A checkup on pads and shoes, rotors and P

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A background and tech tips

Every year, 10% to 20% of people who contract tetanus will die. Auto repair is risky business. Make sure your booster is up-to-date.

Occasionally, we could use a booster when it comes to doing routine repairs like brake jobs. Let’s review brake system basics of pads and shoes, rotors and drums, and hydraulics.

Pads and shoes

Brakes simply turn the kinetic energy of a Some rotors feature a corrosion-resistant coating on the hubs, moving vehicle into heat which reduces the chance of dissimilar-metal corrosion when an alloy wheel is mounted to a steel hub face. A thin coating of energy as they stop the high-temp anti-sieze should still be applied on the hub face. vehicle. That heat energy frst is transferred to the rotors or drums Ceramic brakes were a mixture of porceand then is subsequently dissipated into lain and clay with copper fakes mixed in. the air. Fins between the rotor halves or on However, copper is being phased out due the outside of drums help with dissipation. to water pollution issues. On the plus side,

Friction materials have come a long way ceramics are quiet, offer good stopping, and since the wood or leather block. (See the fade and wear resistance. They also transJanuary/February 2015 issue of Auto Service fer much of their material to the rotors. Professional.) The down side is that the friction material

Today’s brake linings run the gamut from may appear to be a rotor problem if it is semi-organic to semi-metallic to ceramic to not transferred evenly due to rotor run-out. various sophisticated blends. Before trashing the rotor, try your on-car

Motorists want good feel and no noise brake lathe. from their brakes. Long ago, asbestos was When in doubt, use the type of pads and the go-to friction material. It provided shoes that originally came with the vehicle. excellent stopping power, pedal feel and That does not mean that you’re forced to long life while being virtually noiseless. use OE brand friction material, only that

Today, we have several options. the same type of pad is installed (semi-met,

Non-metallic pads and shoes are typically ceramic, etc.). a combination of synthetic materials that When replacing disc brake pads, do not are easy on the rotors and drums, provide push the pistons back into the caliper bores good stopping power and pedal feel. The without frst opening the bleeder valves. down side is that they wear rather quickly Unless they are opened, any crud in the and usually leave lots of dust behind. caliper will get pushed back into the brakes

Semi-metallic pads and shoes combine lines. By opening the bleeders, some of the the synthetic materials with a measure of crud will be expelled. powdered or faked metal. On the plus side, Most motorists ignore their brakes until they are long-lasting and resist fade. On the they get some kind of warning, whether negative side, they cause increased wear of that involves inadequate braking, uneven the rotors and drums and require more force braking or squeal or grinding noise. Inspect to stop the vehicle. the brakes routinely when the customer

brings the vehicle in for service. If the linto use all of the lug nuts to hold them in ings are getting thin, make a notation on place, not just a few. It can affect your the customer’s receipt to plant the seed for reading. Always refer to the automaker’s service soon. run-out tolerance specifcations, but

Warnings may come in the form or noise, in general, run-out should be less than such as the metal tabs the GM has used for 0.002-inches. years to scrape the rotor when the linIf the rotor is not secured frmly, wobble ings get thin. Of course, vehicles that are from uneven clamping might cause a false not equipped with these sensors will make reading. noise when metal contacts metal. At this You may be lucky enough to true up point, new rotors are probably in order. the rotors with an on-the-car brake lathe.

Some vehicles have electrical warnings However, today’s rotors are so thin that that illuminate an icon on the instrument any machining may put them over the panel when an embedded sensor on the pad discard limit. If you have to replace one, makes contact with the rotor completing it is good insurance against a comeback to the ground. When replacing pads, make sure replace both rotors. The Motorist Assurance that the new pads feature these sensors. Program (MAP) states that when replacing

As to a visual inspection, new pads or or reconditioning a rotor you may suggest shoes are called for when the gap between reconditioning or replacing the other rotor the backing hardware and the rotor or drum on the same axle to eliminate uneven braksurface is thin and nearly gone. ing behavior. If you discover lateral run-out beyond Rotors and drums 0.002 inches, try repositioning the rotor

Even if the owner has not allowed the pads to wear completely down, his rotors can be damaged by uneven lug nut torque. It can happen when he changes a fat. It can happen when new tires are installed by a careless technician who does not use a torque wrench or, at least, a torque stick.

Unless rotor warp is extreme, it won’t be visible to the naked eye. Use a micrometer to check thickness and thickness variation, and a dial indicator to check run-out. One such condition is a tapered rotor. This is when the inner part of the swept area is thinner than the outer part. Examine the pads for clues of tapering. If new pads are installed on a dished rotor, the pedal will be spongy.

