Wheel alignment is a service that makes sure your car's wheels are pointing in the right direction. It helps your car drive straight and can prevent uneven tire wear.
Car
Honda
Honda is a car brand from Japan. They make many types of cars, including sedans and SUVs, known for being reliable and good on gas.
Tie rods are parts that help your car steer. They connect the steering wheel to the wheels, making it possible to turn the car in the direction you want.
The Honda Accord is a popular car that many people choose for its good reputation and features. The 2017 version is known for being reliable and comfortable.
Outer tie rod end boots are rubber covers that protect important parts of the car's steering system. If they are damaged, it can cause problems with how the car steers.
The Pontiac Torino is a type of car that was made a long time ago, known for being fast and stylish. People often talk about it because it reminds them of a fun time in car history when powerful cars were very popular.
Brake pads are parts of your car's brakes that help stop the car when you press the brake pedal. They can wear out and need to be replaced to keep your brakes working well.
An oil cooler is a part that keeps the engine oil from getting too hot. It helps the engine run better by making sure the oil stays at the right temperature.
The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that's good for everyday driving. The 2010 version has a 2.5-liter engine, which means it's designed to be efficient and reliable.
The BMW 7 Series is a fancy car that is known for being very comfortable and full of high-tech features. It's a popular choice for people who want a luxurious ride, and sometimes people talk about it when discussing how to take care of such expensive cars.
The Nissan Pathfinder is a type of vehicle called an SUV, which stands for Sport Utility Vehicle. It's designed to be larger and more rugged than a regular car, making it good for families and outdoor activities.
The Dodge Ram is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and is often used for work. The 2017 version has different styles and features to suit different drivers' needs.
An extended warranty is like insurance for your car that helps pay for repairs after the original warranty runs out. It can save you money if something goes wrong with your vehicle later on.
Lower ball joints are parts of the car's suspension that help the wheels move up and down. If they're worn out, it can affect how the car handles and rides.
The front differential helps the front wheels turn at different speeds when the car goes around corners. This is important for good handling and control.
Carrier bearings help hold up the driveshaft, which is the part that transfers power from the engine to the wheels. They make sure everything runs smoothly.
Software in cars is like the instructions that tell the car how to work. Sometimes, these instructions can be updated to fix problems or improve how the car drives.
A gasket is a piece that helps keep oil or other fluids from leaking between parts of a car. It's important to change it regularly to ensure everything works properly.
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This is an I heart podcast.
Guaranteed human.
I'm Stefan Curry and this is Gentleman's Cut.
I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different
is me being a part of developing the profile
of this beautiful finished product.
With every sip you get a little something different.
Visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com
or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo.
This message is intended for audiences 21 and older.
Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky.
For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon,
please visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com.
Please enjoy responsibly.
What are the cycles fathers pass down
that sons are left to heal?
What if being a man wasn't about holding it all together
but learning how to let go?
This is a space where men speak truth
and find the power to heal and transform.
I'm Mike Del Rocha.
Welcome to Sacred Lessons.
Listen to Sacred Lessons on the iHeart Radio App,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
You're listening to Ron Ananian, the car doctor,
nationally recognized auto expert trusted by mechanics,
weekend renters and vehicle owners alike.
Ron brings over 40 years of hands-on experience
and deep industry insight to help you understand your vehicle.
Join the conversation live every Saturday
from two to four p.m. Eastern by calling 855-560-9900.
That's 855-560-9900.
You're a direct line to honest answers
and practical advice.
Looking for more?
Visit CarDoctorShow.com for past episodes,
repair tips, and Ron's latest insights.
And be sure to subscribe to the CarDoctor YouTube channel
for exclusive videos, real repair footage, and more.
Now, start your engines.
The car doctor is in the garage and ready to take your call.
Hi, RA Automotive, how can I help?
This is the way the phone call started on Tuesday.
Yeah, can I get a quote on tie rod ends in a wheel alignment?
And that's all that he said.
Sure, you know, who is this?
Have I seen this car before?
What kind of car is this?
Your make model.
Oh no, it's never been there, it's a Honda.
Well, let's see, Honda makes 14 different models
the last count, so, you know, which one,
what variation, what version, or whatever the number is.
Well, I've been to the Honda dealer
and they do a really great cheap oil change,
but now they're trying to sell me tie rod ends
because the outer, no, he didn't say the outer,
he just said the tie rod ends I'm told are bad, they're split.
You know, these are real conversations
that I have with people.
And I guess I'm talking to you about it,
it's a therapy for me and I hope you realize
and I appreciate you letting me do this
as I open up this week,
but I also want you to understand
what goes on in a repair shop
because I want you to understand the wrong way
to talk to a repair shop and to communicate
and this is absolutely the wrong way to have a conversation
because this guy's looking for all the wrong things
and he says all the wrong things
and he doesn't even know it,
which is the really interesting part.
You know, you wonder how people like this
chew gum and walk at the same time.
The tie rods are split.
Okay, so what are they telling you you need?
Well, I don't know, they said I need tie rods
and I didn't like their price.
So let me see, right off the bat I know
he likes a cheap oil change,
he doesn't want to spend money on the car,
he's not really concerned about what it is they're changing,
he just knows that he doesn't want to buy it.
Turns out it's a 17 Honda Accord
and I finally get it out of him
that it's the outer tie rod in boots
that the dealership is telling him are split open.
He didn't like their price, he didn't believe them,
he didn't trust that they were telling him the truth.
Of course, he did trust him enough
to change the oil on the car because it was cheap.
So he went to a local tire shop
and they told him pretty much the same thing
but they also told him he needed four tires
which the Honda dealer didn't tell him he needed.
So he had them do the four tires because it was cheap,
it was a good price on four tires
and they did a wheel alignment.
But now he's trying to get the tie rod ends done,
the outer tie rod ends, as he explained it to me
because they're split.
Because the dealership that told him he needed them
that he didn't want to have due
because he didn't like the price
because it wasn't cheap enough,
prompted his moving to a second repair facility,
to a third repair facility, me.
