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APR–JUN 2015

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ServiceInsightsF O R I N D E P E N D E N T S E R V I C E C E N T E R S

More Inside:Shifting Into Higher Gear:

Next-generation 8-speed automatic transmissions

Gen V’s LAST HURRAH!

All the stories in Service Insights, additional content and pictures available at gmserviceinsights.com

GMSERVICEINSIGHTS.

We Support Voluntary Certification National Institute for

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCEwww.ase.com

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTGM OE Fuel Pumps: Imitated, But Never Equaled

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Not all aftermarket parts are created equal, and ACDelco has the video to prove it. We recently compared a 2003

Chevrolet Avalanche fuel pump (part number MU1738) to a known aftermarket competitor’s fuel pump and the

results underscore the superior performance of the ACDelco fuel pump. Go to acdelcotechconnect.com to see the

video. Click on the Product Support button and scroll down to the Product Videos section. You’ll find it in the

A8-Engine Performance section — along with other great, informative videos.

Here’s how the ACDelco GM OE fuel pump stacks

up against the aftermarket competition:Armature: The ACDelco fuel pump has 10 motor

contact points; the competitor’s has eight. Also, the

ACDelco armature has witness marks from full

end-of-line testing vs. none on the competitor’s

armature.

Fuel level sensor: The ACDelco fuel level sensor

wiper contacts and wear pads are much thicker than

the competitor’s. Thick wiper contacts and wear

pads improve durability, especially with today’s

ethanol fuels.

Fuel reservoir:ACDelco’s fuel reservoir is shorter than the compet-

itor’s, and contains internal springs vs. the competi-

tor’s external springs. A shorter reservoir reduces

the risk of pinched fuel lines, and internal springs

eliminate the risk of pinching wires and reduce

potential rub-through of the fuel line.They’re all great reasons you should choose OE

parts from ACDelco and recommend them to your

customers.

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2 Jan - Feb 2015

GM 1999-2007 Full-Size Trucks: Underbody Inspection and Brake Pipe Assembly Kits

While underbody inspections for rust and

corrosion should be a part of every vehicle’s

regular maintenance schedule, these

inspections are absolutely essential to help

enable continued safe mechanical operation of

the vehicle’s braking system. In the winter, salt

and other chemicals used on road surfaces can

accumulate on the underbody, particularly on

brake pipes near the ABS modulator valve and

high-splash areas behind the wheels. These

chemicals can cause or accelerate corrosion on

the brake lines. Significant corrosion to brake

lines may result in brake fluid leakage and

reduced braking power.

All vehicles should undergo a thorough underbody inspection

after winter exposure to salt and other deicing chemicals. The

inspection should completely examine the vehicle’s brake lines

for any signs of corrosion, wear, or damage—even in difficult-to-

inspect areas like around line hangars and clips, along the frame

rail behind the fuel tanks, and under the radiator. In addition

to a visual inspection, the technician should apply maximum

brake pedal pad force with the engine running, which can help

determine if a hydraulic line is weak or about to leak before a

failure occurs on the road.

Underbody Inspection Essential for Brake System Maintenance

New lines and old lines to the brake pressure modulator valve.

6 / Shifting into Higher Gear: Next-generation 8-speed automatic transmissions rolling out more extensively with 2015 GM model year.

8 / Talking TEHCM: GM Adds New TEHCM Programming Clinic to Training Offerings.

10 / Closer to the Action in Style: New T56 6-Speed Poised to Redefine the Manual Transmission Experience.

12 / Fifth-Generation Camaro A look back at what made the Gen-V Chevrolet Camaro great.

13 / GM Delivers 500,000th Fifth-Generation Chevrolet Camaro Production milestone caps five years as America’s best-selling performance car.

14 / Chevrolet Camaro Electronic Brake Control Module Replacement Step-by-step procedures to replace brake pressure modulator valve.

16 / TechConnect Insert TechConnect is a magazine to help professional technicians improve their knowledge and understanding of today’s increasingly complex vehicles.

18 / Genuine GM Rewards Indiana ISC invests its rewards into technology for payment processing.

GM ServiceInsights Headquarters2604 N.E. Industrial Dr., #230N. Kansas City, MO 64117Email: [email protected]

Compliments of your GM dealer.

