Car wheel alignment procedure

While you are driving your car, have you ever noticed that your car is moving in a right or left direction automatically and you would have to do an extra effort to keep it in the centre of the road? It is a common problem faced by most of the people who drive but unfortunately not many know the exact the reason for this problem. The reason for your car moving in different directions is the problem of wheel alignment. Let us further understand, what is wheel alignment and why is it important for your vehicles.

What is wheel alignment?

Due to prolong use of the tyres, they usually tend to wear and get out of balance. Due to unbalance they cause the car to shake at high speed. With the help of wheel aligner the wheels are adjusted at angles to match the specification of the car make. In order to do wheel alignment, wheel aligners are used.

Importance of Wheel Alignment

Wheel aligners are very important for any garage owner. This is one problem that most of the vehicles face. A proper wheel alignment would help in protecting your vehicle going in wrong direction. Improper wheel alignment causes tyres to wear prematurely. You can even loose the control of the car while driving. Bad alignment can even affect the steering and suspension of your car.

When my car does need alignment?

Your car is nothing without wheels and wheel are the most affected parts of the vehicle. They have to go through patchy or rocky roads or bumping into parking blocks, which can result in loosening of ball and socket joints and wearing the tyre. If you don’t get the wheels aligned in time they can result in more damage to the car over a period of time.

How many times should you get the wheels aligned?

It is recommended that every time you get your car serviced you should get the wheel alignment checked or once you have completed 5000 miles of run. The more you wait for your wheels to get aligned, the more damage it causes to your vehicles.

How would you notice the wheels of your car are not aligned?

The first sign would be to notice when your car automatically moves in left or right direction. By looking at them with naked eye, you would not be able to tell if the wheels are aligned properly. The other signs could be if you see the angles of the vehicles. If you see the angles of the tyres are not straight as they should be, then it is a problem with wheel alignment.

How are wheels aligned?

In order to set the wheels on proper angles, wheel aligners are used. There are different wheel aligners for every size of the vehicle and usually all auto garage owners would own one.

Hence, wheels that are not aligned accurately can be dangerous and it can affect your and passengers safety. Therefore, wheel alignment is very important in order to avoid any mishappenings.

Brake lathe machine for sale

Brake is an important component of each vehicle. You cannot imagine your vehicle on the road if the brake system of your vehicle is not working properly and replacing parts of the braking system like drums, rotors etc can be an expensive affair. If you own a garage of your own, then doing repair with brake lathe machine on your own can help you achieve best possible results. That is the reason you would mostly find these machines in professional garages only. Someone owning a brake lathe repair machine for their personal repairing of brakes would be expensive because you would not do the repairs or use the machinery frequently like commercial garages and if you are doing it too frequently, then probably there is some other problem with your vehicle. So it is best to get your vehicle checked from a mechanic.

Brake lathe is an efficient tool or machine that helps in curing brake noise and shaking that usually occurs due to extended life of brakes. There are variety of tools and machines available in the market that can repair any kind of issues with brakes. With the help of these systems even people who do not have any experience in repairing automobiles can fix the damage effectively. Some of the models of machines that can help you reach your goal are mentioned below.

Off Car Repair System

This kind of machine would want you to first remove some parts of the braking system like drums and rotors. In order to repair the part with the help of the machine, you are required to put the parts into the machine and start the cutting process. If you own a good quality machine and with practice, you can actually create parts that have equivalent or even high quality than the original one. Some of the most important parts of the brake lathe system are mounting cones and adapters. So while purchasing them, you need to be very careful with the quality of the material. Also, in case you find they are beginning to wear, you should replace them immediately.

On-Car Brake Lathe repair system

This one is the most beneficial one because unlike the bench model, repairs can be done directly on car. The biggest advantage of using this kind of brake lathe repair system is that, there is no room for risks like wrecking the hub or wheel bearings because you don’t have to remove the parts from the car. It also has the ability to the job perfectly because it is installed in the same position as the brake calliper. It helps in getting perfect resurfacing of the rotors.

Recommendations

Buying a brake lathe system can be expensive because it costs hundreds of dollars. Therefore if you plan to buy one for your garage, then you should be very careful about the quality of the machine before selecting. Also, using it frequently can result in built-up, so brake lathe machines require maintenance as well. So if you are an owner of a small repair shop, then buying a brake lathe repair machine might not be beneficial to you.

