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Tools of the Trade

The No. AC999 digital a/c gauge set shows any loss of vacuum instantly. With analog gauge sets, the area devoted to vacuum on the low side of the gauge is very small. The user must hold vacuum for a minimum of five minutes to detect any movement on the low-side vacuum scale. There's no need to wait with this gauge set, as any trace of a leak will cause the digital reading to instantaneously climb hack to O. All current pressure and vacuum readings can he viewed with the large LCD display. The gauge set includes heavy-duty manual couplers, aluminum block construction, Goodyear GY5 hoses and a protective rubber boot. It's all packaged in a protective plastic case. Mac Tools

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Circle #150

Alternative-Fuel Hoses

This assortment of fuel line and transport hoses has been developed to meet the demands of clean-burning biodiesel and E85 environmentally friendly alternative fuels. The line includes hoses for cars and diesel pickup trucks, marine engines and petroleum and acid-chemical transport applications. Hoses are engineered to resist the softening and degradation that affects certain types of elastomers and natural rubber compounds used in older, pre-1994 fuel hoses. The company uses ASTM fuel standards to test its hoses with biodiesel B100. Gates

Circle #151

Premixed A/C Oils

Tracerline POE and PAG refrigerant oils are premixed with ultraviolet dye and specially formulated for mobile a/c systems. The oils contain a super-bright, OEM-approved Fluoro-Lite fluorescent dye that is co-solvent free. The dyed oils are safe to use with all types of refrigerants and compressors and are non-toxic and nonhazardous. In addition to exceptional R-134a miscibility, they also offer enhanced lubricity and stability and are formulated with excellent antiwear properties, says the maker. The oils are available in 8-oz. (237mL), 32-oz. (946mL) and 1-gal. (3.8L) sizes and in all popular viscosities. Tracer Products

Circle #152

Power Door Lock Actuators

Over 80% of the cars and light trucks produced in North America today are fitted with power door locks as standard equipment. This new line of power door lock actuators is built to OE specs for vehicle-specific fit, form and function, so they provide trouble-free installation, according to the manufacturer. They're built in ISO-certified facilities to the same specifications and quality standards as the OE power door lock actuators the company supplies to automakers worldwide. The line includes over 45 SKUs, providing applications for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs, with domestic model coverage from 1985 to 2006 and exclusive coverage for popular European vehicles from 1988 to 2003. Siemens VDO Service & Special Solutions

Circle #153

Combination Cabinets

These combination cabinets can be used for storing, securing and moving items of varied size and shape. They feature full-width top drawer(s), which can store unusually long items safely and securely. The cabinets can be configured with a variety of drawer sizes, either full or shadow depth, and feature an optional shelf or roll-out tray for storage of bulky items. The drawers feature a 440-lb. load capacity each and are available in seven different full sidewall heights for maximum cubic storage capacity. Optional tops, including stainless steel, plastic laminate and butcher block, allow the housing top to serve as a functional work surface. Liste International

Circle #154

Motorized Tire Carousel

This motorized tire carousel is designed to help make service departments cleaner, more efficient and safer by eliminating the stacks of tires that clutter many shops. It can neatly store over 100 tires in a footprint as small as 50 sq. ft. Operation is simple: When the operator pushes a button at the base of the structure, a 1-hp electric motor engages a chain drive that rotates the carriers like the seats in a ferns wheel. The carousel comes in several sizes, ranging in height from 12 to 29 ft., and in widths from 12 and 15 ft. Capacity ranges from 105 to 315 tires, weighing up to 13,(XX) lbs. It includes a one-year parts and labor warranty. Stanley Vidmar

Circle #155

Alignment Guide Pins

Cam guide pins allow for the adjustment of camber and caster alignment. They ride on pins that are pressed into the frame of the vehicle. When a factory cam guide pin breaks, the guide has nothing to ride on, leaving the vehicle without an alignment adjustment for camber or caster. A range of replacement cam guide pins is now available to fit a variety of Chevrolet truck, GMC and HUMMER vehicles. When a cam guide pin needs to be replaced, it can Be removed with a small hammer and punch. Installation requires no special tools and is typically done using a locking pliers and small socket wrench. NAPA Chassis

Circle #156

Valve Spring Compressor

The No. 91400A universal OHC valve spring compressor can be used with the cylinder head on the engine and in-vehicle or with the cylinder head removed. Multipoint adjustability allows for proper alignment of the depressing tube with the valve stem. Positive attachment of the depressor handle to the pivot bar through a connecting slider maintains the adjustment angle settings. A [fraction three-eigth]-in. square drive opening facilitates attachment of a breaker bar or ratchet. The tool is packaged in a blow-molded box. SP Tools/Schley Products

Automotive Industry

Tools of the Trade

Motor, Mar 2007

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