Seaside Auto Repair

What’s Causing That Clunking Sound When I Go Over Bumps? You’re cruising along, hit a speed bump, and clunk!—your car makes a sound that definitely wasn’t there before. It might feel like something shifted, knocked, or even bounced under the car. At Wayside Garage, we hear this concern a lot, and the good news is: you’re not imagining things. That clunk is trying to tell you something. 🚗 Is a Clunk Over Bumps a Big Deal? It might be. While not every noise is an emergency, clunking when you hit bumps often means there’s something loose, worn out, or broken in your suspension system—the parts that help keep your ride smooth and your tires on the road. And when suspension parts start to fail, it doesn’t just make your car noisy—it can mes ... read more

Why Is My Car Making a Humming Noise? Ever been driving along, minding your own business, when suddenly you notice this low, steady humming noise coming from your car? It's kind of like a quiet growl that gets louder as you speed up. At first, you might brush it off—maybe it's the road, right? But if it keeps happening, it’s definitely worth checking out. At Wayside Garage, we see this issue all the time. And while humming noises can be caused by a few different things, they’re often a sign that something’s starting to wear out. Let’s break it down together. 🚘 Is a Humming Noise Something to Worry About? Short answer: Yes—usually. Your car isn’t supposed to hum (at least not loudly). If the ... read more

Wheel Alignment Near Me: Why It’s Critical for Your Car’s Safety in Monterey & Seaside Have you ever noticed your car pulling to one side, your steering wheel feeling off-center, or your tires wearing unevenly? These are all signs that your car may need a wheel alignment—and if you ignore them, it could cost you more in repairs and even put your safety at risk. At Wayside Garage, we specialize in precision wheel alignments to keep your car driving straight and handling safely on the roads of ... read more

How Worn Control Arm Bushings Impact Tire Wear Worn control arm bushings can quietly but significantly impact your vehicle’s suspension, ultimately leading to premature tire wear. Control arm bushings work similarly to cartilage in human joints, providing a flexible cushion between various suspension components. When these bushings wear out, however, they lose their ability to stabilize and align the control arm correctly. This misalignment can create issues that cause uneven and accelerated tire wear, often resulting in costly repairs down the line. Effects on Tire Wear Misaligned Wheels Worn bushings allow the control arm to shift, throwing off the wheel’s alignment. This can result in uneven tire wear, most commonly observed on the outer edges of the tire. Premature Tire Degradation Misaligned wheels place additional stress on tires, leading to faster wear. Drivers may find themselves needing tire replacements more ... read more

  My Car Is Shaking When I Drive When your car shakes while driving, it could be caused by a few different issues. Here's a breakdown of the most common reasons: 1. Tire ProblemsUnbalanced or Misaligned Tires: If your tires are unbalanced or misaligned, it can cause the car to shake, especially at higher speeds. Tire Wear: Worn-out tires can create uneven vibrations. Check for uneven tread wear. Solution: A wheel alignment or tire balancing service could resolve this. Wheel alignment is recommended every 10K miles, according to Wayside Garage’s maintenance plan​. 2. Brake IssuesWarped Brake Rotors: If your car shakes when you brake, the problem may be warped brake rotors. This can happen over time due to heat and pressure from braking. Solution: A brake system inspection can id ... read more