I said, well, you know, it's kind of hard to say.
I said, it's sort of like asking me,
what color eyes do I have and we've never met?
You know, just guess your best.
I told him, I said, you know, it could be $300
or it could be $800.
What does it really need?
What else is there?
What else is wrong with this vehicle
that's approximately six going on seven years old
that it sounds like nobody's really looking after?
Well, no, it doesn't really need anything.
You know, I take it in when the oil change light comes on
but other than that, the car's been great.
I haven't had to do anything else to it.
Well, how many miles do you have on it?
About 76,000 and I'm thinking in my head,
so he missed the 30,000 mile service.
He missed the 45,000 mile service.
He missed the 60,000 mile service.
And finally, something is breaking
but it has to be cheap in order for him
to be able to adjust to fight doing it.
You know, it's a machine guys, it really is.
It's something you have to maintain.
And if you don't understand that, then I can't help you.
I really can't because you've got to realize
that that machine, that maintenance item
that's growing in your driveway, keeps you safe.
It's what you get into after work at night to go home.
It's what keeps your family warm and secure
in the cold winter months coming
when you're traveling back and forth,
especially over the holidays.
Why aren't you spending any money on it?
That's my question because are you gonna break down
on the side of the road and hope you get a cheap tow?
Is that the next thing that we're looking for?
You know, I think you're asking the wrong questions
if you're like this guy.
And I think you're really looking for the wrong thing.
I think you should be looking for a relationship.
I think you should be looking for somebody you can trust.
And I know everybody's shaking their hand and go,
Ron, it's not like that, that's not real world.
Well, I don't know, I think it's real world.
I have a great relationship with my guy at the diner, you know?
It's, where do you wanna go eat?
I wanna go see Adele.
I don't even, it doesn't matter the name of the,
I wanna go see Adele because I've been,
you know, I've been going to the same diner
for 20 some odd years.
Adele takes very good care of us.
You know, he's one of those guys when you walk in,
you sit down, before I get my jacket off sometimes,
my cup of tea shows up, the basket with bread and rolls
and butter shows up, my salad shows up.
And then he says, what are you in the mood for tonight?
I don't know Adele, I'm feeling like something chicken.
Go bring me something chicken
and he'll bring me whatever the chef's making that day
that's good, that's a chicken, something, chicken torino,
chicken marsala, whatever.
It's a relationship.
I have a great relationship with Adele.
Sam's good too.
It's Sam and Adele at the same diner
and I love them both to death, they do a great job.
I've got a barber that same way, right?
It's not even, you know, you ever look at a barber shop
at the relationship they have with clients,
people walk in, sit down, what do you want?
Well, you know, I want it this short
and can you, you know, in the back
and that tells me they haven't been there enough.
I get in, you know, I went down,
I got a haircut the other day
and I went in and I sat down and Zach
and I looked at each other, we smiled
and I gave him the shrug and he went,
okay, and he gave me the haircut
he's been giving me for the past 14 years
because we have a relationship.
I do that a lot with regular clients, regular customers.
You know, here's my keys, Ron, fix my car, keep me safe.
I don't want to break down,
I don't want to have to make phone calls
at midnight or 10 o'clock at night
when I come out of work late, when I go shopping,
when I go to the movies, when I go away for the weekend,
I want my car safe and reliable.
Not the guy who's coming around
asking how cheap can you do this?
And for that matter, and I explain that to this gentleman,
I said, you know, I've got to tell you,
more than looking for somebody to do tie rod ends,
I said, what you're really looking for is a mechanic.
Well, why?
And he kind of got insulted, it was sort of hilarious.
Well, why, why am I looking for a mechanic?
I said, because you've already been to two places
and to be honest with you,
the tire place kind of ripped you off.
Well, how can you say that?
I paid for four tires, they gave me four tires
and they did a wheel alignment.
Yeah, but when I do the tie rod ends
or whoever does the tie rod ends,
whoever succeeds at being the cheapest
at the bottom of the barrel for you
that you actually like because it's a cheap price,
which is I think the other thing that kind of insulted them,
but I'm just being honest, you know, you get to an age
where you don't have time to fool around,
let's call it like I see it.
I said, when I do tie rod ends,
I'm gonna have to do another wheel alignment.
But why?
Well, because I said, imagine if your wrist unscrewed
and you unscrewed your wrist and you wanted to index your wrist
or lock your wrist in a certain position
and you had to put it back on and how long is it?
How much did you change by unscrewing it?
Well, that's sort of the same thing with a tie rod end.
You've changed the wheel alignment
when you changed the tie rod end.
So if they knew you needed tie rod ends,
they should have explained that to you
before they did the four tires, did they?
No, they just seemed like they wanted to sell me tires
and do a wheel alignment after I told them
I didn't want to do the tie rods
because it was too much money, right?
So doesn't that mean they cheated you?
Well, I got what I paid for.
Yeah, but now you're gonna have to pay for it again.
What are you looking for in a repair shop?
You got to look for a relationship.
It's that relationship, it's that safety factor.
And I realized not every shop can give that
because some shops, hey, you know what?
Some shops in my industry, they're from the Stone Age.
They just don't get it.
I talk to guys all week long, you know?
We'll talk about certain problems they're having
and we kind of kibbutz around
and mechanics are great coffee clutches.
And they'll be talking about parts
that I stopped using three years ago
and I'll say, gee, why are you still using
that line of brake pad?
I had nothing but problems with them.
Yeah, but it lasts past the warranty period.
Answer most commonly given, it lasts past the warranty period
and I get the parts for free from the manufacturer,
but I get to charge the customer for labor again.
Huh, well, I guess that's how we're drumming up business.
No wonder everybody's asking how cheap.
No wonder this industry has such a bad rap.
But you can change that.
Mechanics can change that too.
They've just got to adopt better policies,
but you, the client can change that by demanding more
and not just demanding better pricing.
