When a driver must brake suddenly to avoid a collision, the vehicle’s safety systems activate to help prevent an accident. Among these systems, the anti-lock braking system—commonly known as ABS—plays a vital role in maintaining control and stability during emergency stops. In this month’s blog post, we explore how ABS functions, why it matters, and what issues may arise over time. (more…)
Your vehicle’s braking system does more than just bring you to a stop – it’s a cornerstone of road safety. Brakes endure heavy use every time you drive, making them one of the most wear-prone components in any car or truck. In this month’s blog post, we explore how your braking system operates, what can go wrong, and what to expect when it’s time for service. (more…)
If you are like most drivers, when a dashboard warning light suddenly illuminates, it may throw you into a panic. Warning lights are designed to alert us to a potential or existing problem within one of the many vehicle systems. Being informed on what they may mean, and how to address them is a way to alleviate some of your panic. In this month’s blog post, we examine the brake system warning lights, what they may indicate, and how to address them if they illuminate on your dashboard. (more…)
Most of us get in our vehicles to go from point A to point B, and never really think about all of the things that keep us safe during that journey. Vehicles are equipped with a wide range of safety components and features that are designed to protect us and our vehicle occupants. Some of the more obvious safety components of our vehicles are things like seat belts or door locks – But what about those vehicle safety features we know are there but are usually not top of mind? In this article, we review key safety components in our vehicles, what can potentially go wrong with them, and ways to maintain ongoing and effective functioning of those safety components.
If you are like most people, you probably never sat down and read your vehicle’s owner manual from cover to cover. However, it is likely that you may have consulted with your manual on occasion when an obscure warning indicator suddenly showed up on your dashboard.
Have you been hearing a grinding sound coming from the area of your wheels? Does the sound get louder as you driver faster? Most likely, it’s a bad wheel bearing. If that’s the case, you will want to have it replaced. While a wheel bearing doesn’t typically fail immediately, you don’t want to put off replacing one for too long. Otherwise, you are at risk of having an accident – one that could be serious. This blog post will provide you with more information on how wheel bearings work and how to tell if they are worn out.
A wheel bearing assembly is made up of a set of steel ball bearings that are packed with grease and enclosed in a metal ring that’s called a race. Located at the end of each axle shaft inside a part known as a hub, wheel bearings help reduce friction as your wheels spin. Over time, the wheel bearings begin to accumulate contaminants from the outside and will wear out. When they do, you will start to notice some of the following symptoms:
As mentioned, a wheel bearing that is just starting to show signs of a problem isn’t likely to fail right away. That doesn’t mean you should put off having it replaced. Because of the vibrations and extra wheel play, a bad wheel bearing will begin to put pressure on other steering and suspension components. It may end up causing damage to the hub, CV joint, and axle to name a few. Even worse, if left unfixed, a worn wheel bearing could fail completely and cause the wheel to seize while you are driving. That would most likely result in a serious accident.
Think you have a problem with a wheel bearing? Don’t leave it to chance. Bring your vehicle into our auto repair shop located in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Our technicians will be able to inspect your vehicle and let you know if you need to replace a wheel bearing. Give us a call or stop by our shop today.