Slow or Sluggish Oxygen Sensors

Curing Shock, Strut and Suspension Noise

Slow or Sluggish Oxygen Sensors

Curing Shock, Strut and Suspension Noise

Why Good Bearings Go Bad, Why Smart Hubs Fail and Other Mysteries Solved!

An aftermarket vehicle is not the same as one that is fresh off the line. Older vehicles have tired, worn components, sagging suspensions and altered geometries. This webinar series addresses the aftermarket issues Technicians face every day, including avoiding plastic in key chassis components, adapting to the needs of EVs, finding fixes for OE faults and preventing costly repair mistakes. These webinars will help technicians make better choices for both the customer’s satisfaction and the shop’s bottom line.

Common oversights when servicing wheel bearings can often cause them to fail prematurely. Simple mistakes made before the hub assembly makes its first active rotation can determine how well it will perform in service and how long it will last.

If you want to avoid these common and simple errors, register now for our webinar. You will learn what you can do to avoid wheel bearing and hub assembly failure, including:

Speakers Victor Moreira, Technical Services Manager, Mevotech Mac Chastain, Product Specialist, Mevotech Brian Sexton, Automotive Technical Writer, Babcox Media

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

Don't be afraid to work on battery packs. However, you should be mindful of the potential damage high voltages can cause.

The secret to this job is building the total package that optimizes the chassis, springs and ride control components.

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!

Even the most mild-mannered driver may be extreme. This video is sponsored by The Group Training Academy.

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.

Click here  to view past issues.

Always start the axle nut by hand. This video is sponsored by GMB.

CC: Axle nut installation may seem like a no-brainer, but there are a few important things to keep in my mind when servicing an axle nut. First, no impact wrenches! This includes removal and installation. Manufacturers recommend loosening the axle nut manually with a breaker bar while the vehicle is still on the ground. Same goes for installation. Vehicles should be on the ground and the nut tightened using a torque wrench set to the manufacturers recommended torque specifications.Advertisement Second, look at the threads of the axle, inspect for threads that appear stretched out due to over tightening. Also, check to make sure that they have not been cross-threaded. Cross-threading is usually caused by the fastener being applied at an angle to the proper position and being forced onto the bolt. The threads are likely to be mangled, damaged and not able to provide the rated strength. The damage should be obvious, and replacement of the axle may be required. The threads should be cleaned before installing the nut and no oil or anti-seize should be applied. These products act as a lubricant and can cause the torque applied to the nut to change by as much as 25% creating an over-tightened condition.AdvertisementIf you are replacing a hub bearing, you may get a new axle nut included with it. It is important to use this new axle nut. While some may have a cotter pin thru the axle to ensure the nut does not back off, others are “staked” to the axle after final tightening and are considered a one-time use. An axle nut that has been staked to an axle should never be re-used. Remember to stake the new nut after the final torque of the nut has been achieved using a chisel and a hammer. Lastly, always start the axle nut by hand. As I mentioned before, impact wrenches are not recommended especially when threading on an axle nut to the axle. Tightening the nut with a ratchet is recommended before lowering the vehicle on the ground and properly torquing the nut to the recommended specifications. Always use the manufacturers torque specifications as they can widely vary from model to model. There is not a close-enough torque setting that can be used for all vehicles.Advertisement This video is sponsored by GMB.

Second, look at the threads of the axle, inspect for threads that appear stretched out due to over tightening. Also, check to make sure that they have not been cross-threaded. Cross-threading is usually caused by the fastener being applied at an angle to the proper position and being forced onto the bolt. The threads are likely to be mangled, damaged and not able to provide the rated strength. The damage should be obvious, and replacement of the axle may be required. The threads should be cleaned before installing the nut and no oil or anti-seize should be applied. These products act as a lubricant and can cause the torque applied to the nut to change by as much as 25% creating an over-tightened condition.

If you are replacing a hub bearing, you may get a new axle nut included with it. It is important to use this new axle nut. While some may have a cotter pin thru the axle to ensure the nut does not back off, others are “staked” to the axle after final tightening and are considered a one-time use. An axle nut that has been staked to an axle should never be re-used. Remember to stake the new nut after the final torque of the nut has been achieved using a chisel and a hammer.

Lastly, always start the axle nut by hand. As I mentioned before, impact wrenches are not recommended especially when threading on an axle nut to the axle. Tightening the nut with a ratchet is recommended before lowering the vehicle on the ground and properly torquing the nut to the recommended specifications. Always use the manufacturers torque specifications as they can widely vary from model to model. There is not a close-enough torque setting that can be used for all vehicles.

This video is sponsored by GMB.

AMN Drivetime Video:  Tom Taylor – Rock Auto’s Online Approach To Parts Needs

Video:  Fuel Pump Replacement Prep (VIDEO)

Video:  Returnless Fuel Systems (VIDEO)

Auto Pros on the Road:  Auto Pros Visit Quarter Mile Muscle, Mooresville, NC

Technical Resources for diagnosing and servicing undercar components