Auto Channel 46 by Via Media

ISSUE 46 MAY 2022

THE VOICE OF THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

DRIVEN BY PASSION FOR 100 YEARS

REPCO CELEBRATES 100 YEARS REPCO HAS A PROUD HERITAGE AS THE LONGEST STANDING AND MOST TRUSTED AFTERMARKET AUTOMOTIVE BRAND IN THE REGION.

n 2022, Repco celebrates its 100th year. It’s a milestone that few companies anywhere in the world can boast, and Repco is using the milestone mark to salute the passion and enthusiasm of its owners, staff and most importantly, its customers. Repco has come a long way in the past century, and it has been quite a journey, but what remains true is Repco’s desire to stay true to the love of motoring and the innovation of their past – be it in store, on the race track or supporting their customers. To find the loyal and trusting legacy that Repco has created in this part of the world, you need to wind the clock right back to 1922. Just a few years before, the motor vehicle industry in New Zealand and Australia kicked off, thanks to the Model T Ford. Soon, having your own vehicle was the only way to travel, and while Henry Ford’s vision to “build a car for the great multitude,” there was an early need for replacement parts to keep them, and the emerging brands of vehicles, on the dusty and bumpy road.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

DRIVEN BY PASSION FOR 100 YEARS

There’s a lot of history here. Chuck in some love, a bit of elbow grease, a splash of racing… and 100 years later you get Repco. Yep, even after a century, a key in the ignition still revs something within us – ’cause we’ve got an unexplainable bond with motoring. At the start – before Brabham was a bubba, our love for all things auto was at full speed. Straight off the mark, we were shifting the automotive landscape, From making the parts for Australasia’s first cars, to building F1 world championship winning engines. Because our passion for motoring is unbeatable. It’s what drives us to make sure workshops keep whirring – primed with the right gear. ‘Cause we know how important it is to get the right parts, into the cars of the owners who love them. That passion runs thicker than 40W70. Whether we’re finding ‘that exact part’ together, or keeping your car on the road another 200k’s, our love and enthusiasm for motoring will be full throttle always – cause we’ve been… DRIVEN BY PASSION FOR 100 YEARS

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

The tin shed In Melbourne, one enterprising young man identified a growing need to make these replacement parts for all those cars on the road. Robert Geoffrey Russell opened a small factory in a tin shed, trading under the name Automotive Grinding Company. Originally, the company specialised in engine reconditioning but soon, using his expertise and knowledge in the automotive sphere, the first replacements parts trade supply store opened. It was named the Replacements Parts Company, the origin of today’s name ‘Re-p-co’. Almost simultaneously to Russell starting trading, here in New Zealand Motor Specialities – which grew to be the future of Repco New Zealand - was born. During World War II, most of Repco’s capacity was turned to supporting the war effort. Post war highlights included Repco’s development and manufacture of many components of the first Holden, the 48-215 of 1948. Repco’s dedication to parts soon saw them leading the way on the race track – both at home and abroad. The beginning of Repco’s motorsport fame began in 1946, assisting Charlie Dean with the build of his Maybach 1, and by 1954, the Maybach 3 won the New Zealand Grand Prix with Stan Jones at the wheel. Of course, Stan was the father of the future F1 world title Alan Jones … In 1959, Jack Brabham won his first Formula One Championship, driving a Cooper Climax with Repco providing support and parts such as clutches and universal joints. It was the first time that a combination of Australasian racing talent and ingenuity had achieved success at the highest level. ‘Black Jack’ repeated that effort the following year, winning his second title. For the next few seasons, Brabham raced for the Cooper Climax team, followed by his own Brabham Racing Organisation, continuing its parts and

development association with Repco, but it wasn’t until 1966 that Repco and Brabham secured a piece of sporting history that is unlikely to be repeated.

The Repco Brabham Brabham became the first, and still the only, person to win a Formula One world championship driving one of his own cars. The BT19 was designed by Ron Tauranac and powered by a Repco Brabham engine (RB620) designed by Phil Irving and engineered by Repco under the supervision of Frank Hallam in

Melbourne. Brabham and the Repco-powered BT19 won the French, British, Dutch and German Grand Prix that year. It was a remarkable achievement, and a feat that is likely to never be repeated. For fans in New Zealand the ultimate win came the following year, when Kiwi racing legend Denny Hulme, Brabham’s NZ team mate, took his Brabham-Repco to the world title, giving the team and the all-Australian engine its second world title success in a row. The BT19 that Brabham took to victory remains owned by Repco. It is used infrequently for special guest appearances at events. Sir Jack passed away in 2014, but the BT19 and its Repco-powered engine lives on, allowing motorsport fans around the world to pay tribute to one of the most remarkable feats the sporting world has ever seen. While there was plenty of champagne overseas at the highest level of the sport, Repco had not forgotten about its roots on home soil. Motorsport legend Frank Matich won the local Sportscar Championship in the self-built Repcosponsored and powered Matich SR4. And at the same time, Repco developed the mighty Holden-based Formula 5000 engine that would become the popular choice for F5000 entrants. The engine was later also used in Sport Sedan racing, proving its durability and diversity.

Repco store in the 80’s

Repco store in the 90's

DRIVEN BY PASSION FOR 100 YEARS

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

Lotta history in this place. Truth is, everyone at Repco has some 5W40 in their veins. Yep, even after 100 years, a key in the ignition revs something within us – Because we’re driven by passion.

repcotrade.com.au

133 227 0800 472 787

Racing in Repco’s veins Racing has remained at the beating heart of Repco, its stores and employees. The company sponsored the 2000 Bathurst 1000 winner of Garry Rogers Motorsport duo Garth Tander and Jason Bargwanna. In other specialties Repco became deeply involved in supporting car shows and New Zealand Rally events such as the iconic Repco Beach Hop and Repco Race to the Sky. These days, Repco continues its unwavering support of New Zealand motorsport and car shows at the top-level. In Supercars Repco is a primary sponsor of the all-conquering Shell V-Power Racing Team, Repco also is the title sponsor of the Supercars Championship and the race that stops the nation, Bathurst 1000. In 2022, they’re also proud to return the World Rally Championship to New Zealand gravel as the title partner of Repco Rally New Zealand. You’ll see their dedicated team at major events throughout New Zealand – Beach Hop, Kumeu, Kaikoura, Americarna to name just a few. Many of these events are also heavily supported by Repco in a celebration of sharing the passion with car lovers throughout Aotearoa. Today, there are nearly 90 Repco stores and over 1200 Repco crew serving trade workshops and car loving customers in New Zealand. Repco has come a long way since its start in a small tin shed, keeping the foot on the pedal for 100 laps. What does the next 100 years hold? We'll all have to wait and see, but you can be sure that the drive for excellence – on and off the race track – will never be lost.

Repco Beach Hop 2021

Contents

From the Ed.

18 Repco turns 100

Cover

NZ’s top 10 stolen cars

Liftech provides lifetime lift support

Breathing easy in the car

The low-down on lifts

New home for ACDelco batteries

Starting out in oil

How to cross the secure gateway

Car news

Demystifying the black box

Tech feature: Servicing u-joints

Feature car: Far from shoddy Camaro

Product profiles

Supplier directory

NAPA backs Super Trucks

Housing, fuel price increases, and supply chain constraints have resulted in the largest annual inflation rise in more than 30 years. The consumer price index increased 6.9 per cent year-on-year in the March 2022 quarter, according to Stats NZ. The material shortage for construction, the largest increase, is partly driven by the sector being very busy, but hoarding is also a factor, and that is pushing up construction prices. Fuel and vehicle cost increases make transport the second largest contributing factor. For households, utility and food prices have also gone up, as has fuel — far beyond the level justified by the crude oil price. It’s clear some players are taking advantage of the general understanding that we are in an inflationary period to load prices. That is putting real pressure on wages, which drives genuine inflation. We need to stay sensitive to cost increases and bargain harder when supplies are restored, or inflation will continue to accelerate.

Ian Parkes, Editor

Auto Channel is distributed 11 times per year. To receive your free copy or to change your address simply visit autochannel.co.nz.

New Zealand’s top 10 stolen cars MAZDA MAKE A GREAT RANGE OF CARS BUT ONE PARTICULAR MAZDA IS MORE POPULAR THAN MOST WITH THE CRIMINAL FRATERNITY, MAKING IT NEW ZEALAND’S MOST STOLEN CAR Wayne Tippet

he car that has the dubious honour of being New Zealand’s most stolen car is probably not the one you are thinking of — it’s the Mazda Demio, according to AMI insurers. Of the 12,000 insurance claims AMI received for vehicle thefts over the past three years, the innocent little Demio accounted for 10 per cent of claims, despite only making up 1.5 per cent of the country’s fleet. Rounding out the top 10 of New Zealand’s most stolen cars are the Mazda Atenza (Mazda 6), Nissan Tiida, Subaru Legacy, Mazda Familia, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Hilux, Ford Courier, Subaru Forester, and Honda Civic. Regionally, Auckland had the highest number of vehicle thefts with 39 per cent of all claims, for its 31 per cent of the national vehicle fleet. With 4489 claims over the past three years, Auckland experienced almost double the amount of vehicle thefts of regional runner up Canterbury, which had 2074 claims. AMI’s executive general manager of claims, Wayne Tippet, says the sobering data serves as a reminder to take security precautions and check your insurance details are up to date. “While we’ll always be here to assist our customers, it’s good to be aware of some simple things you can do to reduce your risk — particularly if you own one of the models more likely to be stolen.” The data shows the desirability of the car isn’t the dominant factor, instead thieves are going for easy targets. “Our claims data shows that many cars are parked out on the street or outside someone else’s property for the night when they are stolen. Where possible, park down a driveway or inside a garage, and double check your car is locked. If there isn’t any off-street parking available, try to park your car in a well-lit area, like under a street lamp.” Wayne strongly recommends vehicle owners check to see if their car has a factory-fitted immobiliser, or if they can install other anti-theft measures, especially for those cars that might be easy targets. “Here in New Zealand, our vehicle fleet has a high proportion of imported, second-hand cars and many of them aren’t fitted with immobilisers. If your vehicle can’t, or doesn’t have an immobiliser fitted, a steering wheel lock is also an effective and affordable option that will help deter thieves.” He says the company has also seen an increase in stolen cars being used for ram raids or in other criminal acts, which increase the likelihood of them being written off.

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

The new data comes as the cost of second-hand cars trends upwards, meaning some car owners could find they are unable to replace their car likefor-like if it is stolen or severely damaged. “Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in the value of second-hand cars due to supply-chain disruptions and shortages of parts, among other factors,” Mr Tippet says. “We strongly encourage car owners to check whether the value they have insured their car for still matches its current market value, [which is important] if it is never recovered, or is a total loss. There are a number of free online tools which make calculating your car’s value quick and easy.” Despite having had consistently high rates of theft for several years, AMI claims data shows the Mazda Demio is the most likely to be recovered. Over the past three years, 94 per cent of stolen Demio cars were recovered — the highest rate out of the top 10 stolen vehicles and well above the average of 70 per cent across all vehicle models. The Toyota Hilux has the lowest rates of recovery at 30 per cent, followed by the Ford Courier at 47 per cent. Top 10 most stolen vehicles across New Zealand 2019-2021 1. Mazda Demio – 1176 claims 2. Mazda Atenza (also known as Mazda 6) – 774 claims 3. Nissan Tiida – 700 claims 4. Subaru Legacy – 458 claims 5. Mazda Familia – 456 claims 6. Subaru Impreza – 387 claims 7. Toyota Hilux – 384 claims 8. Ford Courier – 264 claims 9. Subaru Forester – 237 claims 10. Honda Civic – 187 claims The most frequently stolen vehicle by region: • Northland – Toyota Hilux • Auckland – Nissan Tiida • Waikato – Mazda Atenza • Taranaki – Mazda Demio • Bay of Plenty – Mazda Demio • East Coast – Mazda Atenza • Manawatu – Mazda Atenza • Hawkes Bay – Mazda Demio • Wairarapa – Ford Courier • Wellington – Mazda Demio • Nelson – Mazda Demio • West Coast – Toyota Hilux • Canterbury – Toyota Hilux • Otago – Mazda Demio • Southland – Mazda Demio AMI’s top security tips • Where possible, park down a driveway or inside a garage. • If off-street parking isn’t available, park in a well-lit area. • Consider additional theft protection such as a car alarm system, immobiliser, steering wheel lock, fuel cut out switch, handbrake lock, or car tracking system. • Don’t leave the engine running or keys in, even for a few seconds. • Always lock your car, especially when parked and unattended. • Don’t leave valuables on display. • Avoid leaving windows or the sunroof open when out of the car.

AUTO CHANNEL IS DISTRIBUTED TO 11,306 NEW ZEALAND BUSINESSES

ONLINE autochannel.co.nz EMAIL editor@autochannel.co.nz PHONE 09 360 1480 MAIL PO Box 46020, Herne Bay, Auckland 1147

EDITOR Ian Parkes, editor@autochannel.co.nz DESIGNER Henry Khov MEDIA SALES Michael White, michael.white@parkside.co.nz ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Kealy Mathews

AUTO CHANNEL IS PUBLISHED BY

PUBLISHER

Greg Vincent, greg.vincent@parkside.co.nz

BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Michael White, michael.white@parkside.co.nz

GENERAL MANAGER

Simon Holloway, simon.holloway@parkside.co.nz

WORKFLOW MANAGER Emily Khov PRINTING Ovato

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Parkside Media uses due care and diligence in the preparation of this magazine, but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes, misprints, omissions, or typographical errors. Parkside Media prints advertisements provided to the publisher but gives no warranty and makes no representation to the truth, accuracy, or sufficiency of any description, photograph, or statement. Parkside Media accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relies either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph, or statement contained herein. Parkside Media reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Parkside Media, the publisher, or editor. All material published, gathered, or created for Auto Channel is copyright 2021 Parkside Media Limited. All rights reserved in all media. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher.

Auto Channel is the best way to reach the wider automotive industry. The publication is direct mailed to 11,306 New Zealand businesses in the following automotive sectors: Automotive workshops, parts importers and distributors, transmission specialists, automotive recyclers, towing operators, panel beaters and painters, crash repairers, tyre dealers, suspension and underbody repairers, steering specialists, towing operators, auto-electrical repairers, newand used-car dealers, air-conditioning repairers, heavy-machinery dealers, trucking and transport.

