New Orleans Auto Repair

Have you ever wondered if you needed a wheel alignment?      Symptoms of a vehicle being out-of-alignment: 1)  Pulling or drifting while driving 2)  If you notice while going straight down the road the steering wheel is off center 3) If you notice your vehicle is handling oddly           Other reasons your vehicle may need an alignment: 1)  Tires were replaced 2)  Any suspension or steering parts were replaced 3)  A front wheel drive axle or front or rear wheel bearings were replaced Bonuses to having a properly aligned vehicle: 1)  They will NOT prematurely wear suspension components or tires 2)  They are safer to drive. Traction control systems work best on properly aligned vehicles 3)  They are more intuitive to handle and help keep the driver more in control   Let the mechanics at Tim’s check out your vehicle and let you ... read more

Maybe someone has told you that your vehicle needed a wheel alignment, but what is it? In simple terms, when a vehicle is out-of-alignment, it means that all the wheels are pointing in different directions. That can cause a variety of issues for your vehicle such as premature wear on your tires or suspension. It can also cause your car to pull or drift while driving. That can be a safety concern. Wheel alignments are performed on a specialized vehicle lift called an alignment rack, using specialized equipment called an alignment machine.  They use multiple cameras that take detailed pictures or videos of targets that are mounted to the four wheels of the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle being aligned, both front or all four wheels are being adjusted. Many vehicles can adjust your suspension and steering on 3 planes. Every vehicle has different alignment specifications. Let the mechanics at Tim’s help you keep a smooth ride and your vehicle driving straight down the road ... read more

Are you wondering if your vehicle's suspension is bad? Suspension systems wear out with normal use of your vehicle. Time and mileage, paired with the bumpy streets of New Orleans, can cause your suspension to wear or fail. A properly functioning suspension provides comfort, traction, and control while driving your vehicle.      Some signs of a bad suspension are: 1) A bouncy ride 2) A clunk or rattle noise over bumps 3) A pull or drift while driving 4) An uneven tire wear  Bouncy Ride When your suspension is worn, you will often feel an overly soft or bouncy sensation while driving. When driving over bumps, particularly at low speeds, your vehicle will bounce 3 or 4 times. The change from a normal feeling ride to an overly bouncy ride can either occur suddenly or gradually over time. The bouncy sensation you are feeling is a lack of spring dampening by the shock absorbers or struts on your vehicle.  Clunk or Rat ... read more

Does your car pull to the right? Your vehicle should travel straight when you drive on a smooth flat road. If you notice that your car is pulling or drifting to the right when driving, this could be an indication of a tire problem, an alignment problem or a braking system problem. Tire Problem A tire that has developed a very irregular wear or a slipped belt can cause your car to pull. As tires age the bond that holds the steel belts and tread to the tire carcass deteriorates, this can cause a section of the tire tread and belt or the entire tire tread and belt to shift and cause a pull in the vehicle or a bump sensation and a pull. Tires with slipped belts are unsafe and should be changed. If changing all four tires it is also recommended to align the vehicle afterwards. Alignment Problem Problems with your alignment can cause your vehicle to pull or drift to the right or left or both. It can also be ... read more