Mastering the Essentials of Brake Repair, Suspension & Steering at Ditmire Motorworks

Ditmire Motorworks • July 21, 2025

When it comes to ensuring the safety and longevity of your vehicle, few components are as critical as your brakes, suspension, and steering. At Ditmire Motorworks in Absecon, NJ, we understand the importance of keeping these systems in top condition. That's why we're committed to providing our customers with expert advice and high-quality service. In this post, we'll explore the fundamentals of brake repair and how maintaining your suspension and steering can enhance your driving experience.

Understanding Brake Repair: Why It Matters

Brakes are an essential safety feature in any vehicle. A well-maintained braking system doesn't just improve your car's performance; it ensures the safety of you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road. At Ditmire Motorworks, we emphasize the significance of regular brake inspections. During these check-ups, we look for signs of wear and tear that might compromise your vehicle's stopping power.

Common Brake Problems

Our experienced technicians often encounter issues such as worn-out brake pads, warped rotors, and leaky brake lines. Addressing these problems promptly prevents further damage and costly repairs down the line. At Ditmire Motorworks, we use top-of-the-line equipment to accurately diagnose and resolve any brake-related concerns.

Signs You Need Brake Repair

We advise our customers to watch for common warning signs of brake trouble, including squeaking noises, reduced responsiveness, and vibrations when braking. If you experience any of these issues, it's crucial to schedule an inspection with us immediately. Our team will perform a thorough assessment to ensure your brakes are functioning perfectly.

The Role of Suspension and Steering in Vehicle Safety

While brakes get a lot of attention, your suspension and steering systems are equally vital to vehicle safety. These components ensure a smooth ride by absorbing road impacts and allowing you to maintain control over your vehicle. At Ditmire Motorworks, we offer comprehensive suspension and steering maintenance services to keep your car's travel comfort intact.

Maintaining Your Suspension System

Your suspension system supports your vehicle's weight, absorbs shocks, and helps maintain proper contact between the tires and the road. Worn suspension components can lead to poor handling, increased tire wear, and even affect braking. Our Absecon-based shop specializes in identifying and repairing suspension issues to ensure your vehicle's optimal performance.

Steering System Check-Ups

Your steering system is your lifeline to maneuverability on the road. Over time, components can wear out or become misaligned, impacting steering precision. Our qualified technicians at Ditmire Motorworks conduct detailed inspections to pinpoint any issues and perform necessary adjustments or replacements to keep your steering system in prime condition.

Why Choose Ditmire Motorworks?

At Ditmire Motorworks, we take pride in our expertise and customer satisfaction. Located conveniently in Absecon, NJ, our auto shop is dedicated to providing personalized service and top-notch automotive care. We believe that informed customers make better decisions about their vehicles, which is why we take the time to explain every repair and maintenance service we recommend.

We invite you to experience the Ditmire Motorworks difference. Whether you're facing brake issues or need a suspension and steering check-up, our friendly team is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and drive with confidence knowing that your vehicle is in expert hands.

By Michael Moeller June 30, 2025
DWI: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH Last year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 13,000 died in car accidents related to driving while intoxicated….and that marked the second consecutive year that this mark was achieved. In 2022, roughly 32% of all traffic-related fatalities were related to DWI, and that number was 31% in 20211. With the “100 most dangerous driving days” (Memorial Day to Labor Day) rapidly approaching, more people are about to be hitting the roads for Summer activities including vacations, and the risk of even one person driving impaired becomes even higher. Recent statistics indicated that the 21-24 (roughly 27% of all traffic-related deaths), 25-34 (roughly 27% of all traffic-related deaths), and 35-44 (roughly 23% of all traffic-related deaths) were responsible for most of the alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the US, but underaged drivers in the 15-20 (17%) were also strongly affected2. In these cases, we’re defining “drunk” as having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of ≥0.08 grams of alcohol/deciliter of blood, but lower concentrations even down to 0.01 are also dangerous3. How much is too much? Well, impairment begins even at very low concentrations. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed across the lining of the stomach and small intestines, and it is accumulated in the bloodstream until it’s metabolized in the liver. Relaxation, loss of visual acuity, and loss of judgement begin to become noticeable at around 0.02. To give you an idea of how 0.02 “feels”, if you’re starting to feel “warm and “happy”, you’re likely around 0.02. By 0.05, you’re feeling relaxed, and “loose” with lower inhibitions. Remember: there have been drinking-related deaths even at 0.01….so get a ride home….call a friend, call a taxi, call an Uber. Don’t take any chances. By 0.08, you’re legally drunk, and you shouldn’t be even thinking about driving. To provide some additional context, 0.15 is around where you are when you’re vomiting or having trouble with your balance3. Folks, we at Ditmire Motorworks genuinely care about your wellbeing! PLEASE think before you drink, and we look forward to many happy years helping you to take care of yourself, your families, and your vehicles! 1. https://madd.org/press-release/more-than-13000-people-died-in-alcohol-related-crashes-for-second-straight-year/#:~:text=More%20than%2013%2C000%20People%20Died,Crashes%20for%20Second%20Straight%20Year&text=WASHINGTON%20(April%205%2C%202024),Traffic%20Safety%20Administration%20(NHTSA). 2. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/drunk-driving-statistics/#:~:text=Drunk%20Driving%20Statistics%20by%20Age,08%20or%20higher. 3. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving wn from a different source.
By Michael Moeller June 25, 2025
Mercedes-Benz has a long history and well-deserved reputation for excellence in safety feature. One of the reasons for this is the tireless work of one man: Bela Barenyi (1907-1997), a Hungarian Engineer who worked for Austria-Fiat, Steyr, and Adler Automobiles before joining the Daimler-Benz team in 1939. By that time, he had already developed an impressive resume, having designed the Volkswagen “Beetle” in 1925. Once at Daimler-Benz, he conceptualized a revolutionary new way of thinking of automobile frames, envisioning a “passenger safety cell” flanked by “crumple zones” designed to compress and absorb the energies involved in collisions through controlled deformations, with the safety cell remaining undeformed. He began work in the late 1940’s on his design, and, by 1951 and with the issuing of Patent 845 157, the passenger safety cell was ready to be realized in commercial automobiles. In 1959, the World got to experience this design in the Mercedes-Benz W 111 Model, called the “Fintail” for its distinctive tail fin look1. Add to this the collapsible steering column, a later invention also credited to Barenyi, and one can see how he earned the title “The Father of Passive Safety”. He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 19942. Although we may take these technologies for granted now, it is significant to realize that, at that time, automobile manufacturers were “steering clear” (pun intended) of safety issues as talking points. Up until the 1970’s, many feared that discussions around car accidents were “deal killers” for auto sales. We can give a lot of credit to men like Bela Barenyi for thinking “ahead of the curve”. 1. https://www.piston.my/2021/09/18/bela-barenyi-the-man-who-made-cars-crumple-to-save-lives/ 2. https://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/bela-barenyi/
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