IT'S HERE! THE ALL NEW

gmtradeparts.co.nz HAS ARRIVED “We’re excited to announce that the all new gmtradeparts.co.nz website is now live! The all-new site delivers a new look and feel, many new features and is easier to use than ever before! You can use the site to shop the entire ACDelco all makes auto parts range and we’re confident that it can very quickly become your first stop for your daily fast-moving mechanical deliveries. If you use the current site, all of your login credentials will carry over and you'll be able to jump straight in. If you don't use the current site, want to check out the new one (trust us… you should) and need some help to get up and running, just shoot us an email to: enquiries@gmtradeparts.com.au and we’ll have you sorted in no time at all. Feel free to also email us any feedback, questions or comments you may have about the site as you use it.” Greg Sillitoe, Aftersales Operations Manager

MAKE THE MOVE What's in store for you? • • • •

Search by Vehicle / VIN / Part No Latest E-Commerce Technology Displays current stock in multiple locations Easy to use Direct Order facility

• • • •

Collative & Intuitive Intelligence Incorporates Loyalty Rewards Program Specialty Promotional Voucher Codes Plus plenty more...

Your Fast Moving Service Parts Store is NOW OPEN!

Genuine Parts

Narva Model 49 lamps highlight trucks and trailers INNOVATIVE LIGHTING DESIGN FROM NARVA IS LIFTING SAFETY STANDARDS BY DRAWING ATTENTION TO BIG RIGS EARLIER, GIVING OTHER DRIVERS MORE ADVANCE WARNING OF THEIR PRESENCE ruck owners have also been quick to spot the advantages of the recently released Narva Model 49 LED large rear combination lamps, which have been created especially for the commercial truck and trailer sector. The distinguishing feature of the Model 49 is LED ‘light pipe’, a neon-like, always-on striplight that frames the lamp’s borders, creating a modern signature appearance for the truck or trailer, like those seen on premium cars and SUVs. The LED light pipe stays illuminated when the other functions are off and, together with the highquality optics featured in the tail, stop, indicator and reverse functions, the units will instantly gain the attention of surrounding traffic. “The Model 49 is a leap forward in rear

combination lamp design,” says Tim Paterson, national sales manager for Griffiths Equipment, which distributes Narva automotive lighting products throughout New Zealand. “The striking appearance is designed to lift visibility and ensure that others on the road can’t fail to spot the truck. That’s a big bonus for road safety, particularly in poor driving conditions.” Demand for the Model 49 lamp is growing and it looks set to become just as popular as its predecessor, the Model 48 (aka the ‘Jumbo’), which dominated the transport industry in Australasia for more than two decades. It fits the same footprint as the Model 48 and meets all ADR performance regulations for tail lamps. The sleek Model 49 measures just 46mm deep. There are no visible screws or mounting holes, giving it a low- profile look integrated with bodywork or chassis.

Snap-on retro reflectors cover the lighting components, while the lamp inserts themselves are replaceable with the reflectors removed. The lamps are constructed from virtually unbreakable coated polycarbonate lenses, which are more scratch and chemical resistant than regular polycarbonate, making replacement unlikely. However, for peace of mind, they are backed by Narva’s five-year LED warranty. Tim says Griffiths Equipment is stocking a wide range of configurations in coloured or clear lenses, including tail, stop and indicator; tail, stop, reverse and indicator; and twin units with just stop and indicator. All versions are designed to suit 9-33V and come prewired with 0.5m of cable for ease of installation. Available from automotive and transport outlets nationwide. For more information see narva.co.nz, or call 09 525 4575.

APPLY TO GLASS. DEFY THE ELEMENTS.

OUTSMART THE ELEMENTS™ Visit rainx.co.nz

Available from leading automotive and hardware retailers. 1

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

Liftech — giving the whole workshop business a lift OUTSOURCING MANAGEMENT OF WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT ENSURES IT KEEPS RUNNING SMOOTHLY, ALLOWING WORKSHOPS TO FOCUS ON THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE

iftech is an automotive equipment installation and servicing business supporting workshops across the North Island. “No other company covers such a wide area, working independently with all the major equipment suppliers in New Zealand,” says managing director Josh Humble. “We can tailor solutions to meet any need. Liftech has built a reputation on providing a thorough and thought-out approach. Our goal will always be working with the end user to deliver results that get the most out of the investment.” Liftech director Gareth Grove says its core business is the installation of new two-post and fourpost lifts, scissor lifts, air lines, and tyre changers, but also lifetime management of that equipment. “We can look after the process from consultation to commission, working with workshops and suppliers to ensure the best solutions are delivered smoothly and on time. Before installation of equipment, we can offer consultation and provide scale drawings to see how equipment is going to fit in the space.” Liftech covers the field from one-off private parking lifts to 20-plus hoist workshop fitouts.

“We do it all,” says Gareth. “We’ve fitted all makes and models of equipment including car stackers, vehicle turntables, column lifts, and more.” Liftech’s services include repairs, servicing, certification, and relocations. “Whether moving site or re-arranging equipment within the workshop, we have the specialised equipment to be in and out with minimal disruption to workflow.” No job is too big or too small. The business started in Auckland but it now has technicians in Hamilton, Manawatu, and Wellington. That means Liftech has the North Island covered with its own personnel, but it can also arrange freight and

installation anywhere in the country. Liftech’s experience shows servicing is a vital part of getting the maximum life and efficiency out of workshop equipment, but managing the mini crises and minimising delays caused by breakdowns is also vital for good customer service. “Scheduled servicing and maintenance can extend the life of workshop equipment by years,” says Josh. “We’d go as far as guaranteeing it will work better for longer when serviced and checked on time. We can even train your staff in what to look for between services. “We know that workshops are busy with a lot of things to think about. Take the pressure off with Liftech by seeing what we can do for you.” As Liftech works with all makes and models it can create tailored servicing plans for any sized workshop. See liftech.co.nz to find a local agent. Advice over the phone (021 0277 3965) or email (info@liftech.co.nz) will always be free.

Worskhop due for an upgrade? Needing to expand? Lease the equipment you need with no hidden costs Delivery, Installation, Servicing and Maintenance all included Any make, any model. We lease it ALL New Zealand wide, 20 years experience in the industry phone: 021 614 421 9

Giving fresh air higher priority AS THE ATTENTION ON COVID SHIFTS TO PERSONAL PROTECTION AND GOOD VENTILATION IN INTERIOR SPACES, WORKSHOPS CAN ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS BY IMPROVING CAR INTERIOR VENTILATION

ost vehicle owners know the importance of changing their engine’s oil filter and air filter but, until now, cabin air filters have had a lower profile — to the extent some owners don’t know their vehicles even have them. They are also changed less often than oil filters, which are often typically on a one year or 15,000km service interval, so they can be overlooked or even ignored by customers keen to reduce a service bill. However, the current focus on the quality the air we breathe makes proactively suggesting cabin filter replacement a good opportunity for workshops to demonstrate care for their customers. This opportunity is enhanced by the potential to upgrade to the anti-microbial filters now available from NAPA Auto Parts.

Ryco MicroShield filters offer N999 medical mask protection for cabin air, the highest level of cabin air filtration available. It means cars and the workshops servicing them can play an active role in avoiding contamination by viruses. As research shows that a vehicle’s interior can contain over 10 times more pollutants than the outside air, offering a filtration upgrade is likely to be positively received by customers who are now more attuned to the importance of clean air. Ryco N99 MicroShield is 500 times more effective at capturing particles below one micron in size than regular air filters. The N99 design uses 60 per cent more media than the previous MicroShield and the increased surface area offsets the smaller aperture filtration, resulting in a minimal effect on airflow.

0.3 of a micron

N99 mask for your car

The new NAPA cabin filters are built on an activated carbon base which eliminates odours, but they also have an anti-bacterial coating which acts on viruses and bacteria as well as mould and funguses. They have a filtration effectiveness of 0.3 of a micron, which provides much more effective filtration against viruses such as Influenza A, H1N1, and H3N2 (swine flu) than the 2.5 microns protection offered by conventional cabin air filters. They also provide protection against pollen for hay fever sufferers.

The MicroShield range gains its N99 rating (99.7% efficiency @ 0.3 microns) from an innovative threelayer system. The first layer is antiviral with natural polyphenol extracts that not only stop bacteria and viruses from entering the car, but also destroys them. The second layer is activated carbon, which is designed for odours and gas absorption. The third is medical grade polypropylene filter media. It is also electrostatically charged which helps it attract and collect more micro particles. All MicroShield Cabin Filters are 100 per cent safe and free from pollution. It’s worth remembering that cabin filter neglect can cause poor airflow resulting in lacklustre demisting, and possibly even premature failure of the blower motor in extreme cases. Unpleasant odours will also indicate a poorly maintained air system.

Musty odours Starting up the aircon in a car will often release musty odours that indicate the presence of mould or fungus in the heater or evaporator unit. Note that is the passenger side of the cabin air filter, so the new filter will not stop this on its own. There’s a relatively simple procedure that can help with this, using a product called Kool-it Evaporator & Heater Foam Cleaner. It consists of a foam spray can, nozzle, and a length of tube which fits onto the nozzle. The easiest way to use this cleaner is to locate the evaporator unit drain tube under the car. Make sure the drain tube isn’t blocked, then insert the tube and spray the whole can up into the evaporator unit. The foam will expand inside the plenum and attack the mould, then it will dissolve away and dry out. Sometimes those drains are tucked higher up making access difficult. An option then is to open the evaporator unit and remove the heater to access the plenum. Other alternatives are to spray into the inlet vents or even the cabin outlet vents, as the footwell vents are nearer to the evaporator unit. You could complete the sanitisation process by using an anti-bacterial spray for fabrics and contact surfaces such as Extol Anti Bacterial Spray. For more information, contact a NAPA Auto Parts branch, or call 0800 800 073.

TECHNIC AL

BULLET IN

N99 MICR

OSHIELD UPGRAD RY CO N99 MICRO CABIN AIED R FILTER RA SH IE LD NGE

PRODUCT

SNAPSHO

NEW 99 M E INCREASE DIA, D F I LT R AT I O N R AT I N G S & F E AT U R E S Efficiency Rating : 99.7% efficien cy at 0.3 micron Micron Rating : 0.3 micron Product Numb ering: Brand new cabin filters as well as in-range cabin filters upgraded to N99 media will be denoted with an ‘M’ suffix. Filters an ‘MS’ suffix will denoted with be across to the new superseded N99 media specification. E.G. RCA162MS superseded to RCA162M Media Colour: Yellow What is N99? There are differe nt classification s for respiratory masks in the medical indust ry. The means the efficien ‘N’ number cy at 0.3 micron N99 must be at . least 99% efficien A standard medic t. al One of the media mask is N95. layers of melt blown non-wo is made an essential mater ven fabric, is ial for medical masks (the filter layer in the middle of the mask).

UPGRADE

500x 60% INCREASED SEALING VIRAL AND BACTERIAL PROTECTION C ON TAMI

CABIN AIR

FE AT URES The efficiency is depen micron. N99 captur dent on micron size. N99 is more efficien es more than 500% t at catching particl cabin air filters. more particles es under under 1 micron for example than 1 regular 60% more media than our previo us MicroShield restriction from Cabin Air Filter. high efficiency Increase in media media and allowin 0.3 micron with g HVAC system surface offsets minimal affect s to function norma on flow & dust holding. lly. Achieves 3D scanning utilised to map OE housin Top 10 new part gs to design and numbers design construct filters ed to RCA182M, RCA2 with greater filter 27M, RCA162M, exceed OE in fit and sealing sealing. include: RCA100M, RCA1 85M, RCA104M, RCA164M, RCA224M, Anti-viral and anti RCA140M, RCA1 bacterial layers 08M allergens from with natural poly-ph the air flow. The enol extracts elimina bio-compatible *H1N1/H3N2 te virus*, bacter yellow coating ia and is non toxic.

NANT TYP ES

 Viral (Influenza A, H1N1/H3N2)  Bacteria  Mould  Mites  Pollen  Fungus Spores  Dirt PARTICLE SIZE 0.01 0.1 Viruses Combustion Gases

0.3

 Dust  Odours  Exhaust Gases  Soot  Smog  Pet Allergens  Wood Smoke 1

SOURCE: Bliss,

2.5

S (2005). Best

Practice Guide

to Residential

Face Powder

Wood Smoke Bacteria Dust Mite Feces Cooking Partic les Sneeze Drople ts Spores/Mould Pollen

RYC2775

0.3 Micron

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

RYCOFIL

TERS.CO

M.AU

Lint 2.5 Micron

Construction

100

Tobacco Smoke

Human Hair Spray Paint Sawdust

TWO-POST HOISTS

Treadway Equipped has the right hoist for you WHETHER YOU RUN A HIGH-END CAR DEALERSHIP OR YOU ARE A HOME ENTHUSIAST, YOU WILL KNOW THE MASSIVE DIFFERENCE A HOIST MAKES TO YOUR PRODUCTIVITY. BUT ARE YOU USING THE RIGHT HOIST FOR THE JOB?

oren Bill of Treadway Equipped runs through the hoist basics to make sure that when you are considering a new hoist, you will be going down the right path. There are three main styles of hoists available and Loren says they all have different strengths, making them better suited to different roles.

Two-post hoists are by far the most common vehicle hoist and are best suited to service and repair work for good reasons. They give the most open access to the vehicle and they are typically the most affordable. There are many variations. Clear floor two-post hoists are the most common on the market today. The only limitation is their height can mean they won’t fit in buildings with low roofs. Electro-mechanical two-post hoists run a spindle/threaded rod for lifting rather than a hydraulic ram. They are typically more expensive than the hydraulic versions but as they don’t have a solid overhead beam they are great for lower roofed buildings. Also, you can make much finer and smoother minor lift and lowering adjustments than with a hydraulic lift.

