Silver Porsche 911 on the workshop floor beside a white Audi SUV raised on a hoist

Open Mon to Fri 9am to 6pm, Sat by appointment only

Car repairs and modifications in Lawnton

Mechanical repairs and upgrades with tidy workmanship

From a noisy wheel bearing to an enthusiast's project, we explain the job, send a video and fix only what you've approved.

5.0 Google rating · 184 reviews
  • 20+ years of hands-on experience
  • Everyday cars to enthusiast cars
  • Old parts shown after the job
  • Fully licensed and insuredSafety certificates, COI and air con
  • 20+ years experienceTrusted by Brisbane families
  • 5.0 from 184 Google reviewsReal reviews from real customers
  • All makes and modelsIncluding Euro cars and diesel

Repairs and modifications

When something breaks, or you want more from your car

Repairs cover the jobs that fall outside a scheduled service: cooling system and oil leaks, worn bearings, starting and charging faults, and much more. Some appear suddenly. Others turn up during a service and are best fixed before they get worse.

Brisbane conditions find the weak spots. Cooling systems work hardest in long summer queues on Anzac Avenue, and rubber hoses and seals age faster in heat and humidity. A small coolant weep in spring can turn into an overheating car by January.

Modifications are changes to how a car looks or performs, from enthusiast projects to practical upgrades for work utes and 4WDs. Before we start, we talk through what you want, what suits your car and whether it could affect your registration or insurance.

Worn wheel bearing hub and CV joint beside the new parts on a workshop bench

What we work on

Repairs and modifications we handle

If it's mechanical and on a car, ute or 4WD, there's a good chance we can help. These are common jobs.

  • Cooling system

    Radiators, hoses, water pumps and thermostats. Overheating is one of the most common summer breakdowns in Brisbane.

  • Oil and fluid leaks

    We trace the leak back to its source, often a seal or gasket, instead of just cleaning it up.

  • Starting and charging

    Batteries, alternators and starter motors. Heat shortens battery life more than cold does.

  • Bearings and driveline

    Humming wheel bearings, clicking CV joints (the flexible joints on the drive shafts) and worn mounts.

  • Engine mechanical

    Belts, ignition parts and other engine repairs, explained clearly before any work begins.

  • Exhaust and hangers

    Rattles, leaks and broken hangers, common on utes that use the gravel roads out towards Dayboro.

  • Enthusiast and older cars

    Sorting faults and keeping performance and older cars in good, reliable order.

  • Sensible modifications

    Upgrades for everyday cars, utes and 4WDs, discussed openly so you know what's involved.

Warning signs

Signs it's time for a repair

Cars usually warn you before something fails. Catching it early can keep a small job small.

  1. Temperature gauge creeping up

    If it nears the red, pull over and call us. Driving hot can damage the engine.

  2. Drips under the car

    Green or pink is often coolant. Brown or black is often oil.

  3. Slow to start

    A tired battery or starter often shows up first on a cool winter morning.

  4. Hum that rises with speed

    A classic sign of a worn wheel bearing.

  5. Clicking on tight turns

    Often a worn CV joint, most noticeable in car parks and roundabouts.

  6. Burning smell

    Could be oil dripping on a hot exhaust or a slipping clutch. Have it checked soon.

Clean engine bay after serviceGrimy engine bay before service

Before and after

The difference tidy work makes

Left: a white ute's engine bay coated in grime. Right: the same bay clean, which makes leaks and wear far easier to spot.

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How it works

How we handle a repair or modification

  1. 1

    Talk it through

    Describe the fault or the change you want. For modifications, we discuss your goals and road legality first.

  2. 2

    Diagnose or plan

    We find the cause of the fault, or plan the parts and steps for your modification.

  3. 3

    Video and price

    You get a video of the problem or the plan, along with the cost, so you can decide.

  4. 4

    Complete and test

    We do the approved work with good quality parts, test it and show you the parts we removed.

Why DreamWorks

A real tradesperson's approach to repairs

Trust matters most with repairs, because you can't always see what's been done.

  • Approval comes first

    If we find more once we've started, we stop and send you a video before going any further.

  • Old parts in your hand

    You see the worn or broken part we took out and what went wrong with it.

  • 20+ years on the tools

    Experience across small cars, SUVs, utes, 4WDs, European cars, hybrids and enthusiast cars.

  • Fair prices, good parts

    We charge fairly and fit good quality parts suited to the job.

From our Google reviews

“What a great service had 2 cars overdue for service Nissan Xtrail and Np300 Navara. Even received a video link showing what needed to be followed up with before we had arrived to pick up the car. Went ahead with repairs car drives like a new one.”

Glen

“Recently had my Ralliart in for a turbo upgrade and couldn’t be any more happy. Not only was the work done professionally and fast the service was absolutely amazing, would recommend him to anyone anyday.”

Low

Modifications and repairs questions

Your questions, answered

Do you work on enthusiast and older cars?

Yes. We look after enthusiast and older cars as well as everyday ones. Tell us about your car when you book so we can plan the job properly.

What modifications do you do?

We handle general modifications for everyday cars, utes, 4WDs and enthusiast cars. Every car and every goal is different, so call us on 0488 059 878 to talk through what you have in mind.

Do you carry out mechanical repairs on diesel utes and 4WDs?

Yes, we carry out general mechanical repairs on diesel utes and 4WDs, including the work vehicles that cover big kilometres around Moreton Bay. We diagnose the problem properly before we start, so you're paying to fix the cause rather than guessing at parts. If we find a job that needs specialist equipment, we tell you upfront and explain your options.

Will a modification affect my registration or insurance?

It can. Some changes need approval or certification in Queensland, and most insurers want to know about modifications. We'll tell you if a change could raise questions, but check with TMR and your insurer before going ahead.

What if you find more problems during a repair?

We stop and tell you. You'll get a video showing what we found and what it would cost to fix. We only continue with your approval.

What parts do you use?

Good quality parts that suit your car and the job. If there's a choice that affects the price or how long the part lasts, we explain it and let you decide.

My car is overheating. Should I keep driving?

If the gauge is near the red or steam is coming from under the bonnet, pull over safely and turn the engine off. Driving an overheating engine can cause expensive damage. Call us and we'll talk through your options.

Book an appointment

Tell us what your car needs fixed

Book a repair or a chat about your modification. We'll explain the job and the cost before any work begins.

Call 0488 059 8780488 059 878
DreamWorks Automotive shopfront at Unit 4, 5 Leanne Crescent, Lawnton