The chassis is the framework of your car and includes some of the most vital parts, like the steering, suspension, engine and transmission. Make sure you keep your chassis in good shape so that you can keep your car for years to come.
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Shock Removal Tip Denver CO
Removing some shocks on some vehicles can be difficult. Often, on some rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the nut is seized to the stud so that turning the nut to remove it simply rotates the entire shaft of the shock. These will usually come off with repeated blasts of an impact wrench. If it's too tight for that, try this. Place the correct size deep socket over the stud and onto the nut. Insert a long extension into the socket.
CrossOver SUVs: Rear Suspension Dynamics Denver CO
A vehicle's weight, center of gravity, height and dimensions will influence the amount of weight transfer. The amount of weight transferred equals the vehicle's weight times the center of gravity height, times the lateral or fore-and-aft force coefficient (expressed in g force), all divided by the track or wheelbase dimension expressed in inches.
Tech Tip: Front Suspension Noise on Bumpy Roads Denver CO
To reduce the noise, Kia has redesigned the strut mount with a modified rubber composition to improve the overall sound dampening in the affected speed range. However, all other suspension components should be checked for performance prior to installing these replacement strut mounts. Concerns with worn out struts and/or rubber mounting components should be addressed before installing these revised mounts.
Gabriel Ride Control Products' MaxControl Monotube Shock Absorber Denver CO
The MaxControl monotube shock for light-trucks and SUVs is based on a 46 mm bore size for a quick response to bumps and other road imperfections providing the smoothest ride possible. Single tube design and the new multi-stage sealing work to minimize operating temperatures and contamination for longer-lasting performance. Gabriel’s floating piston technology and high-pressure nitrogen charging offers improved handling and performance over conventional twin-tube shocks.
Tech Tip: Cartridge Wheel Bearing Replacement Denver CO
When faced with any noise complaints, take the time to test-drive the car with the customer, if that’s possible. This step not only allows you to confirm the noise you’re chasing, but it also gives you the opportunity to point out any other issues that the customer hasn’t noticed. You may hear the familiar knocking sound of loose sway bar links or bushings that the customer will be glad to have repaired once you point out it isn’t too expensive of a problem to fix.
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15 Ride Control Tips Denver CO
Here are some tips for car brake repairs. If you want to do a better job in car brake repairs, this article will absolutely help you a lot.
Air Springs and Suspensions Denver CO
There are significant differences between a coiled steel spring and an air spring. Engineers use the term "hysteresis" to describe it. Hysteresis is the loss of mechanical energy that occurs as a spring is cycled from loaded and unloaded and is proportional to the amount of deflection. The rubber products that make up the air spring do not react with the same speed as the steel coil spring. This makes the air spring slower to return to its uncompressed state.
Alignment Update, Expensive Parking Denver CO
It is a misconception that the number of bays determines success. Instead, it is the number of vehicles a bay can service in a day and the profitability of the repair order that often determines success.
Ball Joints & Bushings: Worn Components Take Their Toll on Advanced Suspension Technologies Denver CO
Since worn ball joints and suspension bushings won't hold the steering or suspension in the proper alignment, the effect will be worn tires and a general loss of handling qualities. Whatever the case, today's complex import suspension systems aren't tolerant of excessive wear because a worn bushing or ball joint can result in an annoying suspension knock, loss of steering centering or a deviation in driveline thrust angle.
Can You Lift It? Denver CO
There are only few mistakes you can make while using a lift for car repair. What you don't know can hurt you if you are using or even buying a lift.
CrossOver SUVs: Rear Suspension Dynamics Denver CO
A vehicle's weight, center of gravity, height and dimensions will influence the amount of weight transfer. The amount of weight transferred equals the vehicle's weight times the center of gravity height, times the lateral or fore-and-aft force coefficient (expressed in g force), all divided by the track or wheelbase dimension expressed in inches.
