New Orleans Auto Repair

 Our suspensions are tested to their limits on the uneven streets of New Orleans. One of the most common suspension failures we find is Torn Control Arm Bushings. Control arm bushings are large thick pieces of rubber that keep your suspension in place but also give it the ability to flex and move over bumps.    Control arm bushings work in concert with your struts, springs, and ball joints. They give your vehicle comfort and traction control while driving. Control arm bushings wear over time from the rubber flexing, absorbing impact, and dry rotting from age. While small cracks in the rubber bushings are acceptable, large tears indicate the beginning of a safety concern. Worn struts or shocks can shorten the lifespan of control arm bushings.  So, when is it time to change your Control Arm Bushings? At Tim’s we check your bushings at every service as part of our Digital Vehicle Inspection.  🟢 We consider bushings with ... read more

One of the main structural pivot points of your suspension is its Ball Joints. They are a wear item and their lifespan will vary depending on the road conditions the vehicle is driven on. As you can imagine, the pothole-ridden streets of New Orleans can take a toll on your vehicle’s ball joints!      Symptoms of worn ball joints often include: 1) A rattling or looseness when driving down an uneven road 2) A grind or groan noise when turning at low speeds 3) Excessive slack when being measured by a professional  If you notice a rattle or clunk noise when traveling down a rough road, that could be an indication of slack in ball joints. The vibration created by the rough terrain transfers to the joint with excessive slack. That can create a low clunk or rattle. If you notice a grind or groan noise from the front wheels when turning at low speeds, that could be an indication of ball joints with excessive slack ... read more

Have you noticed that your car is bouncy when you go over bumps or potholes? Your vehicle’s suspension is supposed to provide comfort and control while going over terrain. It can wear over time and become less effective, especially if driven on the bumpy streets of New Orleans.  Some causes of a bouncy vehicle can be:  1) Worn Struts or Shocks  2) Excessive Wear in the Steering Linkage  3) Excessive Wear in Ball Joints or Control Arms The weight of your vehicle is supported by springs on all four wheels. Struts and/or Shocks are used to lessen the bouncing or stagecoach sensation that springs would create. They are charged with oil and gas to reduce the bounciness of the springs. A symptom of worn or leaking shocks and struts is a bouncy ride down the road. Steering Linkage is a series of ball and socket joints. They allow the vehicle to transfer the left and right steering output of the rigid vehicle to the f ... read more

Have you ever been curious about the Do-It-Yourself A/C refrigerant charging kits? It may be tempting when you are cruising around in a hot car, BUT it is NOT a good decision.  Here are 3 Reasons to Say NO to DIY A/C Charge Kits:1) They are a very inaccurate way of adding refrigerant.  A/C systems are made to operate with a very specific amount of refrigerant and oil in them. Adding refrigerant out of a spray can with a hose till it "feels right" can lead to an incorrect charge in the system. Your A/C system can be damaged by being used with too much or too little refrigerant. The temporary relief may be causing bigger problems! 2) They almost always contain a Stop Leak chemical.  Your A/C system was not designed to have Stop Leak in them. A/C systems have very small passages in some areas and very delicate moving parts in others. The Stop Leak will restrict the small passages and gum up the moving parts. Th ... read more