Why Bearings Fail
When a bearing wears out, it is usually a case of inadequate lubrication, faulty installation or improper adjustment. For the repair to be successful, you must first determine why the previous bearing failed. For sealed hub units, examining the internal bearings and races is impossible. The most common failure pattern for bearings is for those
Mitch’s World: If it Wasn’t for Bad Luck…
About the worst thing that can happen around here is a week where all kinds of bizarre things accumulate. Aside from the absolute chaos it inflicts on everyone including me, the crush of dealing with multiple crises makes it almost impossible to identify where one calamity ends and another begins. The ability to cope with
Hot Summer, Cool Cash: Rancho Launches New ‘QuickCASH’ Promotion
Rancho is ready to power up consumers with a lucrative rebate program on the company’s new QuickLIFT and RS9000XL shock absorbers. Truck, SUV and Jeep owners can earn valuable cash rewards through the "QuickCASH" mail-in rebate program for the purchase of qualifying products from June 1 until July 31, 2007.
Tech Tip: Improving Vehicle Handling
Shock absorbers and struts dampen the motions of the suspension to provide a smooth, comfortable and safe ride. Some OEM shocks have electronic valving that allows the driver or a body control module to adjust the dampening characteristics of the shocks or struts to changing driving conditions.
Tenneco Awards Flat-Screen TV as Grand Prize in ‘Expert Plus’ Promotion
Tenneco Inc. recently awarded a 40-inch, premium flat-screen TV to auto parts professional Bruce Thomsen, of Omaha, NE, as part of its Expert Plus program. Thomsen won the TV by participating in an online product training program offered through the Expert Plus program, the industry’s premier dealer loyalty program.
Tech Tip: Convertible Mustang Vibration – Got MIG?
Customers may come to you after many frustrating attempts by other shops to get an irritating vibration out of their 1996-98 Ford Mustang convertibles equipped with a 3.8-Liter engine. The vibration or shake seems to occur while driving at a steady speed of approximately 62 mph on smooth roads. This problem may be due to the interaction between the body and the suspension.
EcoFuel World Tour Visits Tenneco Inc.
The power of natural gas came to Tenneco Inc.’s Monroe, MI, facility during a recent visit by the EcoFuel World Tour. Sponsored by Tenneco, the tour’s VW Caddy is outfitted with the company’s exhaust and ride control technologies, which are designed to meet the needs of tomorrow’s alternative fuel applications.
Tech Tip: Diagnosing a Worn Wheel Hub Bearing
Signs of a worn wheel hub bearing vary in severity. Some may be difficult to detect, leading to damage before corrective action can be taken. The time frame in which damage occurs is linked to driving conditions and/or the mechanical practices that were followed at installation. Noise is a classic sign of a bad wheel bearing or wheel hub bearing.
Escalade Tech Tip: Fixing Front End Squeaks
Your shop just installed a new set of tires on a 2002 Cadillac Escalade. The very next day, the customer returns complaining about a squeak and a rattle coming from the front end that wasn’t there before you replaced the tires. What happened?
OTC Releases TPMS Advisory
The gateway to safe and reliable tires fundamentally begins with TPMS education. Many studies show that the majority of cars on U.S. roads are operating on tires inflated to only 80 percent of capacity. OTC urges technicians to advise their customers to check their tire pressure monthly, if not more frequently.