An engine exhibits a knocking noise. During a cylinder power balance test, the noise abates. Which technician has the correct diagnosis?
HOT OFF THE PRESS
A low-tech favor you can perform for every customer (and yourself)
Break out your paint pen—you’re the service writer now!
ASE test prep requires more than sample questions (VIDEO)
Do you have a study guide to prepare for your ASE exams? Which parts of that study guide do you use the most? Dorman Training Center instructor Pete Meier explains.
The TPMS tool that pays for itself
Why wouldn’t your shop purchase a few of these?
SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
Welding tips for automotive repair: What you need to know (VIDEO)
Any auto repair shop worth its salt has at least one welding rig to handle all kinds of jobs.
Customer states truck was vandalized… Do you know what happened here? (VIDEO)
Each line item confirms it—cheating doesn’t pay.
Watch this video on the invention of the Ford V-8 engine
Ford made a V-8 engine affordable to the mass market consumer for the first time.
How to crimp heavy gauge wire (VIDEO)
Working on some battery cables or custom ground straps? A proper tool like Dorman’s 90707 heavy lug crimper has you covered.
Should you use anti-seize when installing spark plugs? (VIDEO)
Using a lubricant when installing spark plugs was once common practice, but today, you might want to think twice before adding anything to your spark plug threads.
ABOUT SHOP PRESS
Shop Press is the news and idea hub for everything related to working on cars and trucks, focusing on repair, technology, and wrenching lifestyle. With interesting stories from around the world, features on creative people and solutions, and all kinds of other stuff that’ll make you use your mind and your hands.
SHOP STUFF
Auto care news and advice you can use.
The Shop Press Automotive Paragon series: a recap
Let’s review some of the icons and oddballs we’ve featured here so far.
Tire service tips (that aren’t just for new technicians)
The habits you form first can be the hardest ones to break.
TECHNICIAN CHALLENGE: The Mystery Box, Part 2
The Proving Grounds crew takes on another round of The Mystery Box Challenge with new parts and a few new faces.
Why auto mechanics should check cabin air filters in every vehicle (VIDEO)
Air filters are an easy service item to overlook, but most manufacturers recommend a new filter every year or 15,000 miles.
Creative repurposing: Shims have all sorts of uses in an automotive shop
There are applications for shims besides fixing camber and panel gaps.
VIDEOS
What is a core charge?
A little glimpse into the world of making old parts new.
How do you inspect a serpentine belt for wear?
Inspection of a belt goes beyond the old standbys of checking for cracks and fraying.
Brake rotor thickness variation – ASE practice questions (VIDEO)
On a car with disc brakes, what is the most likely symptom of a vehicle with rotors that measured out-of-spec for thickness variation when measured at several places on the rotor surface?