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  • Reviews of Recent Equipment Tool Purchases at Your Shop

    Posted by Tom on September 15, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    Here are some of the items we have purchased within the last year or

    two:

    RossTech software – no issues

    AutoEnginuity software – no issues

    Rotary 10K above ground lifts (3) – one needed some very minor

    adjustment after being used for several months

    Bartech TPMS tool – no issues

    Atlas Edge 101 Aligner with Fast Clamps – one rechargeable battery

    failed, we replaced it, OK now

    Ranger 2420 wheel balancer – no issues

    Ranger tilt back tire changer – one part was assembled incorrectly,

    but was easily fixed by one of our techs

    So, we are happy with all of these purchases and would recommend them.

    It is worth mentioning that we generally do not have many issues with

    tools and equipment…partly due to research before we buy and partly

    due to techs who treat the equipment very well.

    What have you purchased recently and how is it working for you?

    jay-mathes replied 11 years, 8 months ago 5 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Tom Piippo

    Member
    September 20, 2012 at 11:40 am

    We purchased a Hunter Hawkeye aligner just more than a year ago. It came with the data link connector and the ability to reset steering angle sensors. The first SAS reset we came across was a VW Passat and the machine lacked the ability to reset that car (wouldn’t you know it!) I sent Hunter a nasty-gram and the service guy came right out (2 weeks) and did a program ‘update’ to fix the issue. I don’t know it it worked because we havn’t had another Passat to align yet.

    We have a Challenger 10K 2 post lift from NAPA. at 6 months old the lift arms buckled under a 4 door diesel. I would have thought that the arms would have been stronger than the hydraulics. It was fixed under warranty, but not without some grousing from the servicing dealer, who is different from the selling dealer. (he reminded me that he did not sell me the lift, nor did he install it!)

    Just like our customers, I tend to remember the problems, not the good ones.

  • Patrick McElroy

    Member
    September 20, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    Last year we purchased a sandblasting cabinet from ACE Automotive Cleaning Equipment in Grand Haven, MI. Has a shop vac with large filter. Now we can clean caliper mounting brakets quickly and more efficiently without all the dust created from air grinders. Also finding it very usefull for cleaning rotor hub surfaces.

    Also purchased a Robinair Cooltech 34788 A/C machine. Sooo much faster than my 13 year old White Industry machine. Has worked flawlessly all summer.

  • Alan Ollie

    Member
    October 31, 2012 at 12:52 am

    VAG VVDI Interface Vag Commander 8.6

    Reading security access code of the IMMOBILIZER

    Read/Write immobilizer related data

    To try a new ecm before buying one .

    You turn off the immobilizer then test then turn it back on.

    A little hard to learn. But is a must have tool.

  • jay-mathes

    Member
    February 18, 2013 at 3:58 am

    Fairly new purchases:

    Robinair 34788 J2788 compliant R134 machine. Good performance, no issues, good unit.

    Snap-On V3D2 Aligner

    Initial install issue with the then brand new, lighter, small dual targets. Computer seemed of low capability for operating the unit. I bought a second similar computer and loaded the software. It worked flawlessly. S-O replaced the computer with a better one and it works fine.

    The unit has been rock solid for just about a year. Our test vehicle was racked and off loaded several times and all measurements were repeated 100%.

    We added the drive on aid & VIN reader. No Steering angle SW built in – we have enough factory scanners to deal with them when they actually need to be messed with. Many things can be bought used. A modern aligner is so much better than old technology it pays for itself in reduced set up time alone. Not to mention many makes should not be lifted for runout compensation.

    We have a new VCM2, not enough time to evaluate yet. After 6 years with the original VCM, no reason to be nervous about it.

    Another low cost new purchase was a bright underhood light.

    http://www.tooldesk.com/automotive/ATD80050-ATD-Saber-light-30W-Underhood-Light.aspx

    For my tired old eyes it puts out good light. Am keeping my eye open for a bright LED unit that is similar.

    Several months ago added the Peter David dongle to our BMW 3G system that allows us to choose when ISTA updates. Frustrating having a vehicle come in for service mid day and have a 5 hour update tie the system up. It is a snap to use and does what it was intended to do perfectly.

    We too have little trouble with equipment. Prior purchase research and proper care and handling as Tom mentioned.

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