Brake Job: Ford Edge The Ford Edge is an SUV based on a the CD3 platform. The brakes on these vehicles are straightforward and do not break any new ground. The brake systems on all variants have disc brakes at all corners. There are no major changes to the brakes system from 2007 to 2009. For the 2008 model year, ABS became a standard feature, as did a direct tire pressure monitoring system. The worst brake component to... More

Tech Tip: Mazda ABS Warning Light On and Grinding Noise from Front Wheels If a customer brings in a Mazda with an ABS warning light and a grinding noise from the front wheels, it could be due to problems with the sensor rotor or with the front brake disc, depending on the model. More

Tech Feature: Brake Job on 2004-2008 Toyota Corolla The 2004-2008 Toyota Corolla was one of the best selling vehicles in North America. The front brakes for all models are, for the most part, the same. The only changes came in the configuration of the brake pad shims. The Corolla was not subject to the unintended acceleration recalls for floor mats or gas pedal. More

The Profitable Brake Lathe: Can You Make Money by Machining Rotors? If you think you can stop machining rotors by installing new rotors, you are dead wrong. Selling new rotors may seem like the right thing to do to avoid a comeback for your shop, but it can actually cause a comeback and it is not the right thing to do in the eyes of the customer and some courts. More

Honda Tech Feature: Eliminating Brake Comebacks The advent of ABS, and its integration into traction control and vehicle stability assist, make good work habits when servicing the brake ­system more important than ever. What we'll look at in this article is not so much how to replace worn-out pads, but rather things to be on the lookout for that will ensure a quality job and eliminate comebacks. More

BRAKE JOB: GM H-Body Brake Job Pad and rotor replacement is straightforward on this vehicle. But, there are some common errors that can be made if you are not paying attention. First, make sure the front caliper bracket bolts are tightened to 137 ft/lbs. If the bolts work their way loose, the driver may experience a sporadic low pedal condition or worse. Second, replace the hardware if necessary. Most noise complaints can be traced... More

Tech Tip: Brake Vibration Diagnostics on Subaru Models Studies confirm that rarely is it necessary to resurface brake rotors and/or drums on all four wheels when a confirmed brake vibration exists. With proper diagnostics, front or rear brake vibrations can be isolated, eliminating the need to resurface all four rotors and/or rear brake drums. More

Brake Tech Feature: Rotors and Friction Service Years ago, a brake replacement would pass muster if it allowed a vehicle to stop in a reasonable distance at highway speeds. Today, a brake replacement must meet consumer-oriented criteria in areas of braking noise, pedal sensitivity, side-to-side pulling, pedal pulsation, frictional qualities, fade resistance, wheel dusting and friction longevity. More

Tech Feature: Brake Job on 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma The first-generation Toyota Tacoma was introduced in 1995 and continued until 2004. During the 10-year run, the basic brake system configurations did not change. But, Toyota did make changes to the pad shape and hardware to improve performance. More

Brake Safety Technology: Mercedes-Benz Brake Assist & Sensotronic Systems One of the new safety technologies you'll find in a growing number of European and Asian vehicles is Brake Assist (or BAS for Brake Assist System). The technology actually was invented more than a decade ago, and was first used back in 1996 on Mercedes S-Class and SL-Class cars. In 1998, Mercedes made Brake Assist standard on all of its models. More