Automotive Suspension Services

Automotive Suspension Services

Automotive Suspension Services

Our car repair shop offers a wide variety of maintenance services through specialized technicians to ensure maximum performance and functionality of your vehicle. If you want to receive the best repair and replacement services for car suspensions, then this is your workshop.

The car suspension is a system that allows the use of mechanical torsional forces to dampen and soften the movement of the vehicle. It is responsible for connecting the wheels to the car chassis through a system of metal springs to allow fluid movement between them. The suspension supports the bodywork and is capable of assimilating and absorbing the changes generated by the irregularities of the terrain preventing damage to it.

We know that the suspension is a system consisting of various metallic and elastic elements that aim to maintain control of the vehicle when hitting potholes or objects. That way, it will prevent permanent deformations and so that the car does not lose its grip on the ground. This shock absorber system contains many articulations and pivot points, allowing the wheels of your vehicle to move up and down over the potholes and rotate while driving.

Elements of the car suspension

Shock absorbers: They allow for breaking the oscillations generated by the irregularities of the terrain to protect the car body. The shock absorbers are responsible for transforming the mechanical energy of the spring into heat energy.

Helical springs: They are elements that work at torsion shortening its length and returning to its original position when the deformation ceases. Its flexibility depends on the number of turns, the diameter of the spring and the material.

Stabilizer bar: It is formed by an openly bent steel bar that avoids the inclination produced when a car takes the curves with a lot of speed. That way, it prevents the vehicle from tipping over.

Torsion bar: It is used in independent rear and front suspensions of some cars. It is a spring that splices the axes of the suspension to reduce the displacement of the chassis due to the turns. That is, the torsion bar reduces oscillations to provide more excellent driving stability.

Crossbow: These are elements that have elastic properties but little absorption of mechanical energy. They are a series of steel sheets joined by clamps to reduce tensions and deformations.

Other elements are ball joints, brackets, suspension arms, etc.

Like anything else in the world, car suspension systems and each of their elements wear out over time. There are times when you can suddenly start hearing strange noises, and your vehicle begins to present problems when driving. Tire wear, due to the continuous rebound over irregular terrain, is another problem usually presented. Besides, one of the most delicate issues that can arise is when the joint is released and does not fit properly, causing faster wear of the other elements of the suspension. All these inconveniences are treated thanks to the specialized technicians at Leahy’s Towing. We will inspect your vehicle and identify any suspension problems to determine a change or repair of a particular component. If you have any of these problems, you should solve them immediately as it could be dangerous when driving.

We can help you solve any problem of the suspension or the vehicle in general at affordable prices and so you can have a safe car. Call us and schedule a free inspection.

Tips For Keeping Your Tires In Good Condition

Tips For Keeping Your Tires In Good Condition

The tires are one of the most important features of your car. If you have ever had to buy new tires, know how expensive they can be. Although they were built for a limited time, you can take steps to extend the life of your tires and keep them in good condition for as long as possible. Tire maintenance not only improves fuel consumption and saves money on spare tires, but can also help prevent dangerous conditions and tire failures. If you find that your tires are empty, have inflated tires or if the tread pattern shows uneven wear, have a specialist check them immediately.

Keep them well inflated.

One of the most common ways to keep a tire in good condition is to maintain the correct air pressure. Turn this activity into a routine and do it regularly. And this is also very important if you want to make long car trips. In the summer months, check the tire pressure when the tires are cold so that the indoor air expands when the tires are hot so you can get a different reading. If you inflate the tires to the recommended PSI value, the tires will remain in better condition and uneven tread wear will be avoided. Check the sidewall of the tire or the manufacturer’s label on the door to obtain the required PSI. The vehicle manual also contains instructions on recommended tire sizes and air pressure. Do not decide if a tire is properly inflated when looking at it. Also, do not rely on air pumps for accurate pressure readings. Then, if you feel uncomfortable pumping the air at the correct pressure, take the vehicle to a service station. Fill the tires to the correct limit. Some service stations offer this service for free. Others charge a small amount.

If the tires are inflated below, inflate them to the level shown on the vehicle license plate, which is usually located at the edge of the driver’s door. Check your blood pressure regularly, especially in cold climates. If the tires are inflated, fuel consumption may decrease, but unsafe driving conditions may also occur. The more you drive with slightly inflated tires, the weaker they become. Your tires may no longer be ready to roll. Save money and extend the life of your tires by doing this simple maintenance.

When should you check your tires?

Regular maintenance of car tires saves money, improves vehicle handling and increases safety. The tires must be changed every two oil changes. In other words, the tires must move to a different position in the car. This ensures that the tires wear evenly and achieve maximum life. It is recommended that you get used to checking them every month. It only takes five minutes. Remember to also check the spare part! We also recommend checking the tires before a long trip. It is important to maintain the correct pressure. Refer to the operating instructions to make sure you know the correct tire pressure. When checking the pressure, make sure the tires are cold. The pressure increases as the tires get hot while driving. This will result in false advertising. Do not overload the tire.

Keep the wheels well aligned.

