Compound can quiet brakes
Dear Motormouth: I have a 2017 Toyota RAV4. Each time I back out of the garage, the rear brakes squeal. I took it to a mechanic, who took the brakes apart, shaved some rust off the discs, and cleaned and lubed the other parts. I still have the same problem. When I drive and stop for a red light or stop sign, there is no noise. I drove a couple miles, pulled into an empty parking lot and backed up several times. No noise. Any suggestions as to what could be the problem?
— B.L., Bensenville, Illinois
Dear B.L.: Noise is created by vibration and that vibration is between the brake pads and their calipers, or brake discs. As you drive, the pads expand a little as they warm up and fit more snugly. Annoying? Yes. Dangerous? No. I suggest applying an anti-squeal compound on the backsides of the brake pads.
Dear Motormouth: Love your column and look forward every week to see what’s going on. Recently JM wrote about a missing fob, which he thinks is still in his car. Since he can remotely lock the car with the other remote, I surmise it can’t be in the car. If I leave my fob in my truck, then use my extra fob to lock it remotely, the alarm goes off telling me that I’ve left the other fob inside the cab. Just a thought and I might be wrong.
Keep up the great advice you give. Makes this old lady smile every week. Besides, many of your answers are taped to the garage cabinet in case I need help as reference.
— L.W., Coopersburg, Pennsylvania Dear L.W.: I love hearing from my readers. Yep, I blew it saying the fob could have fallen behind the dash. Not that stuff can’t fall there, but fobs can’t be locked inside. You could say it was a fob flub.
Dear Motormouth: Once my husband took my car into the city, had a valet park it, and then while driving to another appointment, he realized he didn’t have the key. He parked it and it wouldn’t lock, and he couldn’t find the key. He searched everywhere. Later, I realized the valet put the key on the outside of the car, near the wipers. Maybe the fob is there?
— L.H., Chicago
Dear L.H.: I guess he hadn’t searched everywhere. Everything has to be some place. Good thing it didn’t rain.
Dear Motormouth: I have a 2015 Subaru Forester approaching 88,000 miles. I’ve decided to keep this vehicle for the long haul and have been proactive at addressing the Subaru scheduled maintenance. I now want to replace the original shocks and struts. I got four quotes, two from independent auto repair shops and two from Subaru dealerships. Both independent shops and one dealership quoted about the same with aftermarket parts. The second Subaru dealership is recommending that I only use OEM parts; thus, the quote was higher.
Because I plan to keep this very reliable vehicle for a number of years, would I be better off agreeing to use OEM parts instead of aftermarket? — L.R., Baldwinsville, New York
Dear L.R.: Original equipment manufacturer’s parts are always a good choice. But aftermarket parts are usually engineered to the same specs — or sometimes better — than the original equipment stuff. Just be sure to use name-brand parts, not cheap no-name junk. I’ll bet that all the shops you mentioned may be suggesting the same brand.
Bob Weber is a writer and mechanic who became an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician in 1976. He maintains this status by seeking certification every five years. Weber’s work appears in professional trade magazines and other consumer publications. Send questions along with name and town to motormouth. tribune@gmail.com.