When working correctly, the power steering system in your car is quite remarkable, allowing pretty much anyone to handle an enormous steel machine as it zooms along at high speeds or navigates around tight corners.

As such, when you have a power steering problem you'll probably notice the difference. Symptoms include sluggish steering response, leaking hydraulic fluid under the vehicle and difficulty turning the steering wheel. Regular servicing is the best way to prevent problems, but if you notice anything amiss, contact Col Harris Automotive ASAP to get it checked out. We are located in West Ryde and serve many customers in the surrounding areas as well.

Top Quality: As a part of the Repco Authorised Service network all of the work Col Harrison Automotive perform is backed by a Nationwide Warranty. 

The Right Parts: Col Harrison Automotive have access to the vast Repco spare parts network which means we can find the right part for your car, at the right price - fast. 

Fully Trained: Our mechanics are kept up to date with modern vehicle technology via the National Auto-tech program. We are well versed in diagnostic and service techniques for many different makes and models. 

All Services: From a fleet of vehicles to the much loved family car, Col Harrison Automotive are here for you.

For expert Power Steering Services backed by a Nationwide Warranty and at a competitive price, contact us at Col Harrison Automotive. We are located at 924 Victoria Road and service customers in West Ryde and the surrounding areas.

Get more useful information in Repco's Power Steering Auto Facts Video

Sluggish steering response, leaking hydraulic fluid under the vehicle and difficulty turning the steering wheel could all point to a problem with your Power Steering...

Power Steering Service in West Ryde

Its never a good idea to gamble with your safety. When thinking of brake systems, it is a bad idea to ignore them until brake repairs become crucial.

Your car's various braking systems play an important role in keeping you and your family safe while driving and it is important to make sure your car is in a safe and working order. 

Odd noises and abnormal behaviours while braking might not seem to be an immediate cause for concern, but braking safely is not something you should gamble with. Stopping power is at it's most important when you need to stop in an emergency situation and your brakes need to be performing at their best when you really need them.

We recommend getting your brakes checked out if you notice anything out of the ordinary, just to be on the safe side. Odd sounds and behaviours may be signs of very serious problems which, if not attended to, could have significant repercussions, not the least of which is brake failure. 

Routine inspection as part of our 65 Point Vehicle Inspection report, which is included with any full car service handled by Col Harrison Automotive, are important in making certain your brakes are prepared to stop you in time. Our expert service team can be relied on to inform you when they feel that servicing or repairs of the brakes are necessary before it turns into a costly issue.

Brake services available at Col Harrison Automotive include:

Rotor And Drum/Brake Disc Resurfacing or Machining

Common brake problems Col Harrison Automotive encounter

Brake pedal goes lower than it used to, even all the way to the floor - this usually means you are losing pressure in your system somewhere, such as the brake lines, the master cylinder or your wheel cylinders 

Brake pedal seems "spongy" - this usually means you have air in your brake lines. The brake lines will need to be inspected for leaks, drained then refilled with brake fluid 

Brake pedal is hard to push down - you probably have a problem with your brake's power booster. This is a component designed to boost the force you apply to the brake pedal to the level needed to stop the car 

Your brakes make a squealing sound, especially when stopping short - there are several possible causes for this kind of noise but it often means your brake pads need replacing. The brake pads press into the wheels and use the resulting friction to bring them to a stop. The same friction measns that brake pads will wear out over time 

The steering wheel shudders when you brake - this probably means that the rotors (on the front brakes) or drums (on the back brakes) have worn or warped unevenly. These may need to be machined back into shape or in some cases may need to be replaced 

The car pulls to one side when you brake - this is an indication that a brake on one side of the car is not working properly. The car will pull to the side of the brake that IS working correctly because that is the one doing all the work. There could be any number of reasons one brake is not working correctly, some common causes include leaks in your brake lines, a problem with pistons, wheel cylinders or the brake pads 

Get more information about Brake Services from Repco Authorised Service Here.

If you have any warning signals that your brakes might need a service or repair it's simple to book online to get your brakes checked via our West Ryde car service workshop today.

Organise a Brake Service in West Ryde NSW. For immediately superior braking performance insist on next generation Repco RCT pads and a nationwide warranty …

Brake Service in West Ryde

There should never be a rumbling, groaning or grinding sound coming from the wheels of your car, nor any vibration through the steering wheel (unless of course you are driving over corrugated roads!). 

Wheel bearing issues usually come about due to poorly sealed bearings or lack of lubrication. Worn bearings can be very dangerous as they do have the potential of collapse, causing the wheel to detach from the car.

 If left unchecked they can also cause uneven wear on the tyres, will impact your control and stopping power and cause excessive noise and vibration in the car, leading to a far less comfortable driving experience. 

For emergency repairs or regular maintenance of your wheel bearings, visit Col Harrison Automotive in West Ryde today.

Peace of mind: Not only are Col Harrison Automotive a Repco Authorised Service Centre, our mechanics have over 20 years of combined experience. From large jobs to small, you know you are in good hands with our expert mechanics 

Ongoing Training: As part of the Repco family, Col Harrison Automotive mechanics are offered training seminars and received service bulletins about the latest diagnostic equipment and vehicle upgrades. We also have access to a nationwide network of mechanics to help troubleshoot & diagnose all manner of car service issues 

Friendly Service: We are not just a shop, but a locally owned and operated community of mechanics who are looking out for our neighbours

A Col Harrison Automotive Wheel Bearing Service may include any of the following (where applicable); 

Repacking and adjustment of wheel bearings 

Wheel bearing failure: symptoms and causes

The wheels on your vehicle should operate in a smooth manner, regardless of surfaces and speeds. When there is damage to the wheel bearings or lubrication is not sufficient, friction will begin to build up and the drive is no longer as smooth as it should be.

