Tech Tip: Removing A Rear Rotor Stuck On The Parking Brake
If you are having trouble removing a drum-in-hat rotor, don’t just take a hammer to it. You may have to adjust the parking brake and back it off the rotor in order to remove the rear rotor.
TPMS Service Opportunities: The 656-Million Sensor Market
September 2018 marked the 11-year anniversary of mandatory tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) for all light vehicles sold in the U.S. During these past 11 years, more than 164 million vehicles have been equipped with TPMS. If you multiply that number by four, it means that there are more than 656 million tire pressure sensors that will need replacement at some point.
Fiat Wheel Bearing Failure Analysis
This 2014 Fiat Abarth was brought in with the customer being concerned about a noise coming from the left rear. He was convinced that it was a tire. The noise was cyclical and it increased with speed. During inspection, the bearing had no detectable play, the tires were evenly worn, and no ABS wheel speed sensor codes were present. On the lift, the left bearing was significantly noisier than the right bearing when turned by hand. But, no extra play could be detected.
Brake Job: 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline
You might assume that the Honda Ridgeline shares a lot of the same components as the Pilot. Aside from the general proportions, the Ridgeline is a different vehicle made in a different plant. The brakes on the Ridgeline are robust and have very few problems with noise or pulsation. Where the service issues can be found are with the parking brake and hydraulics.
ADAS Alignment Procedures: Syncing The Sensors & The Alignment Specs
Many import nameplate manufacturers started to offer Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) options as early as 2005. These systems include automatic braking, lane keep assist, collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control and other systems that can intervene or help the driver when potential dangers are detected when the vehicle is being driven.
Audi Brake Pad Wear Sensor Operation And Service
Almost every Audi for the past 20 years has been equipped with electronic brake pad wear sensors. Most of them mount the brake pad with a clip, but some are molded into the brake pad. These sensors change their electrical resistance as the loop of wire is worn down and eventually breaks as the brake pads wear down.
Hyundai Idle Stop And Go (ISG): Start/Stop Systems Are Here And Out Of Warranty
The Hyundai Idle Stop and Go (ISG) function is the automaker’s start/stop system that found its way onto some 2012 models. ISG automatically switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill and starts it again as soon as the brake pedal is released. A lot has to happen for the engine to utilize ISG. Specific conditions with the engine, transmission and brake system all have to be met for the ISG system to function.
Active Wheel Speed Sensor Logic
Firing the “parts cannon” at an active ABS wheel speed sensor code often results in a misdiagnosis and an unhappy customer. It may start with the wheel bearing hub unit or wheel speed sensor. If those parts do not resolve the problem, the technician may fire the parts cannon at the ABS hydraulic control module. Typically, the customer’s patience and wallet runs out before the car is fixed.
Getting The TPMS Light Out On The First Try
Whether the customer brings in the vehicle with a TPMS light triggered, or one triggers as a result of performing some tire service, not being able to turn off the MIL can sometimes cause headaches for shops. Here are a few commonly overlooked issues that could be triggering a warning light.
Advanced Import Ride Control Diagnostics And Replacement
Inside any active, hydraulic or air ride shock or strut, there is a piston that travels up and down a tube. Wear can occur between the piston and tube, and, over a period of time, oil will pass between the piston and tube. If the suspension bottoms out, contact between the piston and the bottom of the tube could occur, damaging the piston and the valving.
Finding Hidden Suspension Damage
If a vehicle has been in a collision, diagnosing a bent part may require only a visual inspection to see that a component is broken or in need of repair. But what about when it’s not so obvious? A visual inspection is not always enough. A bent, broken or misaligned steering or suspension can cause a vehicle to handle poorly, as well as create excessive tire wear and poor fuel economy.
Diagnostic Solutions: How Electric Power Steering Systems Are Changing Undercar Service
Electric power steering contains a steering wheel position sensor and a steering input torque sensor. The data from these two sensors report to an EPS module, which translates the steering input torque into an appropriate level of steering assist via a pulse-modulated, bi-directional electric motor that’s connected to the steer gear input shaft or integrated into the steering rack assembly. The steering position sensor should read “zero” when the vehicle is traveling straight ahead.
