ADDITIONAL SERVICES & REPAIRS

SERVICES AND REPAIRS

Mechanical Services in Sumner Park

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WHY CARE FOR YOUR CAR? 


By servicing your car and performing maintenance when it’s required, you will save money in the long run by providing increased reliability and better performance, lowering fuel costs. A good service and maintenance history helps sell your car.

SOUTHERN CROSS MECHANICAL IS FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.

SERVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON

DIAGNOSTIC SCANNING


OBD (on-board diagnostics) has been around for many years in all makes and models of vehicles. The electronics in current models are much more advanced when compared to cars from only five years ago, let alone models from 10, 15 or 20 years ago, for example a VN Commodore only gives us 12 lines of live data where the 11-year-old VE Commodore has hundreds. New vehicles now integrate computers or ECUs into so many of their components from the engine, transmission, air bags, brakes, crash avoidance and air conditioning, just to list a few.
 
Some think that the computer tells the technician exactly what the problem is. The reality is much different. The trouble code only tells the technician which engine parameter is operating out of range, not what’s causing it. When their orange engine warning light comes on customers ask us why, there are many different reasons and it may have nothing to do with the engine directly, like a transmission fault, ABS or a vacuum leak. At Southern Cross Mechanical, we utilise the latest updated scan tools by Snap On and G-Scan to communicate with the car, starting a thorough diagnosis process.

BRAKES


The automotive brake system is one of the most important functions of your car. It’s one thing to make sure the vehicle is running well; it’s more important to make sure it stops safely. The brake system is made up of many different parts that all must work together to stop you in time. Vacuum boosters, hydraulic pumps and reservoirs, pipes, hoses, brake pads or shoes are all inspected during all services carried out at Southern Cross Mechanical. Brake fluid needs to be flushed and replaced periodically as it absorbs moisture from the air decreasing the boiling point of the fluid and increasing the chance of brake failure under high temperature or emergency situations. At Southern Cross Mechanical we test a sample of the brake fluid at every service and report the condition if it requires changing.

Don’t ignore brake noises. A brake squeal may be the sign that your brake linings are at replacement stage. Many manufacturers build a warning tab into brake pads designed to make a high-pitched noise while braking to alert the driver to get the brakes checked. When this noise in ignored it normally results in the sound changing to a grinding noise which is the two metal surfaces contacting and causing a lot of further damage at normally more than double the cost to repair. At Southern Cross Mechanical we have the knowledge and the equipment to make sure your brakes are functioning at their best.

DISK & DRUM MACHINING & REPLACEMENT


It is essential to safety to have brakes that work properly. There are two main braking systems, disc rotors and pads or drums and shoes; these wear with use. The surface condition of the disc rotors and drums are important to the efficiency of your braking systems, the pads or shoes push against these creating friction and high heat. The wear on discs and drums is not always even which means it’s important to check at every service, reporting when machining or replacement is necessary. By machining the surface of discs and drums, it allows the brake pads or shoes to have maximum contact, increasing your braking performance. At Southern Cross Mechanical we have the equipment to perform the machining on site making the whole process much more time efficient, getting you back on the road sooner and minimising your cost (most workshops outsource the machining, requiring the vehicle longer and adding to the expense).

When very worn discs become undersized and drums become oversized the braking system is unsafe and unroadworthy, and replacement is the only option. Without replacement brakes can overheat causing fluid to boil and a soft and spongy pedal, steering vibration under braking and in worst cases heat fractures resulting in complete braking failure. At Southern Cross Mechanical our trained technicians will be able to accurately inspect and report on your braking system at every service noting any wear that may have occurred.

POWER STEERING


Power steering is a commonly neglected part of a vehicles maintenance. The steering rack, pump, drive belt and hoses are ignored until there is a problem. The issue with this is the hydraulic pressure in the steering system is greater than in the transmission and so the temperature and pressure wear on components will be more severe. Small particles (due to normal wear) get circulated through the pump body and valves accelerating pump and rack failure. The fluid in the power steering system is hydraulic fluid with temperature and pressure ratings. When the fluid becomes burnt and contaminated the pressure abilities drop and can cause cavitation and premature seal and pump failure. Performing a power steering system flush when recommended will ensure smooth power steering system operation and prevent costly pump failures, extending its life.