Driveshaft Service Denver CO
Driveshafts on most rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles are very durable. Most late-model driveshafts are not serviceable and do not have any lubrication points. But, this does not mean that they can't wear, or even fail.
Gabriel Ride Control Products' MaxControl Monotube Shock Absorber Denver CO
The MaxControl monotube shock for light-trucks and SUVs is based on a 46 mm bore size for a quick response to bumps and other road imperfections providing the smoothest ride possible. Single tube design and the new multi-stage sealing work to minimize operating temperatures and contamination for longer-lasting performance. Gabriel’s floating piston technology and high-pressure nitrogen charging offers improved handling and performance over conventional twin-tube shocks.
GM Tech Tip: Rear Independent Suspension for AWD Vehicles Out of Alignment Denver CO
Drivers of some General Motors vehicles with independent rear suspensions and All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) may complain of excessive rear tire wear, clunking noises and possible instability. Technicians may also notice excessive negative camber of more than 3.5 degrees and toe-out conditions that cannot be corrected with normal adjustments.
Honda Suspension System Diagnosis and Service Denver CO
The most common symptom that will prompt customers to bring in their Hondas for suspension work will be noise. It could be described as anything from a groaning or squeaking to a knocking or rattling. Groaning is usually caused by a tight ball joint or tie-rod end. Diagnosis shouldn't be a problem. Using your mechanic's stethoscope, with an assistant pushing on the car, it should be easy to find the offending part.
Honda Tech Tip: Retorquing Damper Shaft Nut Can Eliminate Front Suspension Knock Denver CO
Some owners of Honda Civics may complain of a knocking coming from the front suspension while driving over a bumpy road. This may be caused by the damper shaft nut not being tight enough. To correct the problem, loosen and retorque the damper shaft nut to the appropriate torque specification.
Installation Errors Increase Risk of Power Steering Pump Returns Denver CO
When an original equipment power steering pump wears out or fails, it may contaminate the fluid with metallic debris. If the power steering system is not flushed out to remove all of the old, dirty fluid, any debris or dirt that remains in the system, it will likely cause a problem sooner or later.
Monotube Shocks Denver CO
In a monotube shock, there is no outer fluid reservoir. All the fluid remains in the piston chamber and a floating piston separates the fluid from a high pressure gas charge. For details of monotube shocks, read on.
Nivomat Shock Absorbers: Self-Leveling Monotube Ride Control Units Denver CO
The Nivomat Shock Absorber is a self-leveling monotube shock absorber developed by Sachs. Nivomat is a contraction of two French words, niveau and automatique. When translated to English, it would be level automatic or automatic level.
Power Steering Repair Denver CO
A young technician there are a lot of things that can go wrong with a rack and pinion steering gear. The steering wheel vibrates at speeds above 45 miles per hour; the steering wheel doesn't return to center after a turn; the wheels shimmy when the vehicle hits a bump; no power assist; and it LEAKS. Read on for more detailed information in the following article.
Rancho's Max Travel Shocks Built Specifically for Torsion Bar Leveling Kits Denver CO
Rancho Suspension – a leader in suspension and shock technologies for trucks, SUVs and other vehicles – has announced nine new maximum travel shocks, built specifically for use with torsion bar leveling kits.
Ride Control Repairs: Keeping Your Customers’ Tires Glued to the Road Denver CO
The basic idea behind any performance suspension system is to keep the tire in contact with the road surface. Like the modern import vehicle, the unsprung weight of the wheel, brake and axle of a modern racing vehicle has been reduced to a minimum.
Selling Services: Selling the Scope to Your Customer Denver CO
While replacing a blown head gasket and re-torquing the head bolts, you would reach for your torque wrench and accurately follow the manufacturer recommendations for torque patterns and values. To guarantee a quality repair, an accurate torque wrench is mandatory - one that has been calibrated. Read on to know more about this topic.
