GENERAL VEHICLE REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE

For all your mechanical repairs and maintenance on the Gold Coast, book in with the specialists with over 50 years combined experience, GCSSB, locally owned and operated, based in Southport.

We all know cars needs petrol to run, but for a lot of drivers, regularly servicing and maintenance of your vehicle is something that is not considered a priority. We all rely on our vehicles on a daily basis to get us from A to B but rarely give the constantly working parts of our main mode of transport a second thought, that is, until something goes wrong…

We understand the inconvenience of not having our cars, even if it's just for a few hours, which is why, we can offer our customers a comfortable waiting room, a lift to work/home/shops with one of our friendly staff members or even, if available, one of our Courtesy Cars to borrow until your car is ready. It's all part of the service we offer here at GC Suspension, Steering and Brakes.

Proper upkeep of your vehicle is essential for your peace of mind and the service and checks we perform go a lot further than simply checking the oil and water levels. Prior to commencing the service, a Full Undercar Inspection & Safety Check is performed on your vehicle. This, combined with the service, gives you the complete health status of your vehicle that a typical car service couldn't. There are many components that our specialists will check, change or replace during routine maintenance and servicing and will always let you know anything concerning we find.

Factors including the make and model of your vehicle, the mileage of your vehicle, how long since the last service and what was done at the time, will all influence what is required, but regardless everything will be thoroughly checked. Some of the key components that will be assessed are listed below.

  1. Brakes are by far number one on the list of most important mechanical components to have in top working order. As with certain other car components, brake failure has potentially lethal consequences. A Brake Fluid Flush should be carried out approximately every 40,000 km and Brake Pad thickness should be checked at every service. Brake Pad wear is different for every brand, vehicle and driver, so even in between services if you feel your brakes becoming less efficient, book in immediately for one of our specialists to check them out.
  2. Checking tyre wear is an essential part of every safety check and service. Uneven tyre wear can be caused by multiple issues including incorrect alignment, damage from impact, improper inflation and various other steering and suspension related problems. Tyres that are worn past the tread depth gauge are a serious safety concern as this effects braking, steering and handling, which is why our experts check tyre wear on every vehicle that comes into our workshop.
  3. Coolant in your vehicle's radiator has multiple jobs, it works as antifreeze in lower temperatures, as an engine coolant in higher temperatures or longer journeys, and also guards against corrosion in the cooling system. Although it is important to top this up when it gets low, over time it will foul up and a complete coolant flush should be carried out every 40,000km.
  4. It is extremely important that the Engine/Drive and Timing Belts are regularly checked for splitting, stretching and wearing at every service. If either the Engine/Drive Belts or Timing Belt/Chain of your vehicle breaks, there can be catastrophic consequences. The Drive Belts on a vehicle maintain the spinning of things such as the alternator, air-conditioning, power steering and fan for the radiator. The Timing Belt or Chain (depending on the vehicle) keeps the engine spinning. They should be checked at every service and replaced in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
  5. Spark plugs, like batteries, often aren't given much thought, until there is a problem. Trying to drive a car without correctly functioning spark plugs is like trying to use a torch with flat batteries, it's just not going to work. Inefficient Spark Plugs can effect engine performance and emissions of the vehicle and should be changed according to manufacturer specifications.
  6. In vehicles with an Automatic Transmission, checking and topping up or replacing the transmission fluid and filter is essential for the smooth working of the gearbox. It reduces friction and stabilises the working temperature of the gearbox. Automatic Transmission Filters should be replaced in accordance with the recommendations in your vehicle's manual.
  7. Just as importantly as fuel, your vehicle also needs air to run efficiently. Without the right balance of air and fuel in the pistons, your engine will struggle and eventually do irreversible damage. The Air Filter in the engine of a vehicle removes contaminants form the air so the engine and airflow sensor can work efficiently and effectively. The Air Filter generally requires replacing every 20,000km depending on your driving conditions and filter type.
  8. When it comes to car batteries, they are often not thought about until someone leaves the lights on. Car batteries generally last four to five years. The most obvious sign of a car battery failing is when your vehicle won't start, but another indication is the recharge time after it has been accidentally drained. After the lights or radio are left on in your car, a healthy battery should recharge quite quickly with about 15-20min of driving and shouldn't cause any more grief. If your battery seems to be discharging after only a couple days not driving, or takes longer to recharge, this is a sign that it is coming to the end of its life and you need to start thinking about a replacement. Our experts can help you chose the right battery for your vehicle and even change it over for you.
  9. Power Steering Fluid needs to be checked regularly as a sudden drop can indicate a bigger problem. Power steering fluid keeps your steering components moving smoothly and consistently. If the fluid levels become too low it can create noise, vibration and/or steering resistance as you turn. If the power steering fluid remains unchecked and runs dry it can have disastrous consequences. This is why checking and topping up power steering fluid is not just a part of any thorough service and a general maintenance must-do, it is also one of the many components we check as part of our GC Suspension, Steering & Brakes Full Undercar Inspection and Safety Checks.
  10. The majority of the vehicles on the road nowadays are fuel-injected, this means the fuel filter is virtually working constantly while the car is running. The fuel filter filters the fuel between the fuel tank and the fuel injectors to prevent impurities clogging the injectors and causing the engine to miss fire. On average,fuel filters will need to be replaced every 40,000km, but this can vary depending on the make, model and how the car is driven.

We pride ourselves on our customer service and understand it's the little things that make the biggest difference. If there is anyway we can serve you better, just let us know.

At GC Suspension, Steering & Brakes we can also inspect your vehicle and provide you with a Roadworthy/Safety Certificate. If you are thinking about selling or changing the registered owner name of your vehicle, you first need to obtain a roadworthy or safety certificate. This document informs buyers about the state of the vehicle and its ability to be driven safely on the road. A standard roadworthyinspection establishes a minimum of safety standards and assesses the steering, brakes, suspension, windscreen, lights, body damage and more. It should be noted that some roadworthy safety certificatesfrom other providers may not include a comprehensive inspection, however it is necessary to obtain one before offering a vehicle for sale.

To book an appointment to have your car inspected, call us today on 07 5532 3772 and speak to one of our friendly staff.