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Before selling a vehicle, make sure to remove personal data (VIDEO)

Description Smartphones, laptops and computers are normally cleared of all data before selling or discarding to protect personal information. Modern vehicles store all kind of information in their infotainment systems and that means they should be treated with the...

Dust Cap Tool Explained (VIDEO)

Description How many times have you seen a hub dust cap with ugly dents from a sloppy installation? A dust cap tool is handy for installations on customer vehicles. It helps to prevent damage while securely driving the cap into place.

Why a magnetic drain plug is a worthwhile upgrade (VIDEO)

Description Do your customers know the benefits of magnetic oil drain plugs? Swap out their standard drain plugs to help protect against unnecessary engine damage. Magnetic drain plugs are especially helpful for vehicles with long oil change intervals, as well as many...

Brake booster valve – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description A customer states the brake pedal falls slightly when the brakes are applied while starting the engine. Technician A says that a faulty brake booster check valve may be to blame. Technician B says this can be caused by a leaking brake booster diaphragm....

The final days (and cars) of AMC

In the last days of AMC, two employees brought a video camera into the Kenosha, Wisconsin plant to document the end of an era. Billy and Danny take a thorough tour of the old AMC buildings and production line, which was producing its last L-body Plymouth Horizons and...

What is a core charge?

The article title is a question I asked when I was a young counterman, and most of you oldtimer mechanics and parts people of course know the story: the core charge is a way to be sure the smoked part makes its way back to the parts counter. A core charge is a deposit...

How do you inspect a serpentine belt for wear?

Performing a visual inspection of a car part is usually the first step in assessing its condition. In the case of the serpentine belt, any sign of physical damage to the belt means the belt should be replaced, and may indicate the need to more closely inspect the...

5 unconventional brake job tips

5 unconventional brake job tips

We’ve all read articles on brake jobs and are familiar with the standard tips. Check the rotor thickness and runout. Pay attention to pad wear patterns. Don’t add fluid to the system when pads are worn. Blah, blah, blah. Here’s another list of tips that’s slightly...
Quick tip for greasing clogged fittings

Quick tip for greasing clogged fittings

I’m showing my age a bit, but when I write a car up for a LOF job, while I’m undercar I’m sniffing around looking for spots to hit with my grease gun. Many newer cars have nothing at all, but an older truck? There might be a dozen. Older tractors and motorcycles,...
Which type of salvage yard do you prefer?

Which type of salvage yard do you prefer?

In the world of salvage auto parts, most yards fall into one of two camps: you-pull-it and full-serve. You-pull-it yards are just what they sound like: bring your tools; you’ll be removing the parts you need. Full-serve is just the opposite; you call up and either...
VIDEO: The fastest way to remove a wiper arm

VIDEO: The fastest way to remove a wiper arm

VIDEO: The fastest way to remove a wiper arm Description We’ve all gotten stuck using a pry bar, the smallest two-jaw puller in the toolbox, or a block of wood and a mallet to free a wiper arm, but there’s an easier way—a Dorman Wiper Arm Tool. Watch as...
Serviceability Hall Of Shame: captive chassis mounts

Serviceability Hall Of Shame: captive chassis mounts

In today’s SHOS, I’d like to discuss captive chassis bolts. You’ll find these holding things like subframes and control arms to unibody chassis, and probably in some other spots, too. In this article, I’m showing the way Dodge chose to mount the first-gen Dakota cabs...