27571 Holland Crossing Rd. Marion Station, MD 21838
410-623-3911
410-623-3911
27571 Holland Crossing Rd. Marion Station, MD 21838
THE BASICS BEHIND TIRE PURCHASE & TIRE INSTALLATION SERVICES
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When tires are completely worn or unable to meet a driver’s needs, the tire purchasing and installation process usually follows. The specific reasons why a motorist might want to purchase new tires when the current set of tires isn't worn will vary. A vehicle towing heavy weight will need tires with a high load rating. If a vehicle is driven in an area with heavy rain, the driver might prefer to purchase new tires that offer a better traction rating. During our tire purchase and installation service, our service staff will conduct a thorough investigation of your driving needs to help guarantee the best possible set of tires for your car or truck. Once a driver buys the new tires, they will need to be correctly installed on the vehicle. Contact us today to learn more about our tire offerings.
WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE TIRE PURCHASE & TIRE INSTALLATION SERVICES ?
If your tires are worn or unsatisfactory, consider purchasing and installing new ones through us. When tires are worn, they won’t perform correctly. Worn tires heat up more quickly, puncture more easily, and take on roads less effectively. They may also emerge as a potential danger to their driver and other motorists. However, worn tires aren’t the only reason to install new tires. Depending on your environment and needs, it may be wise to purchase and install new tires even if your current set is okay. This is because using tires that are unfit for your needs can quickly deteriorate them. If you need assistance finding the right tire, our expert staff can help. When you’re ready to make a purchase or install a new set of tires, let us know.
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THE BASICS BEHIND TIRE REPAIR SERVICES
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There are many hazards that can make tires less effective and more of a danger to drivers and passengers. It is not uncommon for a sharp stone, nail, or other pointed piece of debris to puncture a tire. Because flat tires are dangerous to use, it is advised that motorists only drive on them in extreme circumstances, such as when they need to reach safety from a busy highway. It is also important to note that the longer a driver uses a flat tire, the more unlikely it becomes that a tire repair service can be performed. This is because riding on a flat tire for too long can cause irrevocable damage to the tire. As the tire deflates, the wheel will come into closer contact with the ground, potentially damaging the rim. It is important to understand that tire repair is time sensitive. The sooner you are able to bring a lightly to moderately damaged tire in for repair, the more likely it is that the tire can be saved.
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THE BASICS BEHIND FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT SERVICES
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Wheel alignments help ensure your tires are angled correctly—level with the ground, pointing straight ahead, and parallel to each other—so they can maintain straight-line tracking. Proper alignment angles will help you maximize the life of your tires. In addition, the handling of your vehicle will be considerably easier. Wheel alignments are arguably the most important aspect of wheel and tire maintenance. Three angles promote proper wheel alignment: toe, caster, and camber. Toe is the measurement between tires. Your tires should be in equal positions and parallel to each other. Caster, or the angle of the steering pivot, permits the wheels to turn along with the steering wheel. Camber is the angle of the wheel, which should be perpendicular to the ground. Four-wheel alignments are an important part of extending the life of your tires, because misaligned tires inevitably lead to poor tire performance and uneven tread wear.
WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT SERVICES?
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Wheels out of alignment can cause difficulty with overall vehicle handling. A four-wheel alignment is often the best choice for many drivers, particularly those who have front-wheel drive. Wheels can become misaligned during a car crash or by simply hitting road obstructions, like potholes or curbs. There are several signs that will alert you to an impending four-wheel alignment service. A vehicle pulling strongly to one side is in need of alignment. Another sign is uneven or abnormal tire wear. Properly aligned wheels provide many benefits, including cutting down on fuel costs, because wheels that have been aligned properly offer considerably less rolling resistance. Routine wheel alignments also prevent disproportionate tire wear, so your tires will last longer. Contact us today for a four-wheel alignment.
THE BASICS BEHIND TPMS REPAIR SERVICES
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The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) tracks the amount of pressure in tires and alerts a driver when the pressure is at an insufficient level. There are two types of tire pressure monitoring systems—direct and indirect. A direct TPMS receives information from pressure sensors inside each tire on the vehicle, while an indirect TPMS uses speed sensor data from the wheels to determine tire pressure levels. When a tire has an insufficient level of pressure, it becomes a safety hazard for various reasons. If pressure is too high, tires tend to bounce and lose traction. If pressure is too low, tires heat up quickly and wear out easily. Heat can negatively affect the tread of a tire and ultimately lead to blowouts and accidents. We recommend that drivers pay attention to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System and heed any warnings it produces.
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WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE TPMS REPAIR SERVICES PERFORMED
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When your TPMS alerts you to a tire pressure problem, please contact us for assistance. Our service staff is equipped with the right tools for the job. After we use our professional diagnostic tools to obtain information from your TPMS, we can help you inflate or deflate your tires until they are within the correct pressure range. We can also check that your pressure or speed sensors are working correctly. In the case that your Tire Pressure Monitoring System is simply not working at all, our service staff will determine the correct repair procedure. If you have any questions about the functionality of your TPMS, please give us a call or contact us online. We are happy to discuss your TPMS with you and look forward to sending you back out on the road with a fully operational system.
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THE BASICS BEHIND BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT SERVICES
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The suspension system allows your tires to maintain constant contact with the road, especially on uneven surfaces like bumps and potholes. Ball joints are ball-and-socket joints located between the control arm and the steering knuckle. Ball joints act as the pivot point between the wheels and the rest of the suspension system. They are designed to allow for movement in two planes at once while providing ease of rotation in those planes. They allow a vehicle’s suspension system to move up or down while the wheels turn left or right. Vehicles with shocks have upper and lower ball joints, while many vehicles with struts have only lower ball joints. Some ball joints are load-bearing and will wear faster than normal ball joints. As an important suspension component, ball joints are designed to experience wear and tear, often in the form of friction. Like all suspension system components, ball joints have a maintenance schedule that can help prevent unexpected repairs or replacements.
WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT SERVICES?
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Upper and lower ball joints are designed to fit snugly inside a lubricated casing. If the casing loses lubrication, dries out, or the linkage becomes loose, wheel alignment may be affected. A loose ball joint can also result in suspension noise and uneven tire wear. Because ball joints act as the link between the wheels and other suspension components, a bad joint can conflict with normal steering capabilities. In extreme cases, a worn ball joint that fails may fall out of its casing and cause a collapse of the suspension system. Clunking sounds, poor handling, and unnatural pulling are all signs of bad ball joints. In some cases, ball joints may require replacements. If you plan on avoiding a ball joint failure, be sure to consult your owner’s manual for the maximum allowable wear on your suspension system’s ball joints. Our replacement ball joints will restore full functionality to your suspension system.
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THE BASICS BEHIND SHOCKS REPLACEMENT SERVICES
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Shock absorbers are components in your vehicle’s suspension system that help your tires remain in contact with the surface of the road. They dampen the impact of road force and absorb the rebound of springs and other suspension components. Front and rear shocks are designed to adjust to driving conditions, like bumps, potholes, and sudden maneuvers. They also reduce bounce rate, sway, and brake dive or acceleration squat. Modern day shocks are velocity-sensitive, which means that the faster the springs and other suspension components are moving, the more resistance provided by the shocks. Hydraulic shocks convert kinetic energy from the springs into thermal energy that the hydraulic fluid inside each shock absorbs and dissipates. When the suspension system bounces, hydraulic fluid is forced through holes inside the piston. This slows the compression of the piston, thereby slowing down spring and suspension movement. While hydraulic and gas shocks are the most common types of shocks used on vehicles today, some vehicles also use electronic and air shocks.
WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE SHOCKS REPLACEMENT SERVICES?
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Replacing shocks can maximize the performance of your entire suspension system. The components in your suspension system interact and depend on each other. Shock absorbers and brakes work together to help your vehicle stop as soon as possible upon engaging the brake pedal. Worn shocks mean your vehicle is less likely to stop exactly when and where you want. In fact, bad shocks can increase your stopping distance by up to 10 feet. Worn shock absorbers will cause your vehicle to dive when braking. With a set of bad shocks, you may experience problems like bounce, body roll, sway, and other unexpected movements in your suspension system. Healthy shocks improve braking and handling, making your vehicle easier to control. Replacing front and rear shocks as necessary will help promote a safe road for everyone.
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THE BASICS BEHIND STRUTS REPLACEMENT SERVICES
While the function of shocks and struts is very similar, the biggest difference is in how they mount to your vehicle. Shocks function in addition to other suspension components, while struts are designed as a pivot point for the steering mechanism. Struts behave as a dampening device that absorbs excessive bounce. The strut assembly combines coil springs, spring seats, strut bearings, and shock absorbers into one working unit. The steering arm or steering knuckle is also included in some strut designs. Struts use a piston to absorb high lateral loads. The spring seat and strut bearing allow the shock to pivot with the front wheels and the steering mechanism. Struts and accompanying suspension components help push tires back into place when one leaves the road. Overall, struts work in conjunction with the rest of the suspension system to help stabilize the vehicle while maintaining a comfortable and safe ride.
WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE STRUTS REPLACEMENT SERVICES?
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Worn struts increase braking distance and increase body roll, sway, and bounce rate. The bounce test, wherein you bounce on each corner of your vehicle a few times, is a good way to determine whether or not you need to schedule a strut replacement. If your vehicle bounces and settles, your struts are operating as they should. If your vehicle continues to bounce, you should seek to replace the struts on your suspension system as soon as possible. Other signs that your struts need to be replaced include excessive brake dive, acceleration squat, body roll or sway, and unusual tire wear patterns. Unusual noise from struts may also indicate that the spring seat or strut bearing requires a replacement. If you experience any of the above signs of worn struts, contact us immediately. Having your struts replaced will improve braking, handling, and the overall controllability of your vehicle.
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DESCRIPTION OF AXLE, CV JOINT, DRIVESHAFT REPAIR
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Your vehicle’s axle, CV joint, and driveshaft components are integral to the performance and drivability of your vehicle. The driveshaft is a steel or aluminum cylindrical component that connects the transmission to the rear differential. The driveshaft connects to the transmission through the CV joints, which are responsible for transferring the torque from the transmission to the drive wheels at a constant speed. Front wheel drive vehicles use CV joints on the front axles. CV joints allow the axle to bend and change while accommodating the bounce of the wheels. The axle bears the weight of the vehicle while also being strong enough to sustain the forces from braking and accelerating. Over time and through normal use, your vehicle’s axle, CV joint, and driveshaft components may require maintenance or replacement services.
BENEFITS OF AXLE, CV JOINT, DRIVESHAFT REPAIR
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There are signs to look for when determining when to schedule an inspection of your vehicle’s front axle, rear axle, CV joints, and driveshaft components. Clunking or clicking noises are signs that a CV joint needs replacement. Vibrations during acceleration may indicate a damaged driveshaft, though they may also point to an axle issue depending on the layout of your vehicle. Turning and steering issues may also arise out of a problem with the driveshaft. CV joints can go bad when the grease leaks out of a damaged CV boot. There are various determinants for how quickly your vehicle’s axle, CV joint, and driveshaft components will degrade over time. If you would like to learn more about the intervals between repairs for front wheel drive axles, main driveshafts, CV joints, U-joints, yokes, and other axle assembly components, then contact us today.
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