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.
Newest Topics
Monotube Shocks Fresno CA
Although twin-tube design shock absorber is more common, we're taking a closer look at the other style of shock, the monotube design. Read on for more details of monotube shocks.
Tech Tip: Steering Position and Yaw Fresno CA
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) program uses the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) to maintain vehicle stability in a cornering maneuver. The ESC program requires the communication between the Engine Control Module (ECM) and ABS controller. Continue reading for more information of this device.
Chassis Control Engineering & Application Fresno CA
The chassis can be either a frame and body or a uni-body. The construction of the chassis will locate the vehicle center of gravity or mass. The center of gravity or mass is one of the most important safety and performance factors in the design and construction of a vehicle.
Why Bearings Fail Fresno CA
Bearings are precision products that require complex manufacturing processes. Inferior bearings that use low-quality steel and have poor heat-treating can wear and spall prematurely. Also, the poor quality steel may have inclusions of hard or soft metal that can cause a premature failure
Replacing FWD Wheel Bearings Fresno CA
If the vehicle uses a prevailing torque hub nut, don't reuse the old hub nut on the axle. Install a new one and torque to specifications. It is nearly impossible to give a general torque specification for a locking nut. There can be large differences depending on bearing type and housing.
All Topics
A Brief History of the Steering Wheel & Power Steering Fresno CA
There are two types of conventional power steering systems. The first type uses a hydraulic cylinder attached to the drag link and the chassis. A control valve is attached to the end of the drag link replacing the tie rod end and the valve actuator is connected by a tapered shaft to the pitman arm.
Chassis Control Engineering & Application Fresno CA
The chassis can be either a frame and body or a uni-body. The construction of the chassis will locate the vehicle center of gravity or mass. The center of gravity or mass is one of the most important safety and performance factors in the design and construction of a vehicle.
Cleaning Bearings the Right Way Fresno CA
To begin the cleaning process, soak the bearings in a metal basket suspended in a clean container or tank holding a recommended solvent soaking the bearings overnight, if possible. If a basket is not available, suspend the bearings with a wire, or place them on a metal plate at the bottom of the container.
Collision-Related Alignments: It’s All in the Angles Fresno CA
When a vehicle is involved in an accident, extreme forces are placed upon the design characteristics of the structure, as well as all related and attached system components. This energy management of the collision forces is what began the need for technical training and the formation of I-CAR.
Electric Power Steering Fresno CA
When a technology like hydraulic power steering has been around for so long, it is difficult for technicians and even the training establishment to deal with a new system like electric power steering. These systems abandon fluid logic for electronic logic. It is not a simple exchange of power steering fluid for magnetism. Wrapping one's mind around these can be difficult and can require a diagnostic skill set that is not unlike those needed for anti-lock brake systems (ABS).
Improving Handling with Shock, Strut and Other Upgrades Fresno CA
Handling means different things to different types of drivers. To most people, a vehicle that handles well is stable and predictable. In other words, there are no surprises and the suspension meets the driver's expectations for normal everyday driving.
Monotube Shocks Fresno CA
Although twin-tube design shock absorber is more common, we're taking a closer look at the other style of shock, the monotube design. Read on for more details of monotube shocks.
Ready-To-Install Struts: Saving Time & Adding Profits Fresno CA
It should come as no shock that preassembled, ready-to-install struts have been a huge hit lately, not only with do-it-yourselfers, but even more so with professional technicians. The pros like them because they are much easier, faster and more profitable to install than ordinary struts. They don’t need a spring compressor to disassemble and reassemble the strut and they can get the customer back on the road much faster because of the time saved by not replacing the entire strut assembly.
Replacing FWD Wheel Bearings Fresno CA
If the vehicle uses a prevailing torque hub nut, don't reuse the old hub nut on the axle. Install a new one and torque to specifications. It is nearly impossible to give a general torque specification for a locking nut. There can be large differences depending on bearing type and housing.
Ride Control Repairs: Keeping Your Customers' Tires Glued to the Road Fresno CA
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. Spring rates have been refined to provide instant response to changes in chassis height.
Selling Services...Riding on Air - Or Not: Servicing Air Suspensions Fresno CA
Air springs and electronic ride controls provide a cushy, boulevard ride, but the ride doesn't last forever. All air suspensions share a common vulnerability: air leaks. And when a system can no longer hold air, it goes flat.
Selling Services: Handle Muscle-Car Horsepower with Complete Suspension Upgrade Packages Fresno CA
In the current import market, performance-modified vehicles known as sport compacts are finding themselves equally at home at local road courses and drag strips as they are on city streets. While the most popular hot-rod imports were originally designed to squeeze the last mile out of a drop of regular gasoline, these gasoline-miserly vehicles may now squeeze astoundingly high horsepower out of their small cubic-inch engine displacements.
Selling Services: Shock & Strut Replacement Fresno CA
bouncy ride may not even be noticed by the driver, as shock and strut wear is generally slow, happening over tens of thousands of miles of driving. However, a bouncy ride or a leak is not the only way a strut can fail.
Selling Services: Tools for Selling Ride Control Fresno CA
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. If possible, visual inspections should be performed before the testdrive. 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.
Steering Position and Yaw Fresno CA
The thrust angle is measured on the Z axis to align the axles to the chassis centerline, both parallel and perpendicular. Acceleration/deceleration is linear force generated on the Z-axis that can affect vehicle stability, if improperly aligned to the thrust angle. Cornering is defined by an engineer as a lateral acceleration that is a linear force generated on the X-axis of the vehicle.
Steering Position Sensors: Keeping on Track Fresno CA
On the Ford VAPS system, the control module ignores the steering inputs as long as the driver is making relatively slow steering motions (less than 90 degrees of rotation per second). But if the driver turns sharply or swerves, the control module reacts by reducing current to the cutout solenoid to increase assist.
Tech Feature: Steering Linkage Service Fresno CA
Worn ball-joint tie rod ends create another safety liability issue for shops. If the joint is worn to the point it won’t maintain an accurate toe-in angle, it should be replaced. If the joint is worn beyond existing factory specifications, it should also be replaced. In addition, it’s imperative to replace any joint that’s been repaired with epoxy injection kits or hardware that purportedly compensates for excessive wear.
Tech Tip: Drivetrain Noises and Wheel Bearing Replacement Fresno CA
One of the toughest challenges we face as import specialist techs is noise complaints. These aren’t necessarily difficult from the technical or nuts and bolts perspective as much as from the diagnostic process.
Tech Tip: Steering Position and Yaw Fresno CA
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) program uses the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) to maintain vehicle stability in a cornering maneuver. The ESC program requires the communication between the Engine Control Module (ECM) and ABS controller. Continue reading for more information of this device.
Understanding Seals Fresno CA
It has been a long drive to the lake. The driver carefully backs the trailer down the boat ramp. As the axles hit the water, the hot wheel bearing hubs hit the water. As the bearings' heat is quenched by the lake water on the outside of the hub, the rapidly contracting air and lubricants inside the hub create a vacuum. If this vacuum can not be held by the seals, the hub will suck in water and contaminates.
Why Bearings Fail Fresno CA
Bearings are precision products that require complex manufacturing processes. Inferior bearings that use low-quality steel and have poor heat-treating can wear and spall prematurely. Also, the poor quality steel may have inclusions of hard or soft metal that can cause a premature failure