We invite your input and suggestions.Please address letters to the editor to the above address. Letters submitted imply the right to edit and publish. Every e�ort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information in the o�ers contained in this magazine. However, printing and typographical errors may occur. These are not intentional and are not the responsibility of GM, any dealer or the companies or individuals who create, produce and distribute this magazine. O�ers and pricing may change at any time without prior notification. The descriptions and specifications in this publication were in e�ect at the time of approval for printing. General Motors reserves the right to change specifications without notice and without obligation. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of General Motors or General Motors Parts. General Motors, Detroit, MI 48202. © 2015 General Motors • All rights reserved.

More Genuine GM Parts resources and links.Download this issue and past issues of GM ServiceInsights magazine at...www.gmserviceinsights.com

GM ServiceInsights Online

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4 / GM Replacement Transmissions Offer a Comfort to Motor Home Owners

2 Apr – Jun 2015 ServiceInsights

GMSERVICEINSIGHTS.COMContents

Genuine GM Parts . . . why settle for less?

GM OE Bearingsand SealsNew highly competitive pricing — many list prices reduced up to 25% and some even more!

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Choose GM OE Bearings and Seals for the reliability and performance your customers demand.

✔ Wheel hub bearings

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Warranty — Genuine GM Parts are backed by a limited 12-month / Unlimited miles warranty.

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FEATURES ADVANTAGES✓ Designed for specific vehicle applications GM OE Fit, form and function

✓ Heat treated and high quality steel construction Increased durability and longer bearing life

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✓ Produced with high quality manufacturing processes Superior consistency and long-term performance

Caged Radial Needle Roller Bearing

Single Row Tapered Roller Bearing

GM Replacement Transmissions Offer the Comfort of Home to Motor Home OwnersIn a matter of months, motor homes will be coming out of hibernation, their drivers ready to traverse the nation’s highways. But, unfortunately, more than a few owners will have their freedom of movement short-circuited.

When their vehicles’ aging transmissions finally succumb to the punishing combination of weight, grades, heat and endless miles, owners will be looking for solutions to get them back on the road. And a few of them might come limping up to your doorstep, perhaps far from home.

In that event, your relationship with your GM Parts dealer, and their ready access to OE-quality replacement transmissions, could save the day — and perhaps even the entire summer for your customer.

Many motor homes on the road today are equipped with 4L80E and 6L90 heavy-duty GM transmissions, sold as part of rolling chassis packages provided to manufacturers. Through the years, these workhorses have proven their capabilities in meeting challenging operating conditions over millions of miles. If and when they reach the end of the line, the very best alternative is a GM replacement.

Thanks to the extensive lineup of new and remanufactured transmissions available through GM Parts dealers, owners won’t skip a beat in transitioning to a new transmission. New or replacement 4L80E and 6L90 transmissions are readily available and easily installed, ensuring that motor home owners can get back on the road not only quickly, but with full confidence that their investment is well protected.

GM Powertrain warranty work can be performed by independent shops.

Carrying GM’s 3-year, 100,000-mile warranty, new or reman transmissions offer the extra measure of security those owners need as they follow the road. Needed service or repairs are available through the vast network of GM dealers and qualified independent shops. The network spans all of North America, something that sellers of non-OE replacement transmissions simply can’t match.

Just as important, a GM replacement transmission, whether new or reman, comes fully updated, meaning owners get the very latest technology incorporated into the very same transmissions that came with the original

purchase. That’s especially critical given the unique demands that motor home applications place

on a transmission. By comparison, rebuilt transmissions don’t incorporate

those updates.

SuperMatic Transmission Controller, 4L80 series, part number 19257661

By nature, motor home owners are an adventuresome lot. They let their free spirit reign, often going wherever the road takes them. But they’re not gamblers, willing to roll the dice on being stranded in the middle of nowhere or being stuck with a transmission that’s difficult to service.

By recommending GM replacement transmissions, independent shops are able to give these road warriors the very best option. An OE product, matched to the application and backed with an extensively serviceable ironclad warranty will provide these explorers with the confidence and peace of mind needed to throw a measure of caution to the wind.

