Buying an Import Scan Tool
Thinking about buying a new scan tool? Choosing a tool that provides the best coverage and the most diagnostic bang for your buck isn’t easy with so many different products to choose from today. There are simple code reader tools, entry-level “generic” scan tools, professional-grade tools with bi-directional communication and additional test capabilities, OEM scan
Affinia Under Vehicle Group Introduces the Raybestos Brand Brakes 2007 Medium Duty Catalog
Affinia Under Vehicle Group recently announced the distribution and general availability of the first edition 2007 Raybestos brand brakes Medium Duty Catalog. The catalog indexes every medium duty Raybestos brand brake product from 1980 through 2006.
Guest Editorial: Issues that Could Impact Your Business and Our Industry in 2006
Ed is the editor of Underhood Service Magazine, ImportCar’s sister publication, as well as editor of Tomorrow’s Technician magazine. He has been employed at Babcox for 11 years. Issues That Could Impact Your Business and Our Industry in 2006 As we usher in a new year, we thought we would take a look into the
Directions: Issues that Could Impact 2006
As we usher in a new year, we thought we would take a look into the ol’ crystal ball and try to see what issues technicians, shop owners and others associated with the aftermarket can expect in 2006. These are not ranked by order of importance, but as a guide to what one can expect
The Right Tools at the Right Time
The toughest part about changing a timing belt on most engines is just getting to the belt. The timing belt is sealed inside a protective cover on the front of the engine. Replacing it typically requires removing everything on the front of the engine that obstructs the timing cover. This includes the serpentine belt and/or
Performance Upgrades: Tuning, Tweaking & Boosting Your Way to New Profits
The import performance market offers a unique service opportunity for you. Import vehicle owners are accessorizing their vehicles like never before, and many are buying aftermarket performance parts in record numbers. Though many of these parts are sold to people who can install the parts themselves (things like wings, spoilers, lights, big bore mufflers, etc.),
Tech Tip: Regular Fluid Flushes are Good for Transmissions
Out with the old and in with the new. Transmission fluid flushing is a service that replaces old worn-out automatic transmission fluid (ATF) with fresh new fluid to prolong the life of the transmission. Considering the fact that it costs $1,500 to $2,200 or more to replace a transmission or transaxle these days, the cost of a fluid flush is peanuts by comparison.
Piston Technology: To Power Today’s V8s
The performance piston business today is hot thanks to a strong racing market and the introduction of new OEM engine families such as Chevy’s LS1/LS6 V8s, Ford’s 4.6/5.4L V8s and Chrysler’s Hemi. Piston manufacturers are introducing new performance pistons for all of these applications as well as refining existing piston designs to reduce weight, and
Transmission Service: It’s a Dirty Job, But Here’s What You Need to do It
Automatic transmission work has always been considered hard, dirty work. And rightly so. Pulling a transmission, especially on a front-wheel-drive car or minivan, can be a long day’s work. It usually involves supporting the engine while the transmission and subframe are dropped from the vehicle. Consequently, you need some type of engine hoist or engine
No-Start and Rough-Running: 1996 Chrysler Sebring Coupe
Anyone who has been around the block a few times in the service and repair industry is bound to get called at some point by a customer (or another shop) that has a problematic vehicle that nobody can figure out. Usually at this point some ridiculous amount of money and time has been spent on