34 - Wednesday, March 25, 1987 ~ North Shore News THE WONDERFUL world of front wheel drive (FWD) motoring carries new owner maintenance responsibilities with it. Front wheel drive con- stant-velocity (C-V) joints are the grown-up descendants of the uni- versal joints in rear wheel drive cars, Their role is to transmit driving force from the engine through two short driveshafts to the front wheels. In the process, they have to cope with up-and-down suspen- sion movements, steering changes, in-and-out movements of the driveshafts and other forces U- joints never heard of. It’s easy to Avoid ©-V joint. problems FWD cars. There are four C-V joints on each FWD car, and each C-V joint is protected by a ‘‘boot”’? made of neoprene or a synthetic material. Today's C-V joints are marvels of high-tech engineering, good for 75,000 miles of trouble-free driving under normal! circumstances. The most likely cause of C-V joint damage is failure of the pro- tective boot. If a boot becomes torn or cracked, it will let out the special C-V joint lubricant, and let in dirt or moisture. The chief causes of C-V joint boot damage are road debris, pot- holes and improper towing pro- cedures, along with extremes of temperature and simple old age. The C-V joint itself can be dam- aged by dirt or by rust. Some damage isn’t terminal; C-V joints can be reconditioned. However, the best bet is usually a new C-V joint. see why they’re so important to Tips on now t buy a used car WHAT KIND of car do 1 need? How much can ] af- ford to pay for a car? How do I select the car I need at a price.I can afford? These are all questions you face when you buy a car. Buying a car. is usually the first or second biggest investment in your life. For some, the cash outlay may not be a’ probiem but for most it means borrowing from a bank, credit union or finance company. SET MAXIMUM It’s a good idea to shop around for the best rates before you purchase. Decide on how much you want to pay for the car and set a maximum, If this is your first car. purchase you should also take into account the running costs of your purchase. Keep in mind that you have to live with this car for quite a few years. Long after the novelty of owning a car has worn off, you may still have the payments. ’ Additional costs on top of ‘the purchase price might include: .:sales. tax, registration and insurance, mechanical inspection fees, the. cost of any additional - equipment or accessories,.a-cushion for possible repairs:($200-300), finance cost (interest), and extend- ed warranties, TYPE OF DRIVING includes spark plugs & labour! | LUBE, OL & FILTER $4Q°5 With tune-up | INSTALL SUMMER TIRES -& BALANCE $4 395 xFREE SAFETY CHECK * What type of driving will 1 be doing — city, nighway or both? How many passengers should the car seat? How much trunk or cargo space do I need? How would I rate the following in order of importance — reliability, performance, safety features, fuei -con- sumption? Other items for possible consideration include: quality of workmanship, ease of maintenance, availability of service and parts, horsepower and ac- celeration, and reputation of the manufacturer. After deciding your price limit, draw up a list of possible cars that fit your needs and price range. The next step is to go out and kick tires until you find one. PRIVATE SALE The majority of used cars sold in Canada are be- tween individuals — private sale. The next most likely method is through a licensed car dealer, There are advantages to both, but there are alter- native methods which should not be overlooked. Perhaps the company you work for will-allow staff to bid on cars that are up for replacement.. Public car. auctions or estate sales are another source. If buying from another individual, do a lien and ti- tle search. Get as much of the car’s history as possi- ble. Draw up a bill of sale, and make the sale subject to a mechanical inspection. . wen Running over a large stone, ex- haust pipe or wire in the road is a common cause of C-V joint trou- ble. If you’re worried about possi- ble damage to your car, have it checked at the first opportunity. The appearance of unusual drivetrain noises is another clue. Don’t ignore these noises in a FWD car! Humming or knocking noises, popping or clicking sounds in turns, or vibrations that appear at specific speeds are potential C-V joint trouble signals. C-V joint repairs are not for amateurs. Skilled professionals with chassis training and the re- quired special tools are the order of the day. And C-V joint work can be ex- pensive. A boot replacement might cost $55 to $75 for parts and labor, and complete C-V joint replace- ment can run upwards of $300. Insist on quality installation and quality parts from reputable man- ufacturers. 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