Q. I have a 2013 Infiniti JX35 (today’s QX60) and recently had a suspension problem. When driving at high speed, as well as when the car goes over a bump or pothole, I experience a vibration through the steering column. It seems as if the wheels are vibrating. I have replaced the shocks (Infiniti OEM parts) along with lower control arms and sway bars (also OEM parts). I had the tie rods checked by a mechanic. I have also balanced the tires and checked the alignment. Although the ride has improved with the suspension parts replaced, the problem has not been fixed. The mechanic has also checked the steering column itself. He wonders what else could be driving that wheel-vibration sensation through the steering column.
A. This Infiniti model is very picky about wheel balance and suspension wear. There are several technical bulletins on the proper procedure for balancing wheels. Also, there are notes on checking the ball joints and control arms (crosslink). Even the slightest movement requires replacement. Since these items have been replaced, the next step is to look at the power steering. The other tip I’ve read is that the power steering pump may need an isolator (a fancy foam ring) to isolate the vibrations and noise from the power steering.
Q. I ordered a Chevy 2500 extended cargo van on April 30, 2021. You read that right, 2021. Not built yet. After finally contacting the general manager where I ordered the van, they told me that the obstacle is that I ordered an 8 cylinder engine. They offered me a 6 cylinder engine that they were reasonably sure I could order through a dealership they have in Florida. It would be a GMC Savana though. I have no problem with a Savana. (There has been a $5,000 increase in vans since I ordered mine). I’ve been following a GMC blog and someone posted that the 8 cylinder engines are no longer offered in the vans, but I can’t find any information indicating that. After showing me the build sheet, I noticed that Bluetooth was not listed. When I inquired about this, I was informed that it is only available with the 8 cylinder engine. This doesn’t seem right to me, as I don’t see what one has to do with the other. My questions for you are; are 8 cylinder engines offered in vans anymore? Do you have any thoughts on the 6 cylinder engine for an extended cargo van? What does Bluetooth have to do with an 8 cylinder? Do you know what is the obstacle of building these vehicles after almost 2 years? Have you ever heard of GM’s price protection?
A. I looked on the GMC website and the 6 cylinder engine is quite stout with 276 horsepower and 296 lb-ft of torque, and is the standard engine in this extended wheelbase 2500 series van. The 8-cylinder engine has just over 400 horsepower and is available. This is the same setup for the Chevrolet Express cargo van. The dealer is correct that the Bluetooth communications package, according to the website, is only available with the V-8 engine as a factory option. Supply chain and semiconductor chip issues remain an issue. Looking at the GMC and Chevrolet websites, there is very limited inventory of both vehicles on dealer lots or in transit at dealerships. In fact, I couldn’t find a single 2022 V-8 wheelbase van in stock within 250 miles of my zip code. Regarding the price protection, from what I have read, the large print indicates that if the vehicle was ordered for a certain period of time, the price will not increase. The fine print indicates that there are exclusions, and commercial vehicles may be one of them.
Q. I have a 2011 Chevy Traverse and just had a new AAA battery installed by a AAA technician. During installation, I noticed a black tube and asked what it was for, and the tech said it was to vent the battery. He pointed out that my battery was missing the elbow air unit to connect to and advised me to get one ASAP. Do I need one of these air kits and should I get a technician to install it?
A. All batteries give off smoke, and when under the hood, it’s not a problem. In your Traverse, the battery is in the car, so there is a vent tube to allow gases to escape and prevent corrosion. You should install the vent and any mechanic or DIY should be able to put the vent tube assembly back on the car. These vent kits are available at most auto parts stores.
Q. What do you think about using a torque wrench on the oil drain plugs? I recently saw a mechanic changing the oil with a battery impact controller. When I asked, he said he had it adjusted to the correct torque.
A. You cannot precisely tighten any fasteners with a power tool, battery, or air. Drain plugs have different specifications. On one of my vehicles the drain plug is set between 25 and 32 foot pounds. On the other vehicle (both 4 cylinder engines) the other weighs 18 lbs. When in doubt, use a torque wrench.
John Paul is the car doctor for AAA Northeast. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE Certified Master Technician. Email your car question to jpaul@aaanortheast.com. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.
Loading…
