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What You Need to Know About Belts and Hoses

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    Austin Car Parts, a family owned and operated business with 10 locations across the city. It’s the only shop in Central Texas that specializes in British classic cars.

    During a morning visit to his garage, Nathan Dowd noticed that the door to his garage was knocked over and lying on its side. He described the scene to KVUE and explained how he was able to remove his vehicle safely from the garage without damage.

    Belts

    Belts are a vital component of your vehicle’s powertrain. They are responsible for keeping your engine from pinging its neighbors in the engine bay as well as controlling the more specialized components such as your power steering and air conditioning. In addition to the standard serpentine belt, you may also need a v-belt to power your rear wheels. When it comes to belts, a few manufacturers stand out as the best – and most expensive – aficionados include Gates, Goodyear and Honda. At Lamb’s Tire & Automotive in Austin, Texas, our knowledgeable auto service advisors are ready to help you with the nitty gritty of your vehicle’s belt and hose needs. From the simplest to the most complex, we have got you covered!

    Contact us today to learn more about our impressive selection of awe inspiring auto parts and accessories. We are proud to serve drivers in and around the Austin area. You can count on us to get the job done right, and make it feel like your car is brand new again. Our friendly staff is always happy to assist you in your quest for the perfect car parts and accessories.

    Hoses

    Hoses are a very important part of your car’s engine. They send vital fluids from one part of your vehicle to another, including gas, air, brake and antifreeze. They can break or leak if not maintained properly.

    Your engine will need a variety of different hoses to function properly. These include a fuel hose, a radiator hose, an A/C hose, a vacuum hose and a brake hose.

    The coolant hose, for example, is essential in keeping your engine from overheating. In addition, your radiator hose will also keep your engine from freezing in winter weather.

    It’s a good idea to inspect your coolant hoses regularly, especially in the spring and fall. Look for glassy or scuffed spots that may indicate heat damage or abrasive damage (rubbing).

    You can test the condition of your hoses by squeezing them near the clamps and feeling for soft or mushy spots. If you notice these, the hoses could be breaking down from the inside out in a process called electrochemical degradation.

    When this happens, your coolant can leak out of the hose or it could even rupture. If this happens, it will cause significant damage to your engine and other parts of your car.

    Hoses can fail for many reasons, but most of them are related to temperature extremes. As a result, it’s best to have your hoses inspected at every service.

    If your hoses are in need of replacement, the auto repair professionals at Austin Car Parts will be happy to help you find the right ones for your vehicle. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is committed to providing quality service for you and your vehicle. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

    Exhaust System

    A vital part of your vehicle, the exhaust system routes harmful gases created during combustion from each cylinder to the tailpipe. It also purifies these gases to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and keeps toxic emissions from affecting the environment.

    Exhaust systems are a common choice for many drivers because they offer a variety of benefits, including increased fuel efficiency and improved engine performance. Additionally, some types of exhaust systems allow you to reduce or eliminate engine noise.

    If you’re considering a new exhaust system, it’s a good idea to make sure you buy high-quality parts that are designed to last. In addition, be sure to check your state’s laws before installing a new system on your vehicle.

    Another consideration for your exhaust system is whether or not it has a resonator, which is often an important component of mufflers and can greatly alter the sound of your car’s final exit note. A resonator is typically a small bulge that fits into the midpipe (pictured above) of the system and vibrates with the exhaust noise before it hits the mufflers.

    Choosing an exhaust system with a resonator can be a great way to improve your car’s sound, especially if you have a loud truck or SUV that needs some extra bass. However, be sure to listen to your system before making your decision if you have a specific sound in mind.

    The exhaust system is a very crucial part of your vehicle, and you should never neglect it. Routine maintenance is the best way to keep your exhaust system functioning properly, which will help your engine run smoothly and avoid harmful gas fumes from entering your cabin.

    Suspension & Steering System Parts

    When it comes to a vehicle’s safety and comfort, the suspension and steering system play an important role. The two systems work together to support the weight of a vehicle, provide a smooth ride, create stable road control and drivability, and allow your car to turn in response to your steering input.

    A suspension is an assembly of shock absorbers, struts, coil springs, and other components that connect your wheels to the frame or body of the vehicle. They help your car travel smoothly over speed bumps, potholes and other imperfections on the road.

    There are a few types of suspensions, including dependent and independent. Dependent suspensions rigidly connect the wheels to each other, while independent suspensions let both wheels move independently of one another.

    In stock cars, suspensions are subjected to a lot of stress during a race. This can lead to parts that wear out or fail. For this reason, stock car race teams inspect and replace parts that are not working properly after each race.

    The steering system is also a complex part of the suspension, consisting of control arms, trailing arms, tie rod ends, pivoting mounts and steering bushes. When they fail, they can cause the car to wobble.

    When you need a new set of original Kia shocks, struts or bushings, come to the experienced technicians at Austin Car Parts. We have competitive pricing on all the essential parts you need to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

    Metal Scrap Yard

    A metal scrap yard is a facility where scrap metal is collected, sorted, and recycled. These facilities are typically found in cities and suburban areas. They serve trade industries and businesses that produce or work with metals like steel, copper, aluminum, iron, brass, and stainless steel.

    There are two primary types of recyclable scrap metal: ferrous and non-ferrous. The former are composed of metals that contain iron, such as steel, and the latter include aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, tin, titanium, and zinc.

    Whether you’re collecting junk from your garage or taking old appliances to the landfill, it’s important to recognize the types of metals that can be reused. It can be confusing, but with a little bit of know-how, you’ll find it much easier to navigate your way through the metal recycling process.

    The first step is to separate your scrap into different metal types. This will help the scrap yard determine how much they’ll pay you for your materials. It can be as simple as using a magnet to separate the different metals.

    Another way to sort your scrap is by using containers that are labeled for the different kinds of metals. These containers are typically found on the side of the scrap yard or in a large bin.

    Once you’ve separated your pile of scrap into different metals, head to the yard to weigh your materials. Most scrap yards will have a scale operator, who’ll weigh your materials and give you a ticket with a price tag attached.

    The scrap yard will then use a variety of processes to turn the scrap metal into new products. These processes include sorting, mechanical processing, smelting, and cooling. The smelting process involves removing any contaminants that may be present in the metals, which is done by heating them to a certain temperature and allowing them to melt. After this, the resulting liquid metal is poured into ingots and sold to various companies that require this type of metal.