Professional Motor Mechanic

Intelligent safety systems explored

|Date: December 14, 2012

Intelligent safety systems explored

When it comes to passenger car safety TRW’s vision is clear: to design and develop a complete range of sa ...

When it comes to passenger car safety TRW’s vision is clear: to design and develop a complete range of safety systems which are accessible to every driver in every market. In attempting to achieve thi ...

December 14, 2012
Read more
MOT testing – the importance of testing suspension components ‘under load’

|Date: December 02, 2012

MOT testing – the importance of testing suspension components ‘under load’

A few weeks ago my wife’s car came back from its MOT with a couple of advisories, relating to ‘slightly w ...

A few weeks ago my wife’s car came back from its MOT with a couple of advisories, relating to ‘slightly worn ball joints’. Now I know there was no wear in the joints because I’d checked them a few day ...

December 02, 2012
Read more
Front wheel bearing removal – Various models

|Date: November 25, 2012

Front wheel bearing removal – Various models

TASK: Removal/fitting of front wheel bearing (XMGB 40899R01) MAKES/MODELS: Audi A2; Seat Cordoba, Ibiza; ...

TASK: Removal/fitting of front wheel bearing (XMGB 40899R01) MAKES/MODELS: Audi A2; Seat Cordoba, Ibiza; Skoda Fabia, Roomster, VW Fox, Polo REMOVAL ...

November 25, 2012
Read more
Power steering pumps – seal replacement

|Date: October 26, 2012

Power steering pumps – seal replacement

Not so much a tale, but more an advisory caution. The other day one of our sales guys enquired as to why ...

Not so much a tale, but more an advisory caution. The other day one of our sales guys enquired as to why one of his customers had had an EPHS pump declined warranty, due to water ingress. So I thought ...

October 26, 2012
Read more
Power assisted steering systems – the role of fluids

|Date: September 28, 2012

Power assisted steering systems – the role of fluids

All power assisted steering systems utilise a pump –mechanically or electricallydriven – that pumps hydra ...

All power assisted steering systems utilise a pump –mechanically or electricallydriven – that pumps hydraulicfluid from the reservoir through some control valves and then back to the reservoir. Howeve ...

September 28, 2012
Read more
How to remove a CV joint from a drive shaft

|Date: September 24, 2012

How to remove a CV joint from a drive shaft

Removing a CV joint from a drive shaft can be an annoying task, especially when the shaft is not dismantl ...

Removing a CV joint from a drive shaft can be an annoying task, especially when the shaft is not dismantled. With the new joint puller from SPIDAN the joint can be loosened without using a hammer, ens ...

September 24, 2012
Read more
Steering & Suspension – why you should replace in pairs

|Date: September 11, 2012

Steering & Suspension – why you should replace in pairs

Steering and suspension accounts for around 21% of MOT failures, a surprising statistic considering they ...

Steering and suspension accounts for around 21% of MOT failures, a surprising statistic considering they are safety critical automotive parts.The reality is that defective steering and suspension part ...

September 11, 2012
Read more
Wheel bearing replacement – Skoda Fabia

|Date: August 15, 2012

Wheel bearing replacement – Skoda Fabia

The Skoda Fabia was introduced in 1999 and was built until it was face-lifted in 2007. During this time t ...

The Skoda Fabia was introduced in 1999 and was built until it was face-lifted in 2007. During this time the Fabia forged itself a reputation for high reliability and quality. The MK1 has sold over 170 ...

August 15, 2012
Read more
Steering system component repairs – the golden rules

|Date: June 26, 2012

Steering system component repairs – the golden rules

Before replacing any electrical or electro-hydraulic steering systems or their components, you must make ...

Before replacing any electrical or electro-hydraulic steering systems or their components, you must make sure that you have all of the required diagnostic tools to check and reset the system. Without ...

June 26, 2012
Read more
Link rods – their purpose and why they fail

|Date: June 26, 2012

Link rods – their purpose and why they fail

Link rods are subjected to massive shock loading – more so on increasingly pot-holed roads. The safety of ...

Link rods are subjected to massive shock loading – more so on increasingly pot-holed roads. The safety of the vehicle depends on the smallest and most vulnerable part of the whole steering and suspens ...

June 26, 2012
Read more
Lower control arm bush installation – Land Rover Discovery Series 3

|Date: June 26, 2012

Lower control arm bush installation – Land Rover Discovery Series 3

In its initial stages, Land Rover’s engineers faced some challenges in designing this luxury vehicle whic ...

In its initial stages, Land Rover’s engineers faced some challenges in designing this luxury vehicle which needed to offer outstanding on-road performance whilst maintaining a reputation for off-road ...

June 26, 2012
Read more
Track rod and knuckle joint removal – Skoda Fabia 2003

|Date: June 26, 2012

Track rod and knuckle joint removal – Skoda Fabia 2003

A bent track rod or a worn inner knuckle joint requires that the rod/joint is removed as a unit and repla ...

A bent track rod or a worn inner knuckle joint requires that the rod/joint is removed as a unit and replaced with new. There is usually limited access under there, but using tools designed for the job ...

June 26, 2012
Read more
Bush failings and the importance of replacing front control arms

|Date: June 26, 2012

Bush failings and the importance of replacing front control arms

In this article we are returning to a familiar theme – how polyurethane suspension bushes can be used to ...

In this article we are returning to a familiar theme – how polyurethane suspension bushes can be used to address some of the shortcomings of original equipment rubber bushes in modern suspension desig ...

June 26, 2012
Read more
Electric power steering problem – Ford Focus II

|Date: June 25, 2012

Electric power steering problem – Ford Focus II

Q. I recently changed the electric power steering pump on a Ford Focus II. The one I fitted was a TRW JER ...

Q. I recently changed the electric power steering pump on a Ford Focus II. The one I fitted was a TRW JER113, which I was assured was the same as the original. Since fitting it, although the power ste ...

June 25, 2012
Read more
Wheel alignment – best practice

|Date: June 25, 2012

Wheel alignment – best practice

Wheel alignment is an essential element of making repairs to steering and suspension systems and can also ...

Wheel alignment is an essential element of making repairs to steering and suspension systems and can also prove to be a highly profitable source of income for workshops. The key stages listed here are ...

June 25, 2012
Read more