EV Hybrid Service/Services
Mechanical repairs for hybrid and electric cars
A hybrid also has bushes, drop links, shock absorbers and steering that wear out. We repair them here, in the same place we work on the battery and electronics, so you don’t have to shuttle between a “mechanics only” garage and a “hybrids only” one for the same car.
When mechanical work is needed
It is worth coming in when you hear knocks over bumps, the car pulls at the wheel, you feel play in the steering, or you want the suspension checked on the hybrid you are bringing in anyway for a service or battery test.
Knocks over potholes or at low speed
The bushes, track rods, anti-roll bar drop links or shock absorbers may be worn. Cars with batteries are heavy and wear is common; we confirm it on the lift, not by ear.
The car pulls or the steering has play
It may be the alignment, a ball joint, the steering rack or the tyres. We separate the mechanical cause from a seized caliper or wrong tyre pressures.
The tyres wear unevenly
It is the classic sign of wrong alignment or a suspension part with play. On electric cars, weight and high torque also speed up wear. We fix what has play before you throw away a new set of tyres.
Noises that appeared after battery work
Sometimes, after dismantling in the floor or the boot, a trim piece or bracket is left badly seated. We check that before assuming an expensive suspension part.
Why mechanical work at a hybrid workshop
You can have suspension repaired anywhere. The advantage here is that we know how much the battery weighs, where to lift the car without damaging it, and that some “steering” symptoms on hybrids actually come from the brakes.
We lift the car at the right points
On many electric and plug-in cars, the battery sits under the floor. Its casing isn’t designed to carry the car, and a lift pad in the wrong place can distort it, with problems that only show up days or weeks later. We use the manufacturer’s lifting points.
Diagnosis before parts
We don’t replace a “set of arms” on a hunch. We tell you what has play, what is only comfort-related wear and what can wait until the next visit.
Alignment is part of the job
After replacing arms, links or other parts that change the wheel angles, we also do the alignment. It isn’t an extra we forget.
How we work, step by step
We listen to the symptom, check the car on the lift, measure the play, suggest only what is necessary and road-test the car after fitting.
1. You tell us what you hear and when
On what kind of roads the noise appears, whether it is constant or only when cold, and whether the car has recently had work in the floor or on the running gear.
2. Check on the lift
We lift the car at the correct points and check the boots, bushes, links, shock absorbers, springs, steering and any leaks. We note what is urgent and what is only comfort wear.
3. Road test, if needed
Some knocks only appear under load. We reproduce the symptom before ordering parts.
4. We replace only what is worn
We fit the worn parts and follow the manufacturer’s tightening torques.
5. Alignment and final check
We do the alignment where the job requires it, road-test the car again and tell you what we replaced.
What the job can include
The list depends on the symptom. For suspension and steering, the job usually includes:
- Checking the running gear on the lift
- Diagnosing suspension and steering noises
- Replacing bushes, links and ball joints
- Shock absorbers and springs, depending on their condition
- Steering parts: track rod ends, links, boots
- Checking engine and transmission mounts, where relevant
- Wheel alignment after the jobs that need it
- A road test and handover with recommendations
Which makes we do mechanical work on
We work on the hybrids and electric cars we often have in for battery work, and do mechanical repairs on the same models. If you have a rarer model, ask us beforehand.
Typical situations
We will publish real, documented jobs one by one. Until then, here are situations we come across often:
Prius / Corolla Hybrid
Knocks at the front, cracked bushes
We check on the lift, replace the arms or links depending on their condition and do the alignment. The noise goes without automatically replacing the whole running gear.
Hybrid and electric SUVs
Uneven tyre wear, vague steering
The cause may be the track rod ends and alignment. Sometimes it is simply pressure too low for the car’s weight; heavy cars also need tyres with a suitable load index. We check that before parts.
A warranty on our mechanical work
The warranty covers the parts fitted and the labour, under the conditions on the handover sheet.
For what we fitted
If a part we fitted fails too early because of the part or the fitting, we redo the work under warranty.
Roads and use
The warranty doesn’t cover kerb strikes, very deep potholes or accidents. Normal wear remains normal wear.
Alignment included where needed
If we replaced parts that change the wheel angles, the alignment is part of the job.
Frequently asked questions about mechanical repairs
Do you only do mechanical work on hybrids?+
We focus on the cars we have in anyway for electrical work, but suspension and steering are the same trade on any car. If you have a rarer model, we confirm when you book.
Can I combine mechanical work with a service or battery test?+
Yes. It is one of the reasons it pays to come to the same workshop: one visit, several checks on the same car.
Why do tyres wear faster on an electric car?+
Because the battery makes the car heavier, and the strong torque from standstill strains the tyres. Correct pressure and tyres with a suitable load index, sometimes marked HL, matter. We also check the alignment, which can speed up wear.
How long does it take?+
It varies from case to case: it depends on the parts and how quickly we can get them. We give you an estimate once we see what needs replacing.
Is alignment needed after every part replaced?+
After parts that change the wheel angles, yes. After a simple anti-roll bar drop link, sometimes not. We tell you case by case.
Do you supply the parts or can I bring my own?+
We prefer parts we can guarantee. If you bring your own, we discuss their quality and the warranty limits before fitting.
Tell us what you hear or feel at the wheel
Book a check on the lift. We show you what has play and what is worth replacing, with no unnecessary parts on the list.
Book a check