 Friction can create excessive heat and over time can actually break down the wheel bearings and cause wear and tear on the axle.

Symptoms of wheel bearing problems may include;

Pulling of the car to one side or the other 

Col Harrison Automotive mechanics can give you peace of mind by advising you on what is causing excessive noise or vibrations in your vehicle. It may be time to come in and see our skilled mechanics if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms which could be a sign of; 

A damaged or leaking seal on the wheel bearings 

Lack of lubrication in the wheel bearings

For wheel bearing replacements and routine bearing maintenance in and around the West Ryde area, contact the professional car service team at Col Harrison Automotive.

Rumbling groan or grinding noise in car wheels, or excess vibration? Worn or damaged wheel bearings present a safety issue in addition to a considerably less comfortable ride...

Wheel bearing inspection & replacement in West Ryde

Whether your clutch plate, clutch disc or flywheel needs to be replaced, you want to be back on the road fast.

Our West Ryde workshop is able to take care of everything from the smallest bearing problem or full transmission recondition, through to service and clutch replacements.

As a Repco Authorised Service Centre you can rest assured our Service team goes through the highest level of training via Repco Auto-Tech. Col Harrison Automotive perform clutch services, repairs and replacements for all major makes and models, fully backed by an extensive Nationwide Warranty. 

A Col Harrison Automotive Clutch Repair or Service may Include:  

Knowing what is causing unusual vibrations or strange sounds in your car is a crucial first step to solving any clutch issues. If you have experienced any of the following symptoms of potential clutch failure, call Col Harrison Automotive and ask about a Clutch Service. 

Symptoms of problems related to the clutch 

Excessive Engine Revs: A slipping clutch can prevent the clutch disc and clutch flywheel from rotating in unison, which can lead to clutch plate damage

Clutch Vibration: When the clutch is released it should be smooth. If vibrations are evident it could be a sign of a damaged disc, damaged flywheel or loose engine mounts. You should get a mechanic to check it

Noise When Engaging the Clutch Pedal: A loud squeal could indicate that the bearings are damaged. A clutch which grinds when engaging could indicate a problem with the spinning pressure of the clutch disc or flywheel and may directly relate to the throw-out bearing

Car Stalling: If there is an issue switching into neutral after being in gear, up to and including the vehicle stalling, there may be a problem with the hydraulic system not allowing for the correct disengaging of the clutch 

Because of the difference in operation, manual transmissions will wear differently than automatic transmissions. Generally speaking, the type of driving undertaken, frequency of gear changing and the overall amount of time spent driving will all affect the life of both the clutch and transmission. 


Your clutch relies on many different parts such as the pedal, release fork, diaphragm spring, pressure plate, and clutch plate. General wear and tear can affect any of these components and bring the whole system down. Call Col Harrison Automotive for a clutch service to avoid a costly clutch repair later.

Flywheel - stores rotational energy of the engine while the transmission is disengaged

Clutch plate/disk - presses against fly wheel

Pressure plate - pushed into the clutch plate

Throw-out bearing (aka clutch release bearing) - is pressed against the middle of the diaphragm spring to disengage the clutch

Release fork - presses throw-out bearing when clutch pedal is pressed

Diaphragm springs - push pressure plate against clutch disc when foot is off of clutch pedal

Pins (aka studs) - cause the diaphragm spring to pull the pressure plate away from the clutch disc when centre of spring is pushed in - this releases the clutch from the spinning engine

Book your clutch service with the experts at Col Harrison Automotive today!

Clutch service in West Ryde

We can combine our fully qualified expertise and knowledge with our local understanding of the driving conditions in West Ryde to not only make sure your wheels are aligned correctly, but to confirm there are no underlying issues with the technologies behind the wheel that keep you safe on the roads.

The performance of safety systems such as traction, stability control, and  ABS braking systems depend largely on how well the suspension performs, which also depends on how well the wheels are aligned, which then has a direct bearing on how the suspension copes with cornering and braking forces, as well as with sudden steering inputs - phew, that's a long line of follow on effects! But that's why it's important to always have a fully qualified workshop perform your Wheel Alignment. 

Having an alignment procedure done at Col Harrison Automotive means knowing that the root cause of the original wheel alignment problem can be corrected professionally by suitably qualified technicians. Book in today!

Col Harrison Automotive can combine our fully qualified expertise and knowledge with our understanding of local driving conditions to not only make sure your wheels are aligned correctly, but to confirm there are no underlying issues with the technologies behind the wheel that keep you safe on the roads...

Wheel Alignment in West Ryde

Wheel Alignment

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We advise that our workshop will be closed for the Christmas period from the close of business on Friday the 15th of December and reopening on Monday the 8th of January

We wish to advise that we will be closed for the public holiday on the 2nd of October. Apologies for any inconvenience.

We also wish to advise that we will be closed for renovations from COB the 15th of December and reopening on Monday the 8th of January 2024.

Col Harrison Automotive (LIC# MVRL22716) take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times. 
		
Conveniently located in West Ryde, the business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring their technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. 
		
Col Harrison Automotive have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.

Col Harrison Automotive

Wheel Alignment

Related articles

Power steering aint what it used to be

Brake maintenance - What's stopping you

Wheel bearing inspection & replacement

Clutch service in West Ryde