How Long Should a Brake Job Last?
The Pressure Is On With New Customer Expectations
Catalytic Converters: Replacement Is Changing
If your shop is not in California, the replacement of the catalytic converter is simple and typically there is only one replacement option. Most shops understand that they must replace the converter and that using a test pipe or bypassing the converter is bad for business and against the EPA regulations and could result in big fines.
TPMS Sensor Corrosion: 5 Tips To Help Avoid A Snapped Stem
Since TPMS became standard equipment in 2008, many sensors are starting to show their age. While some of these sensors may have a lot of battery life left, the sensors’ stems are starting to fall victim to corrosion. Here are five tips that can help you avoid snapping stems and have the shop eat a sensor.
Viewpoint: Here Is My List Of What Is “In And Out” This Month
In: Being able to re-flash and calibrate computer modules.
Out: Longer than normal time downloading a file because someone is watching Netflix in the front office.
Servicing Bent Arms And Struts
Normal driving usually won’t knock the wheels out of alignment or damage the suspension. However, normal driving also involves encounters with the unexpected, which often includes potholes, curbs, railroad crossings (which are famous for being rough), parking lot speed bumps and other things that jar and stress the suspension. For this reason, periodic alignment checks are a good way to ensure proper wheel alignment and to detect damaged, worn or bent parts that might need attention.
How Software Is Changing Braking
There was a time when advancements in brake technology were entirely hardware based. The change from drum brakes to disc brakes, the introduction of semi-metallic and ceramic brake pads, and the addition of power brakes as standard equipment were all changes that were all achieved by redesigned and improved brake system components. Today, electronics is driving most of the advancements in braking technology.
Gonzo’s Toolbox: Understanding Electrical Circuits Will Expedite Diagnostic Repairs
A work order comes to you with this complaint: “My turn signal indicators light up when I step on the brake pedal or when I’m driving at night.” Do you have a good idea what the problem is? Or, are you completely lost and debating sending this job to another shop because it’s not something you think you can handle?
ABS + ESC: Diagnosis of Accelerometers and Yaw Sensors
Accelerometers measure gravitational pull in gravitational force or G-force. Some cars will have one or two sensors depending on sophistication of the system.
Air Ride Height Sensor Diagnostics
Some ride height sensor modules connect to the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or other SAE or ISO bus or ride control module. The module can connect directly to the ABS/ESC module on a CAN bus or it can be part of the overall CAN Network in a loop that connects various modules in the vehicle.
Changing Your Mind, Not Brake Rotors
How do you handle a pulsation or comeback? Blame the pads? The driver? Defective rotor? When you point your finger at these items, there are three fingers pointing back at YOU.
ABS/ESC Brake Solenoid Diagnostics
The ABS computer or HCU is a node on a high-speed vehicle bus. This means that the information can be typically accessed through the OBDII DLC. The ABS controller/modulator is the heart of any ABS or ESC system. The modulator gets the brake pressure from the master cylinder. Inside are the valves and solenoids that control the pressures to the wheel. During normal operation, the pressure from the master cylinder goes through the HCU unaltered.
Pay Per Click Advertising: Buy Local, Buy Mobile, Buy Cheap
This past month, I started purchasing Google AdWords to promote a website on brake safety. It gave me a whole new perspective on what is happening to online and mobile advertising.