FOUR-POST HOISTS The full-length decks of four-post hoists are easy and fast to use and they are great for heavier or unevenly loaded vehicles. They offer a solid platform for transmission servicing or muffler replacement, or in fast service lube bays. They are also an option for wheel alignment with the necessary turning plates. It’s also best to specify your four-post with two rolling jacks so you can lift the vehicle off the decks to work on wheels, brakes, and suspension. Finally, they are great for storage — lift a car and park another underneath it.

SCISSOR LIFTS These hoists are either ‘frame engaging’ —

commonly known as belly lifts — or ‘wheel engaging’, like wheel alignment scissor lifts. As they can be flush-floor mounted, these hoists are ideally suited to workshops with limited space where you effectively drive across them. Belly lifts are available in mid-height or fullheight versions. The mid-height options work for tyre changing, accessory fitting, or for vehicle signage and wrapping. Without even the two large columns of a two-post hoist they make the space much more usable. However, because of the equipment under the runway you have much less access to the underneath of the car compared to other hoists. They are best suited for quick service bays and for wheel, brake, and suspension work.

OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS Quality over price — always check out the manufacturing safety standards of a hoist. Don’t assume the cheapest option will also be compliant. After-sales support — what if something goes wrong? Does the supplier hold spare parts and will they be available in the years to come? What is the warranty? What is the reputation of the lift brand and the supplier?

SO WHICH HOIST TYPE IS BEST FOR YOU? Treadway Equipped has a full range of lifts and prides itself on giving specialist advice in selecting the best fit for each workshop’s needs, in all price ranges. For more information, contact Treadway Equipped at treadwayequipped.co.nz, or call 0800 436 436.

We promise to equip you for the job.

LT235CFPRO

3.5t Two Post Hoist

› Hoists › Wheel Aligners Hoists › TyreAligners Changers Wheel › Wheel Balancers Tyre Changers › Expert installations, Wheel Balancers

› › › › callibration & training › Expert installations,

Compact yet mighty, the Steiner Professional LT235CFPRO clear floor electromechanical hoist is perfect for premium workshops and dealerships.

callibration & training

OUR PROMISE:

100 ONE HUNDRED DAYS 100% SATISFACTION

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

If you are not 100% satisfied with your equipment, Treadway Equipped will repair, replace or refund the equipment free of charge within the first 100 days.

GET IN TOUCH

0800 436 436 treadwayequipped.co.nz

Three 4.5 tonne lifts that cover the field FOR QUALITY, VALUE, AND VERSATILITY THREE KOREAN-DESIGNED AND BUILT POWERREX LIFTS WILL COVER MOST WORKSHOP DEMANDS

he two-post Powerrex Korea SL-2950H 4500kg lift is 100 per cent made in Korea, which means you get a feature-rich product that comes with the confidence of knowing that Powerrex controls all aspects of production in their own facilities, from the steel manufacturing to the powder coating lines. The lift has an automatically activating electrical locking mechanism with a four-button control box featuring up, lock, lower, and direct down buttons, plus remote control. After raising the lift, a separate lock button rests the lift onto the locks. The ‘lower’ button raises the lift off the locks and lowers the lift. It also has a ‘direct down’ button if you do not want the lift to go up first. The top crossbar has a safety shut-off and a high (3850mm) and low (3600mm) setting to suit different roof heights. An extra height kit is available that adds another metre in height. The posts have rubber door protection pads, and a dual lifting system with balance cables ensures reliable operation. The SL-2950H features three-stage telescoping front arms, two-stage rear arms, and double screwup feet with 80mm 4x4 height extensions, and protective rubber pads mounted to the carriage. Automaster Equipment stocks a complete inventory of parts for all of the equipment it sells.

For the speed and convenience of a drive-on lift, the SL-3600A is a premium quality 4-post alignment lift. Two electrically-operated centre jacking beams are supplied as standard to free the wheels for tyre or brake work. It has a 3-button control panel for up, lock and down and a 6-button remote control with up and down control for the lift and each jacking beam. Each jacking beam has its own electrical switches on each side to operate them while under the car.

BE K TO

ONL , E N O

OR W S ' DO. E L R L E I N TH NT W E M WHE QUIP E T RIGH THE

The lift platform is just 235mm high, to suit low riding cars and it has 1200mm long drive on ramps. A third option is the option Powerrex SL5600A wheel alignment scissor hoist which also has a 4.5 tonne lift capacity, from a low rollover height to an impressive 1.85m. It comes with 1200mm long access ramps, and has the same controls as the Sl-3600A with two electrically-operated hydraulic jacking beams, avoiding the need to run pneumatic air lines to power them. This lift has a low profile rise of 280mm, removable front turn plates, allowing the full 4720mm long runways to be used, and multidirectional lockable rear slip plates. For more information or to book a demonstration at Automaster’s Henderson, Auckland, showroom, see automaster.co.nz, or call 0800 214 604, or email info@automaster.co.nz.

4,195*

P-209C Peak Clearfloor 4000kg Two Post Lift 1 or 3 Phase Single sided lock release. Low Cost Commercial grade CE Safety Certified Base Plate option also availabe

5,250*

AM-6246R Automaster Colour options gLight Blue Two Post Car Hoist 4500kg lift Dark Blue Double screw up feet with Dark Grey 80mm 4x4 extensions. 1 or 3 phase Remote & tool trays Only needs 100mm concreate

7,850*

SL-2950H Powerrex Two Post Lift 100% Made on Korea Premium Quality 4 button Control box Up, Lock , Lower & Direct Down buttons plus remote control

4500kg

*Delivery, installation and GST not included

AUTO EQUIPMENT BUILT TO PERFORM AUCKLAND 87 Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson CHRISTCHURCH 6 Gerald Connolly Place, Hornby

Email: info@automaster.co.nz Call toll-free: 0800 214 604

automaster.co.nz

The best inspection lamp now even better NARVA HAS UPGRADED KIWI WORKSHOPS’ FAVOURITE CORDLESS INSPECTION LAMP

he ‘See Ezy’ rechargeable LED Inspection Light revolutionised task lighting in workshops, providing powerful illumination in a compact, cordless form while offering a full day’s operation at maximum power.

What’s more, it was virtually indestructible and came with concealed magnets and a built-in hook, making it easy to fix in a convenient place for simple hands-free operation. And yet with all these features, Narva has still managed to improve it. The new light, model 71322, is equipped with 36 SMD LEDs that produce an ultra-bright 1000 effective lumens of flood lighting, ideal for illuminating engine bays, wheel wells, and underbody applications. The new model includes a 100-lumen torch light, which produces a powerful focused beam, increasing the light’s versatility. Depending on the output selected, battery life ranges from eight hours on the maximum power output, to 16 hours of continuous use on the low setting, 500 effective lumens. Finer levels of control over the light’s output modes increase its functionality, which also translates into additional battery life.

Three output modes — low, high, and torch — allow selection of the right output for the job at hand. The new See Ezy light also features an ‘Auto turn-off’ function. It turns off the light automatically after two hours of continuous use, in case the light has been left on accidentally. Prior to switching off, though, the flood light will flash to alert users that it is about to turn off. If the operator wants continuous light, he or she can disable auto turnoff by holding the power-on button for 10 seconds. To minimise the chance of being caught out with a low battery, the new light also features an LED display indicating remaining battery life. The LED display is activated by holding the power button on for two seconds. The new See Ezy light comes with a compact docking station which uses a USB-C charging port. Charging from completely flat to full charge takes about 5.5 hours. The new See Ezy light carries over successful features from its predecessors. It has magnets and hooks for hands-free operation, and a new design durable, weatherproof rubber housing (IP65) which is also shock-resistant, tested to IK07 levels. The unit is completed with a virtually unbreakable polycarbonate lens that’s been chemically tested to resist oils and fuels. The light also benefits from a comfortable, ergonomically-designed grip that makes it perfect for long use. The new See Ezy Rechargeable LED Inspection Light (part No. 71322) is backed by a one-year LED warranty. It is available from leading transport and automotive outlets nationwide. For more information see narva.co.nz.

R&J Batteries to distribute ACDelco batteries R&J BATTERIES, LIKELY NEW ZEALAND’S FASTEST GROWING BATTERY COMPANY, IS NOW THE EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR OF ACDELCO BATTERIES IN NEW ZEALAND

ne of the biggest names in automotive aftermarket, ACDelco has appointed R&J Batteries to distribute the ACDelco range of high-quality and reliable automotive batteries. ACDelco R&J Batteries product development manager Matthew Everett says R&J Batteries is delighted to have been chosen to distribute ACDelco batteries in New Zealand. “The ACDelco brand has strong ties in the New Zealand marketplace and has a long association with the General Motors’ brand and its dealers,” he said, pointing out the synergies between the brands. “Both are respected and trusted brands, supply quality products, have ongoing product innovation and heavy involvement in motorsport, just to name a few,” added Everett. The battery distributor has been distributing ACDelco batteries throughout Australia for 18 years through company-owned branches and stockists. Adding ACDelco to its extensive brand portfolio in New Zealand is a significant milestone for R&J

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

Batteries, recognising its growth and expanding footprint in New Zealand. It is well known that ACDelco is backed by General Motors which gives the brand a core strength and an extensive range of quality products. Speaking about its relationship with R&J Batteries, Stephen Matthews, General Manager (Aftersales) at General Motors New Zealand, said R&J Batteries provided a proven and logical way to extend its distribution reach in New Zealand. “As we look to develop the ACDelco battery business in New Zealand, supported by our existing Holden and Isuzu truck dealer network, we see opportunities to support more customers with a quality product and grow the brand across the automotive sector. We look forward to developing the relationship that will not only grow the business but also secure our business for the future.” ACDelco has built a worldwide reputation for its experience, dependability, technology, and performance. The current range of

ACDelco batteries covers a wide spectrum of applications in automotive, commercial, high cycle marine, marine starting, garden and lawn, effectively covering all business, residential, and recreational battery needs. All ACDelco batteries are laboratory-tested, field-proven, and have undergone numerous quality control checks which enables robust warranty coverage. Explore the ACDelco batteries range today at R&J Batteries in Wiri, Albany, Hamilton, or Christchurch. Auto electrical workshops, battery resellers, or parts suppliers can join the ACDelco stockist programme to become part of a growing partnership. For more information on the ACDelco battery range, or to become a stockist, call 0800 546 000, or visit rjbatt.co.nz.

NOW DISTRIBUTED BY R&J BATTERIES ACROSS NZ •

Premium Automotive

•

AGM & EFB

•

Commercial

•

Deep Cycle

•

Marine

•

Lawn Mower

 www.rjbatt.co.nz

 RJBatteries

When the going gets tough … … THE TOUGH GET GOING, AS THE SAYING GOES. DIAMOND LUBRICANTS IS THAT KIND OF TOUGH

ason Diamond knew he had a passion for all things mechanical and working with people. He also knew the value of high-quality lubricants, and the frustration involved sometimes in sourcing some of the less common grades. Jason is a qualified mechanic by trade. He had worked in various workshops in the Wellington and Porirua area and always wanted to run his own business. He had already shifted from working on the tools to selling top-quality lubricants. That set him wondering how he could create space for himself that would utilise all the skills and knowledge he had accumulated. When the first lockdown happened in March 2020, many people took a step back and reviewed their place in the universe. Some felt it was time to consolidate and hold tight. Jason thought it was the time to have a go at getting out there — and have a go he did. Arguably the height of a pandemic might not be the best time to experiment with a new business model, but more experienced entrepreneurs would

Jason Diamond

argue if you are not changing and adapting you are going backwards. Blackfern Cooperative’s Roger Castleton says even prior to the pandemic, according to MBIE, 58 per cent of the Kiwi businesses started in 2010 with no employees had ceased to exist by 2015. With up to five employees the figure was slightly better at 43 per cent. Not inspiring figures. Roger says the motor industry has a slightly different profile in that a higher proportion of businesses are established and sold on from the boss to new owners who often come from within their workforce, so they know the business. However, says Roger, doing something a little different, creating a start up in the already competitive lubricants distribution market as Jason Diamond has done, takes guts. Noticing that many distributors have reduced their representation in the market, Jason approached a number of quality brands with a proposal to on-sell and, more importantly, service the trade face to face. His motto is ‘Be a good human’. Using his experience running a workshop and his product knowledge

gave Jason an edge in the competitive lubricants segment. He also approached Blackfern Cooperative to become a supplier to the cooperative as he was familiar with the business services it provides to its members. “Being 100 per cent Kiwi tied it all together,” says Jason. Jason was inspired by the support for his idea and went about setting up Diamond Lubricants Ltd. “I set out with no customers and a bit of determination to make this work,” says Jason. “I must say I was pretty nervous at first.” Nearly two years into the journey Jason now has customers all over the North Island and parts of the South Island, supplying lubricants and competitively priced coolants, chemicals, aerosols, paints, and sealants. Jason credits his success to having the determination to source solutions around product grades short falls. “Customers don’t want excuses, just solutions,” he says. He knows being self-employed isn’t easy but seizing opportunities is the way forward and the positive support and advice he has received from family, friends, and other sources has built momentum. Jason’s main stable brands are Mobil and Chemz and he can source other brands. While it’s all still fresh in his mind, Jason’s advice to others thinking of creating a new business is: “Do the research and back yourself.” Diamond Lubricants Ltd is a Blackfern supplier. Any purchases associated through Jason or Diamond lubricants during May will entitle Blackfern members to go into the draw for 5000 reward points. For more information on Diamond Lubricants, call Jason Diamond on 021 195 5015.

BREAK THE Pure Kiwi

blackfern.coop

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

CHAINS ON PRODUCT PRICING YOU WON’T BE DISADVANTAGED

blackfern.coop

Navigating FCA’s SGW with Launch scan tools INCREASING SECURITY TO PROTECT VEHICLE SOFTWARE IS THROWING UP BARRIERS TO INTERROGATION BY SCANNERS. AECS EXPLAINS HOW TO UNLOCK THE GATE ECS technical trainer and workshop advisor Hamish Van Lier talks us through a recent help desk enquiry.

THE ISSUE A workshop called about a late-model Dodge. Every time the technician looked at anything other than the codes, he was required to login to an FCA account. “What is an FCA account? Why do we get this message? Where do I get an FCA account? What is it going to cost us? I have paid for the tool, so why do I need to see this?” came the query. FCA or Fiat Chrysler group vehicles include Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and RAM brands. Also note that last year FCA group merged with PSA (Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel, and Vauxhall) to form the Stellantis group.

