to the right at highway speeds, the probable cause is uneven front caster or camber settings.
Automatic 4WD Hub Replacement
Automatic hubs are used on many 4×4 trucks to disengage the front wheels when four-wheel drive is not needed. Disconnecting the front wheels reduces friction and may improve fuel economy as much as one mile per gallon depending on the vehicle. A one mpg difference may not sound like much, but with gas costing around
CV Joints & Halfshafts
Rear-wheel drive has made a comeback on many large luxury import nameplates, but more than 80% of all cars on the road today are front-wheel drive. Most small- and mid-size cars are FWD, and all import minivans have FWD. What’s more, most of the full-size and crossover 4WD SUVs have halfshafts with CV joints front
Mitch’s World: Getting Started
A friend once told me that the hardest part of getting started was, well, getting started. He was convinced it had something to do with the Laws of Physics or the Inertia of Rest or something like that. I’m not a physicist, but I am a student of human nature and, as far as I’m
Hunter Offers Wide Variety of Training Classes
Hunter Engineering Company annually trains thousands of students and experienced service technicians at the Research and Training Center in St. Louis, MO, at other regional training centers located throughout the country and through local Hunter representatives.
Subaru Tech Tip: Correct Axle Ratios
The customer has brought his vehicle in complaining about a shudder when turning (rear axle binding). He tells you that the problem has occurred since the transmission or rear differential was changed. This could be caused by an improper front-to-rear axle ratio match.
Tech Tip: Are You Testing Your Customers’ Brake Fluid?
When was the last time you tested a customer’s brake fluid? Never? Many shops don’t bother to test brake fluid for several reasons. Some don’t think fluid tests are necessary. Others don’t test the fluid because they don’t have anything to test it with. And others say why bother if they’re going to bleed the brakes after relining the brakes?