2007 Volvo XC70, during replacement of the steering wheel module, one of our Volvo techs noted the steering wheel was loose, and the retaining bolt not tight. Upon removal of the wheel, he noted multiple cracks at the splined hub, apparently a casting defect, and a major safety issue. We’ve noted a number of loose wheels on the later model Volvos, but this is the first one we’ve seen with this extent of cracking in the cast aluminum hub. Correction consisted of replacement with a new unit, and torquing the retaining bolt to the proper setting.

You probably read yesterday about our methods to repair the “unrepairable” Mini Cooper convertible top. Here’s an idea of what goes into the service and repair process – don’t try this at home. Chances are if your Mini top develops a problem, the dealer is going to replace the entire “top cassette”, which is a rather pricy fix. Over the years we’d identified and developed repair processes for the most common Mini top issues, making for some very happy Mini customers. While not every Mini convertible will develop this problem, if it does occur, it’s good to know that the Atlantic Motorcar team can REPAIR rather than REPLACE. Happy Motoring!

Installing a trailer hitch may not be high on every BMW owner’s list of things to do, but for those who need to use this fun and versatile AAV (All Activity Vehicle) to tow, its a necessity. Fortunately BMW makes a very complete kit to add this to your X3, complete with wiring harness and plug.
Our BMW service team has done a number of these, very nice to see how they turn out. So if you need to “Get Hitched”, or anything else for your BMW, just give us a call. Your car is as valued to us as it is to you.

Saab Airbag SRS Problem – While we love computers, and the workshop is fully equipped with the latest in factory diagnostics, it’s not all glory here, sometimes it takes a good bit of investigative detective work to get the bottom of problems. In this case a Saab 93 with a Airbag (SRS) warning light on. Car came out of the dealer, and to us to correct this fault. This was one of those problems that just couldn’t be solved with a computer, it required removal of the driver’s seat, center console and carpeting to find the broken wires going to the Airbag (SRS) computer.

The technician in this case, a 25+ year veteran of imported auto service, was just as happy as our customer, these thorny problems give a real sense of achomplishment. I’m exceptionally proud of this repair, not only because the dealer gave up on it, but because we returned a safe and fully serviced car to our customer.

Mini Cooper Top Problems?
Despite what the dealer may tell you, you DO NOT have to replace the complete top. Because the Atlantic Motorcar Center services so many Minis, more than anyone else in Maine, we’ve developed a method to repair these, for about half of what the Mini dealer wants, which makes for some very happy Mini owners. Questions about your Mini, be it Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman or Countryman, call us, for expert service your Mini top, or anything else on your Mini Cooper!

All cars, be it a BMW or Volvo use the same layout for the brake system. A disc brake system of your car has many parts, but one which almost all of us know is the Brake Pad – which consists of a friction material with a metal backing, and the Brake Rotor – a large circular disc, located just inside your wheels, onto which the brake pads press when you push the brake pedal. The brake system on most car is a really an energy transfer system, taking forward momentum, and changing it into heat, from the friction of the brake pads against the brake rotors. By design, the brake pads float just above the brake rotors, with very little clearance. This is done intentionally, you don’t want to push your brake pedal far, and you want immediate response on braking, so the distance the pads have to travel has been minimized. Some cars, like Mercedes, will cycle the brakes as you are driving in wet weather, to clean off any water on the brake rotors

Metal Brakes
All of this is good and fine, except for another property of brake pads, metal. In the good old days brake pads were often organic, and usually employing some form of asbestos. These days we know that asbestos is nasty material, and a carcinogen, so it’s use has largely been banned. Instead, brake system manufacturers have been using small metal particles, imbedded in the brake pad, to improve brake efficiency. Brake pads with metal particles are called “semi-metallic” brake pads. Now you know why brake rotors also wear, and why it’s common these days to simply replace the rotors with a complete brake service, you have metal rubbing against metal every time you brake. The nature of semi-metallic brakes can also make them squeal at low speeds, some cars like Volvo, are very prone to this. An ironic fact is the higher the quality of the brake pad, the more likely it is to squeal.

A Tip
Sometimes a compound can be applied to the friction material of the brake pads to help with squeal, but this is often a short-lived fix as the brake pads wear, so does the anti squeal compound itself. One tip we often offer is to a series of quick slow speed stops to clean the brake pads, often this will minimize the squealing, even if for a short time.

If you own a 2007 or older BMW, chances are you’re going to hear the term “DISA Valve” at some point in your car’s life. The BMW Differentiated Intake System, known as DISA (from the german “DIfferenzierte Sauganlage”, means differential air intake), optimizes the engine’s running under partial and full load as it adjusts the intake manifold runner length to improve engine performance.

The DISA valve is located in the inlet plenum chamber and controls the variable length intake manifold giving better torque at low revs by closing, keeping the intake runner long. After higher engine speeds, it opens up and makes the intake runners shorter for more horsepower. When it fails it can lead to a rough idle, reduced performance and at times a rattling noise or Check Engine light. Suspect the DISA when the engine has over 60-80K miles, shows signs of rough running, or reduced performance.