Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Here is the testimony of David Gilbert a professor of Automotive Technology at Southern Illinois on the Toyota unintended acceleration recall. His basic contention is that if the ECM is not able to detect a problem with the throttle how can it enter into a limp or safe mode. This is great reading, I have underlined the interesting parts if you are in a rush.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
On a trip recently to Federal Mogul's Moog's Engineering Center in St Louis, I spotted two matching vintage tool cabinets in their service bays. These Art Deco cabinets date to the 1950s and are very valuable.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
BRAKE & FRONT END is almost 80 years old, and it never stops evolving like the vehicles its readers have to service. In order to keep up with the times, BRAKE & FRONT END now has a Facebook fan page.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
This video from YouTube has all the elements of a great movie. First, it offends you and your choosen profession as a technician. Second, it amazes you by the shear number of beer bottles. Third, it makes you feel empathy for the technician and customer. You will laugh, you will cry, you will kiss two minutes of your life good bye.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
I know you can find hundreds of articles on BRAKE & FRONT END extolling the benefits of a clean shop with nice toilet paper in the bathroom. But the article from the Kalamazoo Gazette makes me smile, and reminds me that we have some of the most interesting people working at independent shops that are mechanics and not decorators.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
This cartoon comes from BasicInstructions.net and shows people how to talk to the person who fixes their car.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Corrosion related recalls for OEMs are starting to pile up, this year I have seen recalls for TPMS nuts, engine cradles and complete frames. Toyota has had yet another recall on its trucks due to corrosion on the underside of the vehicle.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Danny Barker of Barker Auto & Truck Service has been a mechanic for more than 40 years and has worked on cars his whole life. His local newspaper the State Journal of Frankfort Kentucky, did a great video and story as part of their Frankfort Faces series.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
This is from the September 1931 issue of BRAKE & FRONT END. It just proves that no matter how hard we try, some shops will cut corners to make an extra buck. It was true in 1931, and it is true today. In 1931, most friction materials came in large rolls and was cut to length and riveted or bonded to the shoe, molded linings were just starting to come on to the market. Some shops would cut the material so that it would cover only part of the shoe.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Most of the comments we receive are from shop owners and technicians. The comments are intelligent, insightful and helpful. But, sometimes we get the random consumer that finds their way onto our website. These people come to our website thinking that they will get free advice that will magically fix there car. Below are some of the gems we have received in just the past month. I have not edited there original comments and left them as is. Please, do not read if you are offended by bad grammar, spelling...