GMSERVICEINSIGHTS.COM

5Apr – Jun 2015 ServiceInsights4 Apr – Jun 2015 ServiceInsights

GM Hydra-Matic 6L90 Automatic Transmission & Transfer Case

Shifting Into Higher Gear:

Next-Generation 8-Speed Automatic Transmissions Rolling Out More Extensively With 2015 GM Model Year

THE 8-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ERA HAS ARRIVED AT GM.

A decade after it helped usher in the 6-speed era with the 6L80 transmission, GM is rolling out its successor, the first in-house-developed 8-speed, the Hydra-Matic 8L90.

The rear-wheel drive transmission was introduced for the first time in select 2014 model-year Chevrolet Corvettes, Silverados and Expresses; GMC Sierras and Yukons; and the Cadillac Escalade. More vehicles now equipped with 8-speeds were added in the 2015 model year, notably the Camaro and the Cadillac ATS and CTS.

The new-generation transmission delivers an optimal blend of efficiency, power, performance, durability and NVH suppression that’s never been offered, one uniquely suited to the engines and vehicles with which it will be paired and the demands of 21st-century drivers and advanced automotive engineering.

The 8L90’s engineering essence is a wide, 7.0 overall gear ratio spread, exceeding that of the 6L80 it replaces. With smaller steps between gears, the transmission is able to optimize engine horsepower and torque for improved efficiency and overall perfor mance. A higher, 4:56 first gear ratio, for instance, aids with heavy loads and trailering in the 6.2L EcoTec 3 V-8 Silverado application, and boosts 0-60 time to 3.7 seconds in the Corvette Stingray 6.2L LT1.

Lighter, More Efficient GM engineers also delivered on the goal of keeping

the 8L90 sized to fit in the same space as the 6L80, and reducing its weight to improve efficiency. It employs four simple gear sets and five clutches (two brake and three rotating) to generate the eight speed ratios, as well as a

more compact torque converter. It all fits into a die-cast aluminum case that has an integral bell housing for increased stiffness and reduced NVH.

While the same approximate size as the 6-speed, making it easy to incorporate into existing vehicle body designs, the transmission comes in eight pounds lighter. That’s achieved through the use of aluminum and magnesium components, such as castings for the clutch piston and valve body.

The reduced weight, combined with gear ratios that reduce engine rpm by up to 8 percent in top gear, promise to deliver better fuel mileage in some applications, notably the Stingray. With the existing 6L80E, the Stingray has an EPA city/highway rating of 16/28 mpg, and 20 mpg combined. Engineers were eyeing a 29 mpg overall rating for the 8-speed version, a boost of 3½ percent, without sacrificing anything in performance.

“GM’s new 8L90 represents a rare win-win-win scenario for customers,” says Kavoos Kaveh, global chief engineer for 8-speed automatic transmissions for GM. “It offers greater performance and efficiency, while weighing less than the transmission it replaces. That’s a rare accomplishment in the industry, and one for which GM has been awarded more than two-dozen patents.”

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe with 8-speed

Hydra-Matic 8L90 transmission.


6 Apr – Jun 2015 ServiceInsights 7Apr – Jun 2015 ServiceInsights

Talking TEHCM:

GM Adds New TEHCM Programming Clinic to Training OfferingsGM’s commitment to put more independent shops into the GM 6-speed automatic transmission repair and replacement business takes a proactive new turn in 2015.

GM Customer Care & Aftersales has just added “TEHCM Programming” to its GM Training Clinic curriculum. This newest addition to the training program is made available to independent shops by GM dealers. GM wholesale dealers can offer these clinics to independent shops free of charge.

The TEHCM class explores the Transmission Electro-Hydraulic Control Module, a key component of GM 6-speed automatics that must be properly “flashed” in the course of repair and replacement work.

Understanding the TEHCM — its functional role in 6-speed operation and how to properly flash it when conducting repairs or installing replacement transmissions — is critical to a shops ability to catch what could be a rising tide of GM 6-speed work. More aging GM vehicles equipped with 6-speeds are candidates for transmission service work each year. Trained and knowledgeable shops have a role in restoring their operation, either through repairs or outfitting them with GM remanufactured transmissions.

GM CCA has been pushing TEHCM information out to shops since 2013. It has used industry show venues like the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA) annual event to stage TECHM overviews. The new clinic builds on those efforts, but includes a much deeper dive into the subject.