When checking the condiVent slots need to be clean and free of rust scale and other tion of the rotors, be sure debris. This inspection is often overlooked.

Note the rust scale that has built up in this Ford truck’s rotor vents. This greatly reduces the rotor’s ability to dissipate heat and can lead to disc warping.

a couple times. If that does not solve the problem, the best solution may be a shim placed between the rotor and hub. Install the rotor to the hub and secure (if the rotor is independent of the hub, you’ll need to temporarily install all lug nuts to ensure a fat mating against the hub). Tighten lug nuts evenly in a crisscross pattern to a value very close to the specifed wheel nut torque value. For example, if the spec calls for 90 ft.-lbs., tightening to 75 ft.-lbs. should be suffcient. Use a torque wrench by hand. Avoid the use of a power tool.

Mount a dial indicator base to a solid, stationary location that won’t allow the gauge to move/wiggle, and position the indicator plunger onto the rotor friction surface, about one inch inboard of the disc outer edge. Make sure that the indicator plunger is 90 degrees to the disc surface. Preload the dial indicator by about 0.050-inch, and then zero the indicator gauge. Slowly rotate the rotor by hand and watch your dial indicator for the high and low spots. Note how much run-out is indicated and mark the high spot. Select a shim that will eliminate the run-out.

Keep in mind that a new rotor may not solve the run-out problem. The hub may be the issue so recheck the run-out when you install a new rotor just in case.

It should go without saying that you should inspect the rotors for physical problems such as cracks, deep scoring, hot spots and excessive rust buildup.

Before installing new rotors, clean them thoroughly remove any grease, oil or metal particles. Aerosol products are fne, but better yet, wash the rotors with soap and hot water. Dawn dish washing liquid is often used to clean waterfowl after an oil spill. If it can clean ducks, geese and swans, it can clean Dodges, GMCs and Subarus.

If you are able to reuse the old rotors, clean them up. Knock off all of the loose dirt, rust and scale. Loose rust scale at

required to replace or rebuild calipers in axle sets. However, when replacing or rebuilding a caliper... you may suggest servicing, rebuilding, or replacement of the other caliper (on the same axle) for improved performance and preventive maintenance (for example, the part is close to the end of its useful life, replacing the caliper may extend pad life, or contribute to more balanced braking). When installing loaded calipers, it is required that friction material be matched in axle sets for consistent braking characteristics.”

Hydraulics As a rule of thumb, replacement pads should be of the same type/ Brake fuid eventuformula as specifed by the automaker as original equipment. ally wears out and becomes contaminated the outer edge can break loose, lodging by moisture absorbed from the atmosphere, between the pads and rotors. This not only which also lowers the fuid’s boiling point. makes an awful noise, but can score both The corrosion inhibitors’ reserve alkalinthe rotor and pad(s). ity degrades leaving the system vulnerable

While you should always replace caliper to corrosion. That can pit the bores of the and pad hardware, if you decide to salvage master cylinder, calipers, wheel cylinders, the original hardware, at least make sure and ABS components. that all pieces are clean. Caliper sliding Some carmakers, particularly European pins must be removed, cleaned and remanufacturers, recommend fushing the lubed. Prior to installing the caliper, the brake system every two years or 24,000 piston(s) must be pushed back into their miles. If your customer’s owner’s manual bores to provide clearance for the new does not prescribe routine brake fuid fushand thicker pads. Use a dedicated caliper ing, check the condition of the fuid using piston compressor tool to smoothly push test strips. the piston(s). If the caliper piston(s) did The test strips indicate the amount of not move smoothly when pushed back into copper in the fuid. Most brake lines are their bores, replace the caliper. Considering steel, but the interior may be coated with the time required to rebuild a caliper, it’s copper. As the reserve corrosion inhibitors quicker and usually cheaper (labor-wise) to in the fuid drop, copper enters the fuid. simply replace the caliper with either a new Before long, corrosion can develop in the or reman unit. caliper bores and wheel cylinders. Even

According to the MAP: “You are not worse, it can occur in the ABS components

leading to very expensive repairs. Test strips reveal high levels of copper in the fuid.

The brake lines may develop leaks when the corrosion inhibitors are depleted — especially in the Snow Belt or near the coast from salt spray. Use only double wall steel brake lines that meet Department of Transportation (DOT), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. A leak anywhere means the entire line is compromised.