Demand a better relationship.
855-560-9900, I'm Ron Ananey in the car doctor.
I'm here to answer your car questions
and everything else in between.
I'll be back right after this.
I'm Stefan Curry and this is Gentleman's Cut.
I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different
is me being a part of developing the profile
of this beautiful finished product
with every sip you get a little something different.
Visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com
or your nearest Total Wines or Bezmo.
This message is intended for audiences 21 and older.
Gentleman's Cut Bourbon, Boone County, Kentucky.
For more on Gentleman's Cut Bourbon,
please visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com.
Please enjoy responsibly.
Have you ever listened to those true crime shows
and found yourself with more questions than answers?
And what is this?
How is that not a story we all know?
What's this, where is that?
Why is it wet?
Boy, do we have a show for you.
From smartless media, campsite media,
and big money players comes crime-less.
Join me, Josh Dean, investigative journalist.
And me, Roy Scoville, comedian,
as we celebrate the amazing creativity
of the world's dumbest criminals.
We'll look into some of the silliest ways
folks have broken the laws.
Honestly, it feels more like a high-level prank than a crime.
Who catfishes a city?
And meet some memorable anti-heroes.
There are thousands of angry horny monkeys.
Clap if you think she's a witch.
And it freaks you out.
He has X-ray vision.
How can I not follow her?
Honestly, I gotta follow him.
He can see right through me.
Listen to crime-less on the iHeart Radio App,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Let's get out to Colorado and talk to Billy this week.
He's got a VW he's working on.
Billy, how'd you make out with the Nissan?
Is that resolved?
Well, the new cat is in,
but it'll have to wait until this one's done
and out of the garage.
Today, I'm changing, yeah, exactly.
So today I'm changing the oil filter housing
and oil cooler on a 2010 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 liter.
There is a ton of oil in the cooler system.
So I don't have a machine for this.
So I was wondering your advice on the best way
to give this thing a thorough flush.
I have a machine and I don't use it on Volkswagen's
and I'll tell you why.
If you pop the hood, look at the hood.
Where's the coolant bottle on the passenger side?
Yes.
Okay.
How many hoses go to the top of the coolant jug?
One.
Oh, give me just a sec here, right on the garage.
I believe it's one.
One small diameter hose.
Yes.
Yes, that's correct.
Okay.
Check your flow of operation.
Get that vehicle warm, let it cool down
so it doesn't burp in your face.
And then when you're comfortable, take the cap off
and then start it up again.
Coolant, and I'm 99% certain is the way it works, Bill.
I'm just being cautious.
Coolant in that vehicle comes in that small tube,
that small hose, and out the bottom tube.
That tube is the re-circ, right?
It comes off the engine, comes off the block
and feeds that coolant reservoir bottle,
which then feeds the radiator
and the rest of the cooling system, right?
Yes.
Okay.
So if that's the way coolant flows,
if you take that small black hose off the coolant bottle,
right, and put a splice in there,
you know, a bunch of different companies
make coolant tube splices, okay?
Put a splice in there with a long hose,
go down into a bucket,
and it would theoretically drain all the coolant out
down that hose, right?
Sure. Okay.
Put another hose on the nipple that you left exposed,
put a rubber hose there,
drop that down to the ground, make it long enough,
put a pair of crimp pliers so you can close it off
so you're not pulling in air, right?
Or you're not giving it a place for it to get excess
and spill out and get sloppy should it bubble up.
And the only thing you have to do here
is if you don't have one is purchase a funnel
with the right adapter to fit the top of the bottle.
It's gonna be a screw thread style funnel,
so it's gonna spend a little bit of money,
but if you're gonna work on Volkswagen's,
this is the trauma, okay?
And now get the vehicle warm,
and all you have to do is measure out your coolant
beforehand, all right?
And just start it up, let it run,
and as that white bottle, the round bottle goes down,
keep adding coolant to it.
If it's a two gallon system or whatever the number is,
when you're done pouring in your two gallons,
you've effectively replaced all the coolant, right?
Okay.
Right, it's just, the car's actually gonna do
the exchange for you.
It's one of the simpler exchanges.
I looked at it once, because on a Volkswagen,
you've got all those crazy hose clamps with the clips
and the plastic ends, and you can't get to anything.
There's no adapter for that.
Well, there probably isn't in the fatherland,
but it's probably too expensive.
And for the average guy to do it as a DIYer,
it just doesn't work.
So I looked at it, and I said,
I wonder how coolant flow goes on this,
and sure enough, and I've done it that way multiple times,
and it works really well.
Now you've got oil in the system.
If you've got some oil contamination,
you wanna pick some sort of a corrosive cleaner,
something not caustic, something that won't hurt aluminum.
You're gonna have to get down to your local advance
and start reading chemicals,
and what's good for aluminum, what does a good flush, all right?
And then use that cleaner through,
however they direct it, and then do your exchanging.
You should be fine, right?
That should work without a problem.
And of course, pick a good coolant.
I know you will, right?
You've gotta find something that meets,
I think it's G12 is the spec.
Peak makes great coolant for this application,
like all the rest of the applications.
If you wanna just go Google search peak coolant,
and it'll bring you to the website,
and they'll talk about you could use all makes, all models,
or you can find their specific coolant,
whatever they're making for that vehicle,
and you'll be fine, but, you know, and then over.
I have two gallons of peak concentrate.
Perfect, right in front of me.
Perfect, and you know, and if it says two gallons,
and you mix up four, as you wanna overdo it,
you can overdo it.
Just go get a big bucket, go to Home Depot,
get a Homer bucket, right?
And just have this big, giant bucket of coolant,
and you know, it'll work fine.
It'll work absolutely fine, all right?
It's just, you're gonna need some hoses and adapters,
and yeah, Volkswagen, actually,
that's one of the things they do really well.
They made coolant flushes on those cars, very, very easy.
Okay, cool.
All right, sir.
Oh, thanks, Ron.