Tyre removal machine

Everyone who drives must have experienced tyre breakdown at least once in their life and they would know, changing tyres manually can be a tough task. There are more chances of errors when you fix the tyre manually and that is the reason, there are tyre changer machines that can change the tyres properly and with more strength.

When it comes to tyre changer machines, there is no dearth of options; these machines are designed in such a manner to cater to everyone’s need. However you need to cognizant of the fact that the tyre changing machine is different for every vehicle, therefore you need to consider this factor as well.

How does it work?

In order to change the tyre, the tyre changer machine holds the rim of the tyre and removes the outer tyre. Once the outer tyre is removed, you can either replace it or re-inflate it. Also, placing the tyre back on the rim is not effortlessly with tyre changing machines. Many companies even provide the facility of wheel alignment with tyre changing. Therefore the tyre can be balanced at the same time.

What kind of machine is suitable for you?

If you own a garage then you might need a machine that is able to change tyres of different vehicles. Therefore it totally depends how much you would need the machine and also the cost you want to spend. If you are a bike specialist, then there are different tyre changing machines for replacing bike tyres. It’s you who needs to calculate the number of tyres changed in a month as a garage owner.

There are different machines available for racing vehicles. Since the time in hand while changing racing tyres is less, therefore they need machines that can easily remove the chassis. These machines come with robotic arm to change the tyre effortlessly. The biggest advantage of using a tyre changing machine is that they don’t damage the rims of the tyre at all. Alloys today cost a fortune and you definitely don’t want to damage them. Changing an alloy with hand can damage it completely therefore a tyre changer is essential if you have installed costly alloys in the tyres.

For vehicles like trucks or hauliers, there are different kinds of tyre changing machines. Some are completely automatic that use pneumatics to change the tyre. They are capable enough to change the alloys that are gaining huge popularity in normal vehicles as well. There are some tyre changing machines that come with laser technology to balance the wheel. This helps in aligning the wheel centrally giving your tyre a perfect alignment. There are portable machines also available for vehicles that are difficult to tow or can be fixed in a garage.

Therefore, there are all kinds of machines available and depending on your budget you can choose one for yourself. Due to huge popularity of tyre changing machines, you can find some that are affordable and in your budget. So, if you have been using a manual tyre changer till now, it’s time to invest in one.

Best automotive diagnostic scanner

Human body is like a machine. Whenever you feel something is wrong with your body, you immediately run to the doctor to get yourself checked. For doctors to provide you with accurate diagnosis, they would ask you to go through series of body test that will help them to determine the problem. An accurate diagnosis is important because then only the doctors will be able to help you with correct treatment plan. Similarly, our cars require proper diagnosis to confirm the problem. The moment you feel your car is giving a problem, you run to a mechanic to diagnose the problem with your car. In order to provide you with correct diagnosis, mechanics use diagnostic scanner to determine problem with your car.

Definition of a Car Diagnostic Scanner

A car diagnostic scanner is a device similar to a CT scan machine. This device is connected with a help of a computer with your car. The moment it detects a problem with your car, it will immediately display the error code with complete explanation of the error. This explanation will help you determine the problem and take appropriate steps in order to correct the error. This will save you time of going through thick manuals to check the error code and know what exactly it means.

Benefit of Using Diagnostic scanner

An accurate diagnosis means taking appropriate steps to fix the problem. This saves you a lot of time and money from taking unnecessary steps to repair the damage. This further reduces the risk of making another error by performing unnecessary repairs. This is the major benefit of using a car diagnostic scanner.

How to choose a perfect scanner?

A car diagnostic scanner should be capable enough to record previous data records. This is helpful because every time you take your car to a garage they would know what previous damages your car has gone through. This will also give you an approximate idea of how much would be your repair expense.

There are some problems that can be fixed at your home only. You might not have to take your car to a mechanic for small things that can be repaired at home. This saves a lot of money because taking your car to a garage can be a costly affair. You might end up spending more on repairs than planned because you never know what kind of additional surprises they come up with.

There are all kinds of car diagnostic scanners available in market today. Some have the ability to connect with your computer and send the information via email. If you share good rapport with the mechanics, you can even email them and ask for their help on how to proceed to fix the error. Though mechanics have habit of exaggerating the error code and suggest you to take your car to a car repair centre.

If you know the error, you can even check on the internet and see probable solutions to fix your car. Therefore diagnostic scanner can be very helpful because your car is after all a machine and would need repair after sometime.