GM Training is FREE to Attend Over the course of 2–3 hours, an expert GM technical

trainer dissects the unit and its related components, highlights key diagnostic and service procedures and reviews proper removal and reinstallation. A substantial portion of the clinic is devoted to reviewing step-by-step procedures for properly programming the unit using a J2534 device or scan tool and a properly configured laptop computer.

A thorough understanding of the TEHCM and its programming is essential because the unit is the “brains” integrating electronic and hydraulic functions of the transmission and engine, ensuring optimal shifting, peak fuel economy, extended operating life and overall transmission performance. It must be programmed to recognize either a newly installed transmission or component changes to the existing transmission or TEHCM itself.

No-Cost TIS2WEB Subscription As with other vehicle module programming and diagnostics, TEHCM programming

is accomplished via a TIS2WEB interface, which requires a subscription. Again in 2015, GM is giving shops purchasing a GM 6-speed automatic transmission assembly limited complimentary access to TIS2WEB programming. With each qualifying transmission purchase during the year, shops will get a two-day, no-charge TIS2WEB subscription allowing them to reprogram the TEHCM as part of a new transmission installation for a customer.

The procedure for gaining the promotional access to TIS2WEB is simple. Following receipt of the transmission, shops can call GM Powertrain Contact Center at 1-866-453-4123, and provide the transmission part, serial and VIN number. A PROMO code is then provided, enabling the two-day TIS2WEB Service subscription.

Shops taking advantage of an opportunity to learn TEHCMs top to bottom in the newest GM Parts Training Clinic will be well positioned to tackle the critical programming task. Those intrigued by the prospects the 6-speed market offers — some 11 million 2007-2015 GM vehicles equipped with 6-speeds are on the road today — should stay alert to announcements from dealers as to clinic availability. Better yet, they can let their dealer know that they’re interested in learning more about the TEHCM and taking advantage of what promises to be a growing market opportunity.

“We’re confident that the new TEHCM Programming clinic will offer both the introductory background and in-depth information that shops need to evaluate the prospects of taking part in this exciting new area of business opportunity,” says Michelle Francisco, GM CCA product specialist, transmission & transfer case assemblies.

J2534 Flash Programming Device


GMSERVICEINSIGHTS.COMGM OE Parts Update

For resto-mod do-it-yourselfers there’s now a new DIY transmission option from Chevrolet Performance.

Those who like to shift for themselves will find that the new T56 Super Magnum 6-speed manual transmission fills the bill like no other manual on the market.

The T56, which borrows from the design of the high-performance production TREMEC TR6060 6-speed manual used in the Camaro ZL1 and the Corvette ZR1, hits all the right notes. A heavy-duty transmission with high-strength

features, it’s a smooth operator when it comes to control, feel and overdrive-like efficiency and smoothness.

The transmission’s design and specification highlights include 700 lb.-ft. torque capacity; slip-yoke design; a 40-tooth reluctor ring needed for electronic vehicle speed sensors used with Chevrolet Performance controllers; and a 26-spline input shaft and a 31-spline output shaft.

The applications for the T56 are numerous, as installation kits enable simple bolt-up connections to many small block, big block and LS engines, and even the brand new Chevrolet Performance V-8 powerhouse, the Gen V LT1.

With its emergence, the popular Chevrolet Performance

Closer to the Action in Style:

New T56 6-Speed Poised to Redefine the Manual Transmission Experience

Connect & Cruise (C&C) package program that simplifies and reduces the costs of mating engines, transmissions, a controller and wiring harness now has its first manual transmission option. All six of the C&C engines, the LC9, LS3, LSA, LS376/480, LS376/525 and the LS7, can now be paired with the T56.

However it is purchased, each T56 requires an installation kit for a retro-fit. Depending on the application, the kits include bell housing, flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, hydraulic clutch release bearing, dust covers and hardware. Its case configuration allows multiple choices on shifter location, widening the application opportunities in older vehicles. A shifter handle with a ball-style shift knob bearing the Chevrolet Performance logo is also included.

The manual transmission is experiencing a renaissance as drivers seek a closer physical bond with today’s powerful, high-performance engines. With its multiple

features and potential applications, no other manual on the market today can promise to deliver the goods in so many ways any better than the T56.

