What we cover
Truck and SUV services we handle in Mays Landing, NJ
Ford trucks and SUVs
F-150, F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, Ranger, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Expedition, Excursion, Explorer. The 10R80 ten-speed transmission has a real service interval. EcoBoost cooling and intake-valve carbon are recurring topics on the turbo V6 platforms. Diesel Power Stroke trucks go to a dedicated diesel specialist, and we will point you to one.
Common examples: F-150, F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty service, 10R80 ten-speed transmission fluid service, EcoBoost intake-valve carbon and cooling-system service, Bronco, Ranger, Expedition, Excursion repair
Chevy, GMC, Ram, and Jeep trucks and SUVs
Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500HD, Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500HD, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL, Colorado, Canyon, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Wrangler JK / JL / JT Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, Cherokee. AFM lifter wear on the 5.3L V8, Hemi MDS lifter wear, ZF 8HP fluid service, and Jeep death-wobble track-bar work all in-house. Diesel Cummins and Duramax trucks go to a dedicated diesel specialist, and we will point you to one.
Common examples: Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon service, Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 Hemi service (Cummins diesel referred out), Wrangler JK / JL / JT Gladiator death-wobble correction, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Cherokee service
Toyota, Nissan, Honda trucks and SUVs
Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, Titan, Frontier, Pathfinder, Armada, Ridgeline, Passport, Pilot. Body-on-frame frame inspection on older Tacomas and Tundras. AISIN automatic fluid service. Nissan VK56 and VQ40 platforms supported. Honda Pilot and Ridgeline AWD service with Dual Pump Fluid II for the rear PTU.
Common examples: Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, Sequoia, Land Cruiser service, Titan, Frontier, Pathfinder, Armada service, Ridgeline, Passport, Pilot AWD service, Body-on-frame frame inspection on older platforms
4WD, AWD, tow-package, and severe-duty maintenance
Transfer case service to the platform-specific fluid spec. Limited-slip and locking differential service with the correct friction modifier. Trailer brake controller programming, trailer wiring continuity, hitch receiver inspection, and GCWR checks against the vehicle spec. Severe-duty oil, transmission, brake, and bearing intervals.
Common examples: 4WD diagnosis (transfer case actuator, encoder motor, front diff disconnect), Transfer case fluid service to manufacturer spec, Trailer brake controller programming and wiring continuity, Severe-duty fluid, brake, and bearing intervals
Symptom-to-cause map for truck and SUV faults
Heavier vehicles with heavier duty cycles eat brakes, fluids, bearings, and suspension parts faster than passenger cars. The pattern usually narrows the diagnosis before the truck reaches the lift.
4WD or AWD will not engage
Most common 4WD complaint. On modern trucks usually points to the transfer case actuator, the encoder motor, the front differential disconnect, or a wiring or sensor problem. Scanner first, then the lift, then the actual repair.
Death wobble on a Wrangler
JK, JL, or JT Gladiator. Hit a bump at highway speed and the front end shakes violently until the driver slows down. Cause is usually a worn track bar, steering damper, or alignment issue. Sometimes a combination. Fixable on every generation when caught.
Ticking or misfire at idle on a Hemi or 5.3L AFM V8
Hemi MDS and GM AFM both deactivate cylinders under light load. Both systems have documented lifter failure issues on high-mileage engines. Caught early the engine can usually be saved. Caught late it becomes a top-end rebuild.
Transmission slip or hard shift under load
Climbing the Atlantic City Expressway grade with a trailer, or pulling out of a stoplight loaded. Slip or harsh shift on a 10R80, 8L90, 6L80, ZF 8HP, or AISIN automatic. Often fluid condition, sometimes valve body, sometimes a worn clutch pack. Diagnosis first, repair second.
Coolant temperature climbing under tow
Tow with the EcoBoost, Hemi, or 5.3L on a hot day up the Expressway and the gauge climbs. Cooling system is doing two jobs at once: engine and transmission. Radiator condition, fan clutch or electric fan operation, thermostat, water pump, and auxiliary trans cooler all get checked.
