Solving Master Cylinder Warranty Issues
Although dealing with warranty complaints can be a touchy business, the position of strength for the counterman is to have good basic working knowledge of how and why brake components like master cylinders fail.
What are the advantages of a cross-drilled, vented rotor versus a stock vented rotor?
What are the advantages of a cross-drilled, vented rotor versus a stock vented rotor? I recently had a customer return a pair of stock rotors for his truck because “they just won’t stop it”. My common sense tells me that a cross-drilled rotor has less surface area for the brake pad to grab, therefore less stopping power. The only advantage I
could see with a cross-drilled rotor was the ability to dissipate heat more efficiently. The guy had some kind of 36-inch lift if that has anything to do with it.
Not All Pads Wear the Same
By Thomas Hall Brake pads are one of the few remaining accepted wear items in a modern vehicle. As a result, it represents a significant revenue opportunity for the service and distribution communities. Drivers would surely love to have brake pads last for life. Shop owners may have a different opinion. I’m sure that shop
The Best Recommendation
Don’t sell brake pads on price — tailor the sale to the customer’s driving style.
What Should You Know When Selling or Ordering Rotors?
By Andrew Markel, editor, Brake & Front End magazine It’s tough for a parts professional to know what they are getting when they buy a rotor. Factors such as brand, quality control and reputation among technicians should be considered when making a choice. If the technician or counterpro is only going on the price on
Excessive Rotor Runout Causes ABS light to
On Toyota Prius models from 2001-2007 if the rotors have excessive runout or thickness variation due to corrosion, it can cause hydraulic pulsations in the brake circuit. These irregularities can cause the pressure sensor to trigger trouble codes that indicate a hydraulic circuit malfunction. If any of the following four trouble codes are set,
Locked and Loaded
cludes just the hardware and no friction. This leaves the friction material selection up to the technician. Some people in the industry now refer to a caliper that is sold alone as “bare” or “naked.” Loaded calipers do provide a variety of benefits when doing brake jobs. Most brake suppliers have a loaded and
What is the Real Cost of a Cheap Brake Pad?
By Andrew Markel The brake repair market is starting to become dominated by a “good enough” mentality. Good enough to some is just being able to stop in a “reasonable” distance at normal driving and last for 10,000 miles. But, when asked to perform an emergency stop or a series of hard stops, the vehicle
ASE P2 Test Preparation Guide: Brake System
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
• Identify major brake system components
• Identify brake system component functions
• Identify related items
• Provide basic use, installation and warranty information
Friction Materials: Selling Premium vs. Standard Linings
When a customer asks for a box of brake pads or shoes for a vehicle, what do you recommend?
ASE Test Prep: Braking System
There will be three questions on the ASE P2 test that deal with the braking system, parts and products.
Brake Rotor Replacement: A Shop Owner’s Experience
NVH — noise, vibration and harshness — can spell trouble for any brake job. For your professional customers, finding the source of the problem can be a very frustrating experience.