TREMEC TR6060

$500 / $750 Rebate with Connect & Cruise Purchase. For details, go to www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines.html.



The Technical Side

Fifth-Gen Camaro Reaches 500,000 U.S. SalesProduction milestone caps five years as America’s best-selling performance carTalk about a big family: Chevrolet delivered the 500,000th fifth-generation Camaro in the United States in March.

The fifth-generation Camaro has been a runaway success for Chevrolet since it went on sale in August 2009. Camaro passed Mustang in 2010, to become America’s best-selling performance car — a title Camaro has retained for five consecutive years. In the process, the Camaro has helped build the Chevrolet family — with 63 percent of retail buyers new to GM.

“The fifth-generation Camaro has clearly resonated with both long-time Camaro fans, and first time performance-car buyers,” said Todd Christensen, Camaro marketing manager. “That sets the bar high for the next chapter of the car’s history.”

Remarkably, the Camaro continues to gain momentum, even as the fifth-generation Camaro nears the end of production this year. In 2014, Camaro total sales increased 7.1 percent for its second-best year of sales since its introduction. For the first two months of 2015, total sales are up 3.6 percent over 2014.

In its final year for the fifth generation, the 2015 Camaro lineup offers a broad range of models that balance style, performance and efficiency:

• The 323-horsepower V-6-powered LS coupe and LT coupe and convertible — including the 2LS with an EPA-rated 30 mpg on the highway

• The Camaro SS coupe and convertible, with a 6.2L V-8 delivering up to 426 horsepower

• The road-racing-inspired Camaro 1LE performance package with unique gearing, suspension tuning and tires that make the model capable of more than 1 g of lateral acceleration

• The 580-horsepower supercharged Camaro ZL1 coupe and convertible — the most powerful Camaro in history

• The track-capable Camaro Z/28 (coupe only), which was named Motor Trend’s 2014 Best Driver’s Car — the first American-brand car to receive the award.



The Technical Side (cont’d.)

Gen V’s Last Hurrah! As we approach the introduction of the 2016s, we look back at what made the Gen-Five Chevrolet Camaro great. With an emphasis on delivering style, performance and efficiency that has helped make it the segment’s best seller five years running and Chevrolet America’s best-selling brand of performance cars.

Camaro PowertrainsStandard in LS and LT models is the LFX-code 3.6L V-6, rated at 323 horsepower (241 kW) and enabling EPA-estimated 30-mpg highway mileage (2LS model). Many lightweight engine features contribute to that, including an integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design that saves about 13 pounds per engine, when compared with a conventional, non-integrated design.

Two 6.2L V-8 engines are offered in the Camaro SS, including the L99 on automatic-equipped vehicles and the LS3 on manual-equipped models. Horsepower for the L99 is 400 (298 kW) at 5,900 rpm and torque is 410 lb-ft (556 Nm) at 4,300 rpm. The LS3 develops 426 horsepower (318 kW) and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm). Output on the L99 is lower than the LS3 because of a slightly lower compression ratio (10.4:1 vs. 10.7:1) and design features of the Active Fuel Management system.

Camaro Chassis and SuspensionCamaro features fully independent front and rear suspensions, with the rear suspension featuring a 4.5-link system that includes a unique, L-shaped upper control arm that attaches to the knuckle at one end and incorporates a ride bushing in the rear. A sub-frame at the rear is double-isolated to minimize vehicle body motions and dampen road imperfections. Coil-over shock absorbers are used in the rear with a decoupled, hollow stabilizer bar. The front suspension has a dual-ball strut system, with a direct-acting stabilizer bar.

Four suspension packages are offered: FE2 sport on LS and LT models; FE3 on SS Convertible models, FE4 performance on SS Coupe models and the FE6 with the 1LE Performance Package.

For more photos and to read more about the 2015 Camaro, go to gmserviceinsights.com

2015 Chevrolet Camaro Electronic Brake Control Module Replacement

Removal ProcedureCaution: To prevent equipment damage, never connect or disconnect the wiring harness connection from the EBCM with the ignition switch in the ON position.

1 Place the ignition switch in the OFF position.

2 Thoroughly clean the area around the electronic brake control module (EBCM) of all dirt and debris.

3 Disconnect the EBCM electrical connector.

4 Remove the EBCM bolts (1).

Note: Do not attempt to pry or lever against the EBCM.

