Cv Shafts Market: Cv Axle Rebuilding Business: There’s Definitely More Competition
When Dan Levine, president of Southland Clutch, Inc., in National City, CA, started his rebuilt axle operation three years ago, it seemed like a win/win situation. The projected growth of front-wheel-drive vehicles and the number of vehicles nearing service age were good reasons to pursue this market. Plus, his initial start-up costs were minimal since
Electrical Market The Market For Rebuilt Starters And Alternators Has Been Painfully Soft
So far this year, the market for rebuilt startersand alternators has been painfully soft for many rebuilders. Ina business that depends heavily on the weather to stimulate sales,a mild winter and a relatively cool spring and early summer havedone little to spur demand. For most rebuilders, sales have beenflat. In some areas of the country,
Clutch Market: Passenger Car And Light Truck Clutches
Optimism isn’t exactly running high these daysamong clutch rebuilders and their component parts suppliers, particularlywith respect to passenger car and light truck clutches. The marketis being squeezed on one side by an influx of new clutches fromoffshore suppliers, and on the other side by price pressures andtoo much competition. You might say it’s a gripping
Brakes Market: Brake Rebuilders Have No Intention Of Slowing Down
Despite a few bumps in the aftermarket roadto success, brake rebuilders have no intention of slowing down.Some brake industry professionals say that demand in the brakerebuilding market is pretty consistent compared to last year. "The market (in sales) seems to be following the same patternsas last year," said Steve Suber, friction materials managerfor EIS Brake
Ensuring Bearing Life: Crankshaft Bearings Are Always Replaced When Rebuilding An Engine
Crankshaft bearings are always replaced when rebuilding an engine because they’re a wear component. Heat, pressure, chemical attack, abrasion and loss of lubrication can all contribute to deterioration of the bearings. Consequently, when an engine is rebuilt new bearings are always installed. “Reading” the old bearings can reveal a great deal about conditions that may
Software Solutions For The Shop: Job Tracking Programs and More
Although computers began to make their way into the automotive aftermarket in the early to mid-1970s, only recently are rebuilders beginning to realize the benefits of shop management software for their businesses. One example of how shop software improves shop productivity can be found with job tracking programs. Job tracking allows managers to see the
Making A Big Splash In The Marine Market
The average individual that would have owned a performance car in the 1960s, and the baby boomers that did, in many cases no longer have a modern affordable toy they can tweak to their own satisfaction. Serious performance today is often available to only a few with large checking accounts or extra good credit, and
Getting A “Good Seat” : The Growth In The Valve Seat Insert Market
The growth in the valve seat insert market can be traced back to the early 1970s when the switch to unleaded fuel took place. Most of the engines in use or that were in core or inventory storage had to have replacement seats inserted in the exhaust side to prevent valve seat recession that occurred when the engines were run
Performance Small Block: Chevy Engines
Small block Chevy engines long ago became mainstays in both thetraditional and high performance marketplace. So many of themhave been rebuilt over the years, and so much has been writtenabout the rebuilding process, it would appear that nothing moreneed be said. But the small block engine has changed over the years and so haveconsumer preferences
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Engines Market
Total engines remanufactured by all production engine remanufacturers (PERs) in 1995 increased a modest 3.5%, growing to 1.318 million units last year compared to 1.273 million units produced in 1994. Production totals are based on a U.S. and Canadian universe of 120 PERs that produced an average of 10,609 remanufactured engines annually in 1995. Survey
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Electronics Market
If flexibility and the ability to quickly diversify are the marks of a successful rebuilder, then Denver, CO-based electronics rebuilding specialists, cciUPTIME, was destined for this industry. cciUPTIME remanufactures electronic control modules (ECMs) for Mercedes-Benz and other high-end import vehicles. These units include everything from on-board computers to climate control, cruise control, idle speed control,
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Brakes Market: Rebuilders And Suppliers Chant The Same Mantra
When it comes to current trends in the brake rebuilding market, rebuilders and suppliers chant the same mantra – “price” and “quality.” Both are the primary forces driving parts and equipment suppliers’ and rebuilders’ business. Consumers demand the best performing materials, but of course, at the lowest possible price. Unfortunately, say many rebuilders and their
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Electrical Market
Though the overall demand for rebuilt alternators and starters continues to be relatively soft, particularly in the Midwest and Northeastern parts of the United States, sales, in general, have been up in the South. Weather seems to play a major role in driving the demand for electrical products. Cold winters are hard on starters and
Rebuilt Market Reviews – Clutches Market: New Rules And A Changing Field Of Players.
Anybody who’s in the clutch rebuilding business today knows that it’s an entirely different ball game, one with new rules and a changing field of players. A proliferation of new passenger car and light truck clutches in recent years, plus an influx of low-cost new clutches from offshore manufacturers, has driven the cost of new
Letters: Test Data For Failing Rectifiers Requested
The article by Donald Yuhas, “Dissecting CS-130 Diode Failure,” in the May, 1996 issue of Automotive Rebuilder gave electrical rebuilders insights into the ways that diodes can fail. The author concluded that high “current pulse” technology is needed for successful screening-out of diodes that will likely fail in the vehicle.While I share that conclusion, the
Caliper Clinic: Rebuilders Not Only Can Improve An OE Design, But They Can Also Improve The Consumers’ Opinion
Rebuilders not only can improve an OE design, but they can also improve the consumers’ opinion about the rebuilt auto parts business, in general. Many people still believe that all rebuilt parts are sub-standard compared with original equipment parts. However, most rebuilders are continually working to improve the reputation of rebuilt parts by producing quality
Eis Brake Parts: Consists Of Five Separate Remanufacturing Facilities In The U.S. And Canada
EIS Brake Parts has come a long way since it began as a manufacturer of hydraulic brake hose couplings back in the early 1930s. Today the company, which became a division of Standard Motor Products in 1986, consists of five separate remanufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada. The facilities are located in Berlin, CT;
Grinding Techniques: In Thousands Of Years, The Basics Of Grinding Haven’t Changed
Grinding is one of the oldest methods known for shaping and sharpening objects. It was first used in prehistoric times to make weapons and other tools by rubbing wood, stones, bones and eventually metal against hard, abrasive rocks. In thousands of years, the basics of grinding haven’t changed. We’re still rubbing an abrasive against metal
Cv Market Travels Fast Track: Power To The Front Wheels Is The Drive System Of The Present And Future
Although sport utility vehicles, many still with rear wheel drive, are the hot sellers right now, few will dispute that power to the front wheels is the drive system of the present and future. A market for rebuilt front wheel drive axles and CV joints will be around for a long, long time. With few
Cam Timing Chain Marks On 1976-’88
The Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA) offers the following information regarding cam timing chain marks on 1976-’88 Isuzu 1.8L and 1.9L engines. Confusion may begin when reading the service manual information referencing marked plates on the cam timing chain. Apparently, some aftermarket timing chains don’t have the marked plates which indicate the correct positioning for