Undercar Services: Maintenance & Repair

At Gary's Full Service Auto 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 303-364-8344 or visit our location in Aurora, CO 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 Gary's Full Service Auto Repair, our proficient technicians specialize in diagnosing and repairing faulty ABS systems, ensuring your safety.

AWD/4WD Differentials
The differential transfers the engine power to the wheels. One important function of the differential is to pass on power to the wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds - thus the name differential. When turning, the outer wheels travel a larger distance than the inner wheels. This means that all four wheels travel at different speeds during a turn and this is where the differential comes in to help. To make sure your vehicle's differentials are working properly, have them checked regularly. Contact Gary's Full Service Auto Repair today for differentials examination and servicing.

Brake System Flush
Hygroscopic sounds like a made-up word, but brake fluid is hygroscopic (water-absorbing). The absorbed moisture lowers the fluid's boiling point. It also corrodes the lines and cylinders. With the lowered boiling point, the brake fluid more easily boils during braking which makes you lose braking ability. Although this is an extreme scenario, it does happen in heavy braking (think going over mountain passes). To reduce the effects of the absorbed moisture, auto manufacturers recommend that you have a brake flush done periodically, usually every two years. A brake system flush involves the replacement of used and contaminated fluid with fresh fluid. With Gary's Full Service Auto Repair's brake services, you will have a brake system flush performed by brake experts. Call 303-364-8344 or visit Gary's Full Service Auto Repair today.

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.

Differential Service
The differential is a car part that compensates for the difference in travel distance between the inner wheels and outer wheels when the vehicle is turning. Nowadays, front-wheel drive vehicles have the differential built into the transaxle (transmission + differential). The one thing that every car owner needs to know is that failure of the differential will mean the vehicle won't move. To save the differential from failure, you need to have differential fluid changed every 30,000 miles. Changing the oil on the differential is as important as changing the engine oil. Although checking and changing differential oil is usually not complex, you need to visit an auto shop to get a comprehensive differential service with manufacturer-recommended fluid. For differential services, visit or call Gary's Full Service Auto Repair in Aurora, CO 80012 today.

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. Gary's Full Service Auto Repair in Aurora has expert technicians ready to service your car's exhaust system.

Shocks
Shocks (or shock absorbers) are mechanical devices designed to smooth out rough roads. The devices do this by dissipating kinetic energy. Properly working shocks reduce the effect of traveling over rough ground, leading to improved ride quality and vehicle handling. When shocks develop problems, driving on poorly leveled roads becomes unpleasant, and your vehicle may sway when turning. To have your vehicle's shocks diagnosed and repaired, visit Gary's Full Service Auto Repair today.

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 Gary's Full Service Auto Repair at 303-364-8344 today.

Suspension FAQs

What is included in a front-end alignment?

Front-end alignment is a service performed on the front wheels. The process includes adjustments to the camber, toe and casters. Your 'thrust angle adjustment' may also need adjustments, to ensure that all four wheels are in alignment.

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 Gary's Full Service Auto Repair inspect your shocks.

Are shocks difficult to replace?

Shock absorber replacement is usually a straightforward job, taking less than an hour of labor, but they should be replaced by a professional. Some models require other components to be removed or replaced before working on the front shocks. Bring your car to Gary's Full Service Auto Repair in Aurora and we will help you determine what needs to be done and get you back on the road quickly.

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 Gary's Full Service Auto 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?

Gary's Full Service Auto 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, Gary's Full Service Auto 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 Aurora, Denver, Glendale, Englewood 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 Gary's Full Service Auto 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 Gary's Full Service Auto Repair in Aurora

Brake Repair
Transmission Repair Services
4X4 Services