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DETROIT — When your car squeaks, groans or squeals, it's asking for help. Ignoring those noises can cost big bucks later, so it's best to check them now and fix any problems while they're still small.
Here are three common car noises, the problems they signal and what it could cost to fix them:
THE SQUEAK:
If you hear a high-pitched squeak when you hit the brakes, your brake pads may need replacing.
Pads clamp onto discs called rotors to stop the car. Repeated clamping wears down the soft metallic compound they're made of. That can expose the rotor to the metal brake pad frame.
Normally, pads last anywhere from 9,000 to 40,000 miles, but when they wear down, you'll have to buy new ones and repair the rotors by having a mechanic "machine" or shave off metal to create a better braking surface. That all costs around $200 per axle depending on the car.
If you ignore a squeak for too long, you'll hear grinding.
"If you don't get it fixed, it could damage the rotors to the point where you'd have to replace those rather than just machine them," said Michael Calkins, who oversees certification of car repair garages for AAA.
New rotors and pads can cost more than $400 per axle depending on the car.
If the squeaking stops after you brake a few times, it's probably just rust on the rotors, a common problem that isn't serious. A squeak also can happen if the rotors move the pads around. For $50 or less, a mechanic can install clips or silicone to hold the pads in place.
THE SQUEAL:
A high-pitched squeal when you start the car, or a squeak every few seconds while it's running, may mean a belt is loose or needs to be replaced. Belts turn water pumps, air conditioning compressors and alternators that recharge the battery. A loose belt can be tightened by a mechanic for $20 to $50. Replacing a worn-out belt or the pulleys that hold it in place costs around $200.
Ignoring the noise will hurt your wallet. A worn belt can break and damage the engine. Belts should be checked twice a year and replaced at around 60,000 miles, mechanics say.
THE GROAN:
A low-pitched groan can mean problems with your bearings, which cut friction between fixed and moving parts throughout your car.
The problematic bearing could be in the wheels, water pump or alternator. On a front-wheel-drive car, it can also signal that something is wrong with the joints that turn the wheels. Catch them early and the problems are a couple hundred dollars.
But if an alternator bearing fails, that can lead to a chain of damaging events, including a disabled water pump, which would stop pumping coolant into your engine. The resulting damage could cost you thousands of dollars to fix.
It's a good idea to have a mechanic listen to your car at least every six months.
"It'll complain to you audibly when it needs certain things," said Calkins.
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