Selling Services: The 10 Commandments for Selling Shocks & Struts Denver CO
The first step in selling ride control is the inspection process. A visual inspection of the shocks and struts can tell you a lot about the state of the ride control units. This is a chance to make sure the vehicle is road-worthy before you put your own life at risk. Also, always make sure that there is enough gas in the tank.
Selling Shocks & Struts: Selling More Ride Control Denver CO
The first step in selling ride control is the inspection process. A visual inspection of the shocks and struts can tell you a lot about the state of the ride control units and provides the opportunity to make sure the vehicle is road-worthy before you put your own life at risk.
Shock Removal Tip Denver CO
Removing some shocks on some vehicles can be difficult. Often, on some rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the nut is seized to the stud so that turning the nut to remove it simply rotates the entire shaft of the shock. These will usually come off with repeated blasts of an impact wrench. If it's too tight for that, try this. Place the correct size deep socket over the stud and onto the nut. Insert a long extension into the socket.
Suspension Vibration Diagnosis Denver CO
There's no such thing as good vibrations or noise when it comes to a customer's vehicle. Vibrations are annoying and may be a warning signal that something is amiss. So don't ignore such symptoms. Investigate any unusual noises or vibrations immediately to determine the cause.
Tech Feature: Servicing Worn Wheel Bearings Denver CO
Bearings are very sensitive to hits and bumps. If the bearing or the seal in some way is damaged, it will lead to a reduced lifetime. A clean environment is very important when changing bearings. Particles entering the bearing will also reduce the lifetime of the bearing.
Tech Q&A: Shock and Strut FAQs Denver CO
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about shock and strut problems will help you solve those problems. Read on to know more.
Tech Tip: Cartridge Wheel Bearing Replacement Denver CO
When faced with any noise complaints, take the time to test-drive the car with the customer, if that’s possible. This step not only allows you to confirm the noise you’re chasing, but it also gives you the opportunity to point out any other issues that the customer hasn’t noticed. You may hear the familiar knocking sound of loose sway bar links or bushings that the customer will be glad to have repaired once you point out it isn’t too expensive of a problem to fix.
Tech Tip: Expedition Needs a Lift Denver CO
Some Ford Expedition and 1998-2002 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with four-wheel air suspension, may exhibit repeat air compressor drier failures. The drier cap may become detached from the drier body, or the drier body may be broken at the neck near the compressor head.
Tech Tip: Front Suspension Noise on Bumpy Roads Denver CO
To reduce the noise, Kia has redesigned the strut mount with a modified rubber composition to improve the overall sound dampening in the affected speed range. However, all other suspension components should be checked for performance prior to installing these replacement strut mounts. Concerns with worn out struts and/or rubber mounting components should be addressed before installing these revised mounts.
Tech Tip: Rodeo Steering Wheel Vibration, Shimmy or Nibble Denver CO
Body vibration that is transmitted through the No. 1 body mounts (located behind the front bumper), due to insufficient isolation clearance at the upper-half of those body mounts. Steering feedback from insufficient dampening which is transmitted from the steering rack assembly to the steering column.
Tech Tip: Strut Installation Issues Denver CO
Separate the rubber insulator from the underside of the mount and then put the insulator back onto the spring so that the insulator matches the spring position. Align the mark on the mount to the notch in the strut or steering knuckle bracket.
Thrust Angle Denver CO
The thrust angle can determine the straight-ahead position of the front wheels. So ignoring this angle can undermine even the most accurately aligned front suspension. It can result in a crooked steering wheel as the front wheels steer to align themselves with the front wheels.
Why Do Automotive Ball Joints, Tie Rods and Suspension Links Wear Out? Denver CO
Ball joints can be broken down into the load-bearing and non-load (follower) bearing categories. A load-bearing ball joint is designed to support the weight of the vehicle while providing a hinge point for the steering system. Most load-bearing ball joints are designed to cancel the effects of normal wear by centering themselves in their own sockets.
