About this episode
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor starts this weeks show with a repair from the shop. A new customer reached out for help with a 2018 Volvo experiencing a persistent shake at speeds above 52 mph. The car belongs to a couple from New Jersey and has been to a dealership multiple times without a resolution. Diagnosis Process: Ron test-drove the car and noted a hula hoop-like vibration at certain speeds. Placing the car in neutral at 62 mph made the shake disappear, ruling out tires, wheels, and balancing issues . The shake returned under acceleration , indicating a loaded drivetrain issue . Unplugging the rear differential’s control unit didn’t resolve the shake, eliminating the rear axle as the cause. Inspection of the front suspension and axles led to the discovery of a damaged right front axle boot , which had lost 90% of its grease. Conclusion: The right front axle was the likely culprit, also causing excessive wear on the right front tire. Despite expensive previous repairs (turbocharger replacements), the issue had been overlooked. The owners are now considering selling the car due to additional pending repairs. Additional Callers & Topics: Water Leak in a 2014 Honda Civic – A caller from Pennsylvania reported wet carpets and a possible leak from the trunk. Ron suggested checking: Sunroof drains (already ruled out). Tail light seals (common leak point). Trunk drainage channels for debris. Evaporator drain clog if the issue persists. Chatter on Acceleration in a 2018 Hyundai – A caller from Long Island described a clutch-like chatter from a stop: It’s worse when cold. Hyundai performed a fuel injector service , but it didn’t help. Ron advised checking fuel trim data and potential pending fault codes , even if no warning lights were present. Show Highlights: Ron emphasized the importance of detailed inspections and not assuming diagnoses . The Car Doctor T-shirts and coffee cups are popular merchandise items. The show wrapped up with more calls about shutters, shakes, and general car problems . Visit us at https://www.cardoctorshow.com Follow Us On Instagram - @ronananian Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900 Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.