AC Machine by Robinair

©DenLorsTools.com Summary: Robinair AC machines are the most popular machines for servicing car air conditioning systems in repair shops throughout the USA. Robinair is an industry leader in the air conditioning field, developing new and innovative products. Robinair was started in 1956 by the Kent-Moore Corporation in Michigan. The Robinair division of Kent Moore was created to design and manufacture specialty tools for repairing home appliances.

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Flash for pass was the only headlights working

A local technician I know had a problem with head lights only working in the “flash for pass” position on a 2003 Mazda 6. There were no running lights, no low beam or high beams. This was puzzling, at least the high beam bulbs were good and it wasn’t really possible for all the exterior lights to have bad bulbs. After checking all the usual things like the fuses in the passenger compartment fuse panel and the one under the hood and switching a few of the relays to see if anything would happen… nothing. The high beam indicator on the dash DID light up indicating that the switch was doing something and the switch felt normal; sometimes on cars if a switch feels funny, loose or worn that would be an indication of a problem.

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Early Broncos have a clean design that is lost in more modern trucks.

Finding early Bronco parts for restoration projects can be a bit challenging. Some parts like fenders can be acquired in the aftermarket that are actually better than the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) ones. NOS (New Old Stock) must surely be all gone by now, but some aftermarket fenders are a thicker gauge than the original ones. Some inferior, thinner gauge replacement fenders might be less money but they may NOT line up as well.

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Brake bleeding sequence; right rear, left rear, right front and then left front

Brake bleeding is necessary when a system has been opened or the brake fluid has been allowed to get too low in the master cylinder. Air can enter due to a low master cylinder caused from a leaky wheel cylinder or other brake component. If a hydraulic part like a wheel cylinder, caliper or brake line has been replaced the system will need to be bled. Brake bleeding at the wheels can be done several different ways. The most common way is old fashioned manual brake bleeding. 

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Get your A/C checked at a local shop or check it yourself? Freon will need to be added by someone.

Summary ©DenLorsTools.com: Adding Freon or topping off a cars A/C system is the most common task performed to restore performance and get cold air blowing again. However, adding refrigerant isn’t always the solution for car air conditioning problems and troubleshooting may be required before just charging a car AC system.

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2003 Sebring Convertible rear quarter window regulator failed.

© DenLorsTools.com Summary: Chrysler Sebring convertibles have a common problem of rear quarter power window regulators failing. The window will typically stop 1/2 or 3/4’s of the way up at the worst possible moment  – i.e. when the the convertible top and windows are going up due to a torrential downpour! Kidding aside the rear windows on these cars do have a lot of problems. Sebring quarter windows may not fail as often as the New Beetle windows we blogged about previously. But like the Beetle, the Sebring has a particular weak point in the quarter window regulator, they were either designed horribly… or were designed to last until out of warranty, I’m not sure which. As the picture shows above, the pulley has grooves that keeps the cable separated.

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Flooded in the driveway is a real problem, not so unfamiliar to RX8 owners.

Summary: Mazda RX8 is a great sports car with a bad flooding problem (cold starting problems as well). The Rotary engine tends to be flooded very easily if the car is turned off before the engine fully reaches operating temperature. This happens typically when the car is started up and only moved a short distance. There was a recall to recalibrate the PCM, plus a revised leading spark plug number mentioned in this TSB, however the problem still persists in some cars that have had theses updates. Reduced starter life and damaged catalytic converters are a few of the casualties brought on by this car’s flooding problem.

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Image courtesy of MustangForums.com

Heli coils are used in many applications when threads are damaged, but what happens if you need to remove one? If the depth of the threads is too long or not long enough there could be a need to remove the Helicoil and install one with the correct length. Also if the threads are rough or you’ve found a better insert to install, removing the Heli-Coil insert could be an obstacle.

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Jeep Liberty rear door panel.

A Jeep Liberty window is falling down into a door at the alarming rate of one every minute! Kidding aside the Jeep Liberty does seem to have problems with a weak design for the window regulator. Typically the motor can be heard and the window can be raised by hand and temporarily taped in the up position until a replacement part can be purchased. The good news is that it is a really simple job even for a do it yourself-er (DIY), see the tips below.

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Image courtesy of Jeep-Offroad

Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee differentials seem to have the highest failure rate compared to other makes and models. I’ve found this to be true in my years working as a master auto technician. Many technicians shy away from rebuilding rear ends even though they are quite accomplished otherwise. The actual R&R of the parts isn’t really that hard…it’s setting the rear end up so that there is no noises when your done.

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