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Showing posts from September, 2022

Give Your Brakes a Break!

Your brakes are without a doubt the most important safety feature on your vehicle . When they don't work, it puts lives in danger and your vehicle literally becomes a ticking time bomb. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were 6,159,000 auto accidents reported in 2005. Of these, 2.7 million resulted in personal injuries and 43,443 fatalities. Mechanical failures (like bad brakes) are a factor in an estimated 12% to 13% of all auto accidents according to several available sources. Many of those are due to bad brakes because of a lack of proper vehicle maintenance, something that could have been prevented . Properly functioning brakes take on the job of stopping your vehicle . When you step down on the brake pedal, your car transmits the force from your foot right to the brakes through a fluid - brake fluid . Of course, just your foot isn't enough to force to stop the vehicle, so your car multiplies the force t...

How Disc Brakes Work

 Without a braking system, motor vehicles would be impractical for us to use . They help us stop our cars, maintain traction in emergency situations , and if you brake while in a turn, they help with that too. But many people may not understand how they work or what it takes to stop a 2,000 + lb. vehicle. In the following paragraphs, I will describe the basic components of a brake system, how it works, and how you can improve your braking system. Although brake systems are highly engineered systems that are designed for safety and reliability, they are fairly easy to understand if you know what the components are. There are two main types of brakes found on cars and trucks ; disc brake systems and disc/drum brake combination systems. Older vehicles will have disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the back. Most modern vehicles have disc brakes on all four wheels, so I will be focusing primarily on that and will not cover drum brakes in this article. The typic...

Identifying Your Brake System Components: The First Step for Do-It-Yourself Brake Jobs

"Sir, everything went fine with your free tire balancing and rotation, but we checked your brakes and the brake pads and rotors need to be replaced ", said the service manager. Little did he know that I was already aware that it was time for brake maintenance. I replied, "Really? OK, thank you. I think I can handle it". He handed me my keys and I was on my way. Boy, did that feel good! Can you service your brakes? Of course you can. Dollar for dollar, performing your own brake service is one biggest money savers for the DIY mechanic . Your brakes aren't really that complicated and brake parts aren't terribly expensive . Its the labor at the mechanic's shop that gets you. Previously for me, I was a little bit intimidated by the prospect of a doing-it-myself brake job. I assumed that the process was difficult. I'd read about having to remove the caliper, squeezing the piston with a clamp, using a hammer to loosen seized parts, etc. I thought I...

Identifying Your Brake System Components: The First Step for Do-It-Yourself Brake Jobs

"Sir, everything went fine with your free tire balancing and rotation, but we checked your brakes and the brake pads and rotors need to be replaced ", said the service manager. Little did he know that I was already aware that it was time for brake maintenance. I replied, "Really? OK, thank you. I think I can handle it". He handed me my keys and I was on my way. Boy , did that feel good! Can you service your brakes ? Of course, you can. Dollar for dollar, performing your own brake service is one biggest money savers for the DIY mechanic . Your brakes aren't really that complicated and brake parts aren't terribly expensive. It's the labor at the mechanic's shop that gets you. Previously for me, I was a little bit intimidated by the prospect of a doing-it-myself break job. I assumed that the process was difficult. I'd read about having to remove the caliper, squeezing the piston with a clamp, using a hammer to loosen seized parts, etc. I...

Keeping Trucks On The Road And Out Of The Repair Shop

 Years ago there was a TV commercial in which an auto mechanic looked into the camera and said, "Pay me now, or pay me later ." The message was, that you can pay him to maintain your car now, or you can pay him a lot later to repair it. It was good advice then, and it's still good advice today--especially when it comes to maintaining a big rig. Sure, they're built tough. In fact, when it comes to an engine that's a real workhorse they're about as tough as they come . They can run for hundreds of thousands of miles and with incredible reliability-- if they're regularly and properly maintained . For all their strength and brute power, big rigs can be quite demanding . That is, they can be taken out of commission if they don't get the attention they need. That attention comes in the form of preventive maintenance. To keep that big rig on the road, preventive maintenance and a pre-trip checklist should become a ritual. Before turning a wheel, b...

Truck Air Suspensions: What You Need To Know Before You Buy

 If you're a serious towing enthusiast, you probably already know the reasons why you should add a truck air ride suspension system to your heavy-duty truck: a quality truck air suspension system helps by cushioning a bumpy ride, leveling your vehicle, reducing wheel hopping, limiting trailer bucking and adding stability during braking . And, an air ride suspension system helps you protect your investment in your heavy-duty truck by preventing the harsh wear and tear caused by heavy towing. But, before you decide to buy a product that can have such a significant impact on your truck, your trailer, and your load , there are several factors to take into consideration , including load capacity, manufacturing quality, ease of installation, adjustments to your vehicle, warranty, and much more. Here are a few tips for serious shoppers who are looking for optimum performance and value in a truck air suspension system. All Truck Air Suspensions are NOT Created Equal As you s...

Want to get Alignments | Toledospring.com

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  Searching for the finest place to get alignments? Toledospring.com is recognized for controlling your alignments and obtaining better wheel alignments. Our outstanding technician offers the best alignment service for your car at a reasonable fee. For more information, visit our site. alignments

5 Things To Look for In a Reliable Truck Repair Service

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  If you are on a truck, you know how important it is to keep it in good running order. While you can observe all maintenance tips to avoid problems, there are times when your truck may need repairs. You will want to take it to a reliable truck repair service when this happens. However, there are many truck repair services out there, and not all are created equal. The last thing you want is to take your truck to a service that will do more harm than good. So, how do you choose the right one? Here are some things to look for in a reliable truck repair service:   1.Reputation The first thing you should do is check the repair service's reputation. Are they well-known in the community? Do they have a good track record? You can ask around or look for online reviews to get an idea about the quality of their work. A good reputation often indicates that a service is reliable and works well. A  truck and trailer repair  company can only stay in business if it can ...