Dave’s Free Car Repair Advice

Subject:  Chevy Ve

nture steering noise

Bill tells me:  steering column seems to be clunking when turning at low speeds. I can feel it as well as hear it. Only on sharp turns.

Bill, since your van is a front wheel drive it sounds to me like the CV joints are worn and need replacing.

The CV (constant velocity) joints are in each front wheel drive axle. They have a rubber boot on them that flexes with the rotation and the steering of each wheel. They are the same equivalence of universal joints in a drive line.

Subject:  1998 Chevy Blazer Transmission / Engine problem?

Chad asks:  I have a ‘98 Blazer 4×4. The problem is when I give it gas, it seems to shift late and hard. It also has a lot of trouble getting up to speed. Also, when it gets to around 3 K. to 4K. RPM, it has a very high pitch squealing noise. Kind of like a huge whistle. I have taken it to several places to have it checked out, and no one has come to the same conclusion on the problem. I have been told everything from a possible fuse blown to the transmission to a O2 sensor going out. Can you help with some advice?!?

Tracey asks;  This morning my (Ford Windstar 2000) van started making a horrible squealing sound and then began to instantly overheat. I was able to get it home with the heat on full blast. When I parked it anti-freeze began to run out…my thermostat was just replaced last weekend from it doing this before. What else could it be?

Tracey, it sounds to me like your water pump is failing. The squealing sound would be from the belt not moving  or sliding by the water pump.

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?