Andrew Markel
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BRAKE LIGHTS: March 1951

BRAKE & FRONT END, March 1951– Before dynomometers, load cells and computers, engineers used brake pedal applicators to determine the stopping distance of new cars and the effectiveness of brake systems and linings. Bravery was a job requirement.

Alignment & Suspension Specs: 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu

In 2004, the Malibu was redesigned and moved to the new Epsilon platform. This generation of the Malibu lasted until 2007 and included the Malibu Maxx. But, the Malibu sedan remained in production for fleet orders until the 2008 model year. GM refers to these models as the Malibu Classic.

TPMS Q&A: Common Questions and Answers about Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

What is one of the leading causes of sensor failure? Corrosion, sensors or sensor stems can be damaged by corrosion from road salts, moisture, missing valve caps or galvanic corrosion. The use of dissimilar metals or use of non-TPMS components can result in galvanic corrosion, which may affect the sensor’s ability to read or transmit data.

RETRO: Brakes Save Tires For World War II

During WWII, the US was cut off from its rubber plantations in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. With rubber needed for war effort, tires on the home front were rationed. With the drum brakes of the day(hydraulic and mechanical), brakes lock up was common due to brakes that were out of adjustment.

OE vs. Aftermarket Brake Pads: Smoke, Mirrors and Friction

I was recently doing a brake job on my 2002 Jaguar X-Type. On one of the rear caliper bolts there was a 12-oz rubber and steel donut. The reason for the weight is to help dampen vibrations and shift the frequency.

ALIGNMENT & SUSPENSION SPECS: 2002-2010 Jeep Liberty

The Liberty (2002-2007 KJ+2008-2010 KK) was the replacement for the Cherokee (XJ). The major changes from the Cherokee to the Liberty were an independent front suspension and trailing arm rear suspension. Compared to the Cherokee, the Liberty is actually easier to align.

BRAKE MATH: CALCULATING THE FORCE NEEDED TO STOP A CAR

Harold Unikel of Power Brake X-Change, of Pittsburgh, PA reminded my why it is so important for technicians to be able to understand the brake math basics. I made a mistake while editing the equation for calculating the surface area of a circle which is πR2.

BRAKE MATH: PSI & Clamping Forces What happens in the real world?

In our last installment of Brake Math, we demonstrated how 70 lbs. of force on a brake pedal can result in 556 psi of brake fluid heading to the calipers. So how does this pressure stop a car? Next, we we look at how PSI is turned into “clamping force” and the math behind it. Also, we will look at the implications it has on friction materials and caliper design.

Tech Feature: Brake Job on Ford Edge

The Ford Edge is an SUV based on a the CD3 platform. The brakes on these vehicles are straightforward and do not break any new ground. The brake systems on all variants have disc brakes at all corners. There are no major changes to the brakes system from 2007 to 2009. For the 2008 model year, ABS became a standard feature, as did a direct tire pressure monitoring system. The worst brake component to service is the master cylinder. Getting to the unit requires removal of the trunking for the air intake, battery tray and other components.

Alignment Specs: 1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette

With different front and rear run-flat tire sizes, the 1997-2004 Corvette must be aligned every 20,000 miles or when the smallest amount of abnormal tire wear is present. If the customer does not have this service performed, even the slightest amount of extra toe, camber or caster can result in an expensive tire replacement bill.
Performing an alignment on a C5 Corvette is actually easier than on most vehicles because most of the adjustments are built into the vehicle. Also, you can adjust the ride height without replacing parts. But, you need to take care and be aware of what makes the Corvette different than most vehicles.

TPMS Update: Chrysler Tire Pressure Monitor Systems

Chrysler uses a Schrader Electronics or VDO systems on just about every late-model vehicle. Chrysler never used a band sensor in any of its platforms. On some 2004 and 2005 models, Chrysler may have used two different TPMS systems on a vehicle platform depending on if the vehicle was equipped with AWD or if the system was optional or standard.

WHEEL BEARING Q&A: What, When & Why

How much load can a wheel bearing carry? On a typical passenger vehicle weighing around 3,400 pounds, each pair of front-wheel bearings, as well as the rear-wheel or axle bearings, support around 850 pounds, depending on the weight balance and driveline configuration. If it’s a 6,000-pound SUV, each bearing might carry about 1,500 pounds. This