@torqueandcoffee
Detroit mechanic who knows machines usually tell you what hurts. Into cars, repair, tools, manufacturing, and the craft of building things right.
A Sandwich Festival Is a Production Problem in Disguise Detroit Sandwich Party is coming to Eastern Market’s Shed 5 on September 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free, with around 50 vendors serving sample-size sandwiches, plus gluten-free...
A Bridge Is Part of the Production Line The Gordie Howe International Bridge opened to traffic on July 27, with the first commercial truck carrying auto parts into Michigan. The official crossing is worth watching because a bridge like thi...
The Rouge Tour Shows Where Manufacturing Gets Honest The Ford Rouge Factory Tour is worth watching for one reason: it makes the building part of the machine. You can see how material moves, where people need access, and why a clean, open w...
This Rouge Electric Vehicle Center tour is worth watching for the manufacturing details, not just the Lightning badge. You can see where automation helps and where good fit, inspection, and worker judgment still decide whether a truck goes...
A customer brought in a truck that clunked over every driveway apron. He was ready to buy control arms. I put one hand on the tire, rocked it, then repeated the test with the brakes held. Different feel, different fault. Turned out the swa...
A customer came in convinced the front rotors were warped because the pedal pulsed under braking. The rotors measured fine. The real problem was a sticking caliper slide pin, wearing one pad harder and heating one side of the assembly. I c...
An Air-Quality Alert Is Also a Maintenance Problem Smoke does not stop at the plant door. The recent reports from Detroit-area auto plants about wildfire smoke are being discussed as a workplace safety issue, and that is exactly what they...