BACKGROUND FCA, like other makers, has deemed it necessary to provide a firewall, known as the Secure Gateway model or SGW, to protect the electronic systems on their vehicles from unauthorised electronic tampering. EU legislators have required this to prevent software updates that delete EGR, DPF, and now AdBlue systems and defeat their vehicle emission

LAUNCH

regulations. Also, says Hamish, these systems are sometimes being removed to avoid dealing with them, or to make the repair cheaper, or to please the customer. FCA’s SGW (Fiat Chrysler’s Security gateway) prevents non-FCA registered scan tools from doing anything other than reading fault codes. Scan tools need to be approved and registered with FCA to navigate through the firewall.

SOLUTION: COMPLIANCE Launch scan tools are an approved brand that can be registered for clearance through the SGW firewall. FCA has set up a system called AutoAuth for aftermarket workshops to register their Launch tools. Setting up an account is simple. Costs start at around NZ$80 for 12-month membership. Allow five to 10 days for account activation. AutoAuth has nothing to do with AECS or Launch. It’s FCA’s systems and payments flow directly to them. Launch Auscan series tool users can register their tools for Secure Gateway Module access on the www.AutoAuth.com website. Launch Eurotab series users can register on https://launcheurope.de/activation. Warning: Do not leave account set-up to the last

SCANTOOL SERIES:

AUSCAN 3

EURO TAB II

minute as it can take in some cases over a week for the account to be active. Once an account has been set up, the tool registered, and appropriate fees paid, the authorised user will have a username and password to cross the SGW firewall and carry out diagnostic procedures on vehicles for the period of the licence, with the registered tool only.

CONCLUSION “Build this cost into the service when you get to service a late-model vehicle from the FCA group. Yes, it makes the service more expensive, but the customer bought this vehicle and all its extra servicing costs,” says Hamish. “In fact, we have only ourselves to blame for removing very expensive emission treatment systems from vehicles, and by performing non-sanctioned software updates, which in some cases remove part or whole fault code tables from ECUs as a ‘fix’.” For more information, contact info@aecs.net or 06 874 9077

LAUNCH ADAS SERIES:

ADAS PRO

ADAS Heavy Duty

^ Two-year standard plus one-year extended promotion which will end on March 30, 2022. * Including one-year subscription.

Please contact LAUNCH prestige dealer for more information:

Car news

Autonomous trucks to take over in the US

Co-founder Jeremy Hindle

A NEW STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SUGGESTS AUTONOMOUS TRUCKS COULD REPLACE AROUND 500,000 JOBS IN THE US.

Special cars get their own caring app CUSTODIAN HAS LAUNCHED A PLATFORM AND APP FOR CAR ENTHUSIASTS, BUILT TO SIMPLIFY THE AUTOMOTIVE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE BY COMBINING CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY WITH CLEAR THINKING.

he app's creators say that for too long the joy of classic and specialist car ownership has been tainted by the burden of administration. The Custodian platform and progressive web application relieves users of the traditional pain points of classic and specialist car ownership such as tracking costs, filing invoices, and remembering key dates such as insurance and WOF renewals, letting owners focus on enjoying their car instead. Free to download from the Custodian website, and already in use by more than 2000 car owners, the Custodian app features a suite of robust ownership tools designed to help users keep track of the administration surrounding car ownership, allowing users to: Organise and track the maintenance aspects of car ownership including recording, categorising, and accounting for servicing, maintenance, and restoration work Set up reminders for key dates such as WOF, tax, and insurance renewals

Build a digital history file for a vehicle, which will be fully sharable for prospective buyers and ultimately transferable to a new owner in the event of a sale. The features of the app have been developed with feedback from the motoring community. Custodian will continue to add and develop new tools continuously in response to requests from its users and fellow enthusiasts. All data entered into the platform is secure, and Custodian does not sell any of this information to third parties or allow third-party advertisements within the platform. Users can share their vehicles and any details with other Custodian users, but this is an opt-in function, and privacy remains the default setting. Jeremy Hindle, co-founder, said, “As the classic and specialist car world begins to adopt technology, it was important to us from the outset to ensure that Custodian is a secure environment in which users can feel their data is stored safely.”

Paying your way As fuel prices surge to an all-time high, more and more UK motorists think it is socially acceptable to ask passengers to contribute to the cost of petrol in exchange for a lift. Research commissioned by the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has discovered that nearly two thirds (64 per cent) of the 1,000 drivers surveyed believe it is becoming more socially acceptable for designated drivers to ask passengers to stump up money at the pumps. These findings come as the cost-of-living crisis deepens with average petrol prices rising by 12.6p per litre in the UK between February and March, the largest monthly rise since records began in 1990.

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

Unsurprisingly, young drivers are more likely to ask passengers to help foot fuel bills, with eight in 10 (82 per cent) of drivers between 18-24 believing it is more acceptable. This compares to over half (58 per cent) of over 65s, who are the least likely age group to split fuel costs.

hat’s the vast majority of people driving trucks on long-haul routes, which the survey says are the easiest (and the least contentious) jobs to replace. These trucks cover thousands of kilometres on interstate highways. The routes are simple to navigate, making them relatively easy for autonomous driving technology to handle. Although there are around 3.3 million truck drivers in America, long-haul jobs are particularly prone to turnover. It is said the entire workforce turns over entirely every 12 months or so because the work is tedious and isn’t particularly well paid. “When we talked to truck drivers, literally everyone said, ‘Yeah, this part of the job can be automated,’” said Aniruddh Mohan, a PhD candidate in engineering and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University and a co-author of the study. “We thought they would be a bit more dubious.” Long-haul drivers need to be on the road about 300 days a year and only make around US$47,000, meaning that truckers tend to try to move into short-haul routes — which are trickier and, therefore, pay better — as quickly as possible. As a result, there’s presently a shortage of around 61,000 drivers. That has led trucking companies to seek drivers from outside America and to try to lower the minimum age for interstate drivers from 21 to 18. But according to the University of Michigan study, there are still some hurdles to overcome. Autonomous technology is getting pretty good at navigating an interstate highway when the weather is good, but bad weather still poses a challenge. In addition, the technology isn’t as good off the highway as it is on it, meaning trucking companies may have to set up transfer stations where human drivers can handle the shorter, more challenging drive to the warehouse. The study suggests this could lead to autonomous trucks replacing around 90 per cent of long-haul trucking jobs in the US.

Ford Europe goes all-electric FORD HAS SAID ITS PASSENGER VEHICLE LINE-UP IN EUROPE WILL BE ALLELECTRIC BY 2030.

ord plans to spend US$1bn (£720m) updating its factory in Cologne, with the aim of producing a mass-market electric vehicle by 2023. It is also launching seven new models and has announced a battery gigafactory in Turkey. It plans to phase out emissions from vans by 2035. Electric vehicles accounted for 9 per cent of new car sales globally but, in the US, where SUVs and utes dominate, they account for just 4.5 per cent. Ford’s electric version of the country’s bestselling vehicle, the F150 truck, will be a massive bellwether there. Meanwhile in Europe, Ford’s new Ford Pro business unit is planning a further four new allelectric commercial vehicles by 2024, to follow the hotly-anticipated all-electric E-Transit. Ford Pro is a new venture in the commercial vehicles sector, providing fully integrated,

digital-first solutions to help customers manage their fleets whether they run diesel- and petrolpowered vehicles, all-electric models, or even non-Ford vehicles. Ford Pro estimates that maintenance and repair costs of ownership will be 40 per cent lower than equivalent diesel-powered models — and according to Ford Pro data, E‑Transit has the lowest such costs in both the UK and Germany versus direct competitors. Fleet managers can ensure their vehicles are charged and productive using Ford Pro’s E-Telematics software which generates insights and alerts. These include range status with thresholds; alerts if a vehicle is not charging when it should be; and charge performance insights, including kWh consumption, charge speed, and distance to empty. Ford Pro Charging’s expert consultants work with each depot to identify the most efficient, future-proof charging solution and project-manage the entire planning and commissioning process, meaning even fleets with limited knowledge of electrification options can easily make the switch. With access to a network of over 300,000 chargers across Europe via the fast-growing Blue Oval Charging Network, finding a charger to top up the battery will only get easier. To help operators running mixed fleets, Ford Pro Charging software and equipment is also compatible with other manufacturers’ vehicles.

Driverless bus trialled in Scotland BUS COMPANY STAGECOACH IS CARRYING OUT ON-ROAD TESTING OF ITS AUTONOMOUS BUS IN PREPARATION FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE CAVFORTH PILOT SERVICE LATER THIS YEAR. The Project CAVForth pilot, which is jointly funded by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), will see five single-deck autonomous buses operating at SAE Level 4 over the Forth Road Bridge between Ferrytoll park and ride in Fife, and the Edinburgh Park train and tram interchange. The buses are fitted with Fusion Processing’s ground-breaking sensor and control technology, CAVstar, that enables them to run on pre-selected roads without the safety driver having to intervene or take control. The buses will provide a service capable of carrying up to 36 passengers over the 14 miles across the bridge, with capacity for over 10,000 passengers a week. The on-road testing in Scotland follows successful depot-based trials, track testing, and virtual simulation where the buses have been put through their paces to fine tune the autonomous drive systems. Transport Scotland recently opened a section of actively managed hard shoulder for all buses on the M8 eastbound. It will help to

reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability for all buses of 24 seats or more on approach to Edinburgh. Stagecoach plans to train 20 ‘autonomous bus professionals’ from its East Scotland driver network. These experienced bus drivers will

monitor the autonomous system alongside a bus ‘captain’ who will talk to passengers and answer questions. Chris Gall, ADL group engineering director, said: “The start of on-route testing is a milestone for our autonomous bus project.

VW electric sales up 65% Despite supply bottlenecks for semiconductors and wire harnesses, 99,100 VW battery electric vehicles were delivered to customers by the end of March, up from 60,000 in the opening quarter of the previous year. The biggest increase was in China, where 28,800 customers took delivery of a BEV — a more than four-fold increase on the previous year period. Europe is leading the charge, with 58,400 vehicles (share of 59 per cent) in the first three months. In the USA, the Group handed over 7,900 BEVs to customers, which equated to 8 per cent of its global BEV deliveries. The top 5 BEV models in the first quarter of 2022 were as follows: • Volkswagen ID.4 30,300 units • Volkswagen ID.3 13,000 units • Audi Q4 e-tron (incl. Sportback) 10,700 units • Audi e-tron (incl. Sportback) 10,300 units • Porsche Taycan (incl. Cross Turismo) 9,500 units

Hennessey goes Mammoth HENNESSEY, THE TEXAS-BASED HIGH-PERFORMANCE CAR AND TRUCK MANUFACTURER, HAS STARTED BUILDING ITS BIGGEST EVER TRUCK, THE 283-INCH (719CM) LONG HENNESSEY MAMMOTH 1000 6X6 TRX.

t almost seven feet high and 88 inches wide, the 6x6 pickup truck dwarfs ordinary cars and trucks. Its performance also has the power to shock — Hennessey’s engineers have boosted performance of the stock Dodge Ram TRX engine by more than 300 horsepower to 1,012 bhp. The torque needed to propel the monster truck is enhanced similarly, totalling 969 lb-ft (1,314 Nm) after a 319 lbft (433 Nm) uplift by Hennessey. The new truck features a mountain of off-road kit, from locking rear axles and Bilstein suspension, to 20-inch wheels clad in 37-inch off-road tyres. The 6x6 Mammoth builds on the base Ram TRX adding a third axle, extending the truck’s length by more than four feet and creating a cavernous load-space. John Hennessey, company founder and CEO says: “Everything we do at Hennessey Performance is turned up to 11, but the Mammoth 1000 6x6 is definitely turned up to 12! Everything on the Mammoth 6x6 is bigger, badder, and more imposing — plus, it’s still super-fast, while being a

Transporter is ‘Best Medium Van’ again The Volkswagen Transporter 6.1 was named Best Medium Van for the second consecutive year in the annual Fleet News Awards. Stephen Briers, editor-in-chief at Fleet News, said: “The Transporter retains its title as the best pound-for-pound medium-size van, thanks to its excellent payload and towing capabilities aligned to competitive running costs and amazing residual values. It is extremely versatile, with body sizes, drivetrain, and gross vehicle weight options to suit all fleet needs, while offering drivers a near car-like experience behind the wheel, protected by the latest safety technology. It remains the clear benchmark in this category.”

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

total powerhouse off-road. It’s the undisputed king of the road.” Priced from US$449,950 — inclusive of the base Ram TRX — the four-door Mammoth 6x6 features new front and rear bumpers and a dazzling array of LED lights alongside a bespoke interior. Under the chest-height hood, the truck features a 6.2-L Hellcat V8 engine. The Hennessey team has added a high-flow 2.65L supercharger, fuel injectors, and high-flow induction system alongside performanceboosting calibration. The company has built and delivered more than 20 VelociRaptor 6x6 and Goliath 6x6 Silverado trucks to clients all around the world, making them comfortable with offering a comprehensive twoyear/24,000-mile warranty. It plans to build 12 a year. Based in Sealy, Texas, Hennessey has re-engineered more than 12,000 sports, muscle cars, and utes since 1991. It also builds its own supercars — the Venom GT and the Venom F5.

Goss brings the Automotive Aftermarket a true, genuine alternative. With more than 75 years of experience supplying quality replacement parts. Goss has the largest range, sourced from world-leading OE and OES suppliers. All backed by warranty and a technical services support team.

NEW RANGES FUEL VAPOUR VALVES

OIL COOLERS

DEF HEATERS

Engine oil coolers help reduce engine oil temperatures and assist the engine lubrication system.

DEF assists in keeping diesel vehicles operating within emission specifications.

TURBO ACTUATORS

VACUUM PUMPS

INJECTORS

Turbo actuators provide a pressure relief valve that controls the boost output, redirecting excess exhaust gases away from the turbine wheel.

Generates vacuum for actuating pneumatic components, like EGR valves, turbos or brake boosters.