Inspect the lines for corrosion that could become a potential leak. Pay special attention to areas where the lines are clamped or where water could collect. Check the brake hoses for cracks and dry rot. If one of the brakes drags or will not release, the inner wall of the hose may have separated and imploded, creating, in essence, an internal check valve that won’t allow fuid to return to the master cylinder. A good clue to this problem is a squirt of fuid from the bleeder despite the brakes not being applied. If one hose has age-failed, chances are good that the hose on the opposite side of the axle is in the same condition. It’s best to replace both.

Incidentally, if you are trying to isolate the cause of brake pull, never clamp those hoses

with vise grips as you can damage the interior wall of the hose. There are safe hose “hemostats” for this job.

Never splice brake lines using compression fttings. Pre-bent lines are readily available for nearly all vehicles. They beat bending your own by saving time and aggravation. Most older vehicle applications are readily available from specialty brake line sources. These specialty manufacturers usually offer a choice of either steel or stainless steel. Stainless tubing Check for adequate vacuum at the hose after disconis a popular choice for restoranecting from the check valve. Be sure the hose is routed such that moisture cannot accumulate in a low spot. tions, and while more costly than steel, the price difference can be surprisingly aeration if the brake pedal is pumped/ affordable. pulsed quickly. However, silicone fuid is

While you are under the car inspecting often popular among restoration fanatics the brake lines, inspect the parking brake simply because if spilled, it won’t damage a cables and equalizer. Do the cables move painted surface. freely? Many people who have cars with automatic transmissions fail to use their Boosters parking brakes regularly. This can lead to Vacuum operated brake boosters have corrosion and frozen cables. If you cannot been around for decades and are seldom clean and lube them, replace the cables. a source of trouble. Low vacuum due to a

Bleeding and reflling the brake system is leak is the most common problem. On old not enough. It can, in fact, be detrimental cars, or cars ftted with high-performance as sludge could be displaced from places engines, low vacuum can be an issue. You such as the bottom of the caliper bore and should read at least 16 inches of vacuum on lodge somewhere else. Machine fushing is your gauge. If not, you may want to conthe quickest and most effective method. It sider adding an auxiliary vacuum pump. also minimizes the potential to get air in Hissing from the booster housing can the system. come from an internal leak. If the customer

Consult the vehicle maker’s specifcations for the vehicle’s brake fuid type and service recommendation. This is most often DOT 3 and occasionally DOT 4. But some European vehicles use mineral oil, so pay attention to specifcations to avoid cross contamination. Adding mineral oil in a system that requires glycol based fuid will likely ruin the rubber components.

Glycol brake fuid absorbs moisture and can damage paint. Use

With all of the lug nuts in place, use your dial indicator caution when handling brake fuid. to check for lateral run-out as you rotate the rotor by Silicone brake fuid is not recomhand. A rule of thumb limit is 0.002 inches, but check mended due to the potential for the vehicle maker’s recommended tolerance.

complains of a hard pedal when frst starting out, there could be a leak or the check valve could be faulty.

If the vehicle lacks brake boost in freezing temperatures, but eventually returns to normal after warm-up, suspect an ice plug in the vacuum line. Re-route the line to prevent a low spot trap for water.

But wait, there’s more

When you plan to re-install the original brake rotors, it’s always a good idea to place matchmarks before removing the rotor, so that the rotor can be reinstalled in the same location relative to the hub. Any problems with the hub or build-ups of rust can be amplifed if the rotor is reinstalled in the wrong clock position.

Proper wheel fastener torque value is essential. Follow the manufacturer’s torque specifcations and tightening sequence. That is typically the star pattern on fvelug wheels and crisscross on four- and six-lug wheels. Make sure that all male and female threads are clean and free of

After removing the caliper, support it with a wire. Do not allow it to hang by its brake hose. burrs, but do not lubricate threads unless specifed by the vehicle manufacturer as this can lead to over-tightening. Avoid the temptation to use an impact tool, but if you insist on using one, use torque sticks of the proper rating. Ideally, you should always use a calibrated torque wrench. Over-tightening and uneven tightening are prime causes of rotor warpage and resulting

The minimum thickness spec has a built-in allowance for wear during use, but discard it when the thickness is below the minimum. pedal oscillation after a brake job.

Finally, take the vehicle for a drive and burnish the new brakes. It is important to transfer some friction material to the rotors or drums for best braking performance. If you neglect this step, your customer may complain that the new brakes do not work as well as the old ones. Some pad makers claim that burnishing or “pad bedding” is no longer necessary, but it never hurts.

