We specialize in the repair and service of many foreign autos, especially Volkswagens and Audis. Below is a list of our most common services.
 Scheduled Maintenance
Do you wait until you are dying to go see a doctor? Visiting the doctor before you get sick can diagnose problems before it is too late to prevent them.
The same is true for your car! If you wait until you hear a problem, or even worse, wait until it breaks down somewhere, to have a mechanic look at your car, then you probably are going to be looking at a major repair and a major expense.
We recommend you have a tune up completed on each vehicle at least once a year.
We have the latest equipment available to give you better service. If you don't maintain your vehicle properly, we may have to complete a tune up before we can determine what else may be wrong with your car. We can tell you if you need a major tune-up or a minor tune-up. Because each car is different, the cost of parts and the amount of labor for a tune-up changes from car to car.
We offer a special performance tune-up on request.
Here is what we do:
- Road Test the Vehicle
- Complete engine computer diagnostic test
- Access available engine computer codes
- Replace:
- Air filter
- Fuel filter
- Spark plugs (Bosch)
- Inspect (replace or repair as needed):
- Valve adjustment
- Ignition Timing
- Fluid Levels
- Emissions system (not state inspection)
- Ignition cables, Distributor cap and Ignition rotor
- Carbon canister filter (where applicable)
- Hoses and belts (including Vacuum hose)
- Coolant and radiator condition
- Tire pressure
- Battery
- Starting and charging systems
- Valve Adjustment
- Set timing and adjust idle speed (as needed or available)
- Road Test the Vehicle
- Suspension and Alignment
Without your suspension your vehicle would bounce and jerk from every bump in the road. Your suspension enables you to handle your vehicle comfortably and safely.
CONVENTIONAL SUSPENSION:
Front: The wheel is attached to a spindle, which in turn is connected to upper and lower control arms through upper and lower ball joints. The vehicle's coil spring works against one of the control arms to support the weight of the vehicle, and the shock absorber keeps the spring from continuing to bounce.
Rear: All rear suspension systems are designed to keep the rear axle and wheels in their proper position (always tracking exactly straight ahead). The rear suspension axle allows each of the rear wheels to move up and down somewhat independently from the frame. The spring assembly must also absorb a large amount of rear end torque from acceleration (on rear drive vehicles), side thrust from turning and road shock from bumps.
MACPHERSON STRUT SUSPENSION:
Earl S. MacPherson of the Ford Motor Company invented the MacPherson strut suspension in the 1940s. It was introduced on the 1950 English Fords and has since become one of the dominating suspensions systems of the world because of its compactness and low cost.
Unlike other suspension designs, in MacPherson strut suspension; the telescopic shock absorber also serves as a link to control the position of the wheel. Therefore it saves the upper control arm. Since the strut is vertically positioned, the whole suspension is very compact. For front-wheel drive cars, whose engine and transmission are all located inside the front compartment, they need front suspensions which take-up very little width of the car. MacPherson is proud to be the the most suitable one.
Alignment (All cars, vans and trucks up to one ton):
- Take angle readings on all four wheels
- Set rear wheels to specifications (when applicable). Rear thrust line will now line up with centerline of vehicle
- Reference front wheels to rear thrust line and correct alignment using all factory adjustments and specifications
- Center steering wheel
- Road test
- Brakes
Your brake system is one part of your vehicle you truly can't afford to ignore. Your life (and the life of others) depends on your brakes working properly. You can trust TGA to give your brakes the serious attention they deserve.
Here is what we do:
- Front or rear disc pads replaced with Performance Grade (semi-metallic pads if manufacturer requires)
- Thorough inspection of rotors (Replace or Resurface as required)
- Inspect and repack all wheel bearings (on serviceable non-drive axles)
- Visually inspect all hydraulic components
- Clean and adjust rear drum brakes
- Inspect brake lining for proper thickness
- Inspect master cylinder, all brake hoses and lines
- Inspect and adjust parking brake
- Top off brake fluid after brake installation
- Road test vehicle
- Computer Diagnostics
Computers are everywhere. They are in our homes, work and cars. The computer in your car keeps in touch with its vital systems by the use of sensors. Through these sensors, your car's computer monitors the vehicle's engine's performance, emissions, air conditioning, air bags, cruise control, traction control, automatic transmission and instrument panel, as well as other components. The computer is in constant communication with its sensors in an attempt to optimize the vehicle's performance.
These computers are built to withstand normal driving conditions, but many times the sensors lose contact with the computer or send errors that cause poor performance. Only by placing a car on a computer diagnostic machine is a technician able to correctly diagnosis the system.