New whine or hum from an axle that builds with speed
Worn wheel bearing, worn pinion bearing, or low gear-oil level in a differential. Pitch tracks with wheel speed, not engine RPM. Caught early, the bearing replacement is straightforward; caught late, the whole carrier may need rebuild.
Brake pads thin enough to squeal on a loaded truck
Heavy contractor truck or a tow-prepped F-250 wears pads and rotors faster than the same chassis driven empty. Stock fleet pads often do not match the duty cycle. Severe-duty pad compound and matching rotor service extends life.
Catalytic converter or emissions code on a Silverado or F-150
Cat failures on F-150 and Silverado platforms show up regularly, both age-related and theft-related. As a licensed NJ inspection station, the shop can diagnose, repair, and re-inspect what an MVC inspection station flagged.
Death wobble, transmission slip under load, or 4WD failure to engage: same-day call. Slowly building axle whine or schedule-confirmation visit: 7-day call.
Truck and SUV repair for Mays Landing and Atlantic County drivers
Kneble's Auto Service Center is family-owned and woman-owned at 5473 Somers Point Road in Mays Landing since 1981. Service area covers Mays Landing, Hamilton Township, Egg Harbor Township, Folsom, Buena Vista, Atlantic County, and the broader South Jersey shore. South Jersey trucks do real work: boat tows down to Ocean City and LBI, contractor payload on the Atlantic City Expressway and the Black Horse Pike, beach-day runs to Brigantine and Margate, and the daily mix of short trips and stop-and-go shore traffic that puts almost every full-size truck and SUV here on the severe-duty schedule.
Helpful details to mention
- 4WD or AWD will not engage from the dash button, lever, or vacuum-actuated hub system
- Death wobble on a Wrangler JK, JL, or JT after hitting an Expressway expansion joint
- Transmission slip or hard shift under tow load, or coolant climbing on a steep grade
Customer proof
Service was performed quickly and the Kneble Team provided great communication throughout the visit.Robert Orzechowski, Google review
Questions before scheduling?
Talk with us about Truck and SUV Repair
Tell us what you drive, what you are noticing, and when you would like to come in. We will help you choose the right next step.
Service guide
Truck and SUV Repair Service Guide
Use this guide to review service factors, related videos, local driving conditions, and questions to ask before scheduling service.
In this guide
01 of 05, Why trucks
Why trucks and SUVs run on a different maintenance schedule
Every owner manual lists two schedules. Most full-size truck and SUV owners belong on the severe-duty one. The schedule confirmation happens on the first visit, and the reasoning gets explained in plain English at the counter.
Read more about Why trucks and SUVs run on a different maintenance schedule
What "severe duty" actually means
Manufacturers define severe duty in fairly consistent terms across Ford, GM, Toyota, Ram, and Jeep. The vehicle is on the severe schedule when it tows a trailer, camper, or boat; hauls payload above the half-load mark; drives in stop-and-go traffic in heat (shore traffic in summer counts); drives on dusty or unpaved roads; or takes a lot of short trips where the engine never reaches full operating temperature. Two or more of those means severe-duty.
Intervals that shorten on the severe schedule
Engine oil. Transmission fluid. Differential and transfer case fluid. Brake pads and rotors. Coolant and transmission cooler service. Wheel bearings. The specific mileage numbers vary by make, model, and engine. The manufacturer service guide for the specific truck gets pulled and followed.
How the schedule gets decided on a first visit
Bring the truck in for the complimentary vehicle inspection. Use-case interview, wear-pattern review, fluid-condition check. The schedule confirmation comes out the other side. No upsell on fluid that does not need changing.
02 of 05, Truck and
Truck and SUV makes the shop services
Every full-size and mid-size truck and body-on-frame SUV in common circulation. Eight bays, foreign and domestic together, ASE-certified technicians.
Read more about Truck and SUV makes the shop services
Ford trucks and SUVs
F-150, F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, Ranger, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Expedition, Excursion, Explorer. The 10R80 ten-speed transmission has a real service interval and a cooler that needs attention when towing with the EcoBoost. EcoBoost intake-valve carbon comes up regularly on the turbo V6 platforms.