Why Are Wheel Alignments So Important to Your Vehicle?

While driving, have you ever noticed how your vehicle pulls to one side on a straight flat road? Did you notice the tyres on your car wearing abnormally? That is what you call a wheel alignment issue! When you experience situations like these, your car requires a little adjustment with a wheel aligner and it is all set to run like a dream.

Your tyre dealer knows exactly what is wrong with the car and the tyres. He will give your care a simple adjustment in the front or rear tyres.

Importance of Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment plays a huge role on the amount of wear and tear your tyres can withstand. A normal alignment is about reducing the tyre’s wear and tear and increasing the passenger comfort by giving them a smooth ride. By correctly aligning your four tyres, you can not only reduce your vehicle’s regular wear and tear but also improve its overall performance and fuel economy. Your car becomes safer to drive, becomes more stable and its handling becomes easier, especially on long routes. All it takes is a little fine-tuning with a wheel aligner that can easily be done at any reputed workshop.

Difference between wheel balancing and wheel alignment

Wheel balancing and wheel alignment are two different things. Wheel alignment, or tracking, is about adjusting wheel angles as specified by your car/vehicle manufacturer, a feat that is easy to accomplish with a wheel aligner. Wheel balancing, on the other hand, is about adjusting the wheels so as to eliminate vibrations as the wheels’ spin.

Reasons that lead to Misalignment

The most common reason that causes misalignment is when you drive through a pot hole or your vehicle has been in an accident. Incidents like these can knock your vehicle’s suspension out. Misalignment can also be caused due to wearing of suspension components or if they have been replaced. When your tyres are misaligned, it can lead to rapid grazing of tyres, especially on the edge. This can also impact the vehicle handling. As a result, your tyres would require you to replace them sooner than you expected.

Reasons why you should consider wheel alignment

Wheel alignment will give you proper control of your vehicle and also maximize life of the tyres. A regular adjustment with a wheel aligner at a reputed workshop is a good practice for your car’s health.

Here are some reasons why you need wheel alignment:

–          It saves you money as you replace tyres less frequently

–          Tyres last longer

–          Handling your vehicle will be easier

–          Smoother drive as your tyre will experience less rolling resistance

Cost of wheel alignment

All it takes is about 30 minutes to adjust rear and front tyre problems. Wheel alignment will align your tyres in the correct angle and direction as per the manufacturer’s specifications. Wheel alignment may sound technical but it is actually a much simpler process made easier by a wheel aligner.

How to Choose a Perfect Car Lift

If you have a car maintenance workshop or a personal garage, a car lift is something that you can invest in, without two thoughts. These lifts are one of the most important tools that you will need in your workshop. Since most of the work that you do happens underneath the car, these lifts help you immensely in finishing the repair job.

Who doesn’t like their work being simplified? These car lifts are built to perfection to make your repair jobs much easier that they actually are, especially if your work entails brake fixing or working on engines!

Any professional repair shop is incomplete without a car lift in their garage. Depending on certain factors, you will need to choose between a 2 post and a 4 post car lift. When you decide to finally invest in a car lift, there are many things that you need to consider such as space, safety, type of lift etc. After the installation of lift, you must have enough room to not only move around but also work safely. These are some things that are absolutely necessary before you finally purchase one. Here are some steps that you can take to ensure that you choose the perfect lift for your workshop.

Take help from professionals

Don’t be afraid to ask a professional for their recommendations. They know about their product that you’ll ever know. Their advice on technical specs can prove to be instrumental in shaping up your buying decision. You can also do your own research by looking up on forums, discussion pages, websites etc. Once you have a rough idea about the kind of car lift you want, speaking to a company representative will make buying a lot easier for you.

Identify the vehicle type you will be dealing with

What type of cars/vehicles do you service the most? How much do these cars normally weigh? What is the lifting capacity of the lift that you are planning to buy? These are some of the questions you need to ask from the experts if you are going to buy a car lift for your workshop. Unless you know the actual use of the lift, you will not be able to choose amongst the features.

2 post or 4 post?

Technicians will usually assess your garage space, its use and your requirement to recommend which of the two will be most suitable for you.

Determine technicalities

By this time, you are certain about the kind of lift you want. However, now you need to determine its lifting capacity to ease into the decision making. This question can be best answered if you know for sure what type of cars you work with today and will continue to work in the coming few years. Just ensure that after the car lift is positioned in the garage, you should have enough room to work and move around. The space includes not just width but also height.

