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

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 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

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