Undercar Services: Maintenance & Repair

Undercar Repairs in Sarasota

At Hitchcock Automotive Repair, we take a holistic approach to vehicle care, beginning with a thorough evaluation of your car or truck's foundation. Prior to inspecting the internal components of your vehicle, we prioritize ensuring that you have a strong undercarriage.

Our comprehensive undercarriage inspections and services address this vital but often overlooked area of your vehicle, affording it the care and attention it deserves.

To avert potential disasters, we encourage you to bring your vehicle in for an undercar service inspection today. Please contact us at 941-306-1000 or visit our location in Sarasota, FL to schedule an appointment and ensure your vehicle is in optimal condition! Our competitively priced undercar services include:

Alignment
Wheel alignment consists of essential car maintenance that involves adjusting the wheel angles to follow the manufacturer's specifications. This process ensures that the suspension and steering systems operate at their intended angles, thereby reducing tire wear.

Anti-Lock Brakes
Anti-lock brakes are designed to prevent wheel lock-up during rapid deceleration by automatically modulating brake pressure during emergency stops. This system allows wheels to maintain traction with the road while braking.

Failure of anti-lock brakes can elevate the risk of multiple vehicle crashes and run-off road incidents. To mitigate this risk, it is essential to have your anti-lock brake system examined and repaired by experts. At Hitchcock Automotive Repair, our proficient technicians specialize in diagnosing and repairing faulty ABS systems, ensuring your safety.

Brake System Flush
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture. This moisture absorption lowers the fluid's boiling point and can lead to corrosion of the lines and cylinders. In extreme cases, the brake fluid could boil during heavy braking, resulting in a loss of braking capability. To counteract the effects of moisture absorption, auto manufacturers recommend periodic brake system flushes. This procedure involves replacing used and contaminated fluid with fresh fluid.

Brakes
Brakes are mechanical devices designed to slow down or halt a vehicle, primarily through the use of friction. In essence, brakes impede your vehicle's motion, allowing you to stop whenever and wherever necessary. Brakes rank among the most critical vehicle components, and without them, you would be unable to bring your vehicle to a stop.

Chassis
The chassis serves as the internal framework of your vehicle, providing support for various components such as the wheels, engine, transmission, driveshaft, differential, and suspension.

A weakened or damaged chassis can lead to a weaker vehicle overall. To maintain a sturdy and properly functioning vehicle, it is crucial to have your car's chassis regularly inspected for defects.

Custom Exhaust
A motor vehicle's exhaust system consists of piping that guides exhaust gasses from the engine to the outdoors. While its primary purpose is the removal of exhaust gasses, it can be modified to enhance engine power, reduce pollution, and minimize noise. Achieving these goals necessitates undercar service installation of a custom-made exhaust system.

At Hitchcock Automotive Repair in Sarasota, FL, we specialize in crafting custom stainless steel exhausts for various vehicle types. Our expertise extends to custom performance exhaust systems, stainless steel mufflers, exhaust kits, racing mufflers, and exhaust accessories, catering to a wide range of vehicles, including customized cars, standard road cars, classics, kit cars, 4x4s, imports, and racecars.

Differential Flush
The differential is a critical vehicle component that compensates for variations in travel distance between the inner and outer wheels during turns. Typically located at the rear and under non-four-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicles, differentials often do not receive the same level of attention as engines. However, it is essential to understand that differential failure equates to vehicle failure.

To safeguard your differential from potential issues, it is recommended to change the differential fluid every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Regular differential oil checks and changes are as crucial as engine oil maintenance. While inspecting and changing differential oil may seem straightforward, a comprehensive differential flush is best performed by an auto shop.

Differentials
Differentials serve as the components responsible for transmitting engine power to the wheels. A key function of the differential is to distribute power to the wheels while permitting them to rotate at varying speeds, thus earning its name.

During turns, outer wheels travel a greater distance than inner wheels (front wheels also cover more ground than rear wheels). This means that all four wheels move at different speeds while turning, requiring the differential to manage this process. To ensure the proper functioning of your vehicle's differentials, regular inspections are advised.

Driveline
The driveline represents a vehicle section that connects the engine and transmission to the wheel axles. This component consists of powertrain parts excluding the engine and transmission.

A driveline failure translates to an immobilized vehicle, as energy cannot be transmitted from the engine to the wheel axles. To maintain your car's driveline in peak condition, inspections and servicing are essential.

