A/C Update
The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) 25th Anniversary Convention and Trade Show is a great event for shop owners and technicians to learn about the latest trends in air conditioning technology and to see the latest A/C service products and equipment. This year’s show was held in Las Vegas February 1-3. One question that came
Odds & Ends: Book Report
The last open road Author, vintage racer and vehicle enthusiast Burt “BS” Levy gives a fun, fictional account of the American racing industry of the 1950s in his book, the last open road. Originally published in 1994, the last open road is Levy’s first story in a three-novel series of books featuring 19-year-old Buddy Palumbo,
Viewpoint: Criminal Inspection
I often work on co-worker’s cars in the BRAKE & FRONT END company garage. Some of the pictures that you see in this magazine are taken while I am working on their cars. Usually, beer and a home-cooked meal are all that I ask for in return for my work. But, a recent case in
Basic Brake Hydraulics
Anyone who works on brakes should be familiar with basic hydraulics and the various components that make up the hydraulic portion of the brake system. So if you’re not as familiar with this subject as you should be, keep reading and we’ll refresh your memory. We’ll start at the heart of the system, which is
Lube Bay Series: The LOF Forecast
Can you put out the light?
The Forgotten Fourth Pedal…Or…The Seldom-Used Stick
On some vehicles it is the forgotten fourth pedal. The emergency or parking brake is a critical component of the brake systems that should not be ignored. Though most motorists seldom use their parking brakes, it is a required safety device and must work properly when called upon to keep a vehicle stationary. The main
Medium-Duty Truck Clutch Repair
What is a medium-duty truck? The industry defines it as a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight of 14,000 to 26,000 lbs. At 14,000 lbs., most heavy-duty one-ton trucks qualify as a medium duty vehicle. In light- and medium-duty trucks, the automatic transmission is ever increasing in popularity and numbers. So why am I talking
Brake Tech Update: Uncovering Brake Fluid Leaks on Acura Integras
The brake fluid level on 1994 Integras may be low in the ABS reservoir, and fluid may appear to be leaking from under the label on the ABS accumulator. The likely cause is that the ABS accumulator internal O-ring is damaged, allowing brake fluid to leak out. Diagnosis: Remove the label from the ABS accumulator.
Creating the Right Alignment: Performing a Custom Alignment
Customer satisfaction. That’s the one thing you always want to achieve when you align a customer’s vehicle. Satisfied usually means no steering pull, no steering wander, no steering shimmy, no off-center steering wheel – and no comebacks! An alignment provides other benefits, too, such as reduced rolling resistance (which helps fuel economy) and reduced tire
Editor’s Notebook: Energize Your Businessby by Innovating…
Yet Remaining Steadfast in Your Mission
Diagnostic Solutions: Charging System Service
Drive belts are an often-overlooked component during routine maintenance service intervals Drive belts last so long on late-model imports that it’s very easy to forget about inspecting them during a scheduled maintenance interval. In the early days of import cars, drive belts didn’t last as long because many were made from a leather belt joined
News: Babcox Publications Acquires Fleet Equipment & T3 Magazines
cations for the automotive aftermarket to now include the truck fleet equipment management and information technology (IT) arenas. These respected magazines, and their editorial staffs, broaden our reach and offer outstanding publications for the marketplace.” Each month, Fleet Equipment targets an audience of qualified fleet equipment managers who are directly responsible for specifying and buying