David Sturtz

David Sturtz

David Sturtz is an automotive expert at RepairPal, the leading online source of auto repair resources and estimates. With many ASE Master certified mechanics on staff who have decades of experience, RepairPal knows all the fine points of car repair.

Posts by David Sturtz

Rear Shock Absorber Replacement

Shock absorbers dampen the shock the suspension absorbs when the vehicle is driven over an uneven road surface. There is a shock absorber at each wheel.

Shock absorbers dampen the shock the suspension absorbs when the vehicle is driven over an uneven road surface. There is a shock absorber at each wheel.

Strut Bearing Replacement

MacPherson strut–type front suspensions use an upper suspension strut bearing on top of each front suspension. The wheels are attached to the suspension at each corner of the vehicle.

MacPherson strut–type front suspensions use an upper suspension strut bearing on top of each front suspension. The wheels are attached to the suspension at each corner of the vehicle.

Front Suspension Strut Replacement

The front suspension strut dampens movement as a vehicle is driven over rough or uneven road surfaces. A vehicle with strut-style suspension has a suspension strut assembly at each wheel, which needs to be replaced if the strut leaks oil or no longer has a dampening effect.

The front suspension strut dampens movement as a vehicle is driven over rough or uneven road surfaces. A vehicle with strut-style suspension has a suspension strut assembly at each wheel, which needs to be replaced if the strut leaks oil or no longer has a dampening effect.

Rear Suspension Strut Replacement

The rear suspension strut dampens movement as a vehicle is driven over rough or uneven road surfaces. A vehicle with strut-style suspension has a suspension strut assembly at each wheel, which needs to be replaced if the strut leaks oil or no longer has a dampening effect.

The rear suspension strut dampens movement as a vehicle is driven over rough or uneven road surfaces. A vehicle with strut-style suspension has a suspension strut assembly at each wheel, which needs to be replaced if the strut leaks oil or no longer has a dampening effect.

Front Sway Bar Replacement

The sway bar (or anti-roll bar) helps reduce vehicle lean during cornering. The center of the sway bar is attached to the chassis, and the ends of the sway bar are attached to the left and right front suspension.

The sway bar (or anti-roll bar) helps reduce vehicle lean during cornering. The center of the sway bar is attached to the chassis, and the ends of the sway bar are attached to the left and right front suspension.

Rear Sway Bar Replacement

The sway bar (or anti-roll bar) helps reduce vehicle lean during cornering. The center of the sway bar is attached to the chassis, and the ends of the sway bar are attached to the left and right front suspension.

The sway bar (or anti-roll bar) helps reduce vehicle lean during cornering. The center of the sway bar is attached to the chassis, and the ends of the sway bar are attached to the left and right front suspension.

Thermostat Replacement

The thermostat is a valve that keeps coolant circulating in the engine until it reaches normal running temperature. When this happens, the thermostat opens and allows coolant to flow to the radiator.

The thermostat is a valve that keeps coolant circulating in the engine until it reaches normal running temperature. When this happens, the thermostat opens and allows coolant to flow to the radiator.

Tie Rod End Replacement

On a vehicle with rack and pinion steering, there is an inner tie rod end at each end of the steering rack. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the steering rack either pushes or pulls the front wheels.

On a vehicle with rack and pinion steering, there is an inner tie rod end at each end of the steering rack. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the steering rack either pushes or pulls the front wheels.

Inner Tie Rod End Replacement

On a vehicle with rack and pinion style steering, there is an inner tie rod end at each end of the steering rack. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the steering rack either pushes or pulls the front wheels.

On a vehicle with rack and pinion style steering, there is an inner tie rod end at each end of the steering rack. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the steering rack either pushes or pulls the front wheels.

Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

Internal engine components are lubricated with oil. Engines have many seals and gaskets that prevent oil from leaking out of the engine.

Internal engine components are lubricated with oil. Engines have many seals and gaskets that prevent oil from leaking out of the engine.

Water Pump Replacement

The water pump pushes coolant through a vehicle's cooling system. The water pump is operated by a fan belt at the front of the engine or by the timing belt.

The water pump pushes coolant through a vehicle's cooling system. The water pump is operated by a fan belt at the front of the engine or by the timing belt.

Front Wheel Bearing Replacement

Wheel bearings allow each wheel to rotate. There are several types of wheel bearings used in cars: some require no maintenance; others can be disassembled, cleaned, and inspected for wear.

Wheel bearings allow each wheel to rotate. There are several types of wheel bearings used in cars: some require no maintenance; others can be disassembled, cleaned, and inspected for wear.

ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement

An antilock brake wheel speed sensor measures the speed of each wheel by counting the number of revolutions each wheel makes while braking to be sure the wheel isn't locking up. If a wheel locks up, the antilock brake control module can apply or release brake fluid pressure to each wheel, releasing the wheel from its locked state.

An antilock brake wheel speed sensor measures the speed of each wheel by counting the number of revolutions each wheel makes while braking to be sure the wheel isn't locking up. If a wheel locks up, the antilock brake control module can apply or release brake fluid pressure to each wheel, releasing the wheel from its locked state.

ABS Control Module Replacement

The antilock brake control module counts the number of revolutions each wheel makes to determine whether the brake at each wheel is operating correctly or if it has locked up. If the brakes lock up, the antilock brake control unit releases the brake pressure applied to each wheel until the unit determines whether each wheel is contributing the correct amount of braking effort.

The antilock brake control module counts the number of revolutions each wheel makes to determine whether the brake at each wheel is operating correctly or if it has locked up. If the brakes lock up, the antilock brake control unit releases the brake pressure applied to each wheel until the unit determines whether each wheel is contributing the correct amount of braking effort.

Brake Drum Remachine/Resurface

If the driver feels vibration in the brake pedal while braking, it may indicate that the brake drums need to be re-machined or replaced. .

If the driver feels vibration in the brake pedal while braking, it may indicate that the brake drums need to be re-machined or replaced. .