Uneven tire wear can be caused by misalignment of the front or rear wheels. It could also be due to the poor balance of the tires. Visually inspect your tires every month. In case of uneven tire wear, take the vehicle to the tire dealer for expert advice. If you notice extremely rapid profile wear, this may also be due to misalignment. Misalignment during driving can cause the vehicle to pull or vibrate. If you notice uneven wheel wear, you should also spin the wheels. Contact your tire dealer if you have any questions about tire misalignment, balance and rotation. If you end up with a blowout Leahy’s Towing is here to help. Keep our contact nearby for when you need it.

My Vehicle Got Towed. What Are My Rights?

My Vehicle Got Towed. What Are My Rights?

Walking up to a parking lot and see that your car has been towed away by Harrisburg Towing it’s always daunting.  However, you must be aware of your rights when this situation happens, as it’ll be of great help to you.

Knowing your rights is crucial to protect your car and yourself.

Parking On Private Properties

In Pennsylvania it’s legal to park on private properties, always as there are not towing, or “no parking” signs around. In that case, it’s recommended to avoid parking there, as the property owner has the right to call for your car being towed.

These signs should include the name of the company with permission to tow your vehicle, and a way to get in contact with them.

Accepting Debit And Credit Card Payments

Normally, towing companies only accepted cash payments. The new law established that it’s legal to pay using debit or credit card a towing service.

Give You Back Your Vehicle

In case your car got towed following an accident, the company has the obligation to release it on the day of your request. You must have in return the appropriate paperwork.

Letting You Access Your Car Without The Payment

According to the new law, you have the right to inspect your vehicle and recover any personal belongings, even if you haven’t paid the bill.

Calculation Of Storage Days

The new law states that one storage day is now calculated from midnight to midnight.

A List Of Fees Before Asking For Payments

Every tow truck company is required to issue a receipt and a written list of fees before requesting a client to pay.

Towing Your Vehicle To The Nearest Lot Available

Under the new law, towing companies in Arizona have the obligation to transport every towed car to the closest possible lot. This is subject to change in case the police requests another lot for any reason.

Releasing Your Car At Working Hours

You can pick up your car after being towed from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm, without being charged extra fees. Towing companies cannot ask you for more money if they are not available during regular working hours.

Towing Companies Are Responsible For Their Employees And Contractors

Full-time employees and contractors of many tow truck companies used to have condemnable behavior with their clients. With the new law, the company has to take responsibility for their acts.

Now, you know more about your towing rights and you can put them in practice in case you need them. Are you looking for a reputable towing company? You can reach out to us today!

When and why should you change your spark plugs

When and why should you change your spark plugs

If you ever took care of your car, you know your way around spark plugs. You are familiar with their features, and how important they are for your car and its functions. For your everyday driver, spark plugs might seem non-important. But the truth is, without spark plugs your car wouldn’t work. They are vital for your vehicle.
Spark plugs will eventually suffer damage from wear and tear, like everything inside your car. The key is to replace them when the time is right and not let it be until you have a bigger problem in your hands.
Even though spark plugs are incredibly important, most people don’t know when they should be replaced.

Read the manual.

If you have any doubts, go straight to the source. Most spark plugs come with an owner’s manual. You will find the recommended service schedule on it. More often than not, they all have to be done after 30 thousand miles – but your mileage may vary, so you should check your owner’s manual just to be sure when to change your spark plugs.

What is it made of?

There are two types of spark plugs. You can have copper plugs and iridium plugs. The former tends to last for a shorter time than the latter. Iridium spark plugs are higher quality items and they are less susceptible to wear and tear, allowing them to last for longer periods of time.

Beware of high performance.

There are certain spark plugs designed for high-performance cars. They offer more “kick”, but this comes with a price – they have a shorter lifespan. If you own one of these units, you will have to check your spark plugs regularly, and probably change them more than your average spark plug needs to.

Watch how you drive.

People love to rev their engine and step on the gas pedal. The thing is, if you are doing so, you are also killing your spark plugs. The higher your RPMs will go, the more you will damage your spark plugs – if you love to do these things, you will have to replace your plugs a lot more times than usual.

Watch for leaks, too.

An oil leak can contaminate your spark plug and eventually ruin it. If you suffered from an oil leak, the best thing to do is to remove the spark plug out of your car’s engine and check its base. If you find oil in the spark plug’s base, it’s more likely than not that you will have to replace it.

When the idle goes rough.

If you are suffering from rough idle when you drive around, you probably have a bad spark plug. How can you know if this is happening to you? It’s simple: all you have to do is turn on your car. Normally, the car would be showing low, steady RPMs. If the gauge spikes the minute you turn on your car, you are probably going through rough idle. If that’s the case, check your spark plugs – you might have to change them.

This quick guide should help you identify your spark plugs’ problems. If you find yourself in one of these scenarios, you should replace your faulty units promptly. And if you ever face any sort of problem down the road – spark plug related or not – you should call a towing company you can trust.
At Leahy’s Towing, we proudly serve the Harrisburg area and can help you out in no time. We have experienced technicians that will fix your spark plug issues in no time. Here is a contact for our offices.