In The Bay Archives

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Virgil Exner: The creator of Chrysler’s “forward look”

I’m a sucker for the sleek, smooth, and aggressive look of late 1950’s automobiles. As such, I owe a debt of gratitude to one man: Virgil Exner. In the 50’s, Exner was the head of styling at Chrysler, and he spearheaded the “Forward Look” of their cars, a look that...

Noisy disc brakes – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

How to test for blown fuses in a car or truck | Fast and easy methodDescription All of the following could cause noisy disc brake operation EXCEPT: A) Glazed pads B) Grease contamination on the pads C) Broken anti-rattle clipsD) Foreign matter embedded into the pad...

Fuel pump designs are changing. Do you know what kind of fuel pump you’re troubleshooting?

Whether you used a fuel pressure gauge or relied on the Fuel Rail Pressure PID on your scan tool, a reading of zero when testing fuel pressure is a bad thing. What are your next steps? Do you jump the relay to see if the pressure builds? Do you use an amp probe and a...

Mechanic trivia: Which vehicle has a longer passenger side wiper blade? (VIDEO)

Description Almost every vehicle on the road has a longer wiper blade on the driver side. On older vehicles, you’ll also see two of the same size wipers working together. But can you think of any models that have the longer wiper blade on the passenger side?Related...

The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap

If you read Shop Press regularly you've noticed we’ve been running a series for the past couple of years. It’s called “Automotive Paragons,” and it’s a series where we look at automotive entrepreneurs, designers, and engineers who were exceptional, ahead of their...

Minimum rotor thickness – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)

Description Technician A says the minimum rotor thickness specification etched into a disc is the minimum thickness beyond which a brake rotor should not be used. Technician B says the number indicates the minimum thickness to which the rotor can be machined. Who is...

Battery date codes are painfully unstandardized and you’re better off without them

While diagnosing an electrical issue last week, I suspected that the battery was tired. The terminals were banged up, the case was covered in grime, and the manufacturer’s decal was peeling and faded. It barely passed a quick health check, so I started looking for a...

Using a spaghetti trick to keep zip ties organized (VIDEO)

Description Chefs know a helpful hack to keep spaghetti from falling out of an opened bag, and the same idea happens to work perfectly for zip ties. Give it a try next time you have a pack of zip ties that doesn’t have a resealable closure.Related Videos

The cheapest tool you can buy to turn more hours in a dead bay

by Lemmy | Jul 20, 2023

I feel silly admitting it, but I didn’t know what a breaker bar adapter was for a long time. When I learned what it was and what it does, I immediately thought that the tool was useless. Then I changed my mind. Lemme tell you why. Just in case you don’t know what a...

A cheap bore scope is your best friend for prepurchase inspections

by Andy Greaser | Jul 13, 2023

As the strong used car market continues, prepurchase inspections (PPIs) are an increasingly valuable resource for buyers seeking top-notch buys in a competitive market. The good news? While car values soared over the last few years, prices of borescopes (also called...

Torque wrench vs. torque stick for installing wheels (VIDEO)

by Shop Press Staff | Jun 29, 2023

Torque wrench vs. torque stick for installing wheels (VIDEO) How to test for blown fuses in a car or truck | Fast and easy method Description What tools do you trust when installing wheels on a vehicle? The trusty torque wrench, or the straightforward torque sticks?...

Service writers vs. technicians (VIDEO)

by Shop Press Staff | Jun 22, 2023

Service writers vs. technicians (VIDEO) Description Familiar Dorman faces Chris and Lemmy are joined by a newcomer to Shop Press, Scott. The fellas discuss the ins and outs of the complicated relationship between service writers and technicians and examine a few of...

What are the first mods repair professionals make to a vehicle? (VIDEO)

by Shop Press Staff | Jun 15, 2023

What are the first mods repair professionals make to a vehicle? (VIDEO) Description When you purchase a new vehicle, what are the first changes and modifications you do to make it your own? Dorman technicians reveal their favorite vehicle modifications for comfort,...

Witness marks: your reassembly guide when the service manual isn’t enough

by Lemmy | Jun 6, 2023

I believe we’re all familiar with the trope of the shadetree mechanic who has hardware left over, right? While I’m sure you’re not sending vehicles out the door missing their hardware, I think it is safe to say we’ve all been slowed down by a pile of fasteners. A long...