Took my car in to find out why car makes a varoom nice while driving. Thought something to do with my muffler under the car so was anticipating about $300 worth of repair work. Turns out muffler system is fine however there is a clamp that keeps the muffler from moving around under the heat shield. $36 dollars which looks like I could have done that myself if I could have ran to the store and put the part on while the car was still on the rack.

I wanted the opportunity to look under the car so this was great. Turns out my oil pan that I had replaced in April is leaking around the gasket so guess Frank’s Discount Tire, 910 E Main St, Lexington, SC 29072 didn’t do such a great job in putting the new one on. Definitely will look into that on my next road trip to SC.

Additionally appears the seal on my transmission pan is leaking as well. I’m sure that won’t be cheap to fix as it is near the oil pan which wasn’t cheap to repair either because of a major structure bar next to it.

All that I can understand and grasp but then Midas wanted to tell me that I needed Front wheel bearing/hubs – Remove & Replace Left & Front Wheel Bearings or Wheel Hub and Tie Rod &/or both on the front wheels. All this I had done back in April 2012 and April 2014 both at Midas locations – one where I’m at now and the other in Columbia, SC. Was told driving and wear and tear caused this. Seems strange and most concerning to me because of the frequency I’ve had this done already and the fact that I don’t have the $800 + to have this done even when they offered me zero interest for 6 months on my Midas credit card that they were excited to reopen for me. Guy said I really needed this done before my road trip to South Carolina that my vehicle wouldn’t be safe to drive.

From what I understand when the bearings go bad on a wheel it makes a grinding or roaring noise from the tire area. I recall hearing that in the past when I had this done but not on this occasion. We’ll see what new sounds I hear once they fix that muffler clamp!

Then said I needed new brake pads in the rear for another $150+ which I thought I had also done recently at Haydocy (will be calling them later to see when I did have that last done).

Glad I have a Dad to talk to about this as he felt this was a bit much to constantly have to be having this done. We both agree that perhaps it’s time for a new car. 109850 miles and climbing. A great car that perhaps is reaching the stage where the maintenance cost is exceeding the cost of a new monthly car payment.

I HATE taking my car in for car repair no matter where I go as I never know what I really need vs. what I should be needing. Wish I had an honest personal mechanic that I could pay to keep my car running even if I paid that person a retainer.

[Update] The clamp that I waited hours for at the Midas shop did not resolve the issue of the varoom noise!

09/20/10