BMW E65-E66 Air Ride Diagnostics
For the BMW 7 Series E65/E66 manufactured between 2001-’08, engineers went with an innovative rear air ride system. The Dynamic Drive system that uses active anti-roll bars to keep the vehicle level was standard on these models. Some of these vehicles have optional Electronic Dampener Control (EDC) that tunes the compression and rebound of the dampener to the movement of the wheels and body for the best possible ride.
Mercedes-Benz AIRMATIC Suspensions
The Mercedes-Benz AIRMATIC suspension system was introduced in 1999 on the S-Class and has subsequently been used on the E-Class and most of the automaker’s SUVs. The system employs electronically controlled air springs that provide an ideal balance of ride comfort and handling.
Air Ride Replacement And Calibration
Air ride replacement is not always plug and play. Most of the time after an air ride component is replaced, a few extra steps might be required before the vehicle is completely repaired. I ran into one of these situations with a 2004 Jaguar XJ8.
Air Ride Dryer Diagnostics
The dryer on most air ride systems contains a moisture-absorbing desiccant, such as silica or specialized clay. All desiccants have a limited lifespan; they can absorb only a certain amount of water. Once the desiccant is saturated, the air coming into the system is no longer treated, and water can then accumulate in the system.
Top 10 Mercedes-Benz Repair Tips
With new vehicle sales topping 17.3 million units, and import nameplate VIO also on the rise, you’ll be seeing more imports in your shop that are in need of repair. And, with the increasing complexity and interconnectivity of vehicle systems, diagnostic expertise becomes all the more important. With that said, we bring you this collection of Mercedes-Benz repair tips to aid your service efforts.
Anti-Sway Bar Repair And Service
Anti-Sway Bar Technology Anti-sway bars (aka sway, stabilizer or anti-roll bars) never get the credit they deserve. If anti-sway bars were never invented, the ride and handling of vehicles would be a lot more harsh than it is today. That is because anti-sway bars act as a third spring controlling rolls stiffness of a vehicle. An anti-sway
A Look at Next Generation Import Start/Stop Systems
Although stop/start idle systems have been used on hybrid vehicles for many years, a growing number of non-hybrid late model import models are also being equipped with this fuel-saving technology. For 2015, almost every major automaker offers one or more models with stop/start idle control. Many experts predict that within the next two years, over
Air Lift Co. Marks 65th Anniversary With Company Expansion Plans
As Air Lift Co. marks its 65th year of business this year, the air suspension provider has announced the addition of a 40,000-square-foot addition to be built at the company’s Lansing, Mich., headquarters. The company says this new space represents a significant expansion of Air Lift’s manufacturing capacity. The company also recently added engineering support
Carnegie Mellon Takes Congress For Ride In Self-Driving Car
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has brought its autonomous vehicle to Washington, D.C., to enable Congress to experience the technology up close and personal. Following a successful demonstration of the Carnegie Mellon vehicle in September, which transported Bill Shuster, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, 33 miles to Pittsburgh International Airport, CMU will now
Ride Control Systems: Matching The Components To The Application
During the fall of 1989, when I was working as a mechanic for an off-road desert racing team, we raced the famous Mint 400 held in Las Vegas. By mid-race, our truck came into its pit stops with the shock absorbers so overheated that the polyurethane bushings were literally melting out of the shock mounts. Worse still, as the shock absorbers began to fail, so would the leaves in the truck’s leaf-spring suspension. Despite the suspension problems we experienced during the race, we were lucky enough to win our class. But the lessons I learned about the importance of matching the shock absorber to its application endure to this very day.