Dave’s Free Car Repair Advice

Cynthia writes:  I keep hearing a sound like a bird chirping when I drive. It sounds like it’s coming from the front or my wheel. I really can’t tell. I had new brakes put on last November. It’s a Volvo wagon yr 2000.

Cynthia, it may be your brakes which should barely be worn at this point. Then again it may be the sound of wind going through some part of your car.

Does it start at a certain speed and get faster as you speed up or is it constant at any rate you travel? Does it go away or get louder when you press on the brake pedal?

Subject:  Brake Job

Sherri asks:  Hi Dave. We just had our brakes replaced by a non-dealership on our 2006 Ford Escape. While they seem smooth, the brake assist doesn’t seem as active. Could they have missed or messed up something to cause a problem with the brake assist? Thanks in advance.

Sherri, it almost sounds to me like the rear brakes need to be adjusted if they are rear drum brakes and if you have 4 wheel disk then there could be a loose vacuum hose that goes to the assist canister. It is manifold vacuum that helps the power brakes function like they do. If you look under the hood at the canister you will see a large black hose going to the canister and that is the vacuum line I am talking about.

Subject:  Brakes

Cynthia writes:  I keep hearing a sound like a bird chirping when I drive. It sounds like it’s coming from the front or my wheel. I really can’t tell. I had new brakes put on last November. It’s a Volvo wagon yr 2000.

Cynthia, it may be your brakes which should barely be worn at this point.

Then again it may be the sound of wind going through some part of your car.

Trey Writes:  My ABS light is on, what can I do to get it to go off?

Trey, it can be a variety of issues why your ABS light is on.

First, check the fuse going to the pump, it is usually under the hood in a covered fuse block.

Next I would inspect each wheel where the sensor is and make sure the wires going to the sensors were not damaged by road debris.

Also make sure the connector going to the ABS pump is connected and not loose.

Subject:  95 Cadillac Seville Rear Brake Line

Question:  How much will it cost me to have rear brake lines repaired? At the moment my car is not movable. Your help will be appreciated.

Mack, since I don’t know the extent of the damage or if it is just from sitting, it would be hard to estimate. Especially if you are going to do the repairs yourself or not.

Either way brake lines and most brake parts are not a great expense since they are usually easy to get at from underneath and therefore rather quick to repair compared to other car repairs.

Hello My car failed its MOT 6 months ago on the rear near side brake not working or little effort. I bleed the brake and this cured the problem. How ever there was a small amount of fluid near the seal at the rear wheel cylinder.

I was told this was okay if it was only slightly wet inside the seal. The problem is that 6 month on today the air is back in the brake system again. The same rear brake is weak or little effort. (The other 3 brakes are okay) it only this wheel. I have changed the brake cylinder and bleed the brakes. Is there any other reason why air gets into this brake only.