How Well Do You Know Your Driveshaft?

How Well Do You Know Your Driveshaft?

Sponsored By NGK Spark Plugs

Modern Cooling System Diagnostics: Pumps, Fans and Thermostats

Sponsored By Carter Fuel Systems

All modern engines need a specific air/fuel ratio for efficient operation. But the mixture of air and fuel must be at the correct temperature inside the combustion chamber. If a cylinder is too cold, it will require extra fuel. Conversely, if a cylinder is too hot, the fuel and air could combust prematurely or produce less power. Controlling the temperature is the responsibility of the water pump, thermostat and fans. In a 45-minute webinar, experts from Carter will cover how a cooling system regulates the temperature in the combustion chamber to achieve optimal combustion events.

Speakers Andrew Markel, Director of Technical Content, ShopOwner

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The June issue includes technical and management content and is free to download and read.

Unfortunately, big tires go hand-in-hand with something less enjoyable: Transmission failure.

Weak springs can affect both camber and caster, which may result in a steering pull, uneven tire wear and more.

Brake & Front End serves repair shops conducting a high volume of undercar repairs by providing application-specific technical information and solutions to address emerging trends in the undercar repair segment. By subscribing, you’ll receive the ShopOwner digital edition magazine (12 times/year) featuring articles from Brake & Front End and the Brake & Front End eNewsletter (twice weekly). Access to digital editions, contests, news, and more are ready for you today!

Brake & Front End serves repair shops conducting a high volume of undercar repairs by providing application-specific technical information and solutions to address emerging trends in the undercar repair segment. By subscribing, you’ll receive the ShopOwner digital edition magazine (12 times/year) featuring articles from Brake & Front End and the Brake & Front End eNewsletter (twice weekly). Access to digital editions, contests, news, and more are ready for you today!

ByBrake and Front End Staff on Feb 16, 2016

The first guest is 2020 Women at the Wheel honoree Georgianne Dickey, director of Marketing for NTN.

Don’t settle for “almost” - it matters where the engine is manufactured or remanufactured. Sponsored by ACDelco.

GM transmissions and transfer cases are unique to each individual vehicle. This video is sponsored by ACDelco.

Don’t settle for “almost” - it matters where the engine is manufactured or remanufactured. Sponsored by ACDelco.

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Once we were able to determine where the noise was coming from and how to duplicate it, it was time for the inspection. When the vehicle was on a service lift, we saw right away that the front suspension arm bushings were leaking their hydraulic fluid.

Just like any other typical day, a car will be brought to your shop by a husband, wife or friend who will tell you there is a noise they haven’t actually experienced, but the primary driver wants it “looked at”— translation: “fixed.”

We always want to speak to the person who has experienced the problem to get the first-hand story of the who, what, why, where and when. This gives us all the necessary information for the technician to have an accurate complaint from which to work.

As was the case with this particular car, a 2009 BMW 3 Series coupe (E93 chassis), there was a knocking noise in the front of the car during slow parking lot driving when the brakes were quickly applied. You know, like when you finally see that up-close parking space you’ve been driving around trying to find.

Once we were able to determine where the noise was coming from and how to duplicate it, it was time for the inspection. When the vehicle was on a service lift, we saw right away that the front suspension arm bushings were leaking their hydraulic fluid. See Photo 1 where the fluid is leaking out

Step one is deciding what to call the part. Some parts departments still call them control arms, while others refer to them as torque rods or thrust rods. The online BMW parts catalog we use calls these arms “tension struts” on one page and “radius rods” on another!

With so many names for the same part, you’ll want to make sure you identify the suspension parts correctly, based on who you call to order them.

These bushings need to be pressed in, so proper care is important here (See photos 2 and then 3; image courtesy of ALLDATA). Follow the work instructions, use the correct adapters, keep the area clean, and remember that the bushing placements are important! Do not deviate more than 5 degrees.

Also, be sure to perform a complete wheel alignment. That means checking and adjusting the front and rear. We see many cars come in, and the owners are being told they don’t need to perform a new alignment on the car if there is no visible tire wear (if you’re waiting to see tire wear, it’s too late to extend the tire life!). Every year, the alignment should be checked to be sure your customers are getting the best possible tire life, handling and fuel mileage.

When you think about the way technology has advanced on cars and trucks, do you think electronic controls, computers and networks? I know I always did. Then I started to look closer at some of the items we take for granted, such as suspension bushings.

It didn’t seem that long ago when all suspension bushings were a combination of steel or aluminum and good, old-fashioned rubber. The rubber prevented the various metal parts from direct contact. Over time, the rubber parts would wear out and crack, and we would replace them as needed.

It’s not uncommon for an older BMW with a bad rubber control arm bushing to experience a few inches of front wheel movement just as the vehicle comes to a stop with a pretty firm clunk.

The latest advancement in bushing design is hydraulic or oil-filled control arm bushings. Why such a change in a simple component, you ask? It’s in response to the consumers’ desire for smoother, quieter and better-handling cars. That means more sophisticated suspension components. (Full disclosure: the parts perform the same function, but have new names, like wishbone, tension strut and torque strut.) The control arm bushing is actually called a hydro bearing in the BMW catalog (because of its hydraulic damping mechanism).

It turns out these bushings are “tuned” to the suspension of the vehicle. They are designed with a certain tire and wheel combination, and are manufactured to isolate wheel body frequencies and vibrations from the vehicle.

This may explain why we see cars with custom (large) wheels and tires in need of suspension work more often.

Here are a few tips when dealing with original equipment hydraulic bushings.

ls are designed for steel control arms only. Some press work is needed here — a damaged arm must be replaced, and by damaged, I mean one with nicks and bumps.

Following these tips and best-practice procedures will ensure not only a quality job, but also a very satisfied customer.

Chassis:  Understanding Off-Road Shocks

Chassis:  Alignment Specs – Gen VI Mustang

Chassis:  Guideline To Visually Inspecting A Shock Or Strut

Chassis:  Why Replacing Control Arms and Bushings in Pairs is Necessary

Technical Resources for diagnosing and servicing undercar components