Hi Everyone,
My one car-two driver family just bought a used Buick LeSabre Limited with 155,000 miles for $2500. Owned by a retired pastor, who told me it hadn't received any death sentence, his mechanic fixed the tire air pressure display just before he bought a newer sedan at a used car dealership, where he traded in the Buick. The dealership has a good rep and usually only sells cars over $10000. The Buick was so clean in and out that they decided to sell it on their lot and actually gave me the number of the owner, so I could ask questions. I was told the mileage was mostly highway miles, because they often drove from TN to IN. It ran beautifully when I drove it home, about 60 miles, but I noticed the steering wheel seemed to sit off a bit and it drifted to the right when I went down a straight road and took my hands off the wheel, so I got a Groupon deal for a wheel alignment and oil change at Sears Automotive. The mechanic at Sears told me "your rear adjusters are froze" so he couldn't do the rear, but if he did the front I would see a difference in the steering wheel and better wear on the tires, and that I did need an alignment, so I said OK. He said they could get the parts in and break the rusted adjusters. I passed on further commitment to Sears. Well, the car felt smoother before and now there is a bit of a wobbly sound/feel when it is beginning to accelerate. I honestly don't know if it is in my head or not, since I didn't drive it around more than a day before Sears touched it. The tread on tires was good and no wobbly feel/sound when I test drove. I began looking at forums and threads and read that there are no rear "toes" to adjust on this car. Is that true? And that the whole tie rod would need replacing? Also, we have heard a metallic kind of whining sound like metal on metal. I heard it once when my son was driving, the windows were down and he was turning left. I thought maybe brakes or that plate behind them where pebbles can get stuck, or low power steering fluid, but he said it has made that sound when the car is in park with motor running. I have only heard it once, my son drives it more and has heard it a few times. He said his friend heard it in the school parking lot and asked if the car was OK. I will be calling my mechanic to have him look at it, but if anyone has any thoughts, I would appreciate hearing them. Can belts sound like metal scraping against metal? And would the sound come and go if it is a belt? Or a bearing? But a bearing sound wouldn't happen when the car is in park, would it? It always seems when I take a car to a mechanic, the noise never repeats for the mechanic. Our weather has been extreme this past week since we bought the car, with some single digit days, although today is 70 - but tomorrow will be in 30'*. I know weather can be tough on cars.
Single mom, tight budget means knowledge is the power that saves $$$. Thanks!