Q: I just read the recall question from R.C. regarding his 2006 Silverado with steering issues (noise). He was asking about a recall. Well, if there ever was a need for a recall, it’s for the older Chrysler vans that can’t keep sway bar bushings from wearing out and clunking. I replace mine on our 2005 Town & Country every 6-9 months. Not a safety issue either just a bad design.
J.B., Chicago
A: Unfortunately, if you keep going back to the car dealer for service, you will keep getting the original equipment replacement parts. Fortunately, the automotive aftermarket often develops problem-solving upgrades that work better and last longer than the factory parts. The OE front sway bar bushings on your minivan are prone to excess wear due to weather, road chemicals and contamination. Once the OE bushings are worn, they allow excessive movement in the bracket that can lead to more suspension problems. According to MOOG auto parts, its bushings are 17 percent wider and have an adapter sleeve inside for durability. Maybe they will last a couple years.
Q: I have a 2002 Honda Accord with 89,000 miles. The car ran real good but for peace of mind, I got my timing belt changed at the dealer. At idling and at stop signs, the car ran noiselessly but now I hear belt noise. What could be the reason? Dealer thinks it is normal.
R.P., Skokie, Ill.
A: We cannot give you a reason for the noise unless we hear where it is coming from. It may be the timing belt or it could be the accessory drive belt. Nevertheless, if the car was quiet before you took it in for service, it should be just as quiet after. Insist that they take care of it.
Q: The Q&A in your column last week today discussed a 2002 Toyota Camry. In your answer you said that in Illinois, pre-2007 vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating between 8,501 and 14,000 pounds are exempt from testing. What does this have to do with a 2002 Toyota Camry?
T.W., Grayslake, Ill.
A: We goofed. We mistakenly reported the emission testing regulations regarding trucks instead of automobiles, which weigh considerably less. Vehicles that are exempt from emissions testing in Illinois are either less than four years old (2011 or newer models) or model year “1995 or before that were in compliance with the Illinois Vehicle Emissions Inspection Law on February 1, 2007,” according to Illinois EPA.
Q: When I step on the gas, there is a delay before my 2015 Honda CR-V accelerates. When I told the dealer this he presented me with a printout from Honda that says this can be caused by the fact that I use two feet to drive, one for gas and one for braking. If you have your foot on the brake and then don’t wait long enough after you remove your foot from the brake before pressing on the gas there is a safety feature (to protect the engine, not me) that causes the delay in acceleration. Honda says most auto manufacturers have this feature (dangerous inconvenience). Is that true?
M.S., La Porte, Ind.
A: It is true. As a safety feature (to protect you, not the engine), there is a brake-throttle disconnect. The throttle will not work if the brake is applied. This was installed because of unintended acceleration events where drivers may have mashed down with both feet. Check out Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 124 (FMVSS 124) for the full, hard-to-read version.
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