TRANSMISSION SERVICING AND FLUSH


Your transmission's vital parts get clogged with sludge and varnish deposits because, just like engine oil in your car's engine, automatic transmission fluid suffers from heat, friction and electrochemical degradation. In fact, nearly nine out of 10 transmission failures are due to overheating and fluid contamination.

However, unlike oil, which can be completely drained from your car's engine, most transmission fluid cannot be drained. Instead it stays in the torque converter, valve body and transmission lines, making a complete fluid drain impossible. Typical transmission service removes only 25 percent of the contaminated transmission fluid. Adding new fluid to the remaining contaminated fluid can actually cause sludge and varnish deposits to clog filters and further restrict fluid flow. This can result in a serious malfunction or even complete failure of your automatic transmission.

The best option is a transmission fluid flush, which works like a blood transfusion, safely removing most, if not all, contaminated fluid as well as varnish and sludge deposits. Our transmission fluid flush cleans the transmission cooler and lines, valve body and torque converter and also removes those wear metals that slowly grind away your transmission’s internal components. Our transmission fluid exchange thoroughly cleans your car's transmission and protects it with fresh fluid and conditioners that revitalize the seals and O-rings. If your vehicle's transmission is showing signs of contaminated fluid, slippage, rough or hard shifting, try this service. It’s recommended to perform a transmission fluid flush every 40,000 kilometres, as this will prolong the life of your transmission, help you avoid the cost of major transmission work or in some cases even prevent the need for a new transmission.

ENGINE REPAIRS AND EXCHANGES


Whether your engine has overheated, seized, suffered internal damage or just worn out, at Southern Cross Mechanical we source good-quality secondhand motors or fully reconditioned engines, with warranties. The prices vary for every engine, so we recommend talking to one of our experienced mechanics about your vehicle’s specific requirements, discussing options and obtaining a quote.

COOLING SYSTEMS AND RADIATORS


The cooling system is the number-one cause of vehicle breakdown, when you’re driving to the coast and you pass several vehicles on the side the highway with bonnet open, 90 percent are due to overheating situations. From radiators to fans, hoses and thermostats any one component not functioning correctly will send you cars engine into a meltdown. The radiator cap is actually a pressure relief valve and its importance is rarely understood. The cap, hoses and belts are checked every service and the radiator is inspected for any signs of deterioration. With the correct equipment the system can be pressurised to operating levels to detect any leaks without heating the engine. At Southern Cross Mechanical we can test, repair and maintain your cooling system to get you where you are going without being one of the cars on the side of the highway.


The clutch is a wear-and-tear item that is made of friction material and moving parts. Its job is to transfer the drive from the engine to the gearbox, axles and wheels. For further information on the operation of the clutch system, please view the attached video.


The battery is one of the most common causes of breakdowns in cars. The starter motor is the biggest current draw on the electrical system so if the battery is not in excellent condition the starter motor will not be engaged to turn the engine over. Sometimes the engine will turn but all the power is being used by the starter and not enough is left for the vehicles computer, immobilizer and fuel system. At Southern Cross Mechanical we load test every battery as part of every service and report if it is getting low and we can see that a potential no start situation is coming. We keep in stock, supply and install a large range of passenger and light commercial batteries at very competitive prices. Whenever a battery is tested or replaced, the alternator charge rate is checked and noted to make sure there are no underlying problems with the vehicle’s charge system.
adam's auto ambulance

MOBILE MECHANIC


We come to you, whether at home or work, because some customers find it inconvenient to get their car to a workshop for general repairs and maintenance, brakes or standard servicing. Our log book service, follows the manufacturer’s service procedure and uses genuine quality parts to protect your new car warranty. We will perform a vehicle inspection and report on any defects that may be repairable by the dealer (under warranty) at no cost to you. Contact us give us your registration number and the current kilometres and we will give you an accurate quote based on your vehicle’s needs.

When your car experiences a breakdown, it’s normally at the worst time and place most inconvenient to you and your family. Towing costs can often be avoided by having one of our fully qualified technicians come to you. We can set a time that suits and come out to your home or work to assess the problem, diagnose the fault and quote on the required repairs. Some repairs can be too large or dangerous for mobile work and in that instance the vehicle will need to be towed back to the workshop for completion. At Southern Cross Mechanical we have a high percentage rate of getting your car repaired at your premises and back on the road.  
0423 600 300
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