Paul Messam, Contributor
CARS PRODUCE different sounds but they all add up to one thing noise. It's all round you, it disturbs your mind, jars your nerves and makes you tense and tired. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to have a quieter and smoother car. Let's examine them.
According to Steve Wright, a St. Andrew/St. Catherine-based mechanic for over 30 years, worn brake linings, dust or dirt build-up in brake drums, weak or broken brake springs, loose backing plates, loose front or rear wheel bearings, defective or missing insulator tips on rear leaf springs, and loose U-bolt on rear-axle housing can create a nuisance for the driver's ears and create a noisy car.
Noise will be heard when the brake is applied and there is a knocking noise or a roughness. There is noise when there are loose suspension components, loose front or rear wheel bearings, a cracked brake drum and spiral grooves in the drum from improper machining. This is usually immediately after the brakes of the vehicle have been serviced. It could also be a loose road wheel.
There can also be groaning noise from brakes and grinding noise when brakes are applied.
"In fact, any loose condition in brake, or possibly steering mechanism, brake linings, worn off shoes or pads and metal, contacting drum or disk can create noise."
Additionally, broken brake springs, brake shoes rubbing on the side of the drum and also small stones in the drum will cause noises.
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT
There can also be noise if the clutch slips due to wear and insufficient free pedal in clutch adjustment. Noise can occur if there is a broken clutch disc, maladjusted gearshift linkage, not selecting gear, the clutch is saturated in oil, the car is not in gear, there is a damaged internal transmission mechanism, a broken rear axle, driveshaft, or universal joint.
The car will be noisy when the clutch grabs or chatters when starting away in low or reverse, if there is oil on clutch, if the clutch is worn out, if the rear flat leaf spring is loose on rear-axle housing, or there are broken or loose motor mounts.
Also, you can get a clutch squeal or growl when the clutch pedal is depressed. Due to loose or improperly adjusted striker plates, misaligned or damaged door, lack of lubricant in striker plates, defective door lock mechanism, stiff hinges, loose weather-stripping jammed in the doors and a stiff door all contribute to a noisy car. When the engine backfires, when the engine keeps running when the ignition is turned off, when the engine makes a rattling noise when idling, also if the engine rough idles, or races on idle, all this and more can increase the stress level.
The first thing to do is to read the owner's manual that came with the car and follow the service recommendations in it. "Also, bear in mind that the way you drive and the climate will make a big difference " advised Steve Wright. "
He explained that for severe service your car will need more frequent changes of oil and transmission fluid than for normal service. He further explained that extra service is also for those motorists who make a lot of short trips to the mall, post office or to work; the engine does not have time to warm up fully, and that makes for faster wear. How much you drive also makes a difference. Service is recommended at a certain mileage or time, which ever comes first, said Wright. "The servicing of the motor vehicle is a very essential thing to do."
The better your car is maintained, the less noises you will hear.
