Friday, April 17, 2009

Discussion on Suspension Systems

Some people, when they think of vehicle performance, they are thinking of torque or horsepower if you will. However, the power generated by the engine is of no use, if you loose control of your vehicle. So you should pay attention to the different drivability systems of your car. First we we discuss the Suspension system. Control is key.


TIRES

The suspension system's job is to maximize performance between your vehicle and the road. So good tires is where you'd start. When choosing your tires pick the one that the manufacture suggest you to use. Over sized tires and tires not made for your make and model will restrict your vehicle's performance.



Posi-Trac tires -tires for high performance muscle cars such as the following: Firebird, Nova, and Camaro, such as an Iroc Z28. Posi-trac tires are directional to give the vehicle grip the road.


There are many manufacture of tires such as: Michelin, Kumo, Cooper, Uniroyal, Pirelli, BF Goodrich, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Yokohama, and Maxxis.

Be sure your vehicle whether it is a Classic car such as: Pontiac GTO, Plymouth Road Runner, Charger, Barracuda, a Cougar or a late model SUV's or a family style such as Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Dodge, Jeep, Chevrolet, Cadillac or European style has the recommended tire for that particular vehicle



Sometimes when people think of tires, wheels and hubcaps they think they are cosmetic additions their vehicle. Even thinking they can change wheel type and tire size. These alterations could create major safety and warranty issues with their vehicle. They were designed to operate safely and efficiently as the manufacturer intended. Altering wheel and tire sizes can create many issues such as: steering problems, changing the vehicles center of gravity and decreasing the stability of the vehicle. In some cases it may also Void your Manufacturers Warranty and Decrease your Insurance Protection Liability.


It's time to shop for tires when the tread has worn or the tire is damaged. Check your state regulations for when a tire should be replaced. Normally the tread should be worn to 3/32 of an inch. If you neglect your tires and the tread reaches 1/16 of an inch at any location it should be replaced immediately. The majority of tire failure occurs when the tread has worn to about 1/16 of an inch or less. When the smooth bands appear the tread has worn to about 1/16 of an inch.


All four tires on your vehicle needs to be the same size and type. Select the type and quality tires needed for the intended use of the vehicle and the manufacturer's recommendation. This is based on 1. How fast do you drive, 2. What type of loads you are carrying, 3. What kind of breaking and stopping quality you need and 4. How many miles do you want your tires to last? The Information is printed on the sidewall such as: Tire size, Type, Construction, Wheel size, Load range, Speed rating, Air pressure, Traction, Temperature, Tread wear, and DOT (Department of Transportation) code identifies the plant and date- week and year the tire was manufactured. This code is used for recalls.

Here at Weaver's Complete Auto Repair and Body Shop in Kannapolis, North Carolina, we specialize in all major and minor Suspension repairs.

Weaver's Complete Auto Repair and Body Shop
514 W 9th Street
Kannapolis, N.C. 28081
(704)706-4211

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

A shop with top reviews


Here at weavers, we have complete auto collision and mechanical repairs. We have many happy customers and best reviews around for being honest and able to do complete repairs on late model cars and light duty trucks at reasonable prices.




We are located in Kannapolis near Concord N.C. We offer frame repair, body & paint, paint less dent, glass, dashes, engine repair, tuning, scanning , electrical repair, fuel injection service, cooling system, ac, air bags, wheel alignment, suspension repairs, brakes, transmission repair, and differential repair. http://local.yahoo.com/info-35328210-weavers-complete-auto-repair-body-shop-kannapolis?csz=Kannapolis%2C+NC+28081

Sunday, April 12, 2009



This is the 2006 Suzuki XL7 I did and the finished vehicle is the last picture with me beside it. I've done 100s, and all have perfect body gaps, and the wheel alignments are perfect.


Full frame pulling on a 2006 F250 diamonded frame , body shop I did this for stated was best frame work they ever had done.


frame pulling on a 2006 Ford


frame pulling on a 2004 Honda Civic.

About my shop


When I was at Central Piedmont body and paint school, our teachers suggested to have our own shop, and stated that working for someone else was not rewarding. They also suggested to purchase an old shop that could be grandfathered in, for the city would have laws and restrictions that could hurt a shop. So I found a old shop,that started in the 30s. It was a 1 bay shop with a tool bay, for storing tools or parts. It took me many years to haul off all the old parts and old tools and equipment that would no longer do. I continued to work for dealerships and other independent shops, and continued to buy tools and equipment. I would work in my shop at home at night and weekends to supplement my pay, because working for other shops does not pay enough to feed a family, and many shops have no benefits. I was working doing frame work every where I went and dreamed many nights of what I would design of a frame machine and how I would lay my shop out. In 1987 or so I was working with my brother-in law and he said he had a friend that needed his drag car painted and he had a welding fab shop and had much I beam, cause I had said I wanted to make a frame machine.I had worked on Car-o-liner, Chief , and Black Hawk frame machines, and thought of a way to combine the best ideas of them all in one. While I stripped and painted this fellows 69 comet and painted it candy apple red, he welded I beam in a octagon shape,and welder it together very good , and the idea was to Bury it in concrete and have a pit in the middle so I no longer had to crawl under the frame machine to measure frame, and disassemble parts , on a creeper. It took a few years but I got it done, and it took a lot of trial and error. My rocker less clamp system came later ,with some friends I went to church with. I gave him my dimensions, and they worked in a company that had punch presses, and shears , and big welding equipment. They fabricated my rocker-less clamp system I have today. I do a korek style of pulling and is one of the strongest pulling styles that exist. I've got all the clamps I needed , and have a Moe tram gauge , with a set of hanging gauges for full frame. The I beam frame machine is buried in 6 inches of 55 thousand PSI concrete, with a pit in the middle, and pot wholes pored in the floor around the outside, with my vise stand pored into the floor also. I have 1 air over hydraulic ram, 1 hand pump ram , 5 chain binders , 1 quick post , 2 low profile 20 ton bottle jacks , and much for attachments for pulling. Next I talk about my paint booth , lift bay , front end alignment rack , and additional frame pulling table.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Ron's experience in auto repair and body work

Ron got started in automotive repair in 1975 under the instruction of Mr. Ralph Henry whom was a well known and established mechanic and instructor in the North Carolina town of Kannapolis. In 1979 he decided to further his automotive knowledge and abilities through auto body and frame work and painting.

Throughout the early 1980' he held various automotive repair and body work positions and in 1986 he was a lead body man at Toyota of Charlotte. Then in 1988 with a growing clientelle he decided to start his own repair and body shop at 514 W. 9th Street. Along the way he was also trained in suspension, alignment and A/C work. In 1993 he got ASE certified in frame repair and painting. He also added computer and advanced auto diagnostics to his services. Ron now has over 30 years of vast automotive experience that covers everything from general auto repair, engine swaps, extensive body repair and framework, paintless dent repair and all types of paintwork.

If you want an expert to work on your car or truck you can still find Ron at:

Weaver's Complete Auto Repair and Body Shop
514 W. 9th Street
Kannapolis, NC 28081
(704)706-4211