Perform to or exceed OE specifications. 350 plus part numbers in the range.

FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSORS

EGR COOLERS & VALVES

AUXILIARY WATER PUMPS

Rather than replace the entire fuel rail, Goss fuel rail pressure sensors allow you to replace the faulty part only.

Our EGR coolers have been reengineered and using a new manufacturing process. Goss EGR coolers are a better than OE solution.

Goss offer a range of high-quality aftermarket Auxiliary Water Pumps sourced from OE suppliers at competitive prices.

GOSS.CO.NZ

The main component of the Diesel Fuel Vaporiser system to assist in incinerating particulate matter.

Unboxing the black box AS VEHICLE ELECTRONICS BECOME MORE COMPLEX AND ‘PROTECTED’, INJECTRONICS OFFERS A NEW ELECTRONIC REPAIR SERVICE THAT PROVIDES A COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO NEW REPLACEMENTS

njectronics has built a successful business offering nationwide automotive electronic repair services in Australia. Based in Melbourne, the company has now opened its first laboratory in New Zealand. Expansion manager David Lance, a nine-year veteran with the company in Melbourne, has just set up the new lab in Mount Wellington, Auckland, and employed its first local technician, Irfan Siddiqui, to work alongside him. They are operating with two benches initially and, to start with, servicing local clients who previously dealt with the Melbourne head office. Establishing the new lab is the second time around for David, who previously set up the Sydney laboratory, which gave the company its first satellite operation in New South Wales. David is confident business will grow here as it did there. One of the differences he noted immediately after arriving in New Zealand was that the local car park is much more diverse here, even though many cars are essentially the same but wearing different badges. That can make it more challenging to chase down spares or replacement parts but David says under the skin, electronic components are often much the same. An outsider might assume that as cars’ electronic systems proliferate, become increasingly complex and interdependent, it would also become more difficult for electronic engineers to keep up. Doesn’t that increasing sophistication mean the faults become more diverse, and less common?

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

David is remarkably relaxed about this. “There are still going to be 10,000 more potential customers with the same issue — and in the end they are essentially all the same,’” he says. Regardless of the systems they control, electronics work with the same bag of tricks and are therefore understandable. “They are just sending signals at different voltages.”

EXPERIENCE COUNTS Established in 1984, Injectronics now has a staff of around 60 people and a wealth of data and experience to call on. Many faults have been found many times in specific vehicle units, making most faults quick to identify. It also means technicians can respond fast and, if the faults are complicated, call up documented repair procedures. Having spotted the same fault enough times, Injectronics has built a number of upgraded replacement modules for specific cars. They are clearly a better alternative than straight replacement OEM parts, which come with the same vulnerability. VE Commodores, for example, have a known flaw in a circuit board that stops the car with a dead throttle. Injectronics has developed an improved module. They have something similar for a VZ Commodore. Another popular product line is repairing a Bosch hybrid board used in many vehicles. It has ultrasonic bonded links that eventually give up after thousands of miles of heat cycles and vibration.

Injectronics has invested in a robotic ultrasonic bonding machine that remakes all those links, and it has the equipment to test those remade units — and offer a 12-month warranty common to all of their products. Another key benefit of Injectronics services is that it can test every unit, both when it arrives to ensure the fault is in the unit under suspicion, and after repairs to ensure the repaired unit is fully operational. “If you go to a wrecker you don’t know the unit’s good, never mind not being able to transfer the security chain data,” says David.

SECURITY CHAIN One of the biggest barriers to repairing automotive electronics is the VIN-specific coding manufacturers build in specifically to stop unauthorised interference. This plays a large role in driving people to new OEM replacements, or dealer visits for recoding, but it is also supported at least in part by government legislation. Governments want OEMs to prevent vehicle owners and workshops circumventing safety and security systems, and emission control equipment. David says this means the average workshop can’t find a replacement second-hand electronic module, plug it into a car, and expect it to work. Each unit is specifically coded to work only with the other electronic units in that specific vehicle — the ABS, HVAC, instruments, key/immobiliser, body control module, infotainment, and sat nav systems. One of Injectronics’ key benefits is its technicians’ ability to know where that security chain data is stored in each module, how to extract it and implant it in replacement modules, overwriting its existing data so that the rest of the network recognises the replacement unit as belonging there. One of the key tools Injectronics has developed is the VAS unit, or Vehicle Automotive Simulator, which effectively takes the place of a complete car. A car’s main brain, its ECU, can be plugged into it, along with the ignition key, and the PIM — a module that translates signals from many other systems in the car into signals the ECU can understand. The unit runs through a programme devised by Injectronics that sends signals simulating those from a car on the road that test every function of the ECU. They will encompass everything from different patterns of crank speed, spark timing, injector openings and air flow, to turn signal settings, air con settings, door locks, and even boot lid releases. An actual throttle

body can also be attached to ensure that throttle position signals are actually activating the butterfly on the throttle body. “It’s always better to test a real load,” says David.

IN-HOUSE TECH Flanking the VAS in the new lab are two long test benches facing each other with mirrored equipment, about half of which Injectronics has developed in-house. On the top shelf on each side is an oscilloscope, a power supply, and a function generator which can create a signal with specific characteristics and repeat it in a pattern if required, which can be recorded and reused. On David’s desk was a large ECU from a truck. The truck had an injector fault that caused that cylinder to run dry, eventually destroying the engine. A new engine was installed but the ECU was reporting the same fault in the new engine. The ECU was sent to Injectronics to see if it was this unit that was at fault all along. David was able to test the unit thoroughly and confirmed the injector circuitry in the ECU was faulty — although he suspects that it was the faulty injector that damaged the ECU. The vehicle had continued to be driven despite the fault warnings and rough running. Unfortunately it wasn’t the best example to show. “If the fault was on this side of the unit ...” he says, pointing to the exposed circuit board, “... we could have repaired it but it’s on the other side [a sealed aluminium housing] that we just can’t get into.” However, Injectronics could source a replacement unit, clone this unit to recognise the security chain codes from the vehicle, test it, and supply it at a considerable saving over buying a new ECU, which then has to be programmed by the OEM dealership.

David and Irfan spend a fair bit of time doing actual repairs — wielding fine pliers and soldering irons, making new connections, building wiring looms for new test equipment, or replacing faulty processors and resistors on circuit boards. On the desk are a number of Injectronicsdesigned test units — sets of sockets each with a switch and an indicator light which test a variety of functions from different modules. If a lighting circuit has a suspected fault, for example, the tester will fit the plugs used in the test box to wires attached to relevant pins on the body control unit socket, and plug them into the section of sockets marked ‘lights’ on the test block. Then when the signal from the signal generator — which is pretending to be the high beam or indicator — is fed in, it should light up the test lamp.

The other essential tool for most repairs is a wiring diagram and it’s this that gives David and Irfan the key they need to track down faults and ensure correct function, regardless of how complex those systems become. “You’ve got to work it out,” says David. “That’s always been the case.” For more information see injectronics.co.nz, or to book a repair look for ‘Register Your Repair’ on the home page.

HAND SKILLS If this looks like the software does all the work,

Leader in automotive electronic remanufacture & repair solutions

Since 1984 Injectronics has been providing supply solutions for electronic and mechatronic components to the automotive aftermarket. We are excited to bring all that Injectronics offers to the New Zealand aftermarket, with the opening of a local Auckland based facility. Injectronics reputation as the leading supplier and repairer of electronic and mechatronic components, will provide peace of mind for the automotive aftermarket in New Zealand, and having a local facility will result in quicker turn-around times and the customer’s vehicle back on the road quicker. Injectronics utilize the in house developed Virtual Automotive Simulators (VAS) which allows computerised testing of many of the automotive electronic control modules and computers fitted to today’s vehicles. Other services available from injectronics include various types of programming required in today’s modern vehicles, such as immobiliser matching, flash programming, variant programming and cloning. Free technical support to the trade is a top priority to the team and can be accessed via phone, live chat or email.

FREE TECHNICAL SUPPORT

ONLINE REPAIR REGISTRATION

ONLINE TECHNICAL RESOURCES

LIVE CHAT FACILITY

injectronics.co.nz

ONLINE QUICK SEARCH

PROGRAMMING

0800 536 547

NOW OPEN IN

MOUNT WELLINGTON The Injectronics range includes, but is not limited to: ABS MODULES

AUDIO & NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

BODY CONTROL MODULES

BRAKE MODULES (ELECTRONIC)

CLIMATE CONTROL MODULES

ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES

ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCKS & SWITCHES

GEAR SELECTOR MODULES (ELECTRONIC)

HD & INDUSTRIAL

INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS

THROTTLE BODIES

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULES

19 Bell Avenue, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060

Figure 1: 2017 RAM 2500 factory u-joints come with green and blue selective snap rings

Troubleshooting and servicing universal joints SERVICING UNIVERSAL JOINTS LOOKS STRAIGHTFORWARD. IT’S NOT. AND CHEAPER ALTERNATIVES COULD BE MORE TROUBLE THAN THEY ARE WORTH

f you take the time to research the proper method of diagnosing, removing, and installing universal joints you will probably find some manufacturer’s service information is limited, which accords with most people’s view that there’s not much to it. However, other manufacturers (including manufacturers of universal joints) give you detailed step-by-step service instructions, including specific tools to use and measurements to take. Measurements? What measurements? How many technicians have been taught how to centre the u-joint in the driveshaft yoke ears? Or to measure and adjust the axial end play of the u-joint with selective colour-coded snap rings? Have you even seen a u-joint with selective snap rings? A little more research will probably show many aftermarket u-joints do not come with selective snap rings. Not all u-joints are equal. In this article, we will look at the potential differences in u-joints and how they

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

can impact you and your customer. Here’s a few questions to ponder, which this article will address. 1. What is the difference between a new $30 u-joint and a new $200-plus u-joint kit for the same vehicle? 2. Have you ever installed a new u-joint and had the customer complain of vehicle vibration afterward? 3. How come OEM u-joints in vehicles seem to last forever? 4. Why are most factory installed u-joints the sealed type, without a grease fitting? 5. Why are there coloured snap rings on many of the factory-installed u-joints?

History It is unknown who invented the original twoaxis u-joint, or whatever it was called then, but it happened sometime in antiquity (thousands

of years ago). Today the name ‘universal joint’ is defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in standard J901, but there are three other names used for u-joints in service information, parts stores, and workshops 1. The Cardan Joint: Incorrectly named in honour of Italian mathematician Hieronymus (Girolamo) Cardano (1501-1576) who is credited with describing/inventing in 1557 a gimbal with three axes of freedom for holding a ship’s compass level in the ocean waves — but a gimbal is not a u-joint and functions quite differently. 2. The Hooke’s Joint: Correctly named after English mathematician Robert E. Hooke (16351703) who in 1675 demonstrated that an angled shaft connected to a u-joint with two degrees of freedom does not rotate at a constant velocity. Hooke also discovered and demonstrated that connecting two u-joints together causes an angled shaft connected to them to rotate at a constant velocity. Today, this constant velocity joint configuration is incorrectly called a ‘double Cardan Joint’. Hooke used his inventions in an attempt to display the time of day from a sundial onto a vertical wall so people passing by could easily see the time of day. 3. The Polhem Knot Joint: Incorrectly named after Swedish inventor Christopher Polhem (1661-1751) who, after visiting England and studying Robert Hooke’s work, went back to Sweden in 1697 and re-invented the u-joint under his own name.

Prior to the advent of the automobile, universal joints were primarily used to connect two machines together. These early u-joints required constant maintenance, cleaning, and lubrication. In 1902, Clarence W. Spicer (1875-1939), engineer and inventor, invented an enclosure for u-joints to protect them and make them selflubricating. He obtained 40 US patents between 1903 and 1934 for various designs of improved u-joints and driveshafts. His inventions led to the replacement of the sometimes lethal chain-driven axle with shaft-driven axles at the dawn of the automotive industry. In 1919, Charles A. Dana (1881-1975) partnered with Spicer, purchased a controlling interest in the Spicer Manufacturing Company, and managed the company while Spicer continued innovating and improving u-joints and driveshafts. Dana managed Spicer Manufacturing for 30 years. In 1946, Spicer’s company was renamed Dana Corporation which has continued to innovate and produce top-quality u-joints and drivelines under the Spicer Drivetrain Products brand. Spicer is still a major supplier of factory-installed u-joints and driveshafts. In 1982, the Spicer driveshaft division of Dana Corporation developed the first all-aluminium driveshaft. Today’s aluminium driveshafts require special zinc/phosphate-coated steel bearing caps and snap rings to avoid severe corrosion caused by electrolysis. Today there are several aftermarket companies which are in competition with Spicer, including many producing lower quality counterfeit/ knock-off parts at greatly discounted prices.

US university in 2019. They cost anywhere between US$8.99 and US$135 each. Assessments included: • Weight of the complete u-joint with snap rings — always replace both (all) u-joints as a set on the same driveline to maintain balance and reduce moments of inertia • Materials • Cross-span variation of the trunnion cross • Cross-span variation of the trunnion cross with bearing caps • Bearing cap diameter • Design of the grease seal(s) • Recommended bearing lubrication type • Lubrication service intervals for u-joints with grease fittings • Lubrication reservoir precautions for sealed u-joints • Method of reduction of metal-on-metal friction from trunnion thrust surface to bearing cap • Method of reduction of metal-on-metal friction from needle bearing ends to bearing cap • Method of needle bearing retention • Methods of corrosion protection • The thickness of snap ring set(s)

The thickness of the snap rings averaged 1.37mm (0.054”) compared with 1.50mm (0.059”) in Spicer snap-rings. Thin rings fit into the snap ring groove more easily but fitting thinner rings would result in an increase in the driveshaft runout of 0.13mm (0.005”) because of the additional end play. This condition will cause the driveshaft to orbit rather than rotate on a centerline. Now combine the vibration caused by an offset u-joint cross and these snap rings. This u-joint could have an additional 0.30mm (0.012”) of driveshaft runout just from changing a single u-joint! Many driveshafts have a maximum runout specification of 0.51mm (0.020”) and even brand new vehicles will use half of this leeway. It would not take much more runout to exceed the maximum allowed. Friction producing design: All six aftermarket u-joints tested were designed with the thrust end of the trunnion cross rubbing metal-to-metal on the bottom of an unmachined bearing cup. Additionally, the bottom of the needle bearings makes metal-tometal contact with the bottom of an unmachined bearing cup.

