On a road trip, the only thing more annoying than your kids chanting “are we there yet” is a constant rattle that won’t seem to go away. Rattles are irritating, and they can also indicate a much more serious issue. The key to solving rattle problems is systematic diagnosis (identifying when the rattle occurs, then … Read more
Nothing ruins a peaceful drive quite like a constant whistling noise that seems to be coming from somewhere in your car. While annoying, it could also mean there’s a much bigger problem. Let’s look at the most common causes according to where the noise is likely coming from and how to properly track down and … Read more
Have you been hearing strange noises from under your car while accelerating or taking turns? Those clunks, clicks, or grinding sounds might be coming from your drive shaft. Its purpose is to transfer power from your transmission to the wheels, and when it starts making noise, it’s telling you that something’s wrong. Let’s look at … Read more
That sudden rattling sound coming from underneath your car whenever you hit a bump can be more than just annoying. It may be that there’s a serious mechanical issue that needs attention. Many drivers ignore these noises, hoping they’ll go away on their own. But doing that can cause a minor repair to turn into … Read more
Hearing a strange humming sound from your car can be both frustrating and worrying. Is it safe to keep driving? How much will it cost to fix? While car noises can be tricky to diagnose, a humming sound typically points to a specific set of problems. Some are quick and cheap fixes, while others might … Read more
Do you have a noisy, rattly engine? Perhaps you hear a rhythmic ticking noise coming from under the hood. No matter the type of unusual sound, one’s thoughts automatically begin to turn toward impending engine failure and the headache such an issue might cause. Sometimes ticking is normal and expected. Sometimes a tick needs to … Read more
Windshield wipers are cheap and simple components that are often overlooked during basic maintenance. When it starts raining after a long sunny stretch, you want to make sure your windshield wipers work properly so you’re able to see out of the windshield. If your windshield wipers start squeaking or skipping one day, you’ll want to … Read more
The timing chain is an important component because it keeps the camshaft and crankshaft connected and synchronized as they rotate. If you’ve ever seen a bicycle chain before, the timing chain looks very similar. There are several pulleys and gears which provide power to the camshaft, crankshaft, and other mechanical components of the system. The … Read more
Cars are equipped with front and rear wheel bearings. In fact, any machine with moving wheels is likely going to have wheel bearings. In vehicles, wheel bearings reduce the amount of friction in the spinning wheels. Otherwise, if you were to have a lot of friction, there would be a lot of heat generated in … Read more
Does your car make an awful squealing noise that likely wakes up the neighbors when you first start it up on cold mornings? Maybe it happens when you’re accelerating from a stop light or driving through a puddle? It’s likely your serpentine belt. The squealing noise isn’t just embarrassing, it’s a sign that can help … Read more