Best Hoist for Your Auto Repair Shop

Vehicle hoist, auto hoist or a car lift, call it whatever you will but its use and importance in the world of automobiles has now become rock solid. However, as this important equipment gained traction, so did the cheaper variants that may be fully compliant but are not as effective as they should be. The most common problem with cheap quality hoists is the seal quality, machining and metallurgy. All these components are sub-standard and compromised.

Many workshops can be seen equipped with old vehicle hoists but that doesn’t mean they are unreliable. As a matter of fact, they are far safer and reliable than a new, cheap, imported class of hoists that are selling in the market these days. So the big question is, how does one buy a quality hoist?

Before we answer the question, you need to ask yourself what the purpose is, what the budget is and what type of hoist meets your purpose.

Here are some tips for you to choose an ideal host for your workshop.

Do research

To know what types of posts are out there and which ones do complete justice to your needs, you must do a comprehensive research into type of vehicle hoists available in the market. You must read about reliable brands that offer these products and which ones are most suitable to your needs. Internet search is the best place to get started. You can also ask your colleagues or peers in the business to recommend some names. Always look deeper into the websites of the manufacturers and dealers to get as much idea about their credibility as possible.

Ask a specialist

Just when you have a fair idea about the kind of hoist that will deliver as per your expectations, it is time to ask for a specialist opinion. Unfortunately, purchasing vehicle hoist is not just about going to a store and buying one. A lot of thought and research goes into it. Once you have a list of brands and manufacturers, prepare some questions that you will ask their technicians and start making the calls. They are the best people to guide you when it comes to buying the perfect hoist for your garage.

Technical Specs

When you decide to talk to a specialist, they will ask you questions about the size of your workshop, what kind of vehicles you service, the kind of work that you undertake etc. These are important questions in defining the best hoist for you. As you answer their questions,they will narrow the choices down to the options that are available to you as per your need.

Define space and budget

Another big factor in determining a vehicle hoist is the amount of space you have available. You would not only need space to move around but also have to give the enough room to “hoist” the vehicle. After all these factors have been taken care of, last thing will be the budget. You must find a hoist that fits all these criteria and your pocket.

Fuel Injection Cleaner – Tip for Saving Money

As your car starts performing poorly, as in terms of gas mileage or the engine acts up when you hit the gas. These are some signs that say you need a fuel injector cleaner. You can easily get one at any auto store or you can even buy one online.

Most of these injector cleaner kits are usable on any kind of vehicle. However, before you buy one, make sure that you have read the user manual carefully.

Why do you need a cleaner?

For the fuel economy of your vehicle, it is necessary to have clean fuel injectors. They are also responsible for the peak performance of your vehicle. Beyond certain number of miles, the fuel injectors start to clog that can lead to sputtering or misfire. After you turn off the engine, the residual gasoline in the fuel injector coagulates, also known as “heat soak”, leaving behind wax-like remnants of the fuel after evaporation. If left to its own devices, heat soak turns into a significant buildup that must be cleaned so that the engine can work effortlessly.

The experts suggest that the injectors must be cleaned after every 15,000-30,000 miles. However, if your car has higher mileage, it needs to be cleaned more frequently. Old vehicles and injectors exposed to more heat are susceptible to this kind of problem where the injector starts to choke. Car owners that do not take fuel injector cleaning seriously may suffer poor fuel economy and dirty emissions. It is very crucial for you to regularly clean the buildup to save yourself money in enhanced mileage and improved engine life.

Benefits of Fuel Injector Cleaning

Many car owners are always on the lookout for ways that can save them money and also keep their vehicles in good shape. If you are one of those car owners ten injector cleaning is something you should consider. Doing this regularly can save you lots of money in expensive upkeep of your vehicle in the future.

A fuel injector that is clean not only functions flawlessly but also improves the vehicle’s overall performance and mileage. It is the fuel injectors that turn fuel into a mist that is sprayed onto the combustion chamber. Often the issues in engine faced by many occurs due to clogged injectors that inhibit the fuel spray. This is why it is imperative that you clean the fuel injectors often.

