Good Mount, Bad Mount

The combustion engine is an amazing thing. Quite vibration free, it is not however. That is why motor mounts are such important parts for your vehicle. They are quite simple actually. In most cases they are just two pieces of metal with some rubber in between. The rubber absorbs the vibration that is created from the engine running. Thus you will not feel the vibration in the cabin and the vibration will not damage many components in the vehicle.

Over time, movement, heat, the ozone, light and chemical reactions will degrade the quality of the rubber and form cracks in the mounts. They may even break all the way through. They will need to be changed at that point.

They way to know if they are broken can most often be felt. When the engine is running and you shift into reverse or drive and you hear a kerplunk noise and feel a harsh movement they are most likely broken. You may also feel a vibration when the engine is idling and the vehicle is in gear.

If there is still any doubt and they like this...change them please! Beep, Beep!

Why Men Shouldn't Write Advice Columns

This was a facebook posting we saw today. Made us think that sometimes, when we look at things from a certain perspective, we can loose focus on what is important.

Perhaps today you are overbooked. In today's times that may even be a common occurance. You need to go to work, pick up dry cleaning for the boss, grocery shop for dinner, wash the dog, put on your happy face, feed the kids, bathe them and kiss them goodnight.

But how about that nagging noise coming from under the hood of your car? Is it a little problem or a big problem? So many things in life are important to accomplish. But maybe, just for today, we can take a moment to check out the small and big sounds and have our ride checked out so we don't loose sight of the big picture...and the emotional expense of a breakdown!

Beep, Beep!

Its not bothering me, its bothering my car

Our good customer came in recently and asked if we would check the brakes for her. She said they were squeaking. We asked if it was bothering her as it was a very light squeak and we felt by the noise that the pads were probably still okay. She said "Its not bothering me. Its bothering my car. I am worried about the rotors."

What a great thought. When we look outside ourselves and listen to the noises our little motorised friends make we are doing a very good thing. For ourselves and the vehicle we maintain. This is a CV (or constant velocity)Shaft. We used to call these types of things axles. With the invention of front wheel drive engines/transmissions we needed a way to pull the car forward instead of pushing the car from the rear...hence the CV Shaft.

While this may not seem like much of a change from the "old style axles", it truly is. This little change has created a whole new dynamic to the car industry. Can you see the accordion shaped boot on either end of the shaft? They are there to keep grease that is inside the moving joint, inside, to lubricate the moving parts. When we turn the wheel of the vehicle the outer joint flexes. The covering or "boot" sometimes rips from flexing and all the grease comes out, thus damaging the joint.

That is the time when we need to replace the joint to keep you safely on the road. If you are hearing a "clock, clock, clock" sound then you may need to have the joint or shaft changed. The piece in these photos are called an ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) sensor ring. This part is installed on the CV Shaft, very close to the hub (the very middle of the wheel). The CV Shaft protrudes all the way through that hub to the other side.

The teeth on it help give information to the ABS sensor as to speed. This information is fed back to the computer brain where it is translated to assist in the Antilock Braking System. If the teeth of it are chipped or broken the reading sent to the brain is wrong and the braking system will not work properly. Basically the clear communication will be broken.

In humans and cars the same is true...we need good, clear and concise speach, data and tone. To be simple about it...cars are no longer simple. But when we try to understand the technology that is involved with cars today, we can see where a little understanding can take the pressure off the of unknown.

We hope that all of your moving parts are complete and unchipped, sending the right signals to your own personal brain box as well.

Chirp, Chirp from the Carchicks!

A Note From A Customer.

Recently an old customer found us on facebook. We were very touched by what he had to say...

Hi,

I don't know if you remember me but you did some car repair work for me like 15 years ago. You were the best mechanic I have ever had. The most honest and kindest person. At the time I drove a red pulsar that was decorated with garland for Christmas, and when you picked it up, I said you had to wear the santa hat if you drove my car. And you did...Any way it's good to find you again.

Take care

It is moments like these that make us smile...and hope to create an environment of security and fun for our customers...and us also.

Beep, Beep!

Oh Those Tires

Three boys were in the backseat of my car the other night. Two were eight and one was nine. Truth be told, the back seat is always magic. One of the boys commented to the others that the car had such a smooth ride and he wondered why.

My eight year old said "It's because of the tires." He added with a proud lilt to his voice "They're Michelin." The other boys went "Ohhh!" as though that explained it all.

The reason our son knew to say this is because of our other car. It came stock with non Michelin tires. We recently changed them over to the good stuff and he noticed such a great difference in the ride he asked what had happened. Thus the education was given about buying the best quality tire and reaping the rewards of the expense. Great ride, long life and great traction and handling.

There are somes things you just shouldn't skimp on and we feel that tires are one of them. Toot, Toot!!!

She's been screwed...again

One of our customers has had four nails or screws in each of her tires and on four separate occasions. Feeling the possibility of some karma here, we wrote a little ditty for her to banish those pesky demons. We hope you enjoy it.





You've had a nail problem
Not just one or just two
Oh these pointed amulets
They have seemed to love you.

She's been plugged
And even patched
On four out of four
Which is just simply whacked.

The karma of nails
And screws made of metal
Is hereby cleared
Since this last trip to the hospital.

So ride out into
The wild, blue yonder
Have no fear
No need to ponder.

Why she's been screwed
So many times.
We live in LA
Which in itself is sublime.

Love,

The Carchick Crew

ROAD TRIP!!!!

So Summer is here, the kids are out of school and it is time for a road trip. But is you car ready for one? That is the question of the day.

Here are some tips before you head out to the wild , blue yonder.

1. Make an appointment to have your Carchick or Cardude have a look see at your baby.


2. Inform them that you are going on a road trip. This will put an emotional note in their head to look for any possible problems. They should be checking these things:

a. The condition of all the fluids, belts, hoses, filters and wiper blades.

b. The condition of the tire tread, wear and air pressure. Ask them to check your spare tire as it is often overlooked.

c. Check for leaks, possible decayed rubber components, etc.

d. Ask them to check the battery and alternator, or charging system. Batteries tend to fail more readily in extreme heat or cold conditions, so check it out before you leave.

e. Tires, tires and more tires. The rubber gets pretty hot when the wheels turn on hot asphalt for extended periods of time. It is important that the air pressure is correct, that there is plenty of tread left on the tire and that there are no small cracks called dry rot.


3. Load up time. Here is a list of things that might be good to have with you:

a. Drinking water and snacks

b. The right kind of clothes. Include a jacket and an extra pair of underwear (that is because my Grandmother always said to be sure and have clean underwear).

c. Travelers checks and cash.

d. Some type of roadside assistance program.

e. Maps and games for the kids.



Now go out and have a good time. Beep, Beep!!!