On the worst (figure 3), the cross-span variation measurement across the two sets of opposing bearing caps was 0.180mm (0.007”) compared with 0.025mm (0.001”) on the OEM and Spicer u-joints. Any cross-span variation can result in an

The differences between universal joints Figure 2 depicts a US$30 u-joint available today online and in many auto parts stores. This is probably technology from a 1968 Dana patent (US3369378A) that expired in 1985. When a patent expires, the technology is open for the rest of the world to use so suppliers are free to use old, outdated technology. Modern u-joints can outlast this old technology by a factor of 10 to 1. Six different brands of aftermarket u-joints, two Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) u-joints, and two Spicer u-joints were tested at a Figure 4: Typical aftermarket u-joint kit contents Figure 3: Lack of precision resulted in a crossspan variation of 0.007” (0.18mm)

Figure 2: 51-year-old technology from expired patents

offset u-joint cross centerline. That can cause a vibration if the driveshaft runout was already on the borderline of specifications. In other words, installing this u-joint could cause a vibration. The typical contents of an aftermarket u-joint kit can be seen in figure 4. This 51-year-old design has several disadvantages when compared to a modern Spicer design. Single flexible rubber seal: This design of grease seal does a poor job of keeping the grease inside and of keeping dust and moisture out of the bearing caps. This explains the need for a grease fitting. Grease fitting: So a grease fitting is not necessarily a good thing. It requires remembering to flush it properly. Snap rings: All six aftermarket u-joint kits tested came with one set (four) of snap rings.

Misleading advertising/markings: One of the six aftermarket u-joints tested had ‘Made in China’ printed on the outside of the box, yet the letters ‘USA’ were cast into the u-joint cross, making it look like a knock-off casting.

Better quality The patented technology used in OEM and Spicer u-joints allows them to last 10 times longer than the $30 u-joint. Let’s look at this technology. Triple lip seal design: As shown in figure 5, the inside lip seal faces the bearing cap and keeps the grease inside the bearing caps and lubrication reservoir. The other two lips face the trunnion cross and keep dust and moisture out of the bearings. Because this seal does such a good job, no external grease fitting is required for grease flushing, and bearing life is extended. This answers questions three and four.

Seal guard: The seal guard protects the triple lip seal from damage from mud or road debris as you drive. The seal guard is an important improvement in u-joint design.

Thrust spacer: These kits were designed with a nylon spacer on the thrust end of the trunnion cross to prevent metal-to-metal friction with the bottom of the machined bearing cap.

Figure 5: Patented triple lip seal design

Quality Control: The two OEM and the two Spicer u-joints displayed precision machine work. As can be seen in figure 6, the cross-span variation measurement across the two sets of opposing bearing caps was a consistent 0.025mm (0.001”) or less.

Figure 7: Typical OEM and Spicer U-Joint Kit

Figure 6: Very low cross-span variation Corrosion protection: As mentioned before, aluminium driveshafts require special zinc/ phosphate-coated steel bearing caps and snap rings to avoid corrosion caused by electrolysis. OEM and Spicer u-joints may have just two of the bearing caps coated with zinc/phosphate recognised as a dark brown/grey coating. Those two bearing caps must be installed into the aluminium yoke ears of the driveshaft; the steel bearing caps are installed into the steel companion yoke ears. When replacing a u-joint in an aluminium driveshaft, be sure to use coated bearing caps and coated selective snap rings.

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

Figure 8: How to measure and adjust axial end play

Thrust Washer: These kits were designed with a nylon thrust washer installed between the bottom of the needle bearings and the bottom of the bearing cup to prevent metal-to-metal friction. Snap ring sets: The OEM and Spicer u-joint kits contain three sets of (four) colour-coded selective snap rings (figure 7). U-joint kits for aluminium driveshafts also contain three sets of selective snap rings, but they are not colour-coded since they are coated with zinc/phosphate. There are two reasons for using selective snap rings (from question five at the start of this article): 1. As seen in figure 8, the snap rings are used to adjust the axial end play in the u-joint. Axial end play is the space between the trunnion thrust surface and the bottom of the bearing cap and is measured with a dial indicator. Axial end play is adjusted by changing to a thicker or thinner snap ring on each side of the same u-joint cross. Too little end play can lead to premature u-joint failure due to friction and lubrication blockage, and too much end play can contribute to excessive driveshaft runout and vibration. 2. The snap rings are also used to centre the u-joint cross in between the yoke ears of the driveshaft. You must use the same thickness of snap ring on each side of the same cross to keep the u-joint centred in between the driveshaft yoke ears. Always measure each snap ring and keep track of where you install it. Snap rings are easily damaged and should not be reused if they do not spring back to their original dimensions.

BATTERIES FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS

• Low resistance envelope separators • Microfibre scrim increases plate durability and helps active material retention • Integrated flame arrestors for increased safety • Strong, dependable starting power NOW AVAILABLE FROM R&J BATTERIES

 0800 546 000

 www.rjbatt.co.nz

 RJBatteries

Installers wanted, enquire now!

haymanreese.co.nz | 0800 MY T BAR

The right fast release penetrant (with Smart Straw) THE VERSATILITY OF WD-40 IS LEGENDARY, SO WHEN THIS COMPANY PRODUCES A SPECIALIST PRODUCT, YOU KNOW IT’S GOING TO HAVE A VERY PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS

usted and stuck parts are an everyday frustration in many workshops. They can cause wear and tear that reduces the efficiency of your tools and machinery and, in some cases, can even be dangerous. Every workshop needs a rust-penetrating spray that deals with this specific problem and delivers quick results. How about the one that tested as having the fastest penetration in WD-40s lab tests? WD-40 Specialist Fast Release Penetrant spray is designed specifically to loosen rusted bolts, or seized joints, or other corroded or rusted components and mechanisms. This fast-acting penetrant has a superior capillary action to penetrate deep into crevices, threads, and seams to break the rust bonds that hold stuck parts together. It also inhibits rust and corrosion from re-forming

and leaves behind a lubricating layer. It has an extremely low surface tension, meaning it can work fast, and it can be used on metal, most rubber and plastic surfaces, alloys, and most paints. The ‘Smart Straw’ allows it to be delivered precisely at all angles, in tight and hard-to-reach spaces like nut and bolt threads, locks, chains, hinges, fastenings, bearings, and tools. Once you’re done, you can flip the straw back down for wider area coverage. Penetrating lubricants are also very effective as cleaning agents. They can be used to remove tar, grease, adhesives, and rust. This is because the fluid can be used as a solvent cleaner or degreaser for dissolving contaminants. However, the dispersal properties of a specialised penetrant means it shouldn’t be selected as a longer-term lubricant. For metal-to-metal contacts,

a good longer term lubricant is WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease. If your primary goal is rust prevention over the longer term, the team suggests WD-40 Specialist Lanolin or WD-40 Specialist Spray & Stay. Don’t forget periodic inspections to see if you need to re-apply protection. WD-40 Specialist Penetrant is a must for any workshop or for anyone who needs to keep machines and tools in top working order. Pick up a can of this ‘liquid problem-solver’ today. For more information, see www.wd40.co.nz/where-to-buy.

Try our WD-40 Specialist Fast Release Penetrant spray to loosen screws, loosen rusted bolts, or other corroded or rusted components and mechanisms. This rust penetrating spray has an extremely low surface tension, meaning it can: • Quickly penetrate and release rusted or corroded parts • Loosen seized fixings and mechanisms • Loosen rusted bolts • Lubricate to protect against further rust and corrosion • Be used on materials such as metal, most rubber and plastic surfaces, alloys and most paints The Smart Straw allows it to be used precisely at all angles, and it can reach tight and hard to reach spaces like nuts and bolts, locks and chains, hinges, fastenings, bearings, and tools. Once you're done, you can flip the straw back down for wide coverage.

Superior performance 30

Born from rocket science ™ Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

wd40.co.nz

Filter face-off: standard Ryco oil filters vs Ryco SynTec RYCO OFFERS THE PREMIUM SYNTEC OIL FILTER FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR PREMIUM OIL FILTRATION

yco’s standard filters are already designed and proven to meet or exceed OE standards, so why would you opt for the SynTec option? Engine oil is continuously contaminated by the byproducts of combustion in the top of the engine — moisture formation, and the effects of temperature, pressure, shear forces, and gradual engine wear in this hostile environment. It’s an onslaught no oil can take forever, which is why oil is changed, but filters trap particles building up in the oil, effectively cleaning it for its next cycle through the engine. Standard Ryco Oil Filters are designed to deliver a balance of efficiency, capacity, and flow for optimal quality engine filtration beyond the life of each oil change cycle. Media selection is an important step in the design process of the

Ryco oil filter, ensuring the filter meets or exceeds international ISO and SAE standards and the performance of its OEM equivalent. Testing in the Ryco labs ensures each version of the standard Ryco Oil Filter will reliably protect the vehicles they are designed for throughout the service interval. The Ryco SynTec Oil Filter is designed and constructed to the same quality standards but has the edge over the standard Ryco filter with a special high efficiency media using nanofiber technology that traps smaller particles. This tightly woven synthetic media, made in the USA using the latest manufacturing techniques, provides a dense path removing 99.8 per cent of contaminants without increasing the pressure drop across the filter. Put simply, it is a more effective filter. The Ryco SynTec Oil Filter will maintain its performance for

WHEN YOU NEED SUPERIOR PROTECTION BE RYCO READY

Ryco’s N99 MicroShield Cabin Air Filter range is designed to exceed OE. The N99 range is developed and tested in Australia’s only dedicated Air Filtration Laboratory. With added seal and N99 medical grade media for increased filtering of dust, camp-fire smoke, soot, pet allergens, odours, viruses*, bacteria and more, down to 0.3 microns. So when your customers cabin needs superior protection, be Ryco Ready.

*H1N1/H3N2 RYC2885

15,000 kilometres without compromising the flow of oil. And it is designed to resist temperatures up to 260°C, as well as chemical attack. This extra level of performance makes the Ryco SynTec Oil Filter perfect for special cars for which only the best is good enough. For instance, the Ryco SynTec Z160ST Oil Filter is used on Tickford race cars in the Supercars Championship. Of course, this doesn’t diminish the effectiveness of the standard Ryco Oil Filter in any way. Ryco’s extensive testing programme ensures that the quality of each and every Ryco filter meets or exceeds that of their OEM equivalent. If you’re servicing an everyday vehicle, you can rely on Ryco standard filters to keep the engine healthy. But if you are servicing a vehicle that’s a bit more special, or it has a high performance engine that will benefit from extra protection, the premium Ryco SynTec Oil Filter is a worthy investment. For more information on Ryco products see rycofilters.com.au.

Shoddy surprise HE WAS TRYING TO AVOID THE DRAMA — BUT THIS IS CAR BUILDING AND IT’S NEVER PLAIN SAILING. HOWEVER, IT RESULTED IN THE BUILD OF A TARMAC-TEARING RESTOMOD SS WORDS: MARCUS GIBSON PHOTOS: STRONG STYLE PHOTO

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

f you’re reading this chances are that, at one time or another, you’ve thought about, or even gone through with, importing a piece of tin from Uncle Sam. It would surprise no one to know an overwhelming percentage of the machines that grace these pages have at one time or another been the centre of one of these transactions. The US of A is a big country and there’s an overwhelming number of classic cars for sale at any one time, so, for many, taking the risk to secure their piece of the American automotive dream is a no-brainer. As witnessed time and time again, not all that glitters is gold, and this process can be fraught with despair and disappointment — none of which Jon Gibson wanted any part of. However, he ended up having his fair share. “I knew what I wanted: a first-gen Camaro — those Coca Cola can body lines have been ingrained in my mind since my Matchbox cars from childhood. So the search started — right here in New Zealand. I wasn’t keen on the idea of bringing in something from the States after all the stories I had been hearing. I looked, and I looked — at loads in fact. I drove plenty, but none satisfied. I was left kinda disappointed, and quickly came to a conclusion that finding and securing the best and most sound ’67, with no bodywork needed and with all the chrome intact, was the best plan,” Jon explains.