Here is what we do:
- Check the input and output signals of each sensor
- Check the ignition system
- Check for misfires and detonation
- Do compression tests
- Check all computer pins for ohms and resistance
- Perform power balance
- Air Conditioning
Early automobiles were not exactly comfortable. In winter, passengers bundled up and in the summer, air conditioning was a breeze (literally). Nothing gets hotter than the interior of a car. When car companies began closing up the cabs on cars, something had to be done. Vents were put in the floors of cars, but this brought in more dirt and dust than it did cool air.
In 1884, William Whiteley had a great idea of placing blocks of ice in a holder under horse carriages and blowing air inside by means of a fan attached to the axle. A bucket of ice near a floor vent was the automotive equivalent.
In today's cars, an air conditioning system provides cool, dry, clean air. The system uses three basic components: a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. In addition, refrigerant, lubrication oil, interconnecting hoses, and some type of controlling device are utilized.
Here is what we do:
- Inspect:
- Condenser & compressor mountings
- Condenser for obstructions
- Cooling system
- Fan clutch and alignment
- Drive belts, idler pulley
- System refrigerant oil
- Evaporator drains
- Receiver dehydrator
- Fittings and clamps
- Compressor drive clutch plate
- Electrical wiring
- Expansion valve
- Mode select controls
- High & Low pressure gauge reading
- Sight glass for refrigerant level
- Outlet duct temperature
- Leak test system
- Transmissions
Transmission is relocating energy from its place of origin to a location where it is applied to performing useful work.
There are two types of automobile transmissions: manual and automatic. If you have a manual transmission, you have to shift the gears yourself, usually with a stick located on your console and the clutch pedal. If you have an automatic transmission, the mechanism changes without any help from you. This is accomplished through a system that works by oil pressure. A shift valve controls each shift of the gears; the gears shift change depending on speed, the road, and load conditions. Another basic component of all drive trains is some form of a clutch. It allows the engine to continue rotating while the gears and wheels are stationary. Automatic transmission cars use a "torque converter" in lieu of a clutch. From the back of the engine to where the rubber meets the road, the drive train encompasses one of the most complicated systems of your car.
If you are having problems with your transmission or drive train, just bring it in to TGA. Our specialists will diagnosis and repair your problems and get you back on the road in no time.
Here is what we do:
- Front Wheel Drives
- Rear Wheel Drives
- 4 x 4's
- Manual Transmissions
- Automatic Transmissions
- Drive Train Repair
- High Performance
- Transfer Cases
- Clutches (repair and adjustments)
- CV and U-Joints
- Flywheel Resurfacing
- Torque Converters
- Emissions
We all care about the environment and we like driving our cars. These two things don't have to be mutually exclusive. Today's cars have sophisticated emission systems that help us take care of our environment. That is if we take care of our cars and keep the emission systems running correctly.
Our government is also concerned about the environment and has strict regulations regarding vehicle emissions that are being enforced nationally as well as statewide. If your vehicle's emissions need to be checked, or the vehicle has failed inspection, bring it to us. We will analyze the vehicle's emissions systems and make adjustments and repairs to ensure that the vehicle emits a minimum amount of harmful pollutants. It's our commitment to a clean air environment.
- Engine Repair
Sometimes the most economical solution to major mechanical damage is to replace your engine. New engines are expensive, so at TGA, we offer you an alternative that can restore power and economy to your vehicle.
We can supply and fit "exchange engines" for most makes and models. "Exchange engines" are engines that are rebuilt (sometimes new engines) and have been restored to the highest quality in automotive engineering, with accuracy and tolerances to the manufacturer's original specification.
All exchange engines are fully guaranteed for quality and performance. If an exchange engine is unavailable for your vehicle we can rebuild your old engine.
- Electrical
Are your dash lights blinking on and off? Do you seem to always have a dead battery? TGA can help you with those annoying and sometimes dangerous electrical problems.
We are a full service automotive electrical service and auto electric repair facility. Our technicians are fully certified in auto electric diagnostic techniques. We can find electrical shorts or defective electrical parts.
Here is what we do:
- Full analysis on:
- Alternators
- Generator
- Starters
- Electronic Instrumentation
- Ignition switches
- Circuitry Basics - Switches and Fuses
- Computer basics
- Accessories
- Wiring Systems
- Battery
- Lighting Circuits
Towing
J.L. Milner Wrecker Service - (817) 589-1403
Just say you have one for Tim's and the tow bill will be included
on your repair order.
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