Exhaust
In motor vehicles, an exhaust system consists of piping designed to guide exhaust fumes from the engine to the vehicle's rear. A well-functioning exhaust system not only sounds better but also benefits you, your vehicle, and the environment. Hitchcock Automotive Repair in Sarasota has expert technicians ready to service your car's exhaust system.

Shock Absorbers
Shocks, or shock absorbers, are mechanical devices engineered to smooth out rough road surfaces. They achieve this by converting kinetic energy into another form of energy.

Properly functioning shocks minimize the impact of traveling over uneven terrain, leading to an improved ride quality and enhanced vehicle handling. When shock absorbers develop issues, driving on poorly leveled roads becomes uncomfortable, and your vehicle may sway during turns.

Struts
Much like shock absorbers (shocks), struts serve to dampen the effects of road surfaces as you drive. By absorbing road shocks, struts enable passengers to experience a smoother ride. Struts differ from shocks in that they provide structural support for your vehicle's suspension.

This means that struts bear the weight of your car, unlike shocks, which primarily regulate weight transfer speed. Struts typically have a lifespan of around 50,000 to 60,000 miles, as the damping characteristics gradually deteriorate over time.

Tires
As tires age, they lose traction and degrade internally, increasing the risk of tire blowouts. Such blowouts can lead to sudden loss of vehicle control. Maintaining good tire condition is crucial for vehicle performance and safety. For all your tire-related needs, don't hesitate to contact Hitchcock Automotive Repair at 941-306-1000 today.

Suspension FAQs

How often should shocks be replaced?

Experts recommend that shocks be replaced at 50,000-100,000 miles. If you are a more aggressive driver or frequently drive on rough roads, they will wear out faster. Shocks don't go out all at once, they deteriorate slowly over time. If you are noticing problems with handling, making smooth turns or ride smoothness have one of the professionals at Hitchcock Automotive Repair inspect your shocks.

Are struts difficult to replace?

Replacing struts is simple and fast for a professional. Replacing your front struts yourself is not recommended, especially if you need a new complete strut assembly kit. When you get your truck's struts replaced you also need to have the front-end alignment checked. Ask the professionals at Hitchcock Automotive Repair to replace your struts and we will complete the work quickly and easily.

What is the difference between shocks and struts?

Shocks and struts are both parts of a vehicle's suspension system. However, each has a very specific job. Your vehicle has either shocks or struts. You cannot replace your shocks with struts and vice versa. Shock absorbers are hydraulic components that help minimize movement generated by the vehicle's springs. These springs absorb some of the jolts you might feel from uneven or damaged roads. Struts are structural components of certain vehicles' steering and suspension systems. They usually consist of a spring and a shock absorber. Struts are designed to be much stronger than shocks since they are designed for vehicles that carry heavy loads.

Is it necessary to get an alignment after strut replacement?

Hitchcock Automotive Repair recommends performing an alignment anytime shocks, struts or other steering and suspension components are replaced. Getting your vehicle's alignment within factory specifications ensures optimal tire wear and helps prolong the life of your tires.

What happens if I only replace one strut or shock?

If you replace only one shock or strut, it will create poor handling when changing lanes or driving over bumps. If your car is new, replacing only one strut or shock absorber may be ok since the opposite side shock is not worn out yet. Generally, Hitchcock Automotive Repair recommends replacing both shocks or struts.

Differential FAQs

Is it necessary to change front and rear differential fluid?

Over time, the differential fluid breaks down and becomes dirty and impacts performance. It is necessary to have your car or truck's differential serviced regularly. It is generally recommended to have the differential fluid changed every 40,000 to 60,000 miles. However, if you are a more aggressive driver you may need to get your front and rear differential fluid changed sooner. If you are in Sarasota, Southgate, South Sarasota, Bird Key or the surrounding area, give us a call and we can help you figure out what makes the most sense for your vehicle.

What is front and rear differential service?

Differential services performed by one of the professional technicians at Hitchcock Automotive Repair usually includes draining the old fluid from the differentials and replacing it with new fluid according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations and specifications. Sometimes other components surrounding the differential may need to be serviced as well.

Discover More About Undercar Repair Services At Hitchcock Automotive Repair in Sarasota

Transmission Repair Services
4X4 Services
Brake Repair