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

Even though the search was a drawn-out one, he didn’t give up, and eventually the right ’67 came along in the form of a rather mint carburetted LS7-powered ’67 SS. It had been purchased out of Nevada and modified here in New Zealand. It was just what Jon had been searching for. He knew what was in front of him, and wasted no time purchasing it on the spot. “I was the happiest dude in the world that day!! Still am — but there was some serious learning to come,” he recalls. Now we should probably mention that Jon is no greenhorn when it comes to owning, building, and modifying cars. A few weeks into owning and enjoying the ’67 he started to question the performance the LS7 was delivering. The car’s namesake, the Camaro, is a mythical animal that eats Mustangs — a tale made up by a GM exec — but this one was more prey than predator. Even more concerning were the ticking noises that quickly developed. “What could that be — surely nothing serious right? So I decided to drop in and see a school mum’s husband for some advice — introduce Carl Jensen at C&M Performance. Thanks, Julie!” Doctor Jensen’s prognosis wasn’t one Jon wanted to hear. The body might have been in the condition he first thought, but the driveline was not. It would require a complete overhaul. Jon was

The car’s namesake, the Camaro, is a mythical animal that eats Mustangs pragmatic about it — as we said, it’s not his first rodeo. His biggest concern was how he was going to get the OK for the extra and totally unexpected expenditure from his better half, Anita. He got that one across the line, and soon the LS7 — which reportedly started life in Scotty Mac’s super tourer — was ripped out and off to Reece Fish at FFR for surgery. Reece carried out a full rebuild to nearfactory LS7 spec, replacing damn near everything and taking the opportunity to replace the cam with something with much more bump of his own recipe. The carb was never going back on and, with the LS back at C&M, it was ditched in favour of EFI, using a Holley Sniper, along with a full suite of Holley fuel system components. But what to do about the misplaced factory intake? Not a fan of GM’s plastic offerings, Jon went hunting and came across Plazmaman’s new LS Pro-Series billet plenum — the credit card digits could not have

been loaded any faster. Coupled with this would be a 95mm Holley throttle body and a custom intake. “The Plazmaman looked nice — better than expected — but now the rest of the engine looked, well — untidy. So we set about changing the look.” The Holley catalogue once again came to the rescue, and on went a new Holley mid-mount accessory drive kit and Plazmaman fuel rails. The first stage of the ’67’s reconstruction was completed just in time for Americarna so Jon and Anita were finally able to begin to enjoy what had been a lifelong dream machine for Jon — who soon became accustomed to feeding the LS7 a proper boot full; the resulting oversteer and smoke signals were an instant hit. It was the car Jon had dreamed of since school, and he was driving it exactly as he would have if he’d been handed the keys back then. As fun as this was, the build was far from over. It wasn’t long before all this youthful exuberance being

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

Feeding the LS7 a proper boot full; the resulting oversteer and smoke signals were an instant hit thrown at the nearly 60-year-old rear end resulted in a trailer ride back to C&M. It was time to go over the entire driveline. In went a new Centerforce clutch, while the Tremec TKO600 was rebuilt and a nineinch rear with posi trac and Strange axles retired the wounded 10-bolt. It was also at this stage that the rather large Wilwood stoppers found their way on, as well as a set of Koni coilovers to join one of the only

remaining pieces from the original build: the Western Sport tubular A-arms. The build was really starting to head in the right direction — a proper restomod that would handle whatever Jon threw at it. It would be sounding a whole lot better, too, with C&M’s in-house fab man, AJ, whipping up a set of custom headers and a new exhaust system good enough to pick up a further 40 ponies on the dyno for the dry-sumped LS. Build now complete, right? Well — we’ll let Jon explain what happened next. “Those in the know will be aware that the handbrakes on Gen-1 Camaros can be testing at times, to say the least. A little roll down the drive and through a gate knocked the front out of shape a little.” We’re sure many expletives could be heard echoing through the neighbourhood when Jon discovered the carnage that day, but the incident did present the opportunity to get a few exterior

SPEC 1967 CHEV CAMARO SS ENGINE: FFR-built LS7, 427ci, JE pistons, FFR ‘special grind’ cam, new valve springs, guides, and stems, new pushrods, lifters, and bearings, GM HP followers, Holley mid-mount accessory drive kit, Holley Sniper EFI, Holley smart coils, Plazmaman LS Pro-Series billet intake, 95mm Holley throttle body, custom C&M intake, K&N filter, Holley Sniper fuel tank, Holley fuel pump, Holley regulator, custom C&M headers and exhaust, custom radiator, Peterson dry sump pump, custom overflow bottles, Eddie Motorsports bonnet hinges, braces, and catches DRIVELINE: Tremec TKO600, Centerforce clutch, 9-inch diff with US gears and Eaton posi, Strange axles, custom driveshaft SUSPENSION: (F) Western Sport A-arms, Koni adjustable coilovers, (R) Koni adjustable shocks, leaf springs with Caltracs, Nolathane CHASSIS: Inter-connecting brace BRAKES: Wilwood master cylinder, Wilwood Hydroboost, (F) Wilwood 6-pot calipers, Wilwood drilled and slotted 2-piece rotors, (R) Wilwood 4-pot calipers, Wilwood rotors WHEELS/TYRES: (F) 18x8-inch American Racing, Bridgestone 225/40R18, (R) 18x10-inch American Racing, Bridgestone 265/35R18 EXTERIOR: Chevrolet Corvette Torch Red by Motive Panelbeaters and Spraypainters, vinyl roof delete, RainGear window wiper, LED headlights, electric actuated lights, custom radiator in-fill panel INTERIOR: Scat Procar bucket seats, recovered SS rear to match, Grant wood classic steering wheel, Keiser shifter knob, Dakota Digital HDX Bluetooth gauges, replacement door cards, all new chrome, Vintage Audio reproduction stereo with Bluetooth, two Vintage Audio Sound Amplified 8-inch subs, Vintage Audio speakers JBL 6x9s

jobs sorted while the Camaro was at the shop of choice, Motive Panelbeaters and Spraypainters, for repair. Jon’s ‘Let’s just do this, too’ list grew from a custom infill panel on the radiator support panel to removing the factory vinyl roof to steer the car more in the restomod direction it was headed. However, as soon as the vinyl was removed, it became clear all was not well. Some signs of rust were spotted in the gutters, so this was remedied and new sills and the entire roof bare metalled due to webbing in the paint. What else was Jon to do but commit to a full repaint in the shade of red he wished was already on there: Chevrolet Corvette Torch Red. The interior was not about to miss out, either. After a painstaking search to find the right bucket seats that weren’t too modern looking, a set of Scat Procars were dropped at the upholsterer to be recovered to match the factory RS rear. At the same time, all the interior chrome was replaced and a set of Dakota Digital gauges was installed, along with a Bluetooth hidden audio system for those long roadies. It is in this guise that Jon has continued his

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

Jon has continued his youthful ways, hammering on it any chance he gets, and clocking up some serious kms of enjoyment youthful ways, hammering on it any chance he gets, and clocking up some serious kms of enjoyment. Is it finished? Don’t be stupid; Jon’s a car guy, so you know he is already planning the next refinement — and the one after that. While the number plate might call it ‘shoddy’, we’d say it’s anything but thanks to the solid group who helped Jon come out the back end with the car he’d always wanted. It might not have been plain sailing, but Jon’s as happy now as he was the day he got it. “That’s the awesome thing about owning,

driving, modifying, and building cars — the people you meet and the journey!” It’s an attitude more should adopt; this is car building — expect the unexpected, and roll with the punches.

DRIVER JON AND ANITA GIBSON AGE: 18 at heart (50 according to the calendar) CLUB: Kiwi Camaro OCCUPATION: Electrician LOCATION: South Auckland PREVIOUSLY OWNED CARS: Plenty, from four bangers to rotaries; ’13 ZL1, ’12 Dodge ProCharged Challenger SRT8, ’70 Dodge Challenger Western Sport Special BUILD TIME: Three years on and off — still not finished LENGTH OF OWNERSHIP: Four years THANKS: My good mates, who have mocked me through the process; Carl and AJ at C&M Performance, for their patience and attention to detail; Reece Fish, for the awesome engine; Dan at The Mag Wheel Guru

Bosch Batteries Driven by RELIABILITY The modern vehicle has an increasing number of electronic components and systems that require electrical power. Bosch batteries are the power supply that deliver the necessary high performance and safety to meet the demands of today’s modern vehicles.

www.boschaftermarket.co.nz

PV, LCV, SUV & 4WD

HCV & Off Highway

Available from your local BNT branch. Over 60 stores nationwide.

www.bntnz.co.nz

00107T 220x156 Auto Channel Battery Adv BNT 2021 Fin.indd 1

28/4/21 10:46 am

LET’S KEEP THINGS MOVING TALK TO EMCO FOR NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION AND INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT FOR LUBRICANTS, FLUIDS AND GASES.

EMCO offers an extensive range of premium reticulation products with the highest levels of functionality and design, from quality manufacturers across the globe. Our team of determined problem-solvers are passionate about quality, service and doing what’s right for you. EMCO products and installations solve even the most technical of reticulation challenges. SPEAK TO EMCO FOR PUMPS, REELS, DISPENSING EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES, ALONG WITH SITE PLANNING, INSTALLATION AND SUPPORT. New Zealand agent for world-leading RAASM products

Contact our expert team today Phone 07 850 5240 Email sales@emco.co.nz Emco.co.nz

Products

The latest automotive products

High-performance cabin filters

Launch and retrieve with ease

As attention on fresh filtered air has increased, recommending high-performance cabin filters demonstrates extra customer care. The activated carbon in new NAPA cabin filters eliminates odours, and an anti-bacterial coating also acts on viruses and bacteria, as well as mould and fungi. Their 0.3 micron rating provides much more effective filtration against viruses such as Influenza A, and H1N1 than the 2.5 microns protection offered by conventional cabin air filters. Ryco’s new 0.3 micron N99 MicroShield filter offers better than N95 medical mask protection for cabin air, making it 500 times more effective at capturing particles below one micron in size than regular air filters. For more information, contact a NAPA Auto Parts branch, or call 0800 800 073.

The Fulton XLT powered winch makes it a cinch to load and unload boats up to 8m in length. A convenient wireless remote lets you stand back and control operations from the best vantage point. It is corrosion resistant, features a fabric strap, and there’s a manual override in case of power loss. Call 0800 876 526 for resellers. RRP $915.

Lift and separate The Hydro-Park 1127 comes from the numberone selling parking solution manufacturer in China, proven by more than 20,000 users over the past 10 years. It simply and cost-effectively doubles the parking space available, and is suitable for permanent parking, valet parking, or car storage. Posts can be shared, saving cost and space on additional units in linked configuration. They have a capacity of 2700kg and a width of 2547mm, and come in singlephase or three-phase configurations. From $6249 plus GST. For more information see centurydistributors.co.nz.

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

See Ezy for longer

ACDelco cleans up

The new 71322 See Ezy Rechargeable LED Inspection Light takes the popular Narva workshop light to the next level. It has an effective output of 500 or 1000 lumens, giving up to 16 hours continuous run time. It is IP65 and IK07 rated to ensure it keeps working in the toughest workshop conditions. Narva reckons the new See Ezy Inspection lamp is long lasting, powerful, and virtually indestructible. Available from automotive stores throughout New Zealand. For more information see narva.co.nz.

ACDelco offers a full range of chemical products to protect, enhance, and maintain your vehicle. From fuelling and brakes to cooling, ACDelco has developed the chemical products needed to keep vehicles performing at their best, all with ACDelco’s thoroughness and quality. Priced from $7.25 plus GST, they are all available to order online at gmtradeparts.co.nz, or from your GM Trade Parts seller.

Big alignment lift, small footprint The Automaster AM-8250TXD-R lift’s full frame is built under the scissor lift, which means it can be flush-mounted to provide a clear floor. Its generous 5000mm long runways and adjustable positions for the flush turntables makes it suitable for both small and large vehicles, lifting to 2160mm. Fitted as standard are twin rolling jacking beams allowing for tyre rotations, brake, and suspension service. Available in red or dark blue colour schemes. For more information see automaster.co.nz, email info@automaster.co.nz, or call 0800 214 604.

Koba for all KOBA maintenance-free calcium batteries have sizes to suit any size of automotive or commercial vehicle. These batteries are designed to provide safe, reliable starting power with improved durability and cycle life. Their enveloped separators provide low electric resistance, maximising a battery’s electrical performance and minimising self-discharge. The durable and safe nature of these batteries makes them an ideal choice for everyday automotive or commercial use. For more information on KOBA batteries, visit www.rjbatt.co.nz.

MISTAKE 4 – IMPROPER ROTOR SERVICE

The top 10 brake service mistakes SERVICING BRAKING SYSTEMS IS A REGULAR TASK AND IT IS EASY TO BECOME COMPLACENT. WATCH OUT FOR THESE COMMON MISTAKES

he danger in routine operations is the natural tendency to speed up and even bypass some ‘less important’ parts of the routine. Here are the 10 most common brake service mistakes.

MISTAKE 1 – BRAKE FLUID INSPECTION Adding fluid to a master cylinder without determining the cause of the fluid loss. Brake systems are closed systems, so the only reason for the fluid to go down is either a leak in the system or brake pad wear. Adding fluid without correcting the problem is setting up the customer for continued fluid loss and perhaps even loss of braking. The second issue is making a judgement based simply on the colour of the fluid. Brake fluid can easily turn dark due to the lubricants used in the manufacturing process and discoloration caused by the EPDM brake hoses. The only acceptable way to check brake fluid currently is by measuring the amount of copper in the fluid from corrosion of the copper brazing used in the steel brake lines. Test strips are available for this purpose.

Improper rotor service can include: 1. Failure to verify the existing rotor is serviceable. 2. The need to resurface if using an existing rotor when fitting new pads. If old deposits of the previous material are on the rotor, it can contaminate the new pad and lead to performance and noise issues. 3. Proper measurement and assessment of the rotor. 4. Proper surfacing and cleaning of machined rotor. Here we need to discuss ‘abrasive friction’ versus ‘adhesive friction’. Today, OEs are moving over to ceramic or non-asbestos organic brake pads that use layering technologies to stop the vehicle by adherent friction. What is the difference between abrasive and adherent friction? Abrasive pads work by creating sufficient friction to stop the rotor. The process breaks down the particles of the brake pad. Adherent friction relies on a thin layer of brake pad material actually bonding to the surface of the rotor, creating a thin layer of that material on the rotor. Adherent friction is not as hard on the brake pads and rotors as abrasive friction is. It stops more effectively, with less wear on the pads and rotors. Mixing layers from the old pad would pollute this process. The only way to avoid this issue is to resurface or replace the rotor.

MISTAKE 5 – NOT SERVICING THE CALLIPER ASSEMBLY Inspect the calliper piston boot for damage. Even small nicks in the boot can allow in moisture and debris that will corrode the piston and damage the calliper piston seal. Inspect the floating calliper guide pins and boots for damage. Failure to service the guide pins is the leading source of uneven pad wear. Clean the calliper mounting and replace abutment clips and ‘squealers’.

MISTAKE 6 – INSTALLING THE BRAKE PADS BACKWARDS It can easily happen. Most brake pad sets do not specify inner and outer placement, but some do and failure to follow these important instructions can have a dramatic effect on how the system works. Mistake 7 Not lubricating the calliper slide pins Use a lubricant specifically made for this purpose. And be sure to check the wear of the calliper slide pin bores and bushings. If in doubt, replace the assembly to ensure the calliper body can move freely.

MISTAKE 8 – INSTALLING THE CALLIPER UPSIDE DOWN A common mistake made by new, less experienced technicians who haven’t paid attention to the hose routing when reinstalling the calliper assembly.

MISTAKE 2 – FAILING TO PUT AN ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE INTO SERVICE MODE Another common, and potentially hazardous, mistake is failing to put the brake system into Service Mode prior to disassembly because some systems can cycle through a self test, which would not go well if the calliper is off the car.

