Brake repair service near Gages Lake, IL

NorthWest Auto & Tire is one of the few auto repair shops that still offers "Full Service." Services range from lube, oil and filter work from $24.95 with online coupon, to diagnosing today's complex computer-controlled fuel injection systems. We also specialize in emission control systems.

NEW MANAGEMENT - SAME PROBLEMS - 10 yr+ Firestone Lake Zurich customer (no longer, I will go next door from now on) that is completely feed up with this store’s upsell/extortion practices. I am a 57 year old gear-head/electrical engineer. I bought a “lifetime alignment” for my car and over the last few years have had to use this “lifetime” Firestone service a few times. During my ownership of this car I have had failures of both front struts (1 with a leak, 1 with a broken top bearing mount) and both CV axles (1 worn and clicking on turns, and 1 with sliced boot/throwing grease). These repairs THAT I PERFORMED required me to take the car in to have the front end “alignment” checked. On several occasions alignment was “checked” and no adjustment was required. During the last replacement of the passenger CV axle (November) I took the car in and asked that they change the oil, and check the alignment. Several hours later they call me and say that they cannot do the alignment (ever so slightly out) because they cannot loosen the tie rod ends because they are “rusted” in place. They said that unless I paid additional “Shop Fees” for them to loosen the rusted parts, or bought all new parts they could not do the alignment. I was not happy with their solution, told them so, and said I would “loosen” the tie rods for them when I got some time off during the December Holiday and bring it back. It took me 3 minutes per side with a propane torch and penetrating oil to loosen both sides. I again dropped the car off again, and asked for an alignment check. A few hours later they call and their story changes: Now one of my tie rod ends, and one of my control arm ball joints needs to be replaced in order for them to perform an alignment. I asked why they did not see these “alignment stopping problems” in November (no response), and was it possible to see what they were talking about. (The car drives like a DREAM! -no clicks/ticks/squeaks/creaks/pops…NO NOISE …NOTHING!) The mechanic (very nice guy) showed me an almost indiscernible (few 1000ths of an inch) play in each part as he vigorously shook the wheel while up on the rack with me looking, and using his Maglite. I was taken aback. This tiny amount of play is completely normal for a used car (110K) which obeys the natural laws of physics and material properties. A few 1000ths play in NO WAY indicates a part needing immediate replacement, or preventing alignment. FIRESTONE has now “entered” in their computer that an alignment CANNOT happen until these parts are replaced.

I went to get my oil changed and the guy doing the oil change told me about my brakes he was vary nice took me in the shop and showed me what was wrong and why.The price i got was cheaper than anyone else i got new pads rotors and calipers serviced for under 200.00 the brakes have not gave me any problems.The mechanic did a great job now i bring all my cars to them.

I had brought my vehicle into meineke on september 24,2012 and it was a amazing experience. I have had the oddest symptom of when i hit my brakes the right rear reverse light would light up and when i would use the right turn signal it would flash the brake light. I had brought my vehicle to 4 "top notch"diagnosticians" in Mchenry county for my s-10. At a very fair charge of 35 dollars their ASE certified technician Dustin looked over the entire care first to make sure it was safe and maintained,which I appreciated very much. Because of this inspection he had caught that my front brakes where with in miles of grinding and I had no wear indicator on the pads and he saved my rotor and money. Not only this but he did it at a fair price and more importantly correctly. he also found that i had a exhaust hole before my catalytic and 02 sensor which gave me no code but had explained why my vehicle was running odd with no check engine light which he repaired easily. What I was most impressed with is that out of 4 other shops trying to find this electrical problem Dustin looked at my brake light and found and fixed the problem in 10 minutes. All it was is a ground wire to the frame that was corroded and he tells me it was using any ground available which after a new crimp and a clean mount my turn signal,back up lights and brakes all worked just like new. Not only this but they were as bright as they were suppose to be. I found out that The technicians Dave and Dustin are new to the company and also Meineke is also under new ownership and management. I will send all my friends and family her for life. They also showed me my maintenance intervals from a program call AL data,I think it was called, and he really took the time to give me the best of his ability of informed consent of why and when these should be done. Please go to this shop and realize the old owners gave that location a bad name but now its all new people and i am amazed at the service. Thank you Meineke, I wi

Automatic and standard foreign and domestic transmissions Front and rear differentials, transfer cases and all other automotive needs