You're welcome, Bill, you be well.
Have a good week.
You too.
All right, Bobby.
I talked to Billy a couple of times this week.
He was going through that Nissan Pathfinder
we talked about last week,
and I think he's on the right path with that truck.
He finally got that solved,
and you know, now he's on to the next thing.
I'd like to see his garage.
He's out there working in Colorado, I think,
on all the neighbors and the family cars
and doing his thing, so,
but definitely always a good time talking to Bill, so, yeah.
And that's, you know what?
And that's what this show is about, right?
We talked in the beginning about what's this show about,
about me explaining what goes on in the shop.
That's what this show is about.
I'm there for guys like Bill.
I'm there for you.
I'm here to help you guys understand
what it is to fix cars and try and come up
with simpler solutions, you know,
because we don't have time to waste.
We had a guy this week walk into the shop
that made an appointment,
new customer, or tried to be a new customer,
and he had break shake,
and he had taken it to a couple of shops,
and they looked at this,
they looked at that,
they put brakes on the car within the last six to eight months,
and it sort of fixed it, but it didn't,
and then it came back, and then it got worse,
and all right, listen,
I'm happy to work on the car,
I'm happy to work for you, all right?
I need an hour of shop time.
I've got to do some road tests,
I've got to put it up in the air,
I've got to pull wheels,
I've got to get out of dial indicator,
I've got to start to look at things,
I've never seen the vehicle before,
I have to baseline the car.
An hour of time sound reasonable to you,
it sounded reasonable to me,
I've never been to a doctor's office
where they didn't begin doing some basic testing,
and you know, there's costs involved,
and hey, that's great, I can deal with that,
no problem in an hour, okay, yeah, great, good.
Well, Wednesday came and went,
and he never showed, and what do you do with that, right?
You know, the great poet Carl Sandberg said,
time is the coin of life,
I actually thought it was Kenny Wasmer,
a kid I went to high school with,
because that was his yearbook quote,
Kenny wrote time is the coin of life,
be careful lest you let others spend it for you.
I found out later on it was Carl Sandberg's,
I guess that's where Kenny got it from,
but regardless, it's still true,
who's got time to waste?
If you make an appointment,
if you make an appointment with me and you don't show,
you're on the no fly list,
and I hear a lot of shops doing that now,
because who's got time to waste?
It's too expensive to run a repair shop,
but think about it, what are you looking for?
You're looking for a relationship?
There's a right and a wrong way to go about it.
855-5600-9900, run an evening in the car doctor,
I'll be back right after this.
I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut.
I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different
is me being a part of developing the profile
of this beautiful finished product,
with every sip you get a little something different.
Visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com
or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo.
This message is intended for audiences 21 and older.
Gentleman's Cut Burban, Boone County, Kentucky.
For more on Gentleman's Cut Burban,
please visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com.
Please enjoy responsibly.
Have you ever listened to those true crime shows
and found yourself with more questions than answers?
And what is this?
How is that not a story we all know?
What's this?
Where is that?
Why is it wet?
Boy, do we have a show for you.
From smartless media, campsite media,
and big money players, comes crime lists.
Join me, Josh Dean, investigative journalist.
And me, Roy Scoville, comedian,
as we celebrate the amazing creativity
of the world's dumbest criminals.
We'll look into some of the silliest ways
folks have broken the laws.
Honestly, it feels more like a high level prank than a crime.
Who catfishes a city?
And meets some memorable anti-heroes.
There are thousands of angry horny monkeys.
Clap if you think she's a witch.
And it freaks you out.
He has X-ray vision.
How could I not follow her?
Honestly, I gotta follow him.
He can see right through me.
Listen to Crime List on the iHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
For 25 years, I've explored what it means to heal,
not just for myself, but alongside others.
I'm Mike Del Rocha.
This is Sacred Lessons,
a space for reflection, growth, and collective healing.
What do you tell men that are hurting right now?
Everything's gonna be okay on the other side.
Just push through it.
And ironically, the root of the word spirit is breath.
Wow.
Which is why one of the most revolutionary acts
that we can do as people is just breathe.
Next to the wound is their gifts.
You can't even find your gifts
unless you go through the wound.
That's the hard thing.
You think, well, I'm gonna get my gifts.
I don't wanna go through all that.
You gotta go through the wounds of your life.
Listening to other people's near-death experiences,
and that's all they say.
In conclusion, love is the answer.
Listen to Sacred Lessons as part
of the Mike Guthura Podcast Network,
available on the iHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
From the city streets to the open road tonight.
If your ride needs help,
Ron will keep you rolling right.
Yeah, he's a car doctor.
Car advice done right.
And love is the answer.
Let's go over to Andrea in Delaware.
Andrea, is it Andrea or Andrea?
Which is Andrea.
Andrea, let's get it right.
So how can I help you today, sweetheart?
Yeah, so my husband has a 2017 Dodge Ram pickup.
It's a 6.4 liter tradesman.
Right.
We bought it used in 21, I think it was.
And we just started noticing a whining.
Sounds like it may be coming from the front end.
And we noticed it more on takeoff.
It seems louder at that point.
We took it over to the Dodge dealer.
We'd been taking it there because we hadn't extended on it.
And so they checked it out and they said they,
they did some updates actually on the transmission
and they also did a relearn.
But they didn't find anything as far as the whining.
Well, actually they didn't tell us that at the time.
So we took it home, thinking the whining was fixed.
Because of the relearn, they said that
in that adaptive relearn, it probably would have taken care
of some road noise and stuff like that.
Okay, go ahead.
Yeah.
I'm not buying it, so that's why you're here.
But go ahead.
Right.
So the whine was still there.
So we ended up taking it back.
What a surprise.
Go ahead.
And so at that point, they told us that they thought it was,
that we needed to replace the lower ball joints
and front wheel bearings.
And which they wanted to charge us $3,200 to have done.
Well, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait a minute.
Let's back up the truck, no pun intended.
How do we get from...
Yeah.
