In Part 3 of Bringing Training to the Industry’s Technicians, NAT-
DA spoke with Dexter’s Product Training Manager, Bill Snider.
After a very-well attended class at the 2019 NATDA Trade Show
& Convention, Snider returns with two classes aimed at developing
technicians’ knowledge of axle components.
NATDA: Give us a quick overview on what the
morning class is going to entail for its attendees.
SNIDER: The morning class, a combination of hands-on and classroom
training, covers the most common axles - electric brake leaf
spring axles. We will talk theory of operation, technician safety,
periodic maintenance, repair methods, failure modes and more.
NATDA: What would you say, from an experience
standpoint, is the kind of person that could
or should attend?
SNIDER: Technicians, service writers or even managers. If the
student has any prior automotive brake or axle experience, it
helps. However, we have taught people who are new to the job.
We will assess where everyone is and adjust accordingly. We will
get into theory of operation for newer technicians, but we’ve got
advanced tips and tricks in there - such as custom-made tools or
time-saving tips - as well.
We will work on axles up to an 8,000-pound capacity, which covers
most trailers NATDA Members sell and service. Many dealer
employees understand brakes conceptually but they don’t understand
how to troubleshoot a tow vehicle and trailer combination
or how to coach new owners on properly using the trailer. We’ll
cover all of that.
NATDA: It sounds like you will have module
examples where people can actually turn
wrenches, right?
SNIDER: We have training stands that integrate real axles and
brakes. We will hand attendees the tools and they will take the
axles and brakes apart, diagnose problems and put them back
together. I was an axle-manufacturing plant manager for fifteen
years, so we will translate that half-million-axle assembly experience
into little nuances that make a difference - even things
as minute as putting a bearing on a certain way. We will focus
on making the installed product last the longest, but, more importantly,
hone in on error-proofing technicians’ tasks. In other
works, we will teach steps and procedures that minimize possibilities
of service errors resulting in callbacks. It will ensure dealers
minimize additional labor costs on things that could have been
fixed the first time, saving the dealership money from the beginning
and enhancing customer satisfaction.
40 NATDA Magazine www.natda.org