Best Auto Repair, Little Rock

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AUTO REPAIR & MAINTENANCE BLOG

Working Hours
  • Mon 8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Tue 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Wed 8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Thu 8:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Fri 8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed
    Early drop-off M-F at beginning at 7:30 a.m.

AUTO REPAIR & MAINTENANCE BLOG

Maintaining your vehicle at home is a satisfying way to keep your motoring costs down. With the right knowledge and products even someone who isn't very mechanically inclined can take care of many of the smaller issues in everyday driving. Sometimes, however, car issues can be too specialized or complex for the average motorist to take care of by themselves and it becomes time to take your car to the pros. Below you'll find three major warning signs that you need to get to a mechanic ASAP, as well as some of the potential causes behind them.



Engine and Drivetrain Problems

Let's start at the beginning. If your car won't even turn over and start up, then the rest of the problems on this list won't come into play. The simplest cause of this issue is a dead battery, which you can remedy with jumper cables, and the instructions that come printed on their packaging. If jumping the car doesn't work, you may have a larger problem with your ignition system. It's advisable to take your car into the shop at this point because finding the root of the problem will likely involve removing a few parts from your engine. Whether it's dead spark plugs or electrical problems, it's better to have it dealt with by a professional. Likewise, engine surging where the revs rise and fall can mean a problem with your fuel injectors, which are fairly deep within your motor. It's unwise to drive around with a surging engine, as this burns more gas and can cause unintended acceleration. Drivetrain issues are another major issue requiring professional attention. Everybody fears the dreaded transmission repairs, so if certain gears won't engage or they shift at the wrong times you should definitely take your car to the qualified mechanics here at West End Garage.



Vibration While Driving

This issue can be caused by damaged drivetrain components, but can also stem from misaligned wheels or unbalanced or flat tires. If you feel any vibration or shuddering as you drive along, you should get to a mechanic as soon as you can. At its worst, this issue can lessen your control over the car, potentially causing accidents. This will also wear out your tires more quickly than if everything was straight and true. Unwanted vibrations put stress on important (and costly) components like suspension and brakes while decreasing gas mileage, so it's smart to take your car in as soon as these issues develop.



Poor Braking Performance

Your brakes are vital to keeping you safe on the road and should definitely be cared for by a professional, unless you're absolutely sure you know what you're doing. Common signs of issues with your car's braking system include squeaking or squealing when the brakes are applied, or the brakes feeling spongy and failing to slow your vehicle properly. Squealing brakes are caused by the brake pads wearing through the pad surface to the metal underneath. At this point the metal behind your brake pad is coming into contact with the brake rotor. This can be disastrous and produce unwanted heat, reduced stopping power, and cause you to have to buy new rotors as well as the relatively cheap pads. Spongey and weak brakes can mean there's a problem with your master cylinder, which converts the mechanical pressure of you pressing the pedal into hydraulic pressure to apply the brakes. In either case, it's best to have your brakes seen to by the professional mechanics here at West End Garage.



There are instances where car maintenance is simple and easy, but if you notice any of these issues developing, it's best to take your car in for a qualified mechanic's checkup so the problems can be remedied before they turn into much more serious issues. West End Garage has the tools and expertise to have you safely back on the road in no time at all.



What People Say About Us

  • reviewiconEngine Maintenance, near Little Rock, Tennessee
    , 02/01/2024

    On February 1, 2024 my 1999, Lexus 300 GS with 166k, had a catastrophic oil leak coming from the cam seals , crank seal, the VVTi gear O-Ring,. So at 10:30 PM at the Loves truck stop in Malvern, about 40 minutes south of Little Rock, I was stranded. Finally got a tow truck (Eastend Towing) to get me at 3 AM. and take me to the Hampton Inn, back in Little Rock, which was across the street from the Lexus dealership. Long story even longer. The Lexus dealership wanted $5398.64 as well as quoting a battery installation for $266.17? basically $5650! Plus the $117.26 diagnostic charge for the privilege of making me lock up like a fainting goat, and faint on their show room floor then having to wake myself up by wav ring an ammonia capsule under my nose at the sticker shock of that price! Then I remembered my little tow-truck driver, who had mentioned West End garage. So I called the owner Tim Baker and made arrangements for my Lexus to be towed to West End garage. Tim did a thorough diagnostic on it, came up with the exact same problems and quoted them each line for line, including adding these ADDITIONAL items to this extremely deep engine repair: both valve cover gaskets, a new timing belt, a new serpentine belt, a new OEM Denso alternator *(it was not the battery that the Lexus dealer was trying to sell me for $266.17 but rather it needed a new alternator. That alternator installed was $457.19) OK so here's the bottom line, Tim Baker at West End garage's total price for everything including the $457.19 alternator install was only $2252.88!!! So Tim Baker at West End garage and his team save me $3402 as opposed to the dealership, and that did not include the $100 Towing that was in that price!? Or the fact that he completely de-greased the engine! But here's the best part?. I drove there with my wife and special needs 18 year old son to pick the car up so that they could follow me back all the way to Nashville that's a 5 hour drive. on a Friday in the 4 o'clock traffic in the dark! When I cranked it up, everything was perfect! No leaks, no smells, no overheating. The heat gauge held perfectly at normal operating temperature for the entire five hours. We drove back to back through the night 75 miles an hour, and it ran like a sewing machine, purred like a kitten, runs like a scalded dog! In fact, it was running so good that I missed my exit and drove all the way through downtown Nashville! I waited a month before writing this review to be sure that there were no latent leaks. Everything is perfect!!!! I couldn't be happier, and I would HIGHLY recommend this shop to anyone and everyone, including Elon! Also, a big shout out to whoever that tow truck driver was (I can't remember his name for the life of me, but I will NEVER FORGET that big beautiful Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum he had on the dashboard!) if he hadn't of mentioned Tim Baker and the West End Garage who knows where I would be right now. Also, Tim gave me his cell phone number to send pictures back-and-forth while we were working through the car issues. How many shop owners will give you their cell phone number these days? Can't say enough good things about this garage, their service, their price, and their end result product AWSOME! This is the only review I've ever written in my entire life! No one has paid me to write this. So next time, let me encourage you, if you have a car repair, do not take it to any dealership, take it over to Tim Baker at West End Garage Tim Baker will fix you up from headlight to tail pipe!

  • reviewiconEngine Maintenance, near Little Rock, Tennessee
    , 01/03/2024

    Needed a battery that was very difficult to install. It was costly, but the service was excellent and timely. I'll use West End again, definitely.

  • , 05/11/2023

    This shop has always been excellent. We have a 2005 Toyota Sequoia and a 2010 Honda Odyssey which are still running great since we get them serviced regularly.

  • , 10/08/2022

    They are the best they check it out price fairly and guarantee their work can't ask for anything more.

  • reviewicon
    , 09/26/2022

    My dad works there so it must be good! But I'm there sometimes too.

  • reviewicon
    , 09/10/2022

    Just used West End Garage for the first time this week. I was VERY happy! Their prices were very reasonable and they kept me informed of the progress of the work. They were knowledgeable without being arrogant or condescending which is especially refreshing as a woman who understands nothing about vehicles. I have definitely found my go-to mechanic for any future needs. Highly recommend this place for anyone who needs service on their vehicles.

Call us for service: 501-455-4396

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