Two methods are acceptable. The frst method is to make at least 20 complete stops from 20 mph allowing the brakes to cool for 30 seconds between stops. The second method is to make 20 applications bringing the car from 50 mph to 20 mph using moderate pedal pressure. Again, allow the brakes to cool between slow-downs.

Do not make hard stops with new pads, as you could damage the brake linings due to glazing. Depending on the specifc pads and vehicle application, even after burnishing, it may take over 100 more stops to realize peak braking performance.

High quality, professional brake jobs are the prescription for boosting your bottom line. ●

Avoid damage by using the proper brake hose clamp tools, not vise grips.

Midtronics’ DSS-7000 battery analyzer

A very sophisticated diagnostic tool

By Mike Mavrigian

If you’re thinking that the world doesn’t need another battery tester, you haven’t seen Midtronics’ DSS-7000. Comparing this tool to a good/bad tester or a multimeter is like comparing the space shuttle to a child’s kite. Rather than merely reading battery voltage, this tool does just about everything imaginable for diagnosing the battery, charging and starting system short of turning a wrench for you. As soon as you pick up this tool, it becomes obvious that this is a serious and hefty piece of The Midtronics DSS-7000 with a built-in camera is a serious professional equipment. professional level battery/starting/charging system tester.

The analyzer uses Android function-specifc applications accessed VIN scanner through a series of menus and icons to The display unit acts like a tablet, and guide you through the battery testing, even features a built-in camera that can be starting and charging system testing proused to scan a vehicle’s VIN code in order cess via a touch screen. Test results can be to establish that vehicle’s service data for displayed, or wirelessly printed or emailed. your shop and to refer to the service history The modular design allows you to slip the of a scanned vehicle. Select VIN scan and display screen out of the main body to aim the camera at the VIN bar code at the be used wirelessly, leaving the main body base of the windshield. The screen shows positioned over the battery (to maintain a a camera viewing window, prompting you constant battery temperature reading via a to center the VIN barcode (you’ll see a red thermal sensor on the top rear of the main horizontal line to use as a guide). housing). This allows you to walk anywhere You don’t need to press anything, as the within 10 yards of the vehicle while perunit automatically scans the VIN while forming checks and tests. displaying the image on the screen. The

unit then records and displays that vehicle’s identifcation information (year, make, model, engine size, options, etc.). You also have the option of inputting the VIN manually by typing it in, or retrieving it wirelessly via the DLC connector (the screen gives you these three choices). Examples of available tests

1. Alternator voltage output at idle and at 2,000-3,000 rpm 2. Alternator diode tests 3. Voltage regulator tests 4. Starter voltage 5. Battery condition 6. Battery temperature 7. Vehicle history 8. Battery voltage 9. Multimeter capabilities

A “Stock Management” function allows you to schedule regular testing of batteries in inventory to identify any that need charging and to ensure that all batteries in stock are ready for sale.

A “Messages” function displays alerts and notifcations for upcoming tests. This includes scheduled testing as well as tool software updates.

The “History” function accesses the tool’s usage history (record of logged-in user totals, test totals, test types, number of tests performed in and out of vehicle) and vehicle history based on VIN (number and type of tests per vehicle).

The more we played with the DSS-7000, the more capabilities we discovered. At every touch of the screen, I could hear my guys in the shop repeatedly saying “cool,” or “ooh” or “holy c**p.”

As long as you have a WiFi connection, you can email results and send data to a printer. The breadth of capabilities was astounding.

Once you become accustomed to the operation, the unit walks you through every procedure that you select. LCD or LED screens are diffcult to photograph, but in real life, the display screen is nice and bright and sharp, and easy to read in bright or low shop light. The DSS-7000’s features

A handy amp clamp is available from Midtronics that captures the negative battery cable.

A data link module plugs into the vehicle’s OBD port. The unit pivots to allow access to the DLC port for various port locations. Pivoting clears any underdash obstructions.

The unit can be used in assembled form, or by pressing the center unlock button, the screen display can be removed and used remotely as a wireless “tablet.”

The wireless screen display easily slips out or snaps back into the main unit.

The home screen opens with a selection of fve icons, including testing a carry-in battery return, testing an in-vehicle battery return, Pre Sale (for checking condition of in-stock batteries) and tests for battery replacement.

Functions allow you to easily select the vehicle by the year, make and model.

Scrolling graphics illustrate battery location and more, specifc to the vehicle being tested.

Battery testing reveals battery condition, recommending replacement when needed. are so extensive that we simply don’t have the space here to detail all of them.

Using the analyzer

Press the power button on the left side of the lower face.