MISTAKE 9 – NOT TORQUING CRITICAL FASTENERS Fasteners have torque specs for a reason. Failure to torque them properly will have a huge impact on pad wear and braking effectiveness. Remember, the pads must be in alignment with the rotor and free to move so they can apply equal pressure to the rotor.

MISTAKE 10 – FAILURE TO SEAT THE NEW PADS MISTAKE 3 – HANGING THE CALLIPER BY THE HOSE Often technicians rest the calliper on the lower control arm but it can fall away and cause internal damage to the hose.

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

This is a leading cause of noise complaints and should be a part of your brake repair verification process. Use the 30-50-30 process — thirty gradual stops from 50kph with a 30 second break in between, then 100-40-10 — slowing from 100kph to 40 with moderate pedal pressure.

Supplying to the Trade

New Zealand Wide - Wholesale Only Warehouses in Auckland, Christchurch, Geraldine and Invercargill

• • • • •

Quality brands Prices to the trade Premium and budget tyre options available Excellent profit centre for tyre shops and garages Online ordering 24 hours

FREE PHONE: 0800 80 90 96

EMAIL: blairs@blairs.co.nz WEB: www.tyreorder.co.nz

Auto Channel has unsurpassed reach into the wider Automotive trade, direct mailed to over 11,000 business owners in New Zealand. Call me to today to discuss ways I can help you grow your business through NZ’s highest circulating automotive trade publication!

Franchises Available

Protect your vehicle from rust and corrosion Vehicles with high exposure to our marine environment are susceptible to premature rust and structural corrosion from sea spray and salt.

AUTObLAST specialise in vehicle underbody rust removal with long lasting protection.

Call today for a free appraisal.

Mark Everleigh - 09 222 1729 (09) 443 6574 www.autoblast.co.nz

DISC BRAKE PADS

MAKING WHEELS GREENER

EV-Hybrid Disc Brake Pads are AASA Leafmark™ Certified which means they use organic brake friction materials for minimal environmental impact. In addition, low particle emissions deliver cleaner wheels and long disc life. Featuring Bendix’s exclusive Green Titanium Stripe, EV-Hybrid pads provide instant friction (no bedding-in required). Designed for quiet operation and low noise, EV-Hybrid pads are specifically engineered for EV and Hybrid Vehicles.

To find pads to suit your vehicle visit: www.bendix.com.au/catalogue Find solutions for every brake job at www.bendix.com.au Or freecall the Bendix Brake Advice Centre on 1800 819 666 Bendix is a trademark of Garrett Advancing Motion Inc.

Low Environmental Impact Low Dust, Low Noise Formulated for EVs and Hybrids

Supplier directory

PA R Be TS

a S ra ring UP di s P at , d LY or iff s, s, en al SE gi ter RV ne n O IC co ato ils E ,g C m rs, po br re O as N ne ak e, S nt e c co UM s, om ol A W ba p an B O tte o L t R , rie nen E Ra K t S r an s, ts gs SH tra , s cl , lu O fl ea b P ile ui ne ric C rp d, rs an O bu ar , c ts N ts l b S SU ar , P U s, flu ca PE M SP re , a AB sh Ti E ,a e L e N es irc ros ES bu rod SIO on ol sh s, N s, es ba A a br , b ll j N as ea oin D AF iv rin ts ST es TE ,r E g , s, ac ER Au R sh k di M I oc en NG dr o, AR ks ds es pe K , s rf ET up or , p m AC W ai an C nt ce ES O /w p S D RK ra ar O ia S p, ts, RI g ha no HO dr bo ES nd sti P iv d el yk c E to s, Q in it ol ho U e s, s, is IP RE sp ts M PA , ec e E N Au IR l ia ec T lis t to t s ric en e SER er s, gi lec V vi po ne tr IC ce w i c re al E eq er bu , g W ui to ild ea pm ol IN rb s , D W S en s, su ox in C t sp es d m sc RE en , c irr re E sio yli or en N nd n S s, s , c er w , c AN oo h ip hi D W er p lin ead H s, re G g s, E O E cu pa LA L EM S st irs SS om , s re re A pa p ND fit ide irs lac T m gl , c em Y en as R o t s, e ns n E S AU t um , TO t Re ab yre s R le s, s, fit su tora EFI in tin pp ti N ne g lie on ISH r t /b s, , sm E ub ala sp a R es nc ra sh S in y g, pa rep in ai te rs rs , a ,p u ai tont b co od rre y ct io n

YOUR GUIDE TO NEW ZEALAND'S LEADING AUTOMOTIVE TRADE SUPPLIERS

   

  

   

  

   

0800 472 787 0800 333 125 aecs.net 06 874 9077 bntnz.co.nz 09 414 3200 hcb.co.nz or 0800 422 228

     

precisionequipment.co.nz 0800 246 478



jasoceania.co.nz or 0800 527 335



dieseldistributors.co.nz or 09 265 0622 09 836 6673

 

autolign.co.nz or 09 574 2288 tatp.co.nz or 0800 268 266

      

   

smitsgroup.co.nz or 0800 227 422

  



griffithsequipment.co.nz or 09 525 4575



parts@1stautoparts.co.nz or 09 638 6439 mountshop.co.nz or 0508 866 686



bmw.co.nz or 0508 269 727 cyb.co.nz or 09 978 6666



0800 465 855 0800 549 429

 

automaster.co.nz or 0800 214 604 centurydistributors.co.nz

 

  

     

patchrubber.co.nz or 0508 837 248 dtm.co.nz or 0800 621 233 penriteoil.co.nz or 0800 533 698 nzmotoroils.com or 0800 942 645



 



 

0800 383 566 06 306 8446 or blackfern.coop redarcelectronics.co.nz 0800 757 333 or fenixautoparts.co.nz



  

smitsgroup.co.nz or 0800 227 422

crc.co.nz or 09 272 2700 rjbatt.co.nz or 09 636 5980

 

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

  

 



treadwayequipped.co.nz 0800 436 436 sales@advancefc.co.nz 0800 538 058 holden.co.nz/dealers



07 850 5240 0800 188 122

a S ra ring UP di s P at , d LY or iff s, s, en al SE gi ter RV ne n O IC co ato ils E ,g C m rs, po br re O as N ne ak e, S nt e c co UM s, om ol A W ba p an B O tte o L t R , rie nen E Ra K t S r a s, ts gs SH n tra , s cl , lu O fl ea b P ile ui ne ric C rp d, O rs an bu ar , c ts N ts lb SU ar , P SU s, flu ca PE M SP re , a AB sh Ti E , e N es ai ero LE rc s S bu rod SIO on ols sh s, N ,a es ba A br , b ll j N as ea oin D AF iv rin ts ST es TE ,r E g , s, ac ER Au R sh k di M I oc en NG dr o, AR ks ds es pe K , s rf ET up or , p m AC W ai an C nt ce ES O /w p S D RK ra ar O ia S g p, ts, RI ha no HO dr bo ES nd sti P iv d el yk c E to s, Q in it ol ho U e s, s, is IP RE sp ts M PA , ec e E N Au IR l ia ec T lis t to t s ric en e SER er s, gi lec V vi po ne tr IC ce w i c re al E eq er bu , g W ui to ild ea pm ol IN s, rb W DS en s, su ox in C t sp es d m sc RE en , c irr re E sio yli or en N n, nd s, s S co er w , c AN ip hi D W ol he er p in ad H s, re G g s, E O E cu pa LA EM LS st irs SS om , s re re A pa p ND fit ide irs lac T m gl , c em Y en as on e RE t s, AU su nt, S TO m ty Re ab re s R le s, s, fit su tora EFI in tin pp ti N ne g lie on ISH r t /b s, , sm E ub ala sp a R es nc ra sh S in y g, pa rep in ai te rs rs , a ,p u ai tont b co od rre y ct io n

PA R Be TS

   

 



cooldrive.co.nz or 0800 327 868 ryco.co.nz or 0800 838 222



 

         



mmnz.co.nz or 0800 54 53 52

ford.co.nz or 0800 367 369 tyreorder.co.nz or 0800 80 90 96 moreyoil.co.nz or 09 813 9200



 

gearwrench.co.nz Napa.co.nz or 0800 800 073 trojan.co.nz or 0800 876 526

 

fuchs.co.nz or 09 828 3255



bendix.co.nz 09 636 5428 or sales@clutchindustries.co.nz

   

    



   



 

nz.macnaught.com or 0800 023 510



tridon.co.nz or 09 259 4327 ateco.co.nz or 09 979 8000

  

 

eproducts.co.nz or 09 916 6750



eshop.wurth.co.nz or 0800 683 040 alleuroparts.co.nz or 0800 255 387 haymanreese.co.nz or 0800 MYTBAR

The Auto Channel supplier directory is your easy reference for sourcing a range of automotive products and services. This directory is a paid service for businesses who supply to the New Zealand automotive trade. To secure your inclusion, contact Mark Everleigh on 09 222 1729 or mark.everleigh@parkside.co.nz.

TIME TO UPDATE THOSE 2007 COPIES OF WOMAN’S WEEKLY IN YOUR WAITING ROOM?

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE AND HAVE FIVE NEW MAGAZINES DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS!

ONL $199Y !

0800 727 574 OR MAGSTORE.NZ/BUSINESS 45

NAPA backs Team Johnson THIRD-GENERATION RACER JETT JOHNSON JOINS MOTORSPORT ACADEMY — WHICH WILL SEND TWO MEMBERS TO THE INDY 500!

ett Johnson’s Ford Mustang will feature NAPA Auto Parts branding for the remaining rounds of the 2022 Turtle Wax Trans Am Series. Jett is the grandson of three-time Bathurst 1000 winner Dick Johnson, and son of V8 Supercars race winner Steve. The new look car was revealed over Easter, supporting The Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour event. Jett currently sits at 14th in the competitive Trans Am Series after scoring a best result of fourth so far. The 17-year-old has hugely valued his induction into the new NAPA Know How Motorsport Academy, which supports burgeoning drivers on both sides of the Tasman. “I think it’s an unreal tool for any grassroots racer,

future star — or anyone who wants to take the next steps in their racing career,” says Jett. “The Academy offers a lot of tips and tricks to get an edge.” What’s more, NAPA Auto Parts New Zealand and Australia will send two members of Academy to the 2023 Indianapolis 500. The once in a lifetime prize will go to the one Kiwi and one Aussie member who show the best use of this free race-craft learning portal. It’s not too late to join the Academy and enter. Sign up at www.napa.co.nz/academy/. The winners and a friend will spend seven nights in the United States. NAPA is currently a major partner of Andretti Autosport in IndyCars, as well as Breanna Morris (Formula Ford) and Justin Allen (Toyota 86) racing in New Zealand.

Auto Channel is the best way to reach the wider automotive industry. The publication is direct mailed to 11,298 New Zealand businesses in the following automotive sectors: Automotive workshops Parts importers and distributors Transmission specialists Automotive recyclers Towing operators Panel beaters and painters Crash repairers Tyre dealers Suspension and underbody repairers Steering specialists Towing operators Auto-electrical repairers

NAPA Auto Parts throws its support into NZ Super Trucks

New- and used-car dealers Air conditioning repairers Heavy machinery dealers Trucking and transport

NAPA AUTO PARTS HAS SUPER-SIZED ITS INVOLVEMENT IN NEW ZEALAND MOTORSPORT BY SECURING NAMING RIGHTS OF THE NEW ZEALAND SUPER TRUCKS.

fter recently securing title support of the NAPA Auto Parts New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, NAPA is taking on Super Trucks — further proof of the company’s commitment to grass roots motorsport across the country. The NAPA Auto Parts NZ Super Trucks is one of the most exhilarating racing series in the country pitting big rigs in head to head competition as fully fledged racing machines. Tony Walker, GM of Sales & Operations NAPA NZ, sees NAPA Auto Parts’ support as a natural extension of the company’s involvement with the freight movers in NAPA’s logistics network, seamlessly moving stock to where it’s needed throughout the country.

Auto Channel Issue #46 May 2022

Auto Channel Issue No. 47 distributed May 31

“What an awesome series to be involved with,” says Tony. “We are really pleased to be in a position to leverage Global NAPA Racing to invest locally and support a great series in times like this.” Dave West, President of Truck Racing Association New Zealand, is delighted to have a brand like NAPA driving awareness of the Super Trucks series. “As we hit the halfway point in our championship, we are excited to welcome NAPA Auto Parts as the naming rights sponsor for the remainder of the season,” said West.

Editorial: editor@autochannel.co.nz Advertising: Mike White michael.white@parkside.co.nz All other enquiries to: autochannel.co.nz Auto Channel is produced by Parkside Media, publishers of NZ’s three biggest-selling automotive magazines NZ Performance Car, New Zealand Classic Car, and NZV8.

Outside Back Cover RACK ENDS SILICONE HOSES SPRING SEATS SUSPENSION BUSHES / ARMS SWAY BAR LINKS / BUSHES TIE ROD ENDS TOW POINTS U BOLTS

N U S

R A sts

i C l R a

i c E D pe

QUALITY • SERVICE • KNOWLEDGE • LATEST RANGES WHANGAREI . HENDERSON . PENROSE . HAMILTON . PALMERSTON NORTH . LOWER HUTT . CHRISTCHURCH

JOB | 230270 Gatefold Back Cover FINAL

ALUMINIUM PIPING BALL JOINTS BODY / SUBFRAME MOUNTS BUMP STOPS DIFF MOUNTS ENGINE MOUNTS HANGER MOUNTS INTAKE HOSES LIFT KITS

. Y TH RR N HU MO ST LA

DRIVEN BY PASSION 100 YEARS OF WINFOR A SHARE

TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF REPCO, WE'RE GIVING AWAY OVER $85,000 WORTH OF PRIZES. WIN BIG WITH 1 OF 3 $10,000 CASH PRIZES OR INDIVIDUAL SUPPLIER PRIZES. PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS BATTERIES

SILVER SPONSOR

PROMO RUNS : 1 APRIL - 31 MAY 2022 repcotrade.co.nz 48

Auto Channel 46

Articles inside

Product profiles

Starting out in oil

Feature car: Far from shoddy Camaro

Supplier directory

The low-down on lifts