So, any diagnosis been done here, Andrea?
Like, has anybody driven this?
Has anybody, is this whine,
is it there from the moment you start out?
Is it there if I sit still and put it in neutral
and rev it up?
Is it the same noise as park?
Is it there only when I'm in drive?
Is it different if I'm in low?
Is it different if I'm in reverse?
It's only there when we go to take off.
It's not there if we're sitting still
or rev in the engine, it's only on take off.
Okay, so it's at speed?
Yes.
Okay.
So, goofy things.
Are the tires chopped?
Are the tires lumpy?
Are they wearing funny?
Can we put it on a lift up in the air
and have somebody drive it at 20 miles an hour
and have somebody with a no pun intended mechanics
stethoscope listen to the two front wheel bearings.
Listen to the front differential.
Listen to, you know, carrier bearings inside the diff.
I mean, there's about 10 or 12 steps
we can go through here, process of elimination.
Let's talk about what's good.
Does it need ball joints?
Well, that should be a simple answer of,
gee guys, it's the front ends loose.
You know, the ball joints or the rubber boots
or torn or collapsed or of course,
why didn't you notice that
when they were doing the transmission work prior?
I don't know, but maybe this is the thing
they need to sell this week, you know,
so I understand why you have your doubt.
I think in this case, you've got to get a second opinion.
I did.
Beyond me.
Oh, okay, go ahead.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to interrupt, go ahead.
That's okay.
Yeah, so we went and picked up the truck,
told them we were gonna get a second opinion.
So we did.
And this guy said that everything was tight.
It does not need either of the repairs
that this other guy said it needed.
And I'm just, he couldn't really hear the wine.
So my husband took the truck back over there.
He listened, he had him listen with him in the truck.
They took it for a test drive.
And he said he really didn't think it was anything,
but potentially he needed to have a transmission guy
look at it just to rule that out.
So it sounds like people are thinking it's in the trans.
Yeah, but so here's the thing.
Since we've been driving it, this has been three weeks now.
And it seems like the noise is getting less and less
all the time, so I'm wondering if those transmission updates
might have been the issue.
Could be, it would, listen, I never rule out,
I never rule out software as a solution, all right?
I've seen software do some really strange things.
So I can't say no, it's impossible.
My question is, and here you go kiddo,
you need a relationship, right?
You need to take it to somebody that you can trust
that'll guide you.
When they updated the trans, and I'm sure this is,
I'm gonna be pretty certain that this is the plastic pan
transmission with the filter built in,
that's, you know, if we wait till Tuesday,
there'll be three more electronic updates available for it,
I'm sure, you know, it's just one of those that,
you know, if this vehicle has any kind of mileage on it,
they're doing all sorts of things,
it seems to extend the life,
and a lot of it's through software and how they're doing it.
I don't think anybody knows except the software engineers.
So I think at this point,
if you've got a clean bill of health for safety,
that the ball joints are tight,
that everything else is okay,
I think the next time this truck needs an oil change,
you're gonna take it to the guy who gave you
the second opinion, and start a relationship there,
and see how he does, and in the meantime,
if the wine goes away, if the wine diminishes,
then the software update did it, it's not impossible.
I've seen software do some really crazy things,
especially this year, but I'm just cautious like you,
make sense?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely.
So how many miles are on this truck?
Not that much actually, I think it's around 73.
Okay, did you do a 60,000 mile service to it, you know?
I think so.
Yeah, you may wanna check into that,
because at 60, especially on a truck,
is he using it for work, is he construction,
or something, or personal vehicle?
Yeah.
At the very least, it sounds like they service the trans,
but at the very least, you wanna do a drain and fill
on the transfer case, and it wouldn't hurt, right?
Process of elimination, if you're doing a drain and fill
on transfer case in the front and the rear differential,
just look for any signs of metallic in the fluid,
any signs of metal in the fluid,
it might tell you something that's coming apart
that might be the cause of your wine too,
but I'm surprised, and you know, I tell people this,
and they seem, it's like I've invented something new,
which I don't think I have, but I'm surprised to hear
that it sounds like these guys don't listen to things
up on the lift with a mechanics death of scope.
I've been doing it for 40 years,
it's just something you do, you know?
So I don't know why they haven't brought that up,
and at least say, and I would tell you,
and I would think they would tell you,
hey Andrea, we listened to it up in the air with a scope,
or with a mechanics death of scope,
and we didn't hear any noise, or here's where the noise is.
You know, it's-
Is that a normal practice for mechanics?
I encourage it, I do it, I've seen other mechanics do it,
I don't see it nearly as much as I used to,
and truth be told, you know,
where I learned to listen to things like that?
True story, I was a little kid,
my father went out to LaGuardia Airport,
I must have been all of eight years old,
because my father was an airline mechanic during the war,
and he used to pick up rugs
after he left the airline mechanic business
to become a rug man,
he was a, what else would a good Armenian boy do,
right, he'd sell rugs.
You know, we went out to LaGuardia where he worked,
and you know, he saw the guys that he used to work with,
my father was superintendent of maintenance.
Hey Harry, come over here, listen to this,
and my father would walk over a big giant screwdriver,
and he'd put it up to his ear,
and he'd listen to the engine running,
he goes, yeah, you got a bad rod on, you know,
and that's, why, and he goes,
because you learn a lot more by listening
than you do by guessing,
and I never forgot that, I was a little kid.
It's a brilliant idea, why not?
Just why not, you know, I mean, listen,
the vehicle's gotta be safe, it's gotta be secure,
you're not gonna do, you know, 50 miles an hour with it,
but you can hear an awful lot, 15, 20,
30 miles an hour up in the air on a secure lift,
and you know, slow acceleration,
keeping your head clear of moving objects,
you gotta realize there's a drive shaft
spinning down there, there's tires spinning,
there's all sorts of moving parts,
it's not the safest thing in the world to do,
but neither's working on cars
putting a two ton vehicle over your head every day,
so these are the risks associated with the career,
but you know, and it just, you know,
hey listen, the noise isn't this, the noise isn't that,
you know, sometimes, and then we'll go,
but sometimes, kiddo, you know, telling me what's good
will tell me what's bad, if the front end
doesn't make any noise, if the wheel bearings
don't make any noise, if it's not tire related,
if it's not this, it's not that,
well then it's gotta be this, and you know,
you would pay, here, let me ask the question this way,
if they could give you a definitive answer
for an hour of shop time, would you pay 200 bucks for that?
