Import Car Repair
Drivetrain: Live Axle Bearing Replacement

Replacing wheel bearings on a vehicle with a live rear axle may not be one of the most frequent jobs you do, but it can be one of the most profitable. While the basics have not changed in more than 60 years, new seal materials and differential designs have added new wrinkles to the process.

Properly Dealing With New Rotors

New rotors, either OE or aftermarket, are supposed to be finished to specifications and ready to install out of the box. There should be no reason to give them a “clean up” cut. If there is one, you need to find a different rotor supplier.

Electronic Brake Pad Wear Sensors Diagnostics

Electronic brake pad wear sensors can be found on a variety of vehicles, including domestic, European and Asian cars and trucks. These give a more accurate reading on brake pad depth compared to squealer metal tabs that make noise that most drivers manage to ignore assuming it will go away over time.

Wheel Speed Sensor: Understanding ABS Brake Passive Sensors

The passive wheel speed sensor has been around a long time. It works quite differently than the active speed sensors that are found on most cars today. The passive speed sensor creates its own AC signal that changes frequency with wheel speed. This signal is only present while the wheel is turning at a rate fast

Servicing TPMS Sensors With A Little Tender Loving Care

Most TPMS sensors are held in with the use of just a screw or a nut, but if they are not assembled or torqued properly, the results can be catastrophic. Carelessness can result in a broken sensor or even a customer being stranded with a flat tire.

How To Diagnose NVH Complaints In Drivetrain Components

Thanks to advanced technology, modern vehicles operate with fewer noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) complaints than ever ­before. Consequently, when a NVH issue arises, it’s most likely caused by worn drivetrain components like universal joints, constant velocity joints or wheel bearing hub assemblies. In any case, NVH complaints can often be the most challenging to diagnose when you can’t duplicate the driving conditions under which they occur.

Why Springs Matter: More Than A Coil Of Steel, Springs Are The Foundation Of Stability

When a wheel reacts to a bump or body motion, the spring is compressed and then releases the energy. During each compression cycle, a little bit of life is taken out of the spring’s steel. It’s not the amount of travel that matters, but the frequency of the cycles.

Top TPMS Tips

If you are having problems with a relearn procedure or the TPMS light won’t go out after a test drive, look to see if the check engine light is on or if there are any codes related to the modules that communicate with the TPMS.

Race To The Bottom: Why Charging More For Brake Jobs Keeps Customers Coming Back

Why is everyone chasing the cheapest brake service? It often seems that new-car dealers, chains and some independent shops are locked in a race to the bottom when it comes to brake service.

Steering Angle FAQs To Help Boost Your ABS & Stability Control Diagnostics

Chances are you will never crack open a steering angle sensor (SAS) cluster to repair it. But, this sensor should not be a mystery. To be effective at ABS and stability control diagnostics, knowing how sensors measure angles and information is critical.

Active Shocks And Struts: What Are They And Why Are They Active?

For a shock or strut to be active, it must be able to react to three critical streams of information. First, it must act on information from the ABS and stability control system. Second, it must measure body movement. Third, it must detect the extent and rate of suspension movement.

Electronic Power Steering: Better Than Hydraulic?

Diagnosing electric power steering systems requires an understanding of voltage, current and loads. Also, a technician must understand how the modules and sensors work together to determine the level of assist.