1. Select language. Tap the highlighted are of the screen and tap to advance to the next screen. 2. Use the keyboard to crate a user name and password. Tap Continue to advance. 3. Select the shop preferences defaults. Tap to advance. 4. Select the available connected accessories, linked diagnostic devices and linked

CVG-2 devices. Tap Continue to advance. 5. Select a default WiFi network. The analyzer scans for a detectable WiFi network and displays this on the screen. If the desired network is not displayed, tap

Add WiFi Network to enter the information manually. Tap Continue to advance.

If Add WiFi was selected, tap the button next to the desired network and tap

Next. Tap Manual Setup to manually enter the network SSID, Security and IP settings. Tap Next when fnished. 6. Enter the BMIS account login email address and password. Click on Log In to connect with the BMIS account. Tap Skip to move to the next initial setup screen. 7. Enter the address and server information the analyzer will use for sending test results via email. 8. Enter the shop information including store name, street address, city, state, zip code and phone number. Tap Continue to advance. 9. The user sign-on screen is displayed.

Select a user to begin using the analyzer. By default, the frst user created is assigned administrator rights. Tap Add

User to add additional users.

The screen displays a menu bar at the top, a selection area and Android icons. Selection icons include PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, BATTERY RETURN-VEHICLE, BATTERY REPLACEMENT, STOCK MANAGEMENT, BATTERY CARRY-IN RETURN and PRESALE.

The menu bar includes HOME (returns to the main user screen), MESSAGES (displays important system messages including any analyzer software updates and any scheduled battery tests), HISTORY (displays a history of tests performed by the tool) and SUPPORT (access to the analyzer’s instruction manual).

Available functions include BATTERY TEST which allows you to test a battery that is not connected to a vehicle; and SYSTEM TEST which tests the battery, starting and charging systems of a vehicle (the battery must be installed in the vehicle to perform this test); CABLE DROP TEST (digital multimeter with eight test meters and options for clamps and probes); and DIGITAL MULTIMETER (test the voltage drop of userdefned circuits).

We’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg in terms of this tool’s capabilities in this brief article. If you have the opportunity, check out the DSS-7000 for yourself. I think you’ll be duly impressed. ●

MIDTRONICS

Willowbrook, IL (630) 323-2800 www.midtronics.com

Wireless connectivity of the display tablet allows the technician to perform tests anywhere within a recommended maximum distance of 10 yards. Here a technician raises the vehicle’s engine speed while monitoring the screen’s tachometer, following the screen’s step-by-step prompts.

Full range of engine management sensors from Bosch Robert Bosch LLC offers a full range of engine management sensors which monitor the systems on today’s vehicles that control engine performance, fuel economy, vehicle emissions and more. The Bosch engine management sensor program includes: mass air fow, manifold absolute pressure, turbo pressure, crankshaft position, camshaft position, knock and various temperature sensors for domestic, Asian and European applications. ROBERT BOSCH LLC Circle 160 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14160 New app documents vehicle condition Record360 Inc. says its new mobile app enables auto service providers to document customer vehicles and virtually eliminates the problem of customers claiming damage while their vehicles are in for repair. The Record360 app provides high quality, time-stamped, geo-tagged records of property at the time of exchange. The Record360 app scans VINs to automatically capture extended vehicle specifcations. RECORD360 INC. Circle 161 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14161 AutoEnginuity updates scan tool AutoEnginuity LLC has released version 13.2 of its Giotto scan tool for the Windows platform. The company says the release optimizes controller area network (CAN) packet retrieval from the vehicle bus to improve data rates for several manufacturers’ enhanced powertrain and transmission controllers. AutoEnginuity says important features in this release include Chrysler transmission quick learn for the transmission variant 41 modules, fuel composition reset for 2009 GM light trucks; full BMW M4 (F82) model coverage and improved Ford/ Mazda actuation handling for initialization or reset commands by no longer requiring the user to uncheck. AUTOENGINUITY LLC Circle 162 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14162 Denso releases 2015 TPMS sensor and service kit catalog Denso Products and Services Americas Inc.’s 2015 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor and service kit catalog includes 36 new TPMS sensor part numbers covering an additional 60 million cars and trucks in operation. The company says the correct part can be located by manufacturer, reference information on service kit part numbers, part number with photo guide, and buyer’s guide by part number. Denso offers 52 First Time Fit TPMS sensor part numbers. Its product line covers 70% of all vehicles on the road, including 2015 models, for coverage of more than 80 million cars and trucks in operation. DENSO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AMERICAS INC. Circle 163 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14163 Wrench removes stubborn pulleys Gates Corp. has introduced a wrench for removing stubborn accessory pulleys. The new Micro-V Pulley Strap Wrench is designed to grasp and hold automotive SAE v-ribbed belt-driven pulleys. The company says this simple-to-use solution results in improved effciency, reduced component damage and a safer removal process for technicians. The patented tool is tested and approved by professional technicians. GATES CORP. Circle 164 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14164

