Spanish Fork Auto Repair

  In the world of vehicle maintenance, rear differential care is paramount to avoid costly breakdowns. The gears in your rear differential are susceptible to damage due to various factors, primarily from excessive stress and fatigue. Overloading, aggressive driving, or towing heavy loads can strain these components, leading to material fatigue and eventual failure. Neglecting proper maintenance practices such as inadequate lubrication or using contaminated fluids can exacerbate wear, while manufacturing defects or misalignment can introduce weak points in the gear system. To ensure your rear differential's longevity and optimal performance, here are some key maintenance tasks you shouldn't overlook: Regular Inspection: Keep an eye on your rear differential housing, cover, and seals for any signs of leaks, cracks, or damage. Fluid Change: Follow the manufacturer’s recommended interval for changing the differential fluid to prevent increased friction, wear, and ove ... read more

How long do trailer tires last? 20 years ago tires lasted much longer than they do today. I remember my parent’s boat trailer and travel trailer tires lasting 10 years or more with no issues at all. Today that is not the case; as a general rule of thumb trailer tires will start to separate and fail after they are roughly four years old. Sure if you keep them out of the sun you may get up to six years out of them. The sad thing about trailer tires is that when they fail they often do serious damage to the trailer fender and anything else in the area. They don’t just go flat, you will generally hear a loud pop or bang as they become completely shredded causing damage to anything the shredded mass comes in contact with. So read the date DOT date code that is branded into the tire on one side or the other. The DOT information is Alfa numeric production information followed by a four digit numeric date branded into the tire. The first two digits indicate the week of the year fo ... read more

Why Does My Car Shake When Braking? Shaking when stepping on the brake pedal is usually an indicator of warped disk brake rotors. The technical term for this is called thickness variations in the brake rotors. The braking systems on a vehicle is a simple idea with complex components all working together at the same time, lets talk about how a braking system functions and what may be causing the famous shaking when braking problem. How Do Disk Brakes Work? It is easiest to explain this by breaking down the system to its most basic parts. Braking systems have a master cylinder, brake caliper, brake pads, and brake rotors. The master cylinder is full of brake fluid and is directly connected to the brake pedal.  When the brake pedal is pressed a piston is forced forward inside the master cylinder creating hydraulic pressure in the brake lines. This hydraulic pressure is then sent to the brake caliper. There is a piston inside of the brake caliper t ... read more

Exterior vehicle maintenance is just as necessary as engine and fluid maintenance. A good car wash and wax can extend the life of your paint. While regular washing is essential, you may notice that your headlights still look foggy. Summers are hot in Spanish Fork, and UV rays from the sun can cause oxidation outside the headlights. Clean headlights are vital because, without them, you can’t see the road. Oxidation doesn’t cause permanent damage; however, it can make your headlights yellow and fuzzy looking. If you clean your headlights the moment you notice a change, you may be able to restore their natural brightness at home. Below are a few tips to remove oxidation and restore your foggy headlights.   Cleaning tips for foggy headlights: Start your headlight restoration by cleaning them using a microfiber cloth, automotive soap, and water.  Toothpaste Toothpaste is a necessity when removing plaque and ... read more

Fall is officially here, while winter is just around the corner. Seasonal changes can affect your vehicle. It’s important to prepare by performing essential maintenance tasks to ensure longevity. Checking your vehicle’s critical components can help you identify potential issues before they become actual issues. Below are five key car care tips to keep your vehicle in top shape throughout the winter. Inspect the brake pads.  It’s no surprise that your brakes are important; without them, your vehicle lacks control to stop or slow down. Your brakes should be a priority on your to-do list because just a little maintenance can increase their lifespan. If the brake pads have less than 4mm of material remaining, it’s time to have them replaced, and any less than that is a safety hazard. If the brakes are overdue, you may even notice a spongy brake pedal or a distracting scr ... read more