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Please help this blonde!


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dbbelsky
New User

Aug 15, 2006, 8:26 AM

Post #1 of 12 (2149 views)
post icon Please help this blonde! Sign In

My car seems to be very loud on highways over 50mph, like an airplane, but runs fine.
I had the tires rotated and balance done last week. Nothing changed. Still cant figure out whats wrong.
I have a toyota, celica 1997, 5 speed. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it, I hate walking in as a single chick and not know what is wrong and feeling like I will be paying too much because I am clueless!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 15, 2006, 9:41 AM

Post #2 of 12 (2143 views)
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Hey don't blame it on hair color. Tires can be funny and if you rub your hand or just look at the tread they shouldn't have excessive saw toothing type wear which can cause noise. If they look ok it's probably a bearing problem. You don't need to go nuts at it's usually just one if a bearing and if found to be or you notice it getting worse do what you can to fix that soon. Bearing don't heal and can be hard to tell which one without all wheels in the air spinning them by hand, Good luck with it and hope that helped, T



DanD
Veteran / Moderator
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Aug 15, 2006, 10:07 AM

Post #3 of 12 (2139 views)
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I agree with Tom that it maybe a wheel bearing; going by your description of the noise anyway.

Quote
very loud on highways over 50mph, like an airplane

I don’t know if this diagram helps or not but it shows the right front assembly and they are calling the wheel bearing a hub bearing (same thing). The flat rate labour book pays 2 hours of time to change it and that is for a mechanic that has done them before. The bearing itself isn’t very costly I’d say around $50.
As for urgency in getting it repaired it all depends on how loud it is; look at it this way on a volume scale from 1 to 10 (10 being loud) anywhere after about 4 and it’s time to change it.
Dan


Canadian "EH"






dbbelsky
New User

Aug 15, 2006, 11:38 AM

Post #4 of 12 (2133 views)
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Thanks! I called around and I need to get someone to look at it for free and then make another appt to get it fixed,I wish I had a good mechanic around here (raleigh nc) but i cant find anyone that doesn't screw stuff up or make me feel stupid when i ask questions! (last guy put wrong size tires on my car)
Appreciate your help!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 15, 2006, 8:19 PM

Post #5 of 12 (2128 views)
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Good grief RELIEGH NC is not NOWHERE! Without telling a tech what you think is wrong show him/her the info you have and the complaint and let them decide what to do. Dan's diagram is worth printing as a shop would love to see that, Good luck, You Go girl, T



DanD
Veteran / Moderator
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Aug 16, 2006, 4:40 AM

Post #6 of 12 (2125 views)
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dbbelshy
I’ve reread your last post a number of times deciding whether a couple of your statements were something I should reply to. Right or wrong here it is.

Quote
I need to get someone to look at it for free


Quote
i cant find anyone that doesn't screw stuff up

You get what you pay for!
When have you ever received anything for free from a stranger that was worth anything? Other then here of course. LOL
Here at my shop I charge a minimum of ½ hour’s labour to diagnose something like this. I will also waive or reimburse this labour charge if I’m allowed to do the repairs within 10 working days of the diagnosis.
I can’t work for free (do you?) and stay in business let alone have qualified technicians working for me that don’t “screw stuff up” because they definitely don’t work for “free”! Also how free is a free inspection if it’s not diagnosed properly because the person doing the checks is either not qualified or is pushed for time by his boss because it is a freebee?
Yes, I’m am doing the diagnosis for nothing if you come back for the repair but if you don’t I’ve at least covered my expenses for telling you what’s wrong with your car.
This is just my opinion and a look at the other side of the coin. Yes it’s for free so put whatever value you wish on it.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"






dbbelsky
New User

Aug 16, 2006, 5:16 AM

Post #7 of 12 (2122 views)
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I understand what you are saying. I am just a loyal person, I will have someone tell me what is wrong and give me an estimate and then go back and use them, but i know other's might just go to find out whats wrong.. I need a good mechanic in my area that i can trust, just havent gotten there yet, because my car has been doing great and i havent had to search for one.. changing oil and tires is no big deal, but i pay all my bills on my own with no help and dont make a lot of money so every penny counts for me and i have to bargain shop for everything.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 16, 2006, 5:24 AM

Post #8 of 12 (2122 views)
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I never charged a customer for diagnosis unless it had to be farmed out. I've had an angel on my shoulder my whole career and all my customers are friends. I know their address, childrens names and it's just been a club/membership style thing for decades.

I've dug into a problem that sometimes I can't do and know who can and these precious friends and customers appreciated my time and I didn't charge them. Funny how the top of my primary tool box collected some $$ that I didn't leave there!

The point is something for free could be a good heart or bait. I want to live believing that most people are honest with their trades and so far I find that true.

Trust in people as the alternative is War! T



GLFDCS
New User

Aug 24, 2006, 9:40 AM

Post #9 of 12 (2100 views)
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Hello,

I work at a repair shop, not near you, but I think there are some things you should know when searching for the right shop for you.
As a single woman who really doesn't know alot about cars its great that your putting time and effort into learning about it, the right shop will respect that also.
When you call your not usually going to be talking to the mechanic and from my experience, its annoying when people start out by asking to talk to one. Its the person who works the desk's job to help the customers and act as a go between.
So be upfront with them, tell them your situation and that your looking for a shop you can trust and you want to keep going back to.
Let them know what you found out on this thread, it was a good idea to suggest printing the picture up there and takeing it with you.
Also I have found that if you find a family owned and operated shop instead of a chain or dealer you will get more 1 on 1 personal service and not treated like a number.
Sorry if it sounds like I am rambleing, but from the inside perspective of a shop this all sounds like common sense, but alot of people, not just woman dont understand it. These days men know less about the vehicles they drive because cars/suv/trucks, are just way more complicated then they have ever been before having more computers, sensors and switches.
So dont be shy when you talk to the service advisor. And alot of places will do the come in and we will take a look at it and if we do the work they wont charge you for the time. But expecting people to stop earning money to look at your car for free and then going all over town for the cheapest price (not saying you are) is so very annoying. A good shop will want to build a reletionship with you so that you will keep coming back, that way they also know the repair history on your car, so when something happens they have a better idea of what is up.

I hope this helps... Another blonde in MI


way2old
Veteran / Moderator
way2old profile image

Aug 24, 2006, 11:48 AM

Post #10 of 12 (2095 views)
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Good information and a good post on shop "ettique". I applaud you GLFDCS.Cool



Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds


DanD
Veteran / Moderator
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Aug 25, 2006, 4:29 AM

Post #11 of 12 (2093 views)
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I second that Tom. Good PostCool

Canadian "EH"






dbbelsky
New User

Sep 15, 2006, 8:36 AM

Post #12 of 12 (2055 views)
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Well, I finally sucked it up and went and got my wheel berrings replaced. It was $557 for both of them. they said it would be smarter to do both because its so time consuming and he said that if he did one it would end up costing me more if i waited and went back a couple months later to do the 2nd one because of how time consuming it is.
I went to firestone, they were nice and at least reputable and did it the same day and dropped me off at lunch back at my work so they could do it. I feel like i paid too much, but i probably didnt, i am just poor.. thanks for all your help you guys, you are awesome :)






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