Federal-Mogul expands steering, suspension line Federal-Mogul Motorparts introduced 241 part numbers for its Moog brand steering and suspension line through the frst fve months of 2015. Among the Moog parts introduced this year are 112 control arms and assemblies, 24 wheel hub assemblies, 23 tie rod ends, 23 coil spring sets, 20 stabilizer link kits, 17 bushing kits, 14 complete strut assemblies, seven ball joints, and one track bar. The latest parts include Moog Problem Solver front inner tie rod ends for nearly 600,000 General Motors light trucks and SUVs, model years 2014-2015, and approximately 447,000 Chevrolet Camaros, model years 2001-2006. FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS Circle 165 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14165 New workshop equipment line from Chicago Pneumatic Tool Chicago Pneumatic Tool Co. (CP) has a new line of workshop equipment for professional automotive and heavy vehicle maintenance. The line i n c l u d e s jack stands and bottle and floor jacks, airhydraulic jacks and p r e s s e s , torque wrenches and other accessories. CP says all equipment is fully certifed and meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The advanced ergonomic and design features of this new workshop equipment range can increase productivity while providing a safer work environment. CHICAGO PNEUMATIC TOOL CO. Circle 166 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14166 Arnott introduces air springs Arnott Inc. has introduced aftermarket right rear and left rear air springs for the 2010 to 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212 Chassis) and the 2012 to 2014 CLS-Class (W218 Chassis), both with Airmatic. Arnott says the aftermarket rear air springs replace the OE air springs and feature a new multi-ply Continental ContiTech air spring bladder, German-made crimping rings, custom-designed, high-impact resin top mount and bottom piston, a 4 mm air ftting, and an air spring dust boot to protect the assembly from debris. ARNOTT INC. Circle 167 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14167

Hunter adds two tabletop tire changers Building on the TCX575 family, the new TCX57 and TCX56 tabletop tire changers add the most powerful side shovel bead breaker and feature a large tabletop with one-touch diameter adjustments, according to the Hunter Engineering Co. The TCX57 also has an enhanced second press arm that is faster and easier to use. The TCX56 is a conventional head version of the leverless TCX57. HUNTER ENGINEERING CO. Circle 168 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14168 8-in-1 Wrench from Ken-Tool Ken-Tool Corp. has unveiled a patented wrench in SAE and metric versions that provides eight of the most popular wrench sizes in one tool. The company says its new 8-in-1 Wrench delivers strength, versatility and convenience in a 7-1/2 in. (19 cm), 12 oz. (0.3 kg) slim profle tool. At the heart of the wrench is the “Slide-TwistSlide” design to quickly change wrench sizes. KEN-TOOL CORP. Circle 169 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14169

You’re mere seconds away from receiving free product information. Just go to the website(s) listed to the right of each advertiser below and you’re there! Instant product information at your fngertips.

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Advertiser AAPEX Show Page R.S # 41 116

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AAM releases disconnect control unit American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. (AAM) has released an OE disconnect control unit for the 7.25-inch front axle 2002-2009 Chevy Trailblazer and GMC Envoy SUVs. The unit is available with the actuator (AAM part #74080002A); and without (AAM part #74080002B). AAM also packages the disconnect unit in a shifter kit (AAM part #7480002) that includes the actuator, so all components are available for ease of installation. AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING INC. Circle 170 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14170

Cardone introduces remote power steering reservoirs Cardone Industries Inc. has introduced remote power steering reservoirs. The company says its new reservoirs were previously only available from the OE dealer. Import power steering pumps are commonly misdiagnosed as the culprit for noise or no pressure when the actual cause is a clogged reservoir, according to Cardone. The company says its new reservoirs offer a stand-alone replacement solution or complement a power steering pump replacement to ensure all steering issues are corrected. There are 18 SKUs available and more are planned, according to Cardone. CARDONE INDUSTRIES INC. Circle 171 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14171 Lisle offers hook and pick set Lisle Corp.’s six-piece Hook & Pick Interchangea b l e S e t ( P / N 82900) includes a hook pick, combination pick, straight pick, 90 degree pick, O-ring pick, angle hook pick and quick release handle. The set can be used to remove hoses, moldings, clips, clamps, seals, O-rings, cotter pins, gaskets and more, according to the company. The dual-durometer handle has a push-button release to easily exchange picks. LISLE CORP. Circle 172 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14172

