Mechanical Repairs

The cars we drive contain thousands of mechanical parts which will eventually need to be serviced or replaced to keep the vehicle running at its best. While basic maintenance items like checking the oil and swapping out wiper blades can be done at home, it’s a great idea to build a relationship with a service station that can tackle mechanical repairs for you.

If you are looking for helpful vehicle advice, reliable services, and fair prices, we’ve got you covered. We offer a well-equipped, full machine shop staffed by technicians with the mechanical expertise that guarantees our customers prompt and high-quality repairs. We inspect your vehicle, diagnose any problems, and offer honest suggestions and very fair estimates for repairs.

Our expert technicians can repair a variety of car parts including:

• Engine
• Transmission (gear)
• Clutch
• Alternator
• Wheels and Axle shaft
• Brakes
• Suspension
• Fuel injectors and spark plugs
• Steering system

Not sure if you need to bring your vehicle in? Keep reading for a quick guide to identifying the signs of common mechanical problems that we can help you with.

Signs your vehicle needs an engine repair

Your car’s engine works by combining fuel, oxygen, pressure, and electricity in a chain reaction that produces the mechanical energy to move your vehicle. Engines have many components, and all need to be operating properly, or you won’t be driving very far, so engine tune-ups are important.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your vehicle needs an engine repair, look for these signs:

• Check engine light illuminated on the dash
• Knocking noises
• Decrease in fuel efficiency
• Fluid leakage including oil or coolant
• Increased exhaust smoke
• Colored exhaust smoke (black, white, blue)

Signs your vehicle needs a transmission repair

Without a working transmission, the mechanical power generated by the engine would have nowhere to go. The purpose of a transmission is to transfer the power from the engine to the wheels in a regulated manner using a system of gears. Vehicles can have automatic transmissions controlled by an onboard computer or a manual transmission with the driver operating the gearbox using a clutch pedal and gear shifter.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your vehicle needs a transmission repair, look for these signs:

• Check engine light illuminated on the dash
• Burning smell
• Difficult or impossible to switch gears
• Unusual noises like clunking, whining, or humming when the vehicle is in neutral
• Vehicle slipping out of gear
• Clutch not releasing when you press the pedal on a manual clutch vehicle
• Red, sweet-smelling fluid leak
• Grinding or shaking during gear change

Signs your car needs a clutch repair

Drivers of manual transmission vehicles are familiar with the clutch pedal, but automatic transmission cars also have a clutch-like torque converter system. The clutch connects the engine to the transmission's gearbox via a clutch plate and flywheel on a manual transmission vehicle. The clutch allows you to shift gears and control the amount of torque. Without the clutch, you couldn't change gears on your car.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your vehicle needs a clutch repair, look for these signs:

• Unusual sounds like grinding, excess engine revving, rumbling, or humming sounds when the car shifts gears
• A sticky clutch pedal on a manual clutch vehicle
• Steering wheel or whole vehicle vibration when shifting gears
• Vehicle slipping out of gear
• Rough gear shifting on a manual clutch vehicle
• Smoke or metallic burning smell, especially when shifting

Signs your vehicle needs an alternator repair

The alternator works with the battery to provide electrical power for your vehicle. Without it, your vehicle’s electrical system wouldn’t work properly. The battery provides the initial electricity needed for the starter, but once the vehicle is running, the engine’s alternator generates the energy required to power the electrical system and recharge the battery.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your vehicle needs an alternator repair, look for these signs:

• Alternator light illuminated on the dash
• Flickering headlights
• Headlights dimmer than normal
• Intermittent malfunction of electrical components like windows, radio, or windshield wipers
• Difficulty starting vehicle
• Battery not holding a charge
• Vehicles that need to be jump-started but die again shortly after the jump
• Abnormal squealing, winding, or grinding noises

Signs your vehicle needs a wheel or axle shaft repair

The axle shaft is a rod that runs under your vehicle and transfers power from your engine’s transmission to the wheels, so the wheels turn and move the vehicle. The axle also supports the car’s weight and maintains the relative positions of the wheels it connects.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your vehicle needs a wheel or axle shaft repair, look for these signs:

• Clicking noise when turning or accelerating
• Grease on the inside edge of tires or underside of the vehicle
• A vibration that increases with driving speed
• A loud humming or growling noise while driving
• Visible tire misalignment and wobbling

Signs your vehicle needs a brake repair

Brakes are an important safety component for your vehicle. Without them, you would be unable to slow down and stop quickly. Every time you press the brake pedal, you are applying friction to the brake parts, including pads and rotors. Eventually, these parts will need to be serviced. To keep your vehicle operating at its best, bring it in for routine manufacturer-recommended brake service appointments in addition to any more urgent repairs.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your vehicle needs a brake repair, look for these signs:

• ABS light illuminated on the dash
• Squealing, grinding, or squeaking sound when you press the brake pedal
• Vibration when pressing the brake pedal
• Vehicle pulling to one side while braking
• Steering wheel shaking while braking
• Needing to press the brake pedal harder or for a longer time to stop the vehicle
• Brakes locking up or pedal getting stuck

Signs your vehicle needs a suspension repair

When we notice that a car is comfortable to ride in and handles well, much of that is thanks to the suspension system. The suspension system supports the vehicle's weight and absorbs impact and vibrations while driving to prevent car damage and provide a comfortable driving and riding experience. The shock absorbers, springs, sway bars, and dampeners of your suspension system take a beating over time, especially on rough roads, so eventually they will need service.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your vehicle needs a suspension repair, look for these signs:

• The front end of the vehicle noticeably dipping down when braking
• Rougher, bouncier than usual ride
• Feeling like the vehicle is drifting or pulling to the side during a turn
• Uneven tire wear
• Greasy or oily appearance to the shocks or struts
• Squeaking sounds when driving over bumps
• One side or corner of the vehicle sitting lower than the rest when parked
• Difficulty steering

Signs your vehicle needs a fuel injector repair or spark plug replacement

The fuel injector is an electronically controlled valve that regulates the exact amount of fuel to deliver to each engine cylinder. The injector atomizes the fuel into small droplets, which are sent into the cylinder at specific intervals to achieve combustion. Precision is very important to the injector system, so any performance degradation can cause noticeable problems.

We often troubleshoot spark plugs alongside fuel injectors because both work together to generate combustion. Spark plugs deliver an electric current from the ignition system into the combustion chamber where the injector has sprayed the fuel. Without the proper amount and timing of electrical current, the chamber's pressurized fuel and air mixture will not combust. Spark plugs wear out over time and need to be replaced.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your vehicle needs a fuel injector repair or spark plug replacement, look for these signs:

• Check engine light illuminated on the dash
• Decreased fuel economy
• Sluggish acceleration
• Vibration, knocking, or rattling sounds while the engine is idling
• Misfiring engine
• Engine stalling
• Difficulty starting vehicle
• Failing emissions inspection
• Less engine power while driving
• Fuel leak/smell of fuel
• Inconsistent RPM gauge readings even with consistent gas pedal application
• Broken or damaged wires in older vehicles

Signs your vehicle needs a steering system repair

If your vehicle didn’t have a steering system, you would be unable to control the direction your car traveled. When you turn your steering wheel, that input is transferred down the steering column into a shaft, steering gears, links, arms, and other components that apply force to the wheels and turn them in your desired direction. Steering systems work using either hydraulic or electric/electronic force. Over time, components can wear down or break, resulting in decreased steering responsiveness and the need for repair.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your vehicle needs a steering system repair, look for these signs:

• Steering wheel vibrating or bouncing up and down when driving or braking
• Steering wheel moving from side to side when turning
• Screaming, whistling, or screeching sound when turning the steering wheel
• Difficulty turning the steering wheel
• Feeling like the steering is slipping when you hold the steering wheel in a turned position
• Fluid leaks
• Vehicle pulling to the side while driving