March 2024

Reviewed by John Baumgardt, owner, operator, and technician at Baumgardt's Auto Repair in Fillmore, Indiana.

Though a brake job isn't anything new for most technicians, it's those everyday tasks that you run the risk of forming bad habits.

Reviewed by Matt Fanslow, diagnostic tech/shop manager at Riverside Automotive in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Q & A with Jeff Del Rossa, general manager of the specialty tool group for Milton Industries.

This evolution not only reflects the advancement in automotive technology but also the changing landscape of vehicle theft and the need to protect and maintain critical vehicle...

The Challenger Lifts 12.5K Extended Forks Mobile Column Lift, No. CLHM-125, allows the user to easily lift vehicles, within rated capacity, with recessed or dually tires because...

The 64-pc Precision Ratchet and Driver System, No. 32787, from Klein Tools includes 60 bits in one set (33 precision bits, 16 standard bits, and 11 nut drivers). The low-profile...

The AIRCAT Engraving Pen, No. 6335, features a Carbide stylus and a 1/8” stroke piston design for consistent and trouble-free operation. The 13,000 bpm enables fast and ...

The NWS Maxi MX Waterpump Pliers are drop-forged from chrome vanadium steel and then hardened and tempered for long tool life. The pliers feature a box joint design for stability...

The answer to this one is complex, but the easy answer is “not really.”

The OEMTOOLS 9-gallon Upright Portable Oil Drain, No. 87032, is designed for evacuating used oil from a vehicle. Users can position the 17" diameter funnel below the oil drain...

The Bosch BAT6120-US High-Power 12V Battery Charger and 120A Power Supply is a multi-functional battery support solution for automotive shops. It functions dependably as an efficient...

The Spark Plug Boot Puller, No. C28234, from Performance Tool, is designed to help prevent damaging or separating wires and boots during spark plug removal. The puller features...

IMR surveyed 500 independent repair shops to see what challenges they expect to face in 2024.

In this video, technician Benedict Grubner reviews the Streamlight Wedge XT flashlight.

Noregon's JPRO Professional 2024 v1 Update features on and off-highway enhancements so users can diagnose commercial vehicles and heavy duty equipment in the same application ...

The Gray Tools 16-pc Insulated Hex Bit Socket Set, No. 25016-I, features both SAE and metric sizes and comes in a carrying case with a foam organizer. All pieces have dual-layer...

The Streamlight Strion 2020 Rechargeable Flashlight delivers up to 1,200 lm, featuring both head and tail push-button on/off switches, an easy-to-use mode select switch for choosing...

The Polyvance Compression Roller, No. 6144, is designed to reduce the finishing time and enhance the strength of plastic welds by smoothing and compressing the joint between the...

The OEMTOOLS Heavy Duty 1/2" MAX Li-ion Impact Wrench, No. 24481, is used for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts, automotive repair, body shop maintenance, and other applications...

The Chicago Pneumatic CP8609 eBlueTork Battery-Operated Torque Wrench features a compact, long-lasting battery, and a torque range from 220 ft-lbs to 665 ft-lbs. Its highly durable...

The Rogue EM 140i from ESAB weighs 28 lbs, uses 115V of primary power, and has a maximum output of 140A. The tool has a rated welding output of 90A at a 30 percent duty cycle ...

Displaying the latest vehicle technology, CES once again provided a stomping ground for the automotive industry.

The 29-pc NOx and Particulate Sensor Service Kit, No. 60525200, from Pichler Tools, is designed for the disassembly and assembly of NOx and particle sensors, and the renewal of...

JohnDow Industries PurAbsorb is an absorbent solution for spills, absorbing instantly upon contact for a dry, no-slip surface. One 10-lb bag of PurAbsorb has the same absorption...

The Battery Charger and Analyzer, No. 6021AGM, from Associated Equipment is designed to provide 6V, 12V, and 24V charging capabilities for vehicle batteries including AGM...

The Cool Boss CB-26 Portable Evaporative Cooler is built to rapidly and economically cool areas up to 3,055 sq. ft. The eco-friendly evaporative cooler allows users to direct ...

The Biodegradable Nitrile Gloves from Worx Industrial Solutions are designed and manufactured to biodegrade in an anaerobic environment, such as a landfill, at an accelerated ...

The DeWalt EV 240V Charger is equipped with a 25' high-grade UL-certified cable and delivers up to 46 mph of charge. The current can be adjusted from 12A to 40A, while the smart...