Attachments available for Multitool belt grinder Multitool 2x36 belt grinding attachments with a 1 hp grinder from Van Sant Enterprises Inc. have a belt speed of approximately 5,400 surface feet per minute to remove material up to fve times faster than the equivalent grit grinding wheel. The company says the Multitool also provides fve grinding areas in one machine. The majority of work is generally performed on the contact wheel, but the unit also offers platen grinding, slack-belt grinding, disc grinding, and stone wheel grinding, the company says. VAN SANT ENTERPRISES INC. Circle 173 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14173 Hennessy unveils tiltback tire changer Hennessy Industries Inc.’s new Coats brand tiltback tire changers are now available in the U.S. market. The company’s new GTS Series has three tiltback models, the GTS-70 (pictured), GTS-60, and GTS-50, for servicing tires from 6 to 24 inches in diameter. The two-speed electric motor is standard on all models and an integrated air reservoir is standard on the GTS-70 and GTS-60 models. The two-speed electric motor has a rotating speed of 10 and 20 CW / 10 CCW. HENNESSY INDUSTRIES INC. Circle 174 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14174

New Rancho suspension systems for Ford F-150 Tenneco Inc.’s latest Rancho brand lift kits for Ford F-150 models have passed the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 126 – Electronic Stability Control Systems (FMVSS-126) test. The company says the lift kits include a newly engineered one-piece, reinforced subframe composition and design for superior ft and fnish. The lift kits easily accommodate 35-inch tires and will not impact the Ford AdvanceTrac with RSC electronic stability control systems. TENNECO INC. Circle 175 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14175

X-tremeVision LED fog lamps Philips Automotive North America, a division of Royal Philips, has introduced the X-tremeVision LED fog lamp for halogen fog replacements on popular late model vehicles. The company says the new LED fog lamps deliver a bright, white 6,000K light that matches perfectly with the color of Xenon and LED headlights and Philips CrystalVision ultra upgrade headlight bulbs. The fog lights offer an easy plug-and-play replacement for H8, H11, and H16 halogen fog bulbs, and are designed for a 12-year lifetime. PHILIPS AUTOMOTIVE NORTH AMERICA Circle 176 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14176 New Bullseye aerosol releases seized parts Bullseye Products LLC has introduced an aerosol penetrating lubricant that releases seized parts through rapid freezing. The company says the lubricant, “Freeze Your Nuts Off,” instantly freezes seized and rusted bolts and nuts down to 45 degrees below zero in less than fve seconds. The rapid freezing causes microscopic cracks in the layer of rust allowing the penetrating oil to wick directly into the rust by capillary action. BULLSEYE PRODUCTS LLC Circle 177 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14177

Knipex tool combines the capabilities of pliers and wrench Knipex Tools LP has introduced a tool that combines the capabilities of pliers and wrench. The company says its fve-inch-long Pliers Wrench Mini eliminates the need for SAE or metric wrenches. The company says the new Pliers Wrench has a full-surface gripping capacity of up to 7/8-inch that grips 10 times greater than a human hand can grip. Its smooth, parallel jaws will not round off bolts or nuts. The Pliers Wrench has a push-button adjustment and unique ratcheting action, so the tool stays in place for fast turns on repetitive tasks. KNIPEX TOOLS LP Circle 178 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14178

Monster brand updates mini impact wrench Integrated Supply Network Inc. says the Monster brand’s 3/8-inch Mini Butterfy Impact Wrench (No. MST715) is an upgrade in terms of comfort, size, weight, rundown speed and balanced torque output. The rocking lever is made of a composite material that enables the tool’s motor to adjust its speed smoothly in either direction using one hand. This mini butterfy impact wrench has an optimum powerto-weight ratio, is small and weighs only 1.1 lb., says the company. INTEGRATED SUPPLY NETWORK INC. Circle 179 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14179

