The Best Foreign and Domestic Auto Repair in Columbia SC at Your Service

We all know, not every auto repair shop is as good as the next.  A good auto repair shop or great mechanic is nothing without their customers.  I’d like to take a moment to thank all of the many, many customers that have allowed me to serve them since 1989.  We have worked hard to create happy, loyal customers here in our auto repair shop in Columbia, SC.  In recent years, we’ve worked to reach out to drivers across the country as we branched out online, doing our best to provide information that is important to any driver.  While I’m always happy to hear from satisfied customers from the Columbia area, I also love the comments and emails that come from the cyber world. 

For over 30 years, our ASE Master Certified Mechanic has been servicing your domestic and foreign auto repair needs.  Our blogs offer advice and how to tutorials on car repairs that can safely be done at home, with a little guidance of course.  As we continue to add more and more automotive related information and auto repair tutorials to our blogs, I wanted to make sure you knew where else you can find all of this great automotive info and mechanic tips.  

In addition to our blogs here and on Merchant Circle, our website offers all kinds of useful information.  You can learn more about the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro, Mike Sanford, how to find our shop conveniently located off of I-20 on Wilson Blvd., or get all types of automotive related matter from tips to tutorials on the blog.  Our website is updated multiple times a week and you can also set an auto repair appointment there too!  Yes, I said an appointment.  Better yet, we will even set your auto repair appointment for a Saturday.  Just another of the many ways that we strive to make your auto repair experience as easy and stress free as possible.

Read the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro Blog now!

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Sanford’s Automotive Service has been offering the greater Columbia metro area superior auto repairs and service at great prices since 1989.  We are located at 7917 Wilson Blvd., all you have to do is take exit 71 off of I-20 and you'll be the best shop for everything from exhaust and muffler repair, to brakes, oil changes, transmissions, rear end repair, or about any other type of foreign or domestic auto repair need you may have.  Contact us any time, online or by phone at 803-735-7902.

Replace Auto Bulbs and Rear Brake Lights with Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

A burned out auto light can leave you with a ticket, or even worse, serious auto repairs because of an accident caused by faulty lights.  You should regularly check all of your automobile’s lights to ensure that they are working and keeping you as safe as possible on the road. 

So what do you do about a burned out bulb?  Well, if you are really pressed for time and it do not have the time to do it yourself, feel free to bring it by Sanford’s AutomotiveService, where our ASE Certified Master Mechanic can take care of this and any other domestic or foreign auto repair.  If you’re inclined to perform your auto bulb replacement yourself, just read on for our step-by-step instructions on how to change a burned up rear brake, back up light, or turn signal bulb.

How to Unscrew the Light Housing

All auto lights are protected by a lens.  Colored auto lights just have a colored lens that covers them.  Begin by removing the lens housing.  These are usually attached by a few Phillips-head screws.  When removing them, be sure to keep them safe so you do not lose them.

How to Pull the Bulb Housing

Now you can remove the bulb housing, or bulb assembly. The attached wiring usually prevents it from pulling out too far, but still be cautious of the wires when you remove it.  If you pull too hard it could compromise your wiring connections.

How to Unscrew the Bulb Holder

A plug holds your brake light, or tail light assembly, in place.  The plug is screwed into the light assembly itself.  You can trace the wires on the backside of the light needing to be replaced to easily see which bulb holder should be detached.  This will not usually be screwed down very tight. In most cases, it only takes a quarter-turn to remove it and be able to pull it free.

How to Remove the Bad Bulb

You are finally ready to get rid of your burned up bulb.  It is time to remove the old and install the new.  In most cases the bulb will pull out very easily. If it will not, try to give it a gentle quarter-turn like you did before, and it should take care of it.  Once free, discard your burned out bulb and install the new one. 

How to Get it Back Together

Just simply work in reverse.  This will walk you through re-attaching the assembly, your housing, and re-securing your auto’s light housing using the screws you took out at the start. 

Get Back on the Road

You are now ready to get back on the road, safely and with properly functioning lights.  Sanford’s Automotive Service is helping keep you as safe as possible and hopefully avoiding auto accidents that result in you sitting at the auto repair shop later.

