Shifting Gears Archives

Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle.

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Welding tips for automotive repair: What you need to know (VIDEO)

Description Any auto repair shop worth its salt has at least one welding rig to handle all kinds of jobs. Whether you’re a competent welder or totally new to the game, check out these tips to improve the welding workflow and output in your shop.

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...

Where do you leave your hitch?

by Lemmy | Jul 14, 2022

One of the things I really can’t stand is coming around a truck too quick and whackin’ my shin on a trailer ball. After this happens, I say “Ow!” real loud, and then a swear word. Then I wonder why in tarnation I just busted my leg. Why oh why is that thing hanging...

Mechanics React: Can you diagnose a vehicle’s problem just from the sound? (VIDEO)

by Lemmy | Jul 5, 2022

Mechanics React: Can you diagnose a vehicle’s problem just from the sound? (VIDEO) Description Nick and Lemmy, Dorman employees and mechanics, took a gander at a few internet videos and did their best at diagnosing via the Internet. The results were humorous, if...

Mechanics React: Dorman techs respond to crazy Reddit questions (VIDEO)

by Lemmy | Jun 21, 2022

Mechanics React: Dorman techs respond to crazy Reddit questions (VIDEO) Description Oh, brother. The boys are at it again. Nick and Lemmy, both Dorman employees and mechanics, watch a few internet videos and try their hands at diagnosing over the phone again. The...

Mechanics React: Dorman techs react to customer car care issues (VIDEO)

by Shop Press Staff | Jun 7, 2022

Mechanics React: Dorman techs react to customer car care issues (VIDEO) Description Nick and Lemmy, both Dorman employees and mechanics, sat down to watch a few internet videos and try their hands at diagnosing over the phone. The results were as humorous as they were...

What’s the next big powerplant fad?

by Lemmy | Jun 2, 2022

Some engine styles aren’t always in fashion, you know. As technology stamps its way down the path of progress, things change, and what worked yesterday doesn’t always work today. Engines were fairly staid for a long time, and depending on when your life started, what...

How long should a car last?

by Lemmy | May 26, 2022

Have you priced a car recently? The Monroney sticker on every car has a bigger number at the bottom each year, but since COVID-19 disrupted supply chains, it seems that prices have really gone haywire. According to Lendingtree, the average car loan is 69.7 months in...