Magnum Gaskets product line expands Magnum Automotive Group LLC has expanded its Magnum Gaskets product line to more than 10 times its original coverage. The company is now offering a full line of aftermarket gasket sets for cars and light trucks from 1955 to 2014, including domestic and import vehicles. Magnum’s expansion includes entirely new product categories for the Magnum brand, including full sets, timing cover sets and rear main bearing seal sets, plus individual miscellaneous gaskets in polybags. MAGNUM AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LLC Circle 180 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14180 Kit has fuorescent dye for leak detection Tracer Products says its TP-9844 EZ-Ject R-1234yf A/C Dye Injection Kit makes adding fuorescent leak detection dye to R-1234yf A/C systems quick and easy. The EZ-Ject A/C dye injector assembly easily overcomes system pressure so the dye can be injected whether the A/C system is off or running. The kit contains a multi-dose A/C dye cartridge that services up to 14 vehicles and an R-1234yf hose/coupler with purge ftting. TRACER PRODUCTS Circle 181 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14181

Amsoil expands antifreeze and engine coolant product line Amsoil Inc. has added ethylene glycol antifreeze and engine coolant in formulations for passenger car/light truck and heavy-duty applications to its antifreeze and engine coolant product line. The company says its ethylene glycol antifreeze and engine coolants provide excellent protection against metallic corrosion and erosion pitting, even in extreme temperatures and operating conditions. Both offer superior corrosion protection for aluminum, steel, cast iron, copper, brass and solder alloys. AMSOIL INC. Circle 182 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14182 Clore offers new 12 volt battery maintainer Clore Automotive Inc. has added Model No. 4501, a 12 volt, 800m battery maintainer, to its Charge It! product line for charging and maintenance of all size batteries. The company says Model No. 4501 features fully automatic operation and can remain connected for any amount of time, from overnight battery maintenance to extended maintenance of seasonal-use vehicles. CLORE AUTOMOTIVE INC. Circle 183 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14183 New stainless steel roller cabinet Beta Tools of Italy has introduced a seven-drawer, stainless steel roller cabinet. The company says its new C04 INOX-7 stainless steel cabinet is perfect for anyone concerned about corrosion or who likes the look of stainless steel instead of traditional painted tool boxes. Seven drawers are 16 inches long by 22 inches wide, the top six drawers are 3.25 inches deep; and the bottom drawer is 6.5 inches deep. All drawers have ball bearing slides. BETA TOOLS OF ITALY Circle 184 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14184

Spillfx organic clean up solution American Green Ventures (US) Inc. says SpillFix Industrial Organic Absorbent offers a faster, cleaner, safer and more effective way to clean up hazardous liquid spills, including oils, fuels, solvents, paints and chemicals. When compared to clay-based absorbents, SpillFix users need 80% less product to clean up spills in less than half the time. SpillFix can be reused, further adding to its cost savings. SpillFix is also landfll safe, providing lower disposal cost than other absorbent products with no environmental impact. AMERICAN GREEN VENTURES (US) INC. Circle 185 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14185 New Skin Zipper2 helps reduce arm fatigue Steck Manufacturing Co. Inc. says its new Skin Z i p p e r 2 d o o r skinning tool enables users to hem the steel door window fange opening with minimal arm fatigue. Made in the U.S.A., the Skin Zipper2 (Part Number 21894) hems or crimps the door skin to the door shell at the window opening in a two-step process. The Skin Zipper2 reduces technician arm fatigue from the hammer and dolly method and also reduces door refnishing time. STECK MANUFACTURING CO. INC. Circle 186 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14186 Dorman launches VVT program Dorman Products Inc. has launched a program for variable valve timing replacement parts (VVT). The company says its VVT Solutions program offers high-quality parts and broad coverage. Currently, Dorman offers 16 Camshaft Phasers (pictured) that cover over 24 million repair opportunities and more 75 VVT Solenoids providing coverage for over 83 million repair opportunities. DORMAN PRODUCTS INC. Circle 187 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14187

Blackburn’s expands Wheel Finder Blackburn’s Hubcap & Wheel Solutions has upgraded its Wheel Finder website to include OEM hubcaps and center caps in addition to steel and alloy auto and light truck wheels. This site is programmed using responsive design technology for use on tablets and smartphones. The improvements make the site fast and easy to use, according to the company. Check it out at BlackburnsWheelFinder.com and register for a free account today. BLACKBURN’S HUBCAPS & WHEEL SOLUTIONS Circle 188 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14188 Bartec adds TIA TPMS relearn chart Bartec USA LLC has added the Tire Industry Association’s (TIA) TPMS relearn chart to its TPMS tools. Software release 52 features TIA Inside technology. The company says that by linking the data in the TIA chart to its TPMS tool, technicians will be more accurate and effcient when diagnosing and repairing TPMS. The TIA Troubleshooting function enables users to quickly access information and tips that explain why the TPMS light may be on and how to properly turn it off. BARTEC USA LLC. Circle 189 on Reader Service Card www.aspquiklink.com/14189