When you hear an occasional rattle that becomes persistent with time, identifying the cause can be problematic. In this article, we’ll describe a few reasons why your car, truck, or SUV begins to groan as it ages.

What Causes Rattling And Squeaking?

Rattling and squeaking can come from a number of sources. In some cases, the problem is under the dashboard. Other times, it’s in the brakes. Depending on the age of your car, the noise might be caused by your suspension. The first step in determining the cause is to isolate the general source. Do you hear the rattle under your seat? That suggests the suspension. Is squeaking coming from the rear of your vehicle next to a tire? If so, your brake pads may be worn. Does the noise occur only when driving over large bumps? Your shocks might be failing.

Tracking Down Leaks

Have you ever been annoyed by a persistent air leak while driving with your windows up? Ever heard a tedious drip while driving in rainy weather? Both types of leaks are incredibly difficult to find. You’ll need a friend to help you locate their source.

With water leaks, have a friend remain within the cab of your vehicle while you hose it down from outside. If the leak is visible inside the interior, your friend should be able to easily locate it (a flashlight helps). If water is leaking within the door, he or she can at least isolate it.

Identifying the source of air leaks requires using a special device while driving. Ask your friend to accompany you while you take your vehicle on the highway. Then, ask him or her to use the leak-identification tool while you pilot your car.

Finding The Source Of Vibrations

Vibrations can come from your car’s chassis, drivetrain, suspension, or engine. Those caused by your chassis are difficult to identify because the location seems to migrate over time. By contrast, the drivetrain will send a clear signal by vibrating your entire automobile.

The most common sources of vibrations are the suspension and the tires. Vibrating tires suggest a balancing issue. On the other hand, if you feel shaking in the steering wheel, that suggests the arm bushings, strut bearings, shocks, or joints may be failing.

If you notice rattling, squeaking, leaks, or vibrations, have them fixed. They will not resolve themselves. Instead, they will continue to worsen, leaving you with a higher repair bill in the future

Related posts

• Always Purchase Original Nissan Auto Parts
• Tips on How to Maintain Your Vehicle
• Things to Inspect When You Purchase a Used Vehicle

If your brake pads wear down, you drive to a mechanic and have them replaced. If your alternator dies, you buy a new one and have it installed. Same with batteries, filters, hoses, and pumps. It’s inconvenient and the cost is unpleasant, but both are manageable. Transmissions are an entirely different matter. They can (and should) last for years. But, when they fail, they’re enormously expensive to fix or replace.

The good news is that not all signs of trouble herald a costly overhaul. Some can be fixed inexpensively. Below, we’ll revisit the main components of your transmission and some of the factors that can cause a glitch. We’ll also explore your options with regard to having problems resolved.

Reviewing The Basic Structure

Your vehicle’s tranny is a complex assembly of parts. They work fluidly with each other to shift gears at optimal times given the conditions in which you’re driving. To keep things relatively simple, we’ll address the main elements and ignore the rest.

The gears (including the ring, planet, and sun gears) are the cornerstone of your car’s transmission. While every component of your tranny is essential, the gears are responsible for your ability to drive at a speed faster than a snail’s crawl.

Fluid is another critical factor. In the same way motor oil is vital to the health of your vehicle’s engine, the red fluid that courses through your transmission is also crucial. And in the same way oil collects debris over time, so too, does the fluid in your tranny. That’s why a filter is necessary – to catch the debris before it enters the assembly.

Being aware of the parts that comprise the basic structure makes is easier to diagnose problems when they occur.

Factors That Can Cause Problems

Most problems happen as the result of low fluid levels or worn parts. Oddly, though many drivers will routinely check their motor oil level, they’ll neglect to check the fluid level in their car’s tranny. Get into the habit of checking it two or three times each year. Otherwise, a leak may form and go unnoticed, eventually causing damage throughout the assembly.

Leaks can form in a few places, including near the selector shaft, speed sensor, or at a number of seals or gaskets. In most cases, the fluid will have a reddish hue, making it easy to identify. Keep in mind that leaks will not go away on their own. You’ll need to have a trained mechanic fix them.

What Are Your Repair Options?

Again, not every transmission problem suggests an overhaul or replacement is necessary. Leaks, in particular, can usually be fixed by resealing them. If parts are worn out, your mechanic may be able to replace them without removing the assembly from your vehicle. If he doesn’t need to lift the tranny, replacing worn parts will be relatively inexpensive.

If you do need to have your vehicle’s transmission overhauled or replaced, prepare yourself for a hefty repair bill. Whether your mechanic overhauls the existing assembly or replaces it with a remanufactured model, both routes will be costly. The silver lining is that your new transmission will last for years.

Related posts

• The Importance of Changing the Oil in a Used Car
• Do-It-Yourself Auto Repairs – How To Learn From Your Failures And Mistakes
• Rattling and Vibrating – How Your Vehicle Ages