You can save more money by cleaning your fuel injectors yourself. You don’t have to take your car to expensive workshops every now and then. Fuel injector kits are readily available and are easy to use. The injector cleaner is made of solvents, strong detergents and additives that are sent through the engine using high-pressure. As a result, it cleans all the build-up in its way and make the engine perform better. When the fuel injectors are clean, your vehicle performs at its peak.

Change Tyres with Convenient New-Age Equipment

As much as we would love to always drive on a smooth surface, that is obviously not the case. Our car tyres take a lot of beating when they are driven on bad roads. The worst that happens in this case is a flat tyre. This is where a tyre changer can prove to be helpful. This tool allows the mechanic to remove the tyre and then install it effortlessly after repair.  

Tyre changers are an important equipment when it comes to tyre installation or wheel alignment. They help in removal and reinstallation of the tyres without hurting the surface. If you want to keep this machine handy, you can also purchase one of the miniaturized versions for your car so that you can use them on the road in emergency situations.  If done manually, tyre changing can be a tedious job!

Investing in a professional tyre change can be extremely beneficial if you own a workshop. However, you can also consider it for personal use. Here are some reasons why you should consider its purchase.

Improving the efficiency

If you have a professional workshop, you need efficiency more than anything else, be it from your workforce or from your equipment. When you get a tyre changer, you know that you can get a lot done in less amount of time. Rather than struggling with flat tyres manually, you can use these machines that help you automate most part of the job, saving you lots of time. As a result, you are able to take on more tasks and make more profits.

Inflating the tyre

This may not come with all tyre changers but some models give you the added facility of pumping air into the tyre as you are changing it. Imagine the amount of time you can save by doing two things at the same time!

Enhanced quality of the process

Automation significantly reduces the chance of error, thus making your job results near perfect. We have some days when the workload is just too much and the room for error also widens, not to mention the work pressure that comes with it. A professional tyre changer will make your work more consistent, enhance the quality and take your garage’s credibility to the next level, doing all this without draining your employees!

Ease of use

From the looks of it, a tyre changer can appear overwhelming. However, they are very easy to work with. They make your job of installing the tyres remarkably easy and with little training, you will be able to work the machine effortlessly.

Tyre changing equipment is a sound investment decision, regardless of the use. You can use them for your workshop or your personal garage, either ways it will be a good buying decision. However, before you purchase one, make sure that you have carefully researched the product. Take help from a specialist if you have to and ask as many questions as possible for that perfect buying decision.

Car Lift for Home Garage

Cars are loved by almost anyone and everyone. However very few people send time maintaining it. These days car parking space is also a factor which prevents people from buying multiple cars. However this need not be a anymore because of the availability of car lift. This particular invention is a true blessing for those who dwell in cities where there is a lot of space crunch.

Making the decision

There is an array of options available online for anyone looking for automotive equipment. The options may leave the buyer confused and the experience can be harrowed. Common issues include rebranded products, specification about strength of the particular model, the material used and the variation which are available in the market. The buyer must be careful enough to make an informed decision because many of the brands advertized online may not even exist in the market or may have exited the market a long time back.

Similar is the case with lift for cars for garage at home as well. Make sure not to get swayed by the technical language used. Look for a dealer who shall stand under the lift it promises to deliver. The product must be as the government’s regulations so that the customer is assured of safety, durability and smooth operation. Many agencies also offer a catalogue of the products along with customer service facility. One can get more information by emailing or calling.

Things to consider before buying a car lift

Features – One must be very clear about the features one is looking for before buying junk and regretting later. One must consider things like the ground clearance of the vehicle, the physical and technical dimensions of the vehicles for which the lift is being bought, whether the lift must be on vehicles so that it can be easily moved around.  The buyer must also choose a manufacturer who offers optional equipments services as well or is willing to customise the design as per the requirements. One can also ask for frame extensions, adapters, jacks and contact pads.

Customer Support Facility – One must make sure that after sales support is offered since assembling the product is a task in itself and must be handled by the experts.

Approval Seal – Make sure that the product bought has the seal of approval and is recognized internationally. It must be of the standard size. The seal ensures that the manufactured product has gone through quality check by designers, experts in the industry, laboratory testing and various other safety checks.

Warranty – Even automotive parts come under machine and can have human error. In order to avoid any kind of disappointment always look for warranty so that in case of an outbreak one can get it repaired or exchanged at no cost.

The buyer also needs to keep in mind the kind of budget allocated for the product.

Go and share your love for automotive components and choose the best car lift for the garage at home.