| As surely as our joints grow sore with age, so | | | | Both types of leaks are incredibly difficult to find. |
| too, do our vehicles become more noisy as they | | | | You’ll need a friend to help you locate their |
| grow older. It’s part of the automotive aging | | | | source. |
| process. Unfortunately, tracking down the source | | | | With water leaks, have a friend remain within the |
| of the squeaks and vibrations is often more | | | | cab of your vehicle while you hose it down from |
| difficult than mere part failures. If your catalytic | | | | outside. If the leak is visible inside the interior, |
| converter or alternator fails, you’ll know | | | | your friend should be able to easily locate it (a |
| within minutes. If your transmission or engine | | | | flashlight helps). If water is leaking within the door, |
| overheats, the smoke billowing from under the | | | | he or she can at least isolate it. |
| hood is a clear sign. | | | | Identifying the source of air leaks requires using a |
| When you hear an occasional rattle that becomes | | | | special device while driving. Ask your friend to |
| persistent with time, identifying the cause can be | | | | accompany you while you take your vehicle on |
| problematic. In this article, we’ll describe a few | | | | the highway. Then, ask him or her to use the |
| reasons why your car, truck, or SUV begins to | | | | leak-identification tool while you pilot your car. |
| groan as it ages. | | | | Finding The Source Of Vibrations |
| What Causes Rattling And Squeaking? | | | | Vibrations can come from your car’s chassis, |
| Rattling and squeaking can come from a number | | | | drivetrain, suspension, or engine. Those caused by |
| of sources. In some cases, the problem is under | | | | your chassis are difficult to identify because the |
| the dashboard. Other times, it’s in the brakes. | | | | location seems to migrate over time. By contrast, |
| Depending on the age of your car, the noise | | | | the drivetrain will send a clear signal by vibrating |
| might be caused by your suspension. The first | | | | your entire automobile. |
| step in determining the cause is to isolate the | | | | The most common sources of vibrations are the |
| general source. Do you hear the rattle under your | | | | suspension and the tires. Vibrating tires suggest a |
| seat? That suggests thesuspension . Is squeaking | | | | balancing issue. On the other hand, if you feel |
| coming from the rear of your vehicle next to a | | | | shaking in the steering wheel, that suggests the |
| tire? If so, your brake pads may be worn. Does | | | | arm bushings, strut bearings, shocks, orjoints may |
| the noise occur only when driving over large | | | | be failing. |
| bumps? Your shocks might be failing. | | | | If you notice rattling, squeaking, leaks, or |
| Tracking Down Leaks | | | | vibrations, have them fixed. They will not resolve |
| Have you ever been annoyed by a persistent air | | | | themselves. Instead, they will continue to worsen, |
| leak while driving with your windows up? Ever | | | | leaving you with a higher repair bill in the future. |
| heard a tedious drip while driving in rainy weather? | | | | |