Yeah. Okay, well then, they missed their mark, right?
It's a concept, diagnosis.
I gotta go, kiddo, I'm up against the clock,
you be well, and if you need more,
you know where to find me, thank you very much,
855-560-9900, we're back right after this.
I'm Stefan Curry, and this is Gentleman's Cut.
I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different
is me being a part of, you know,
developing the profile of this beautiful finished product,
with every sip you get a little something different.
Visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com,
or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo.
This message is intended for audiences 21 and older.
Gentleman's Cut Burban, Boone County, Kentucky.
For more on Gentleman's Cut Burban,
please visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com.
Please enjoy responsibly.
Have you ever listened to those true crime shows
and found yourself with more questions than answers?
And what is this?
How is that not a story we all know?
What's this, where is that?
Why is it wet?
Boy, do we have a show for you.
From smartless media, campsite media,
and big money players comes crime lists.
Join me, Josh Dean, investigative journalist.
And me, Roy Scoville, comedian,
as we celebrate the amazing creativity
of the world's dumbest criminals.
We'll look into some of the silliest ways
folks have broken the laws.
Honestly, it feels more like a high level prank
than a crime.
Who catfishes a city?
And meets a memorable anti-heroes.
There are thousands of angry horny monkeys.
Clap if you think she's a witch,
and it freaks you out.
He has X-ray vision, how could I not follow her?
Honestly, I gotta follow her.
He can see right through me.
Listen to Crime List on the iHeart Radio App,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
For 25 years, I've explored what it means to heal,
not just for myself, but alongside others.
I'm Mike Del Rocha.
This is Sacred Lessons,
a space for reflection, growth, and collective healing.
What do you tell men that are hurting right now?
Everything's gonna be okay on the other side,
just push through it.
And ironically, the root of the word spirit is breath.
Wow.
Which is why one of the most revolutionary acts
that we can do as people is just breathe.
Next to the wound is their gifts.
You can't even find your gifts
unless you go through the wound.
That's the hard thing.
You think, well, I'm gonna get my gifts,
I don't wanna go through all that.
You gotta go through the wounds you're left with.
Listening to other people's near-death experiences,
and that's all they say.
In conclusion, love is the answer.
Listen to Sacred Lessons as part
of the Mike Guthura Podcast Network,
available on the iHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hi, I'm Dr. Priyanka Wally.
And I'm Harry Kandabolu.
On our new podcast, Health Stuff,
we demystify your burning health questions.
You'll hear us being completely honest about our own health.
I'm talking about very serious stuff right now,
and you're laughing at me.
And you'll hear candid advice and personal stories
from experts who wanna make healthcare more human.
Sometimes you're there to listen, to understand,
to empathize, maybe to give them an understanding
or a name for what's going on.
That helps people a lot,
understanding that it's not just in their head.
We are breaking down the science,
talking with experts and sharing practical health tips
you can actually use in your day-to-day life.
From when to utilize and avoid artificial light
to how to sleep better.
Everything you need to know about fiber
and how to poop better.
How to minimize the effects of jet lag
and how to stay hopeful in times of distress.
We human beings, all we want is connection.
We just wanna connect with each other.
We wanna make health less confusing
and maybe even a little fun.
Find Health Stuff on the iHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The social media trend that's landing some Gen Zers in jail.
The progressive media darling,
whose public meltdown got her fired.
I'm gonna take Francesco off the network entirely.
The massive TikTok boycott against Target
that makes no actual sense.
I will continue getting stuff from Target
and I will continue to not pay for it.
And the MAGA influencers,
whose trip to the White House ended in embarrassment.
So refreshing to have the press secretary
after the last few years
who's both intelligent and articulate.
You won't hear about these online stories
in the mainstream media,
but you can keep up with them
and all the other entertaining and outrageous things
happening online, in media, and in politics,
with the Brad vs. Everyone podcast.
Hosted by me, Brad Palumbo.
Every day of the week,
I bring you on a wild ride
who the most Delulu takes on the internet,
criticizing the extremes of both sides
from an independent perspective.
Join in on the insanity
and listen to the Brad vs. Everyone podcast
on the iHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
855-567-9900, Ron Aining and the Car Doctor.
Don't forget our YouTube channel
and get out to cardoctorshow.com for more information.
Let's go over to Nate in Oregon,
who wants to check in and comment about some comments
we made last week about Acura Drain Plugs,
Honda Drain Plugs.
Nate, welcome to the Car Doctor, sir.
How can I help?
Hey, so I've heard you a couple of times mentioned
putting a drain bolt on a vise
and trying it off on Honda cars.
Right.
And so I was a lube tech,
when I started my career about eight years ago at Acura,
and my foreman saw me doing that one time,
when you see a lube tech with a hammer and a chisel.
Gets you nervous.
It gets you nervous if he's not banging a wheel off.
So he comes over and he's like,
Hey, what's going on?
I'm like, oh, I'm just trying to get this washer off.
And he's like, let me show you and grab your cutters.
And so you take your big dykes and you put one side on the flange
and then one side on the washer and you just squeeze.
And I think we'll pop off.
It's not the first time, two or three times at the most
and you're done.
Sometimes I get you.
I get 100% Nate.
I've done it that way.
Sometimes I can't.
Sometimes they're so crushed on,
it's like they're formed onto the head of the plug.
And think of it like this.
If I don't tell somebody I have to use a hammer and a chisel,
the average listener is not going to understand
what we're talking about and how hard it is
to get the darn things off.