This Auto Repair Pro knows that something that seems minor, such as a burnt out light, can end up with you in the shop, or worse, the hospital.  Why let something like a bulb leave you in a dangerous situation or facing serious damage?  It only takes minutes to check.  If you need to replace it, get to it right away.

Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro on How to Fix a Broken Exhaust Strap

We have all seen a car, barreling down the highway, muffler sparking as it bumps along the road.  It is an ugly thing, not to mention terribly dangerous.  If you even hear your muffler making that clunk, clunk bounce as you ride along, you need to see what the problem is.  You are likely looking at a broken or badly worn exhaust strap (also called an exhaust hanger).  An exhaust strap is a lot like a heavy duty strength rubber band.  Over time, that rubber begins to deteriorate and stretch.  As it begins to lose elasticity, it slowly loosens its grip on the muffler.  If your exhaust hanger has broken completely you get a dragging muffler.  Lucky for you, replacing an exhaust strap is an auto repair that you can do yourself.

First, you will need to find the exhaust straps on your automobile.  Start at the tailpipe and work backwards toward the muffler.  You will find one or more thick, black, rubber exhaust straps, or exhaust hangers.  If one of them is totally broken it will be pretty easy to see.  Check the hangers to see if they are tight. When you determine which one or ones are the problem, you’ll need to remove and replace them.   

To get an exhaust strap off you will remove it from the top mount attaching it to the car and the mount to the muffler itself.  Keep in mind that the strap may be in more than one piece if it was badly deteriorated.  Be sure that you remove all of the pieces.

Now it is time to install your new exhaust hanger or exhaust strap.  You should start by attaching the side that mounts right to the car.  Just let the strap hang where it is for now while you are prepping to attach the muffler.  This is where having a helper comes in handy.  If you are working alone, be sure to check out the mechanic tip below this section.  Have your helper hold the muffler in place so you can attach the new exhaust hanger. 

Mechanic Tip: When you are working solo and need to replace an exhaust strap, you will have to slip the muffler into the hanger at the same time you are securing the muffler in place. To install the new exhaust strap using only one hand, use a crescent wrench as your helper.  Grab a crescent wrench with a large hole and slide the handle’s end through your exhaust hanger.  Next place the hole in the handle over the exhaust mount.  Now just slide the exhaust hanger over the mount!  And you thought you needed a helper…

And you are done!  It is as simple as 1, 2, 3!  Locate the bad exhaust strap, remove the faulty exhaust hanger and replace it with a strong, new strap.  No more clunking! 

If you do not have the time to complete this auto repair on your own, we would love to help you out.  Drop by our Columbia, SC Auto Repair Shop , contact via web or call us at 803-735-7902 to set an appointment.  We have been proudly serving the greater Columbia SC area for nearly 30 years!

Columbia SC Mechanic Saves Money on Auto Repairs: Do it Yourself Jobs

The Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro is all for helping you save some money on auto repairs.   

While we love to serve all of our wonderful customers, we also know that there are some auto repair or auto maintenance tasks they can easily do themselves.  Of course, you could stop by our north Columbia, SC auto repair shop and have us take care of it for you if you’d like.  But for those ready to take on a little bit of beginner level auto mechanics, there are multiple tasks you can safely and easily do.

Many of you may think that performing auto repairs or maintenance must take special tools and an in-depth knowledge of all of your vehicle’s intricate systems.  While some repairs really do require all of that, you can still easily save cash by taking care of the simpler stuff on your own.  Believe it or not, you can do more than just change your oil.  With some basic tools and the patience to read and follow the step-by-step instructions, you can not only save money but increase your own confidence by performing your own work too.

In addition to changing your own oil, I’d like to highlight a few other tasks you can easily take on. 

Replace Air Filter

This one is really easy.  Any auto repair shop will be happy to handle this easy task, but why hand over your hard earned money when you can do it yourself in minutes!  Changing your air filter requires minimal tools and time.  These simple instructions to replace your air filter will have you done in no time!