The ARES 3-pc Spring Loaded Universal Joint Magnetic Spark Plug Socket Set, No. 11080, includes three 3/8" drive magnetic spark plugs in 14mm, 9/16", and 5/8" sizes. Constructed...

The Beta Tools Zero-Reset Torque Wrench, No. 666, is designed to eliminate the need for manual reset to zero. Thanks to upgraded components, the torque wrench no longer has to...

The Steel Blue Boots Hobart Scuff Boot is an elastic-sided pull-on boot with a durable, low-profile scuff cap. Built to protect the premium leather at the front of the boot, the...

The Milton Industries 9-pc Insulated Pliers and Screwdrivers Tool Set, No. 1305-EV-02, is designed to help protect technicians from electrical-related accidents. The set includes...

The Autel MaxiTPMS TS900 is an 8" 3-in-1 TPMS, diagnostics, and service tablet that allows users to activate, read, and relearn TPMS sensors and program the Autel 1-Sensor to ...

The Matco Tools 1/2" Drive 16-3/4" Eighty8 Tooth Fixed Ratchet with Ergo Handle - Purple, No. CFR158P, produces a swing arc just over 4 degrees to enable swift work in compact...

The SUNEX Tools 8" x 10" Flexible Magnetic Mat, No. SXMAGMAT, is engineered with a grid pattern of high-power rare earth magnets capable of holding tools and parts, providing ...

The Milton Industries 39-pc 1/2" Drive SAE Standard and Deep Socket Set, No. 1300-SS, is crafted from cold-forged Cr-MO steel to endure vibrations and impacts, preventing damage...

The Miller Electric Trailblazer 330 Welder offers up to 330A at 31V and 100 percent duty cycle, enabling operations to get high deposition rates by running bigger-diameter, flux...

The Mityvac Fluid Extractor, No. MVA6853, extracts or dispenses fluids quickly and cleanly with a simple-to-use manual syringe-type tool. It has the capacity to handle 1.5L of...

The MVT Battery and Electrical System Tester from Midtronics features a 3.5" color display, an intuitive user interface, a rechargeable internal battery, and comes with field...

The Foxwell TS5000 Smart TPMS Service Tool is designed to offer a complete solution for TPMS service. The professional TPMS service tool can activate/decode universal TPMS sensors...

The 8-in-1 Insulated Precision Screwdriver Set with Case, No. 32584INSR, from Klein Tools features an insulated handle and blade which are 1000V rated for protection against electric...

The Automatic Wire Stripper, No. 48-22-3083, from Milwaukee Tool features a one-handed stripping application for quick, clean cuts through 80-20 solid and 1022 stranded AWG wire...

The Microflex Mega Texture 93-256 Disposable Gloves from Ansell are designed to provide a confident grip and durable protection to automotive aftermarket professionals. The orange...

The Electronic Specialties EV Insulation Tester, No. 550, is designed to check high-voltage circuits on electric and hybrid vehicles for voltage leaks to ground. It can supply...

The GripEdge Tools RPT Socket Extractors feature a patented geometry that is non-tapered to enable complete contact with the fastener sidewall and is designed to grip up to 100...

The Harbor Freight Daytona 3-Ton Super Duty Floor Jack in Metallic Purple is a low-profile floor jack featuring Rapid Pump technology with a dual-piston hydraulic system that ...

The U.S. General Series 3 56" Work Center Hutch from Harbor Freight has 19,900 cu. in. of storage space and features an easy-opening door with dual gas struts and integrated power...

The Electric Brake Bleeder from Car Certified Tools is available with a 2.5 or a 4.0 gallon tank. It features an automatic low fluid level shut off to prevent air bubbles, it ...

The Performance Tool 18-pc Brake Caliper Wind Back Kit, No. W89202, is ideal for installing pads on domestic and import cars and trucks that have the wind-back piston calipers...

The Tool Aid In-Line Brake Pad Gauge, No. 65300, provides an easy and compact way of taking brake pad readings during service. The in-line style allows the gauge to be used on...

The OEMTOOLS Brake Caliper Piston Rewind Tool Set, No. 35058, is designed with a spring tension and built-in retainer plate to streamline installation into one smooth step. This...

The Akebono Brake Corporation Proact Ultra-premium Disc Brake Pad Kits adds front and rear brake coverage for a variety of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Jeep, RAM and Toyota...

The CTA Manufacturing Pro Series Brake Bleeder Adapters and Tank, No. 1275, features all metal construction adapters for servicing many types of vehicles, including Toyota, Lexus...