Performs service and repairs that require skilled knowledge of specific components of a vehicle, but do not require all around knowledge of automobile repair. This description covers multi-discipline of automotive mechanics and service technicians, such as air conditioning mechanic, brakes mechanic, front-end mechanic, radiator mechanic, service station mechanic, and related automotive mechanics of comparable skill level. : Depending on the specialty, may perform certain duties listed below: Installs and repairs automotive air-conditioning units. Repairs and overhauls brake systems in automobiles, buses, trucks, and other automotive vehicles. Aligns wheels, axles, frames, torsion bars, and steering mechanisms of automotive vehicles, such as automobiles, buses, and trucks. Repairs cooling systems and fuel tanks in automobiles, buses, trucks, and other automotive vehicles. Inspects, maintains, and repairs certain components of automobiles and light trucks. Illustrative activities of an air conditioning mechanic follow: Measures compressor pressure to determine efficiency of compressor, using gauge. Listens to operating unit for indications of malfunction. Removes faulty units from vehicles, disassembles them, and replaces worn and broken parts and fluid in unit. Makes electrical connections as required. Illustrative activities of a brake mechanic follow: Diagnoses brake problems including computer and electronic controls. Removes wheels, using wrenches, wheel puller, and sledgehammer. Replaces defective brake shoe units or attaches new linings to brake shoes. Measures brake drum to determine amount of wear, using feeler gauge. Inserts vacuum gauge into power-brake cylinder, starts engine, and reads gauge to detect brake line leaks. Repairs or replaces leaky brake cylinders. Repairs or replaces defective air compressor in airbrake systems. Replaces wheel on axle and adjusts drum shoe clearance, using wrench. Fills master brake cylinder with brake fluid, pumps brake pedal, or uses pressure tank, and opens valves on hydraulic brake system to bleed air from brake lines. Closes valves and refills master brake cylinder. Illustrative activities of a front end mechanic follow: Drives automotive vehicle onto wheel alignment rack and tests vehicle for faulty wheel alignment, bent axle, worn ball joints, and bent steering rods, using alignment-testing machine. Straightens axle and steering rods and adjusts shims, tie rods, and joining pins to align wheels, or installs new parts, using hand tools. Places wheel on balancing machine to determine where counterweights must be added to balance wheel. Installs shock absorbers. Straightens frame, using hydraulic jack, chassis aligner, and acetylene torch. Illustrative activities of radiator mechanic follow: Pumps water or compressed air through radiator to test it for obstructions or leaks. Flushes radiator with cleaning compound to remove obstructions, such as rust or mineral deposits. Removes radiator core from automobile and cleans it, using rods or boiling water and solvent, or a combination of boil out and rod out. Solders leaks in core or tanks, using soldering iron or acetylene torch. Disassembles, repairs, or replaces defective water pump. Replaces faulty thermostats and leaky head gaskets. Installs new cores, hoses, and pumps. Cleans, tests, and repairs fuel tanks. Illustrative activities of service station mechanic follow: Repairs and services vehicles of service station customers. Removes and replaces parts of ignitions system, such as spark plugs, electronic modules, or alternator to complete tune-up or replace malfunctioning part of system, using mechanic's hand tools, gauges, and test meters. Replaces defective chassis such as shock absorbers, ball joint suspension, brake shoes, and wheel bearings. Refers major vehicle repairs to garage. May adjust carburetor and/or repair fuel injection system. May specialize in installation of automotive air-conditioning units.