5 Carefully separate the EBCM (1) from the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) by pulling

straight away from the BPMV. Do not force the components apart.

Installation Procedure

1 Clean the sealing surfaces of the EBCM and the BPMV with denatured alcohol and allow to dry.

2 Install the EBCM (1) to the BPMV.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution.

3 Install the EBCM bolts (1) and tighten in a cross pattern to 3 Y (27 lb in).

4 Connect the EBCM electrical connector.

5 Program the EBCM. Refer to Control Module References.

6 Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle.

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Genuine GM Parts at competitive prices.Why trust your business—or reputation— to anything less?

Take the hassle out of brake line repairs by using GM OE Brake Line Kits!

Genuine GM Parts

Brake Line Kits

GM Brake Line Kits meet or exceed GM OE quality and specs:

✔ Pre-formed and pre-fl ared for easy installation

✔ Nylon coating for better corrosion protection

GM off ers a wide selection of brake line kits for 1999–2007 GM full-size pickup trucks and SUVs.

Every effort is made to make this comprehensive and factual. We reserve the right, however, to make changes at any time, without notice, to materials, equipment, specifications, and availability. Since some information may have been updated since the time of printing, please check with your dealer for complete details. P-SS-S-BLKIT01-12.14

VEHICLE APPLICATIONS2000 – 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe

2000 – 2006 Chevrolet Suburban

2002 – 2006 Chevrolet Avalanche

1999 – 2007 Chevrolet Silverado

1999 – 2007 GMC Sierra

2000 – 2006 GMC Yukon

2000 – 2006 Cadillac Escalades

Note: These kits do not include the rear axle crossover pipe and are not intended for the repair of a single damaged brake pipe.


The Technical Side (cont’d.)


New Brake Pipe Assembly Kits Available for GM 1999–2007 GM Trucks and SUVsGM has complete brake pipe lines for

1999–2007 full-size pickup trucks and

SUVs, including Chevrolet Silverado,

Suburban, Avalanche and Tahoe; GMC

Sierra and Yukon/Yukon Denali, and

Cadillac Escalade models. The kits can

be used any time the replacement of the

entire brake pipe assembly is required.

All kits are preformed and pre-flared for

quicker installation.

The brake pipe kits have a nylon

coating that provides better corrosion

protection, and they are a lower-cost

alternative to pipe replacement. They

are not intended for the repair of a

single damaged brake pipe, but the

replacement of the entire brake pipe

assembly due to corrosion or wear.

Each kit is sold with all of the pipes

needed to replace the entire brake pipe

system for the vehicle except the rear

axle crossover pipe. The suggested time

for this repair is 4.5-6.0 hours, depending

on the vehicle’s configuration.

Before installation, be sure to identify

the correct port locations on the master

cylinder, ABS modulator valve, and brake

pressure proportioning valve, where

equipped, to ensure proper operation.

Once the new brake pipes are installed,

inspect the routing of the new pipes to

ensure that the pipes do not contact any

part of the frame, body or any chassis

components.

Kit Installation Procedure When removing the old brake pipes, be sure to clean all

dirt, rust or other contaminants from the areas adjacent to

each brake pipe tube nut so that no contaminants enter any

hydraulic fittings or openings of the brake pipes.

Also carefully remove the existing brake pipes from the

routing clips to avoid damaging the clips. The new brake pipes

will be installed into the existing clips.

Be sure to identify the correct port locations on the brake pressure modulator valve.

(Article originally appeared in ACDelco News & TechConnect)Use existing clips (old and new lines shown).


GM 1999-2007 Full-Size Trucks: Underbody Inspection and Brake Pipe Assembly KitsUnderbody Inspection Essential for Brake System Maintenance

New lines and old lines to the brake pressure

modulator valve.

While underbody inspections for rust and corrosion should be a

part of every vehicle’s regular maintenance schedule, these

inspections are absolutely essential to help enable continued safe

mechanical operation of the vehicle’s braking system. In the winter,

salt and other chemicals used on road surfaces can accumulate on

the underbody, particularly on brake pipes near the ABS modulator

valve and high-splash areas behind the wheels. These chemicals can

cause or accelerate corrosion on the brake lines. Significant

corrosion to brake lines may result in brake fluid leakage and

reduced braking power.

