Undercar Repairs in Riverside
At Scotty's Auto Repair, we take a holistic approach to vehicle care, beginning with a thorough evaluation of your car or truck's foundation. Prior to inspecting the internal components of your vehicle, we prioritize ensuring that you have a strong undercarriage.
Our comprehensive undercarriage inspections and services address this vital but often overlooked area of your vehicle, affording it the care and attention it deserves.
To avert potential disasters, we encourage you to bring your vehicle in for an undercar service inspection today. Please contact us at 951-697-7708 or visit our location in Riverside, CA to schedule an appointment and ensure your vehicle is in optimal condition! Our competitively priced undercar services include:
Anti-Lock Brakes
Anti-lock brakes are designed to prevent wheel lock-up during rapid deceleration by automatically modulating brake pressure during emergency stops. This system allows wheels to maintain traction with the road while braking.
Failure of anti-lock brakes can elevate the risk of multiple vehicle crashes and run-off road incidents. To mitigate this risk, it is essential to have your anti-lock brake system examined and repaired by experts. At Scotty's Auto Repair, our proficient technicians specialize in diagnosing and repairing faulty ABS systems, ensuring your safety.
Brake System Fluid Exchange
Brake fluid is hygroscopic (it absorbs moisture). The absorbed moisture lowers the fluid's boiling point. It also corrodes the lines and cylinders. With the lowered boiling point, the brake fluid could boil during braking which makes you lose braking ability. Although this is an extreme scenario, it does happen in heavy braking. To reduce the effects of the absorbed moisture, auto manufacturers recommend that you have a brake flush done periodically. A brake system flush involves the replacement of used and contaminated fluid with fresh fluid. With Scotty's Auto Repair's quick lube services, you will have a brake system flush performed by brake experts. Call 951-697-7708 or visit Scotty's Auto Repair today.
Brake System Flush
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture. This moisture absorption lowers the fluid's boiling point and can lead to corrosion of the lines and cylinders. In extreme cases, the brake fluid could boil during heavy braking, resulting in a loss of braking capability. To counteract the effects of moisture absorption, auto manufacturers recommend periodic brake system flushes. This procedure involves replacing used and contaminated fluid with fresh fluid.
Brakes
Brakes are mechanical devices designed to slow down or halt a vehicle, primarily through the use of friction. In essence, brakes impede your vehicle's motion, allowing you to stop whenever and wherever necessary. Brakes rank among the most critical vehicle components, and without them, you would be unable to bring your vehicle to a stop.
Chassis
The chassis serves as the internal framework of your vehicle, providing support for various components such as the wheels, engine, transmission, driveshaft, differential, and suspension.
A weakened or damaged chassis can lead to a weaker vehicle overall. To maintain a sturdy and properly functioning vehicle, it is crucial to have your car's chassis regularly inspected for defects.
Driveline
The driveline represents a vehicle section that connects the engine and transmission to the wheel axles. This component consists of powertrain parts excluding the engine and transmission.
A driveline failure translates to an immobilized vehicle, as energy cannot be transmitted from the engine to the wheel axles. To maintain your car's driveline in peak condition, inspections and servicing are essential.
Exhaust
In motor vehicles, an exhaust system consists of piping designed to guide exhaust fumes from the engine to the vehicle's rear. A well-functioning exhaust system not only sounds better but also benefits you, your vehicle, and the environment. Scotty's Auto Repair in Riverside has expert technicians ready to service your car's exhaust system.
Shock Absorbers
Shocks, or shock absorbers, are mechanical devices engineered to smooth out rough road surfaces. They achieve this by converting kinetic energy into another form of energy.
Properly functioning shocks minimize the impact of traveling over uneven terrain, leading to an improved ride quality and enhanced vehicle handling. When shock absorbers develop issues, driving on poorly leveled roads becomes uncomfortable, and your vehicle may sway during turns.
Struts
Much like shock absorbers (shocks), struts serve to dampen the effects of road surfaces as you drive. By absorbing road shocks, struts enable passengers to experience a smoother ride. Struts differ from shocks in that they provide structural support for your vehicle's suspension.
This means that struts bear the weight of your car, unlike shocks, which primarily regulate weight transfer speed. Struts typically have a lifespan of around 50,000 to 60,000 miles, as the damping characteristics gradually deteriorate over time.
Suspension FAQs
How often should shocks be replaced?
Experts recommend that shocks be replaced at 50,000-100,000 miles. If you are a more aggressive driver or frequently drive on rough roads, they will wear out faster. Shocks don't go out all at once, they deteriorate slowly over time. If you are noticing problems with handling, making smooth turns or ride smoothness have one of the professionals at Scotty's Auto Repair inspect your shocks.
Are struts difficult to replace?
Replacing struts is simple and fast for a professional. Replacing your front struts yourself is not recommended, especially if you need a new complete strut assembly kit. When you get your truck's struts replaced you also need to have the front-end alignment checked. Ask the professionals at Scotty's Auto Repair to replace your struts and we will complete the work quickly and easily.
What is the difference between shocks and struts?
Shocks and struts are both parts of a vehicle's suspension system. However, each has a very specific job. Your vehicle has either shocks or struts. You cannot replace your shocks with struts and vice versa. Shock absorbers are hydraulic components that help minimize movement generated by the vehicle's springs. These springs absorb some of the jolts you might feel from uneven or damaged roads. Struts are structural components of certain vehicles' steering and suspension systems. They usually consist of a spring and a shock absorber. Struts are designed to be much stronger than shocks since they are designed for vehicles that carry heavy loads.
Is it necessary to get an alignment after strut replacement?
Scotty's Auto Repair recommends performing an alignment anytime shocks, struts or other steering and suspension components are replaced. Getting your vehicle's alignment within factory specifications ensures optimal tire wear and helps prolong the life of your tires.
What happens if I only replace one strut or shock?
If you replace only one shock or strut, it will create poor handling when changing lanes or driving over bumps. If your car is new, replacing only one strut or shock absorber may be ok since the opposite side shock is not worn out yet. Generally, Scotty's Auto Repair recommends replacing both shocks or struts.
Differential FAQs
Is it necessary to change front and rear differential fluid?
Over time, the differential fluid breaks down and becomes dirty and impacts performance. It is necessary to have your car or truck's differential serviced regularly. It is generally recommended to have the differential fluid changed every 40,000 to 60,000 miles. However, if you are a more aggressive driver you may need to get your front and rear differential fluid changed sooner. If you are in Riverside, Moreno Valley, Canyon Crest, Orange Crest or the surrounding area, give us a call and we can help you figure out what makes the most sense for your vehicle.
What is front and rear differential service?
Differential services performed by one of the professional technicians at Scotty's Auto Repair usually includes draining the old fluid from the differentials and replacing it with new fluid according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations and specifications. Sometimes other components surrounding the differential may need to be serviced as well.
To learn more about our Undercar services, call us at 951-697-7708 or request a quote by clicking below:
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