Chevy and GMC trucks and SUVs
Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500HD, Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500HD, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL, Colorado, Canyon. The 5.3L V8 with Active Fuel Management has documented lifter failure issues; caught early, the engine can usually be saved. 6L80, 8L90, and 10L80 transmissions all want fresh fluid on the severe schedule.
Toyota trucks and SUVs
Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, Sequoia, Land Cruiser. Body-on-frame chassis means frame inspection is part of every visit on older Tacomas and Tundras. AISIN automatics are stout but still benefit from fluid service on the severe-duty interval.
Ram, Jeep, Nissan, Honda
Ram 1500, 2500, 3500 (Hemi; Cummins diesel referred out). Wrangler JK / JL / JT Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, Cherokee. Nissan Titan, Frontier, Pathfinder, Armada. Honda Ridgeline, Passport, Pilot. Hemi MDS lifter wear, ZF 8HP transmission service, Jeep death-wobble correction, and Pilot AWD Dual Pump Fluid II service all in-house.
Tell us what changed, when it started, and what you drive. We can help decide whether to start with an inspection, alignment check, or related repair.
03 of 05, Systems that
Systems that wear faster on trucks and SUVs
Heavier vehicles with heavier duty cycles eat brakes, fluids, bearings, and suspension parts faster than passenger cars. The repair pattern follows the duty cycle.
Read more about Systems that wear faster on trucks and SUVs
Transmission and transfer case
Trucks work their transmissions hard. Towing, hauling, and big tires all add load and heat. Fluid-and-filter service on automatics, full flush when warranted, clutch service on manual trucks. The transmission service page has the full breakdown.
Differentials and 4WD or AWD systems
Every 4WD truck has a transfer case plus front and rear differentials. AWD SUVs add a center differential or a coupling. Gear oil in all of these breaks down faster on the severe schedule. The drivetrain and differential service page covers the full process, and the transfer case fluid change page goes deeper on the multi-make fluid specs.
Brakes, cooling, suspension, steering, bearings
Brake pads on a heavily-loaded contractor truck wear faster than on the same chassis driven empty. Cooling system does two jobs when towing (engine plus transmission); auxiliary trans coolers add a third leg. Lifted, leveling-kit, and tow-prepped trucks all stress shocks and struts differently than stock. Full-size steering linkage takes a beating from potholes, payload, and big tires. Bigger tires plus heavier hub loads equal faster wheel bearing wear.
Engine work and emissions
V8 truck engines have their own quirks: Hemi MDS, GM AFM, Ford EcoBoost carbon. Catalytic converters on F-150s and Silverados fail more often than on cars. As an NJ State Inspection Station the shop can diagnose and repair emissions issues that the NJ MVC inspection station flagged. Engine repair and emissions system services.
04 of 05, 4WD, AWD
4WD, AWD, and tow-package work
Every drivetrain layout: RWD, 4WD with a transfer case, full-time AWD, locking or limited-slip differentials. Tow packages add their own service items.
Read more about 4WD, AWD, and tow-package work
Diagnosing 4WD or AWD problems
The most common 4WD complaint is "it will not engage." On modern trucks that usually points to the transfer case actuator, the encoder motor, the front differential disconnect, or a wiring or sensor problem. Scanner first to pull the code, then the lift to verify.
Locking and limited-slip differential service
Limited-slip and locking differentials need the correct gear oil with the correct friction modifier. The wrong fluid causes chatter and accelerated wear. Manufacturer-spec fluid every time.
Tow-package items
Trailer brake controller programming, trailer wiring continuity, hitch receiver inspection, gross combined weight checks against vehicle spec. All of it. Tow-prepped trucks get the cooling system and transmission service intervals checked at the same visit.
When the dealer is the right call
Some work belongs at the dealer: open recalls, warranty repairs, certain proprietary calibrations. The customer hears that directly when it applies. Most routine and major repair work on trucks does not need the dealer, and the shop rate sits below the dealer rate.
Tell us the year, make, model, and what you are noticing, and we will say what to check first.
05 of 05, NJ State
NJ State Inspection for trucks and SUVs
The shop is an authorized NJ State Inspection Center. Trucks and SUVs under 8,500 lb GVWR get inspected here. The longer NJ inspection process is on the NJ State Inspection page.
