Diagnostic Solutions: Building Off-Road Suspension Systems
Judging from weekend traffic, desert off-road and mountain trail driving is becoming a major past-time for many import vehicle enthusiasts. Most of the off-road import vehicles I see in Colorado are the late ’80s and early ’90s Toyota and Nissan pickups and SUVs that feature mechanical simplicity along with the structural ruggedness needed to navigate miles from any service facility.
Tech Tips: FLASH Reprogramming – GM Crankshaft Variation Relearn Procedure
A Crankshaft Variation Relearn Procedure must be performed if on 1996 and newer GM vehicles if: the ECC was reprogrammed; the crankshaft position sensor has been replaced; or the ECC has been replaced.
Tech Feature: Northstar Supernova
Introduced in 1993, GM’s 4.6L 32-valve dual overhead cam all-aluminum V8 engine – housed in the Cadillac Allante, Eldorado and Seville STS – was considered a quantum leap forward for U.S. automakers. Initially rated at 295 horsepower, the Northstar V8 has grown over the years to an incredible 469 hp at 6,400 rpm (STS-V Supercharged Northstar engine).
Alignment & Suspension Specs: 2006-Current Chevrolet Impala
The 2006-current Chevrolet Impala represents the evolution of the GM mid/full-sized front-wheel-drive car. This generation of the Impala is solid and easy to work on. Gone are the quirks of previous generations. We will be concentrating on the civilian V6-equipped version that represents about 85 percent of the Impalas on the road. The V8 and Police versions have different alignment/ride height specifications and components.
Honda Tech Feature: Eliminating Brake Comebacks
The advent of ABS, and its integration into traction control and vehicle stability assist, make good work habits when servicing the brake
Ford Tech Tip: Drivetrain – Rear Axle Seal(s) Leaking
Some Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. This oil separation appears to be, and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle lube leak.
Alignment & Suspension Specs: 2006-2010 Honda Civic
Built on a high-rigidity unit-body platform, the 2006-current Civic has a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. The 8th-generation Civic switched from a high mounted steering rack to a low mounted one and significantly increased caster. In the alignment bay, the 8th-generation Civic does not hold any surprises. But, it does require a sharp eye to spot potential problems.
Tech Feature: Eliminating the Con-‘Fusion’ of Servicing Ford’s Mid-Size Vehicles
Nestled into the marketing space between the Focus and the Taurus/Five Hundred is the Ford Fusion. The Fusion came with a choice of four-cylinder and six-cylinder Duratec powerplants. The inline four-cylinder Duratec 23 is a 2.3L 16-valve DOHC engine.
Tech Feature: Where Do You Start with Mercedes No-Start Diagnostics?
Hundreds of times a year, repair shops will get cars brought to them to repair a “No Start” fault. This article is going to discuss the process that it takes to make repairs when there are so many variables. Though this article will be focused on Mercedes-Benz, the steps can be used for any make or model.
Tech Tip: Top 10 Brake Questions and Answers
Chuck Kennedy, The Bendix Answerman, answers 10 of the most asked questions relating to brake service. Find out what causes pedal pulsation to occur shortly after a brake job has been completed, and if there is a way to quickly check for air in a base brake hydraulic system.