All vehicles should undergo a thorough underbody inspection

after winter exposure to salt and other deicing chemicals. The

inspection should completely examine the vehicle’s brake

lines for any signs of corrosion, wear, or damage—even in

difficult-to-inspect areas like around line hangars and clips,

along the frame rail behind the fuel tanks, and under the

radiator. In addition to a visual inspection, the technician

should apply maximum brake pedal pad force with the engine

running, which can help determine if a hydraulic line is weak

or about to leak before a failure occurs on the road.

Hill took note of the Surface Pro 3’s availability on the list of Genuine GM Rewards products. Having priced the tablets at close to $1,000, she quickly realized the logic of spending Rewards points on a tablet. Even if Square Register doesn’t turn out to be the exact answer, she reasoned that a tablet would be a good investment in technology. Funded entirely by GM Parts purchases, it was essentially a cost-free investment in a technology platform that could yield other tangible benefits down the road.

Buy, Earn, Redeem “The Rewards program is giving us the chance

to try something we might not have been able to do until later,” she says. “We have a desktop and a laptop computer, but the tablet has more mobility and versatility, and allows us to get more into the new age.”

Expert Transmission has shown its adeptness at handling change, but it’s also firmly committed to timeless standards in selecting parts and servicing customers. That’s why it relies heavily on reman transmissions and other products carrying the Genuine GM Parts name, a stance that’s rewarded with not only satisfied customers, but now with products and services available through Genuine GM Rewards. But even without those perks that become more valuable with each qualifying purchase, Hill says she’d be consistently looking to GM for top-notch solutions.

“GM Rewards is a nice incentive, but we’re chiefly concerned about what’s best for our customers. We buy GM OEM products because you get the right part for the right vehicle and you have GM standing behind it.”

A Better WarrantyOf all the advantages they offer, GM reman

transmissions’ 3-year, 100,000-mile warranty is one of the most important, Hill says. It gives customers long-term peace of mind and assurances that repairs can be readily performed.

Expert Transmission, in turn, has confidence that it will be rewarded for remaining loyal to Genuine GM Parts. While the chief reward will be satisfied customers, They also know that their stockpile of reward points will grow with each qualifying purchase. And, who knows, those points could turn out to be the seed money needed to fund yet another leg of Expert Transmission’s drive to stay competitive and on the cutting edge of small business trends.

High-quality, dependable remanufactured transmissions have been a game changer for Expert Transmission & Auto Care. Complex and costly transmission rebuild work once sustained the 45-year-old Kokomo, Indiana shop. That work is slowly giving way, where possible, to quicker, and sometimes more profitable reman install work.

Yes, change is coming fast and furious to small repair shops like Expert Transmission these days. Now, Expert Transmission’s business may be on the brink of another transformative event. And, interestingly, it’s one that may arrive on the wings of the company’s growing reman transmission business.

Tapping into the Genuine GM Rewards program account it opened in 2013, Expert Transmission scored a new Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet computer by redeeming points accumulated for simply purchasing reman transmissions and other Genuine

GM Parts products. Expert Transmission’s motivation in choosing the tablet from among the hundreds of Genuine GM Reward merchandise options was sober

and practical: They wanted to situate themselves for a possible change in how they processed customer payments.

Looking for Efficiencies“With the tablet, Expert Transmission now has the essential

piece of mobile computer hardware required to work with Square Register, an alternative, web-based debit and credit card payment system. It’s a proposition that has caught the eye of Expert

Transmission’s owner, Dale Hill, says his wife, Melissa, who manages the office.

“A couple of businesses in town have been using this, and we’ve started to think that it looks like an interesting alternative to having the clutter of a credit card and check cashing machine on the counter and paying some of the comparatively high transaction fees through our existing service provider,” says Hill. “Folks we’ve talked to who use it say pricing is more clear cut and lower and you don’t need near the amount of equipment sitting around that needs to be regularly updated and changed out, either.”

Transmissions to Transactions:

Genuine GM Rewards Gives Expert Transmission Steppingstone to Payments Alternative

Melissa Hill, Office Manager

19Apr – Jun 2015 ServiceInsights



The Business of Repairs

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