Read more about NJ State Inspection for trucks and SUVs
What actually fails the sticker
For trucks under 8,500 lb GVWR the NJ inspection is emissions-only: catalytic converter, EVAP, and O2-sensor codes, or readiness monitors that have not completed. Brakes, lighting, and tires no longer fail the state sticker, but a tow-prepped or loaded contractor truck still needs them right, so we check them on the same visit. Emissions repairs get quoted in writing, and the truck can be re-inspected here once the work is complete.
After-hours drop-off for contractors
After-hours key drop is available for owner-operators and small fleets that cannot lose a daytime shift. Call ahead to coordinate so the truck goes straight on the schedule the next morning.
Call the shop or request an appointment and include the vehicle year, make, model, mileage, and symptoms.
FAQs
Truck and SUV Repair FAQs
Do I follow the normal or severe-duty maintenance schedule?
Most full-size truck and SUV owners in South Jersey belong on severe-duty. Towing, hauling above the half-load mark, stop-and-go shore traffic in summer heat, dusty or unpaved roads, and frequent short trips that never let the engine reach operating temperature all qualify. Two or more of those means severe-duty. The schedule confirmation happens on the first visit with the manufacturer service guide for the specific truck.
Do you work on diesel trucks?
No. We do not service diesel vehicles. Power Stroke (Ford Super Duty), Duramax (GM HD), and Cummins (Ram HD) all go to a dedicated diesel specialist. Tell us what the truck is doing and we will point you to one we trust.
Can you diagnose 4WD that will not engage?
Yes. Transfer case actuators, encoder motors, front differential disconnects, and the wiring and sensors that feed them. Scan tool first to pull the actual code, then the lift to verify the failed component.
How much does a transmission service cost on a truck?
Pricing depends on the platform, the fluid spec, and whether a fluid-and-filter service or a full flush is appropriate for the unit. Call (609) 625-3286 with the year, make, and model and a written estimate goes out the same day.
Are you faster than the dealer on truck work?
Usually yes. There is no dealer service-write backlog here, and most routine and major work does not require dealer-only tooling or proprietary calibration. The shop is direct on when the dealer is the right call (open recalls, certain factory calibrations, warranty work) and routes the customer there when it is.
Do you align trucks with lift kits or leveling kits?
Yes. Lift kits often require after-market upper control arms to hit factory camber spec. Leveling kits change ride height enough to push toe and camber out of spec. The alignment hits the after-market spec sheet when one applies, and the shop confirms which after-market parts are installed before the work starts.
My Wrangler has death wobble. Can you fix it?
Yes. Death wobble on JK, JL, and JT Gladiator platforms is usually a worn track bar, steering damper, or alignment issue, sometimes a combination. The inspection identifies which component is causing the resonance, and the repair holds.
Do you offer pickup, drop-off, or after-hours key drop?
After-hours drop-off is available. A ride can usually be arranged when the job will take longer than a few hours. Call (609) 625-3286 to coordinate before bringing the truck in.
Further information
Learn more about Truck and SUV Repair
Use these related articles and videos to compare symptoms, maintenance timing, warning signs, and questions to ask before scheduling service.
Local shop
Visit Kneble's in Mays Landing
5473 Somers Point Road, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Kneble's Auto Service Center is located at 5473 Somers Point Road, Mays Landing, NJ 08330 and serves drivers throughout Atlantic County and South Jersey.
- Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm
- Saturday 8am to 4pm
- Sunday Closed
Reviews
Trusted by South Jersey drivers
Customers come to Kneble's for clear communication, practical recommendations, and repairs handled by a local team they can reach directly.
Friendly receptionist. In and out within 45 mins.
Janet Jackson, Google review
Service was performed quickly and the Kneble Team provided great communication throughout the visit.
Robert Orzechowski, Google review
Excellent quick service by personable staff and very qualified techs at a reasonable charge.
Glenn Peterson, Google review
Very good service here. Treated us very well. Great conversation with Carmen.
Gary Mazzone, Google review