Replace Fuel Filter

I know, any auto repair occurring around the fuel tank may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be.  If you can follow instructions and observe all of the basic rules of auto repair safety you should have no problem at all.  We have provided you a detailed tutorial on how to replace a fuel filter on our Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro Blog. 

Flush Cooling System

Again, I know “flushing” any system may sound a bit taxing to a novice mechanic, but we all have to start somewhere!  This sounds much harder than it is.  In fact, in one afternoon you can completely flush your radiator and cooling system yourself.  Be sure to gather all of the materials need before you drain the radiator though, or you could end up adding a lot of extra work to the job.

There are some auto repairs and auto maintenance jobs that really can be done by a beginner and be done just as well as a certified mechanic could perform the task.  Remember, follow the advice of a proven, reputable mechanic and do not be afraid to ask questions if you need to.  All mechanics start someplace, and today you can start with the simple auto repair tutorials linked above.  To schedule Columbia, SC auto repair appointments just email us, give us a call or visit us at www.SanfordsAuto.com.

Changing Headlights with the Auto Repair Pro of Columbia SC

Replacing a Headlight

We are all looking to save money, especially on auto repairs.  For beginners or people not confident in their own home mechanic skills, deciding whether to take on an auto repair can be a difficult choice. 

Do it myself vs. Auto Repair Shop 

 

Some easy auto repair jobs can easily be completed by anyone with enough time and patience to read and follow basic tutorial instructions. Naturally, if you still lack confidence after seeing the instructions, you should always bring your vehicle to the auto repair shop for a professional to safely complete the job at hand.  Always remember: On the highway, lack of safety can cost lives, so it is always better to play it safe than be sorry!

All headlights will eventually burn out. Luckily, this is a pretty easy fix.  While you could pay to get this done for you, you really don’t have to.  Most of the halogen headlight systems out there today have bulbs that are easy to replace since they are loaded right into the back of the lens.

Step 1: Wiring Harness Removal

 

This is usually a no tools needed job.  With your hood opened and secured, do a quick check behind your burned out headlight to locate the bulb holder.  Coming out of it should be a trapezoid shaped plug with three wires. This is your the wiring harness, and you will have to remove this.  The plug is secured using either a metal clip, plastic catch, or in some cases, a screw cap.  With a metal clip, just pull it up and off.  Keep a good grip on it because if it drops, it will likely never be seen again.  With a plastic catch, there will be a little lever that extends from the top of the plug. Using your thumb, just depress the lever while pulling the plug out.  If happen to have a screw cap, simply unscrew the cap turning it counter-clockwise.

Step 2: Removing the Burned Out Headlight Bulb

 

With the wiring out of the way, you can now remove the old burned up headlight bulb. Holding the base (where your wiring harness had been plugged in) pull the bad bulb out. it should slide out pretty easily, but there may still be a few requiring you to rotate the bulb a little bit in order to release it.

Mechanic Tip: 

You really should handle the new bulb very carefully.  Be sure that you use a clean rag or cloth when touching the bulb.  If they touch the glass bulb, the oils in our skin can cause your new bulb to burn out VERY quickly. You should only touch the glass bulb when necessary and using a rag, tissue or cloth to prevent transferring these oils.

Step 3: Installing a New Headlight Bulb

 

Holding the bulb by only the plug end, insert it into the back of the headlight where you  just removed the old one.  Be sure it has been completely inserted and that your bulb’s rubber gasket is no longer visible.  Everything should now be lined up as it should be.

Step 4: Re-Securing your Headlight Wiring Harness

 

You’re now ready to plug the wiring harness back in.  Remember how simple it was to remove? Simply re-attach the plug and replace the clip, catch or screw top.  It is as easy as reversing the removal directions above.  Once that is all finished, you are too!  All that is left is to turn those lights on, stand back and admire your work!

Like I said earlier, if you lack confidence in your auto repair skills, do not attempt to perform auto repairs yourself.  Safety (should) always come first. If you don’t feel secure in your ability to make a repair, do not try it.  

For questions or for us to perform this auto repair for you, get in touch now and schedule your appointment.  Sanford’s Automotive Service cares about our customers: we are always here to serve all of your vehicle maintenance and auto repair needs.