Now, did you change the gasket every oil, right?
The gasket has to be changed every oil change.
Every time.
Right.
And it's amazing.
And how many guys do you see actually do it right?
Honestly, do they?
Oh, the guys would flip it over usually and just reuse it.
Right.
Yeah.
And then over.
A lot of the time.
How many strip drain plugs do you think you ever saw or did you?
Oh my gosh, a lot, a lot.
So, you know, it's funny.
It's just such a simple thing.
And I appreciate the comment.
I really do it too.
Listen, it takes courage to pick up the phone
and call into a radio show.
I get it 100%.
And you're not wrong.
I've done it that way.
I've also done it.
And if you've done it where you'll have a pair of channel locks
and you'll just be able to grab the aluminum
and just kind of twist it.
And then sometimes that doesn't do it.
It just boggles my mind.
And you know what?
It shows me.
And I'm sure you'll agree that whoever did the last oil change
made it too tight because they just crushed it to death.
And it's, you know, I think it's like 30 foot-pounds.
If I remember the number, it varies a little bit
between make and model.
Between 25 and 30.
You know, it doesn't take a lot.
But I'm not sure.
I think these guys have half-inch breaker bars.
And you know what?
It's not just Honda that has these moments of insanity.
We go through it on Toyotas.
I don't know if you've ever got the service Toyotas
with the cartridge-style oil filters
and the special cup wrench.
And you wonder how tight do they have to make that?
You know, is it holding the bumpers on?
Is it, you know, keeping the car from falling off altogether?
What are you doing now?
Are you still an oil change tech netter?
Native or have you moved on?
No, I've moved on.
I've moved on to BMWs.
I'm at a, I was at a BMW dealer for three years
and now I'm at an independent shop
and that's where I'm staying.
Yeah.
So I love it.
You're doing more than oil changes.
You're doing general service.
Doing everything.
Yeah.
I've moved on to doing just a bit of everything.
So whatever comes in the door is what I'm going after.
What Nate gets.
Well, cool beans.
Listen, I'm happy to catch you among the listeners
and you know, you, you keep going.
We need guys like you in the industry.
All right.
Hey, thanks, Sean.
I appreciate it.
You're very welcome.
You know what, Nate, stay on the line.
Tom's going to get your information.
Let's send you out a car doctor T-shirt.
I'm Ron Anani and the car doctor 855-560-9900.
I'll be back right after this.
I'm Stefan Curry and this is Gentleman's Cut.
I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different
is me being a part of developing the profile
of this beautiful finished product
with every sip you get a little something different.
Visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com
or your nearest Total Wines or Bevmo.
This message is intended for audiences 21 and older.
Gentleman's Cut Burban, Boone County, Kentucky.
For more on Gentleman's Cut Burban,
please visit Gentleman'sCutBurban.com.
Please enjoy responsibly.
Have you ever listened to those true crime shows
and found yourself with more questions than answers?
And what is this?
How is that not a story we all know?
What is this?
Where is that?
Why is it wet?
Boy, do we have a show for you.
From smartless media, campsite media,
and big money players comes crime lists.
Join me, Josh Dean, investigative journalist.
And me, Roy Scoville, comedian,
as we celebrate the amazing creativity
of the world's dumbest criminals.
We're looking to some of the silliest ways
folks have broken the laws.
Honestly, it feels more like a high level prank than a crime.
Who catfishes a city?
And meets some memorable anti-heroes.
There are thousands of angry horny monkeys.
Clap if you think she's a witch.
And it freaks you out.
He has X-ray vision.
How could I not follow her?
Honestly, I gotta follow him.
He can see right through me.
Listen to Crime List on the iHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
For 25 years, I've explored what it means to heal,
not just for myself, but alongside others.
I'm Mike Del Rocha.
This is Sacred Lessons, a space for reflection,
growth, and collective healing.
What do you tell men that are hurting right now?
Everything's gonna be okay on the other side.
You know, just push through it.
And you know, ironically, the root of the word spirit is breath.
Wow.
Which is why one of the most revolutionary acts
that we can do as people is just breathe.
Next to the wound is their gifts.
You can't even find your gifts unless you go through the wound.
That's the hard thing.
You think, well, I'm gonna get my gifts.
I don't want to go through all that.
You gotta go through the wounds you're left.
Listening to other people's near-death experiences,
and that's all they say.
In conclusion, love is the answer.
Listen to Sacred Lessons as part of the Mike Guthura Podcast Network,
available on the iHeart Radio app,
Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.
The social media trend that's landing some Gen Zers in jail.
The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired.
I'm gonna take Francesca off the network entirely.
The massive TikTok boycott against Target that makes no actual sense.
I will continue getting stuff from Target,
and I will continue to not pay for it.
And the MAGA influencers whose trip to the White House ended in embarrassment.
So refreshing to have the press secretary after the last few years
who's both intelligent and articulate.
You won't hear about these online stories in the mainstream media,
but you can keep up with them and all the other entertaining
and outrageous things happening online, in media, and in politics
with the Brad vs. Everyone podcast, hosted by me, Brad Palumbo.
Every day of the week, I bring you on a wild ride
who the most Dalulu takes on the internet,
criticizing the extremes of both sides from an independent perspective.
Join in on the insanity and listen to the Brad vs. Everyone podcast
on the iHeart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Like if we're on the air here, and I literally have my contract here,
and I'm looking at, you know, as soon as I sign this,
I'm gonna get a seven-figure check.
I'll told them I won't be working here in two weeks.
From the underground clubs that shaped global music,
to the pastors and creatives who built the cultural empire,
the Atlanta Ears podcast uncovers the stories
behind one of the most influential cities in the world.
The thing I love about Atlanta is that it's a city of hustlers, man.
Each episode explores a different chapter of Atlanta's rise,
featuring conversations with Ludacris, Will Packer, Pastor Jamal Bryant,
DJ Drama, and more.
The full series is available to listen to now.
