7. Upgraded tests for brake lining classifications. Trade associations like the SAE are establishing standards to offer closer tolerances on friction characteristics that would be improvements over the standard edge-code markings. One computer model test revealed that an 80,000-lb tractor trailer traveling at 60 MPH would stop at 241 feet with OEM lining and 302 feet with replacement lining even through both had the same edge-code markings.8. Non-asbestos and semi-metallic brake lining have replaced asbestos brake lining to comply with US environmental protection regulations. The track record on the new lining has been good, and no major problems have developed.9. Long stroke brake chambers are now replacing the conventional types. Consider that the Type 30 brake chamber offers 1/2 inch of reserve stroke before the piston bottoms out and braking force is lost. A long-stroke chamber provides three-quarters-inch of reserve stroke. Also, look for visible adjustment indicators to ensure proper brake adjustment.

Low fuel bills and affordable mortgages save families hundreds of dollars a year, preserving hard-earned cash for other necessities such as food, clothing and education. In 1997, the Valadez family moved into an energy-efficient home built by HFH of Metro Denver."The typical winter utility bill in their new home ranges from $47 to $52 per month, compared to $150 to $200 per month in their old apartment," says Pritchard. "Their summer utility bills now range from $20 to $27 per month, down from $65 to $75 per month in their apartment."

Rolling Service Originally designed as a roving bar cart, this tiered chrome-and-glass table (below) makes the rounds. Use it as an end table, a serving cart, a portable nightstand, or a display surface for favorite objects. Its size (less than 20 inches diameter) makes it a good fit almost anywhere. Star-Studded Casters Home-improvement centers stock wheels (casters) in different styles and sizes. Match the wheel size and type to your furniture and the surface it will be rolling on. Also check labels for the number of pounds casters will support. Hard rubber wheels work best on concrete or ceramic tile floors; soft rubber is good for resilient flooring; metal wheels work almost anywhere; and plastic wheels or spherical ball types are best for carpeting. The larger the wheel, the easier it rolls. Stem casters have a shank that slides into a hole in the base of the furniture. Drill the hole to snugly receive the shank, then pound the wheel in place with a rubber mallet. Make sure the spot you''re drilling is thick enough to receive the shank and won''t crack when the caster is pounded in place. Furniture legs can be reinforced with a metal cap to prevent splitting.

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