Wheels & Tires
Decoding Drivetrain Talk: Driveshafts, Halfshafts, U-Joints, and More
When you’re talking about the undercarriage, you hear a lot of different names for the same parts. A customer comes into the shop complaining about a clunking noise, and depending on where they’re from or who they’ve been talking to, they might tell you they need a new propeller shaft, a halfshaft, or a CV…
Read MoreWhy U-Joints Still Rule the Heavy-Duty World
Walk into any shop today, and you’ll see constant velocity (CV) joints on nearly every passenger car and crossover that rolls into the bay. They are the undeniable standard for modern drivelines. But when a heavy-duty truck, full-size van, or large SUV pulls up, you’re almost always going to be staring at a traditional universal…
Read MoreHow Low-Quality U-Joints Can Damage Your Center Support Bearings
Mysterious vibrations while driving can point to a tire balance or alignment issue. But there’s another culprit that is sometimes overlooked – once you get it on the lift, don’t be surprised if you see the telltale signs of a shredded center support bearing (CSB).
Read MoreFix It Right The First Time: Wheel Bearing Replacement Tips
Wheel bearings are an integral component of the drivetrain and suspension system, but because they are positioned behind the braking assembly, they are often overlooked until a failure becomes audible. Whether the symptom is a subtle vibration or a distinct metallic growl, a failing bearing is an inconvenience and a safety risk that requires immediate…
Read MoreThe Critical Role Of U-Joints In Trail And Work Truck Suspensions
We know that trail running and heavy duty hauling can push suspension geometry to the limit. Extreme articulation affects all parts of the suspension and drivetrain, including universal joints. While U-joints are technically part of the drivetrain, in many applications, they are absolutely linked to the suspension. You cannot have massive articulation and wheel travel…
Read MoreCV Joints Vs. U-Joints – How Are They Different?
output shaft lined up perfectly with the differential pinion, we wouldn’t need complex joints. We’d just use a solid steel bar and call it a day. But we don’t live in a straight-line world. Suspensions move up and down, differentials sit at different heights than transmissions, and – most importantly – front wheels have to…
Read MoreHow Changing Tire Or Wheel Size Impacts Your Hub Assembly
Customers love custom rims, but changing wheel or tire sizes affects more than just looks. Offset, backspacing, and weight impact performance and wheel hub assemblies.
Read MoreWhy Replacing Multiple U-Joints Is Best
Let’s say you have a customer who comes in with that tell-tale ‘clunk-clunk’ sound when shifting from park to drive, or a rhythmic squeak that speeds up as they drive. You put it on the lift, grab the driveshaft, and sure enough – the rear U-joint has play to spare.
Read MoreAll Your Customers Need To Know About Wheel Bearings
Most shop owners and technicians deal with wheel bearings constantly. The job has become more modular in recent years, and the diagnostics have become a bit trickier.
Read MoreThe Impact Of Oversized Tires On Hubs, Wheel Bearings, And U-Joints
Nowadays, more and more repair bays are filled with lifted, oversized rides, many of them off-road rigs getting prepped for the trails. And the majority of them will be running oversized tires.
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