Today's educational blog post is about torn rubber boots. Many suspension and steering joints have rubber boots designed to keep grease inside. Unfortunately over time the boot splits and grease comes out. Consequentially, water, salt and dirt also get into the joint and cause joint failure. Unfortunately, in our climate we do not replace just boots. Usually the joint is to far gone by the time it gets inspected and should just be replaced. Often times a failing joint will make steering feel loose and possibly even a high pitch screech when being moved left to right. New York State Inspection requires us to check steering and suspension components. If your vehicle has a torn boot, then we have to notify you of it. A torn boot does not fail inspection; however, a loose tie rod joint will fail and need to be replaced. 

With our current road conditions, steering and suspension components should be getting checked each oil change, about 5000 to 6000 miles if you are using full synthetic engine oil. Although once a year is mandatory through new york state inspection, we like to be able to let our customer's plan ahead for future repairs. 

We have seen an increasing number of failing suspension components recently. Bumpy roads and potholes take a toil on suspension. Many tired rubber bushings are pulling away and separating from constant flexing. The attached picture is a control arm bushing that has separated from the control arm. Common issues are pulling when braking, loose steering and clunking noises. Unfortunately, this is normal wear and tear. If you hear something odd or notice your car pulls, give us a call to do a courtesy check on your steering and suspension. Let our experts tell and show you whats going on with your car. 

Tape can be used to fix and hold together many things in life. A vehicles frame/sub-frame is not 1 of them. If your frame is rusted through, then it is time to consider replacement of a sub-frame, weld repair if possible or a new vehicle. 

Exhaust leaks are common at this time of year. Salt and rust are eating away at exhaust pipes, flanges and mufflers. If your car is sounding louder than usual, it probably isn't just your imagination. Attached are some pictures of exhaust issues that we have been seeing. Muffler seams rusting through and flanges rusting apart. The best way to figure out an exhaust leak is to get the vehicle onto a lift and into the air. Then a proper assessment and estimate can be made. 

Unfortunately Brakes do not wear evenly due to salt and rust. Usually once or twice in the life of the brakes we advise a brake service. The reason why is we want our customer's to get the full life out of their brakes. As pictured, you can see that 1 side has no pad life left and the other side has a considerable amount. The brakes would not have prematurely needed replacement if they had been taken apart, cleaned and lubricated. Usually the service is only 1 hour per axle. Sometimes caliper pins and boots need servicing or replacement at that time. The cost of caliper sliding pins and boot kits are usually under $50 or most applications. If a service for a couple hundred extends your brake life for a year or 2 (depending on your driving habits), then it is well worth it.

if you have questions or want your brakes checked, then give us a call and mention that you saw this article. 

Should I let my car warm up before driving? We have received this question a lot over the past couple weeks with the single digit temperatures. The answer is YES, let it warm up. The reason is that cold oil does not move as fluidly and lubricate as well as when it is warm. Most engine wear occurs on start up and when the engine is cold. Driving a car in higher rpms when cold can cause premature wear inside the engine. Also, a warmer engine will help make the cabin more comfortable and your defrost working better.