Q: I cannot find a grease zerk on the u-joints on my truck. Do all u-joints have zerks?

A: No. Some original equipment u-joints are factory sealed and cannot be greased. If you are not having problems with them, then they are fine. Most aftermarket u-joints will have grease zerks. To reach some zerk fittings on u-joints a special needle adapter is needed on the end of the grease gun.

Q: What might cause a clicking noise when I turn sharply on my front-wheel drive car?

A: Worn CV joints can cause a clicking noise. CV (Constant Velocity) joints are used on front-wheel, four-wheel, and all-wheel drive vehicles. The CV shaft transfers power from the transmission to the wheels. The joint is the flexible part in the shaft. It needs to be flexible to allow for suspension movement and turning. If the boot around the CV joint gets torn, dirt and moisture may enter and the grease in the joint may come out. Foreign particles, with the absence of a sufficient quantity of grease, corrode and ruin the joint. Eventually if the joint is not replaced it will break and you will need to be towed.

Q: My problem is that sometimes my car seems to be struggling to speed up even though my foot is right down on the pedal. Even if I downshift to a lower gear (I have a manual transmission) it doesn’t help. There is also a burning type smell coming from the front of the vehicle. 

A: Your clutch and/or pressure plate may be worn out. The clutch is the connection between the transmission and engine. When a clutch is slipping, you can get a burning smell and the car will not accelerate as designed.

Q: I have a 4x4 pickup and recently had the front and rear differential fluid changed. What could be causing fluid to leak from a hose that is attached to the differential?

A: Differentials have vent hoses. One end of the hose is attached to the differential, while the other end is attached to the truck’s frame. The differential was most likely overfilled. Look for the fill plug on the differential. Get an oil drain pan and remove the fill plug. Oil should only be filled to the bottom of the fill hole. If excess oil starts to come out, let it drain until the fluid gets to the bottom of the hole. Refer to a service manual for specific filler plug locations.

Q: What type of car has better traction in the snow – front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive?

A: Front-wheel drive cars have better traction in the snow. The weight of the engine and transmission over the tires helps the tires get excellent traction on slippery roads. However, rear-wheel drive cars that have traction control can also be good in the snow.