Q: I just bought a 2011 Volvo XC90 with 166,000 miles from a employed car or truck seller in Massachusetts. When I examination-drove the vehicle, the steering seemed to be a minor restricted on still left turns. It felt like it was locking and unlocking, earning the steering wheel jerk. This problem is only when turning left.
When I informed the income rep about this issue, he mentioned that the reduce steering shaft “U” joint necessary to be greased mainly because it was sitting in the automobile lot. He reported it was risk-free to generate and he’d have his services office look at the steering shaft. When I picked up the automobile, he claimed they had greased the joint and it really should be doing work far better it just wanted to get the grease to work into the joint.
When I drove it again to Rhode Island it seemed much better, but not excellent. I had my mechanic glimpse at the auto, and he mentioned that the decreased U-joint seemed new and he thinks it’s the lessen ball joints. He greased the ball joints and looked about the total front-end suspension. He reported everything is seem and that it is most possible a mixture of both equally concerns.
The car or truck turns improved, but it still has this really hard turning to the still left with the locking/unlocking emotion. It truly is incredibly bothersome when turning left on an exit. It feels like the steering wheel desires to go straight, practically combating you.
The car is beneath warranty, and I’m striving to get the dealership to appropriate this challenge.
A: Additional diagnostics are essential. At this stage, the steering parts need to be disassembled to see if there is mechanical binding. As an illustration, the steering shaft coupler (U joint) could even now be an challenge. If the ball joints are frozen, lube was at ideal non permanent, and they should be replaced.
Some of these Volvo XC90s experienced steering racks that generated really uneven steering and, from what I have go through, the steering rack requires substitution.
Fluid pressures must also be checked.
I would ask the used automobile seller to mail the car or truck to a Volvo vendor to have the steering fully evaluated.
Q: When I was 17, I owned a Ford Mustang. Now, 50 a long time afterwards, I want a new Mustang. What do you consider of the newest Mustang? Do you have any working experience with the Mach 1 — not the Mach-E — which, to me, is an SUV, not a Mustang? Is it ridiculous at my age to take into account a car like this?
A: The newest Ford Mustang — in my belief — is a person of the very best to day.
I a short while ago expended a pair of days in a Mustang Mach-1. With 480 horsepower on tap from the 5.-liter V-8, it was a pleasure to push. The exhaust was loud plenty of to change heads, but not ample to be objectionable.
Ford also appears to be to have the stance fantastic — it appears to be like as fantastic sitting down nonetheless as going. The interior is at ease, slightly retro with modern-day conveniences.
The product that I drove was with the fast shifting 10-velocity computerized transmission, which wasn’t as substantially pleasurable as a 6-velocity guide, but it got the job completed.
Are you far too aged for this car? No! You are only as old as you really feel. Age is nothing at all much more than a number on your driver’s license. That getting explained, the Mustang sits reduced to the ground and, based on your possess overall body, acquiring in and out could be a challenge.
Relating to the Mach-E, it can be a terrific car or truck, not a Mustang, but my watch may perhaps be a generational problem.
Q: I have a 10-12 months-old GMC Yukon, and the dome-gentle does not get the job done. Wondering it would be absolutely nothing much more than a burned-out bulb, I changed it and it nevertheless did not do the job. I then checked all the fuses under the hood and they all analyzed fine. To me that only leaves a wiring dilemma. Is there a recognised location that the wiring fails that you can share?
A: I think you had been on the ideal track with the fuses, but you experienced the completely wrong locale. There is a 10-ampere fuse for the dome gentle in the fuse panel at the instrument panel. It is usually time nicely invested to check out each and every fuse in a car if you really do not have a wiring diagram.
Q: I not long ago had my car or truck inspected (the exact car or truck I have owned for 6 many years) and the mechanic claimed it passed. For the upcoming inspection, I want to get the tether that holds the fuel cap changed. Why?
A: The gas cap retains fumes from likely into the air. The fuel cap leash retains the fuel cap from falling to the floor for the duration of refueling, which can injury the gas cap.
That seems as if it were being a incredibly extensive inspection.
John Paul is the AAA Northeast Car Medical professional. He has far more than 40 several years of encounter in the car industry and is an ASE-Certified Master Technician. Create to John Paul, The Car Medical professional, at 110 Royal Minor Generate, Providence, RI 02904. Or electronic mail [email protected] and place “Car Doctor” in the subject subject. Follow him on Twitter @johnfpaul or on Facebook.
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