I really just had never experienced anything like what was going on in the city
as far as like, you know, seeing so many young, black, affluent creatives in all walks of life.
The church had dwindled almost to nothing.
And God said, this is your assignment.
And that's like how you know, like, okay, are you from Atlanta for real?
I ain't got to say too much.
I'm a great baby.
Shut up.
Listen to Atlanta Ears on the iHeart Radio Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.
And you know, hopefully when I send Nate his t-shirt, I do it right because I sent,
I sent who was it, Alex in Tennessee, his two t-shirts last week.
And I was so tired when I did it.
It was late at night when I was filling out the form.
I sent them to myself.
So I sent them to the shop and I had to wait for him to show up.
Because, you know, we have a company that makes the t-shirts for us.
So I sent them from the shop.
They came from Texas to Waldwick.
And then from Waldwick, I had to put them in a UPS envelope.
And you actually admitted this.
Ah, Tom, I was tired.
It was two o'clock in the morning, I think, when I was doing it,
because I was working late that night.
It's just, you know, Ron never sleeps.
He's always doing something.
And so Alex, if you're listening, your t-shirts are on the way.
Actually, he knows that because I called him
because then there was a problem with the address
and I got that straightened out.
But so I got to remember with Nate,
I want to send him directly to Nate,
not to Waldwick and then to Nate to Oregon.
So we'll get that right.
It's a lot going on.
Listen, the shop's a very busy place.
And you never know, you never know what's going to transpire.
You never know what's going to change the course of action.
You learn to recognize the pitfalls, though.
And I think that's, you know, that's part of it.
We had a gentleman come in Monday morning
and he needed a tire repaired on his Mercedes Benz.
And we said, well, we're a little busy this week,
but, you know, we're happy to try and accommodate you.
We'll get you in and, you know, comment to the shop,
nice clean shop.
I walk past it all the time, yadda, yadda, yadda, yadda.
You know, no good deed goes unpunished
because it went from, you know, what a great shop to,
well, you don't need one, you don't need a tire repaired.
You need four tires, four tires, four run flats
on a Mercedes Benz and a wheel alignment.
Well, there's two grand.
And, you know, it just transpired
into family members getting involved
and why is it so much money?
And he just bought the car and it's a Mercedes.
It's a run flat.
You know, you've got to explain the technology,
which leads me back to,
are you guys asking the right questions,
especially whether you're getting the car fixed
or when you're buying the car,
are you asking the right questions about ownership?
And if not, you need to.
I'm Ron Anani in the car doctor till the next time.
Good mechanics aren't expensive.
They're priceless.
See ya.
I'm Stefan Curry and this is Gentleman's Cut.
I think what makes Gentleman's Cut different
is me being a part of, you know,
developing the profile of this beautiful finished product
with every sip you get a little something different.
Please enjoy responsibly.
Hi, I'm Dr. Priyanka Wally.
And I'm Hari Kandavolu.
On our new podcast, Health Stuff,
we demystify your burning health questions.
You'll hear us being completely honest about our own health.
My residency colon was like a cry for help, honestly.
And you'll hear candid advice and personal stories
from experts who want to make health care more human.
I think they never felt like actually belonged in medicine.
We want to make health less confusing
and maybe even a little fun.
Find Health Stuff on the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
I didn't really have an interest in being on air.
I kind of was up there to just try and infiltrate the building.
From the underground clubs that shape global music
to the pastors and creatives who built the cultural empire.
The Atlanta Ears podcast uncovers the stories
behind one of the most influential cities in the world.
The thing I love about Atlanta is that
it's a city of hustlers, man.
Each episode explores a different chapter of Atlanta's rise,
featuring conversations with Ludacris, Will Packer,
Pastor Jamal Bryant, DJ Drama, and more.
The full series is available to listen to now.
Listen to Atlanta Ears on the iHeartRadio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Social media trend is landing some Gen Zers in jail.
The progressive media darling whose public meltdown got her fired
and the massive TikTok boycott against Target,
that actually makes no sense.
You won't hear about these online stories
in the mainstream media, but you can keep up with them
and all the other entertaining and outrageous things
happening online, in media, and in politics,
with the Brad vs. Everyone podcast.
Listen to the Brad vs. Everyone podcast
on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts,
or wherever you get your podcasts.
This is an iHeart podcast.
About this episode
Understanding how to communicate effectively with your mechanic can save you time and money. Ron Ananian shares real-life examples from his shop, emphasizing the importance of building a trusting relationship with your mechanic rather than just seeking the cheapest option. He discusses a caller's experience with a Honda dealer and the miscommunication that led to confusion over necessary repairs. Ron stresses the need for proper maintenance and encourages listeners to ask the right questions when dealing with car repairs. Tune in for practical advice and insights into the automotive repair industry.
This week on Ron Ananian The Car Doctor, Ron opens with a real Tuesday-morning phone call: a Honda owner chasing the cheapest tie rod and wheel alignment in town after a “great cheap oil change” at the dealer. From there, Ron breaks down the wrong way to talk to a repair shop, why price-shopping without a relationship always backfires, and how skipped 30k/45k/60k services eventually come due—with interest.
Ron also takes listener calls from around the country:
Billy in Colorado needs to flush a 2010 VW Jetta 2.5 cooling system loaded with oil. Ron walks him through an efficient DIY-style coolant exchange using the expansion bottle instead of a machine.
Andrea in Delaware hears a whining noise on her 2017 Ram 6.4 Hemi. After a transmission update and conflicting opinions, Ron explains how to separate real diagnosis from guesswork and why she needs a shop that actually listens to the truck.
Nate in Oregon, a BMW tech and former Acura lube tech, shares a pro tip for removing stubborn Honda/Acura drain plug washers—and Ron talks about over-tightened plugs, stripped pans, and doing oil changes the right way.
Ron closes with stories from the shop: no-show appointments, pricey Mercedes run-flat tires, and why time and trust are the real currency in auto repair.