O'Fallon Auto Repair

What Do I need to Know about Timing Belts?   Most internal combustion engines utilize a similar design, with a crankshaft at the bottom, and a camshaft above it. Both of these shafts spin, with the crankshaft being connected to the pistons; rotating as the pistons move up and down. The camshaft uses a series of lobes to open and close the valves, which let air in and out of your engine. Since it’s crucial that the valves open and close at the correct time, the crankshaft and camshaft are connected by a timing belt, or timing chain. If this valve timing is not correct, the engine will perform poorly – or worse, may damage itself. Engines come in two configurations: Interference and non-interference. When a timing belt fails the camshaft(s) stops turning and the valves stop moving, but the crankshaft still rotates for a few seconds. An interference engine has insufficient clearance between the valves and pistons. Because the crankshaft keeps rotating ... read more

Your serpentine belt is a vital component of your vehicle. And if it breaks, you might end up stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. That’s why we recommend replacing the serpentine belt before it breaks to prevent further repairs and save you money down the road. What is a serpentine belt? The serpentine belt is a long rubber belt that transports power to the engine accessories—the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor and (sometimes) the water pump. You may have heard a serpentine belt referred to as a fan belt or accessory belt. This is because vehicles used to have multiple drive belts that connected the engine to the accessories (such as the radiator fan). But modern vehicles (usually) just have one belt that winds through multiple pulleys to power all the accessories. While using just one belt is the most efficient and reliable option, it also means that when your car’s serpentine belt breaks, ever ... read more

What Are Brake Pads? Brake pads are an essential component in your car’s disc brake system. These semi-metallic or ceramic blocks are mounted on calipers behind the wheel. When you step on the brake pedal, the calipers clamp the brake pads against the rotor. That friction then causes the car to slow down and eventually come to a stop quickly and safely. The pads release their grip on the rotors and eliminate the friction when you take your foot off the brake. What Are The Type of Brake Pads? There’s a great variety in brake pad shapes, sizes, and construction. They can, however, all be categorized into three main types: non-metallic organic, semi-metallic, and ceramic. Each pad type has advantages and disadvantages, depending on the vehicle and the driver’s mission. Non-Metallic Organic Not to be confused with the dangerously toxic asbestos brake pads, non-metallic organic brake pads use organic fibers within the friction surfa ... read more

  “Is a brake fluid flush really necessary?” The short answer is yes. Your braking system relies on the hydraulic fluid to amplify your foot’s pressure on the pedal. This is what allows you to stop a heavy, fast-moving vehicle with minimal effort. Your brake fluid requires regular service to maintain this performance. Why Brake Fluid Flushes are Important Your brakes tend to face three primary problems, which comprehensively lead to necessary brake fluid flushes: The braking process generates heat, which breaks down and wears away at your brake fluid.  This process leaves moisture behind, which can cause your brakes to rust. Particles of debris, rubber, and metal can contaminate the solution over time. If left unattended, these issues can lead to reduced brake performance and, eventually, brake failure.  When Do I Need a Brake Fluid Change? Corrosion and rust can cause structural damage to your ... read more

What are the risks of driving with bad wheel bearings? It is best to avoid driving with a worn wheel bearing for any length of time. The wheel bearing is essential for connecting your wheel to your car, and any weakness in this connection could have severe consequences for your drive-axle and steering assembly – as well as for your safety! Why do wheel bearings fail? The main reasons that a wheel bearing fails are: Faulty installation – inappropriate tools such as a hammer or an impact wrench can cause damage to the exterior and or interior of the wheel end bearing causing the wheel bearing to fail prematurely.  Also, re-using the old accessories such as bolts, nuts, circlips, split pins, seals,… instead of replacing them with new ones can cause the wheel end bearing to operate under abnormal or unsafe conditions, increasing wheel end bearing wear and risk of a car accident.  Impact damage ... read more