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By Counterman
Applications are being accepted for the Federated Car Care Scholarship program.
Interested students should complete and submit their applications at
link hidden, please login to view by March 31. The Federated Car Care scholarships are funded by Fisher Auto Parts in memory of Art Fisher, founder of Federated Auto Parts and the Federated Car Care program. Qualified candidates should specify “Federated” on their application when applying online.
Administered by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (
link hidden, please login to view), the scholarships will be awarded to employees and children of active Federated Car Care Center members attending a two- or four-year accredited college, an ASE/NATEF-certified post-secondary automotive, heavy-duty or collision technician training program or any licensed and accredited vocational school. Students graduating from high school in 2024 and heading to any of these post-secondary programs also are eligible. “It is a privilege for us to once again provide scholarship opportunities to the children and employees of Car Care members, assisting them in furthering their education,” said Bo Fisher, chairman and CEO of Fisher Auto Parts. “The University of the Aftermarket Foundation’s AutomotiveScholarships.com website streamlines the application process. We urge all interested candidates to submit their applications by March 31 and look forward to awarding Federated Car Care scholarships to another group of deserving young men and women for the 2024-25 academic year.”
Federated is one of more than 30 other organizations awarding scholarships on
link hidden, please login to view. As an added benefit for students who apply at this site, each completed application will be considered by every scholarship where the candidate meets the qualifications. The post
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By Counterman
The driveshaft coupler might be one of the most overlooked undercar components. It’s known by many other names, such as driveshaft coupling, flexible driveline coupling, driveshaft coupler flex joint and flex disc.
You also might know this part as a “giubo,” a term that was coined by its inventor, Antonio Boschi. You’re most likely to be familiar with it if you have customers who own European luxury vehicles, but you’ll also find it on some domestic applications.
The driveshaft coupler connects the transmission, driveshaft and differential, ensuring a smooth transfer of rotational motion and optimal road performance.
You can think of the driveshaft coupler as a vibration dampener. Whenever the transmission transfers power to the differential, the driveshaft coupler loads up to dampen the vibrations, and it prevents driveline misalignments. On a Mercedes, you’re likely to find two driveshaft couplers: one in the front and one in the back. But you also might encounter this component on a number of other makes and models, including late-model and classic applications.
Driveshaft couplers also can help compensate for misalignments. Vehicles are subject to various forces and flexing while in motion, leading to potential misalignments in the drivetrain. Driveshaft couplers can flex to accommodate these misalignments, ensuring continuous power transmission without undue stress on other components.
The design of a driveshaft coupler must account for several factors, including torque requirements, rotational speeds, temperature ranges and the types of loads (static, dynamic, shock) it will encounter. The materials used – such as rubber, polyurethane or advanced composites – are selected based on their ability to provide flexibility, durability and resistance to wear, heat and chemical exposure.
Rubber is commonly used for its excellent vibration-dampening properties and flexibility, while polyurethane offers greater durability and resistance to oils and chemicals, albeit with a slight increase in transmitted vibration.
Driveshaft couplers tend to last a long time. But, given that they’re called into action every time the throttle opens or closes or a gear change occurs, they’re not invincible. While driveshaft couplers are designed for durability, they are, by nature, wear items. Over time, the stress of torque transmission, exposure to environmental elements and the constant flexing can lead to material degradation.
As a driveshaft coupler wears out, it loses its ability to absorb vibrations and reduce shock forces. When that occurs, drivers and passengers are going to feel it. Symptoms include vibrations or a clunking sound emanating from underneath the vehicle, which might get worse as the vehicle accelerates. A rough shifting feeling when putting the vehicle in drive or reverse is another potential sign of a failing flex disc.
Why are driveshaft couplers more prevalent on European vehicles? Well, there are several explanations. One is that European automakers prioritize precision engineering, ride quality and handling in their vehicle designs. The use of driveshaft couplers aligns with this philosophy, as these components enhance driveline smoothness and absorb vibrations, leading to a more comfortable and refined driving experience. Plus, European drivers tend to have high expectations regarding vehicle dynamics and comfort, and driveshaft couplers ensure smoother power delivery and reduce NVH levels.
Also, European cars – especially luxury and performance models – frequently feature rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations, which inherently require more complex drivetrain layouts. Driveshaft couplers are essential in these setups to manage the alignment and movement between the transmission, driveshaft and differential.
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By Counterman
BendPak recently introduced its patent-pending Octa-Flex concept, a new two-post lift design that features two sets of arms: triple-telescoping swing arms plus all-new integrated lift-assist arms.
Octa-Flex is the world’s first two-post lift series with eight fully adjustable, telescoping lift arms, according to the company.
The EV12DPS Octa-Flex prototype makes its global premiere in booth 4569W at NADA Expo in Las Vegas, Feb. 2-4.
Octa-Flex offers all the functionality of a traditional two-post lift, while enabling technicians to perform tasks such as tackle cab-off repairs without the help of additional component-handling equipment or a second tech.
While the primary lift arms hold the vehicle, the unique Octa-Flex lift-assist arms can be used to help safely and ergonomically lift and maneuver heavy vehicle components such as EV battery packs, drivetrains, tires and wheel assemblies with precision, ensuring seamless workflow while reducing the risk of workplace injuries, BendPak noted.
When they’re not needed, the powered lift-assist arms can be moved up out of the way, so the lift can be used as a standard two-post model.
“Octa-Flex lift-assist arms act like that second set of hands you wish you had when you need to remove a 1,200-pound EV battery or wrestle 100-pound wheels and tires off a truck,” said Jeff Kritzer, BendPak president and CEO. “Now you don’t have to ‘put your back into it’ or grab a buddy. Our Octa-Flex lifts will help technicians get more work done with less physical effort and strain.”
link hidden, please login to view The three-stage arms extend and retract further than any other thanks to a patent-pending design that enables the inner arm tubes to retract fully through the back of the arm assembly and even beyond the arm pin itself, providing unfettered access to a wide range of vehicle lifting points, according to BendPak.
Their lower profile and dropped-end pad receiver lets them access hard-to-reach lifting points with less chance of damage to vehicle side skirts, running boards or ground effects, even on low-slung sportscars or EVs.
The Octa-Flex concept also features BendPak’s patent-pending Automatic Swing Arm Restraint System (ASARS) to keep the primary lift arms in place.
ASARS provides twice as much holding grip as traditional systems, according to the company. Its 360 degrees of forged steel teeth secure the arms in place to withstand more than 2,000 pounds of side force that can be generated during vehicle service. The adaptive system requires minimal operator involvement to set and release, while providing maximum peace of mind.
A Clear-Floor Design
The Octa-Flex concept is a clear-floor design delivering unobstructed floor space for moving toolboxes, transmission jacks and other equipment under elevated vehicles. It is built to deliver long service life with single-piece columns for strength, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene load bearings that never need lubrication, super-tall lift carriages to minimize stress on components and industrial-grade hydraulic cylinders, according to the company.
Designed for versatility, Octa-Flex Series lifts feature BendPak’s Bi-Metric reversible swing arms that enable the lift operator to set the lift in either symmetric or asymmetric configurations.
BendPak said it is committed to further enhancing the Octa-Flex concept in the coming months. Anticipated for fall 2024, the global launch will encompass models with rated capacities of both 10,000 and 12,000 pounds.
Learn more and check out the EV12DPS Octa-Flex prototype at NADA Expo booth 4569W at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Feb. 2-4, visit
link hidden, please login to view or call 805-933-9970. The post
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