auto repair Agawam Archives - Page 16 of 19 - V&F Auto Inc

Metal on Metal: Deeper Damage

As a part that’s under a lot of stress, your brakes will wear out over time. “Metal to metal” is the term used to describe brake pads or shoes that have worn through all of their friction material. When this happens, the metal backing of the pad or shoe rubs on the rotor or drum, […]

The Dangers of a Broken Wheel Stud

Wheel studs are designed to keep your tires and wheels safely secured to your car. In most cases, these hard steel components don’t go bad or wear out.  However, because the wheel stud is exposed to the elements and takes on tremendous daily stress, there are other issues that can cause these parts to wear […]

Avoiding Rusty Engine Coolant

Coolant is crucial to your engine’s operation. Rusty, old, or leaking coolant could be a sign of a serious problem. But how do you know if it’s serious? The Basics Before we dive into potential problems, let’s cover the basics. Each manufacturer uses different types of coolant in their vehicles, with different levels of dilution. […]

Signs of Tire Damage: Cuts, Punctures, and Impact

In our last article, we talked about irregular tire damage. But tires can also become damaged without the driver’s knowledge. The most common damages are caused by cuts, punctures, and impact. Cuts Cuts are tears in your tire tread. Cuts are the result of an external influence, such as potholes, protruding bodywork parts, or sharp, […]

Signs of Tire Damage: Irregular Wear

Irregular wear on tires can be indicative of a serious problem. There are several types of irregular wear. The most typical ones are heel and toe wear, one side wear, center wear, braking flat spots. Heel and Toe Wear Also called “saw-tooth” wear, this pattern is caused by normal usage with normal suspension settings. Cross-grooves […]

The Dangers of Battery Corrosion (& How to Prevent It In the Future)

No matter what kind of car or battery you have, your terminals can become corroded over time making them poor conductors of electricity. While corrosion will not make your battery catch on fire, buildup on battery terminals can keep your car from starting. Here’s how to prevent it: Clean Regularly Corrosion is easy to clean […]

Common Signs of a Leaking CV Boot

Constant velocity axles, commonly referred to as CV axles, transfer power from your engine’s transmission to the wheels and propel the vehicle forward. The flexible joint in a CV axle, which accommodates wheel movement, is covered in a rubber boot that is referred to as the CV Boot. This boot serves as a simple dust […]

What Happens When a Rotor Breaks and How to Fix It

While modern disc brakes are very effective and reliable a brake rotor can break from time to time. A broken or fractured rotor creates an immediate threat to your safety on the road and must be replaced as soon as possible. Here are the signs and symptoms to watch for, and what causes them: Signs and […]

Metal to Metal: The Importance of Preventative Maintenance

“Metal to metal” is the term used to describe brake pads or shoes that have worn through all of their friction material. This happens when the metal backing of the pad or shoe rubs on the rotor or drum, which is also made of metal. This is not only dangerous but can require expensive repair […]

Common Problems with Control Arm Bushings and How to Prevent Them

Vehicle control arms, bushings, and ball joints are very important suspension and steering components. These parts allow flexibility and controlled movement according to the road conditions and the steering input from the driver. But, when they become worn, it can cause problems for the vehicle that compromise handling and comfort, or result in catastrophic damage […]