Dear Mr. Fix-it, f drive a 1986 Mercury Capri that has been driven 98,000 km. and has been a very wonderful car. However, it has developed a strange noise. Sometimes, and only sometimes (about 50% of the time), when I apply the brake I hear a light clunk of what sounds like metal on metal. It doesn’t affect the brake action in any way. The noise disappeared for a short time but is now back again. It is most puzzling. Have you any idea what it could be? Thank you kindly for your reply. Margare: “McLellan, North Vancouver Dear Ms.McLellan, With - regards to your “strange clunking noise,” I suspect that there are some worn rubber —_ bushings attached to your car's brake calipers causing the noise. Anything that causes this kind of noise usually makes a “clunk” because it is moving more that it is designed to, due . to wear. A thorough brake-inspec- tion should reveal the prob- Jem. Make sure you explain the problem to the service-adviser or even ask him to come for a test-drive with you so you can " point out the noise. The fact that the noise is only there sometimes, depends on different things. Your vehi- cle has relatively low mileage for its age, so I suspect that it is not driven everyday. Moving ‘brake parts tend to “stiffen” up alittle when the caris not used. The noise may then appear ‘gone, just to re-appear. after you have used your car more frequently. Noises are an indication _ that something is wrong, so have it looked at before it turns into’ something more serious to repair. Mike Charbula, « Taylormotive Service Ltd., North Vancouver Got a question for Mr. Fix- it? Sexd it ¢/o Martin Millerchip, . North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave.; North Vancouver, B.C., V7M od 2H4. Fax to 985-2104 on, best ; all, e-mail . Please do not try to phone in your ques- | thos. ar handles sli From previous page The 4Matic system is invisible to the driver and passengers when driving on dry pavement. The E430 4+Meatic behaves much fike the rear-wheel-drive E430, although its extra weight gives ita slight disadvantage in acceleration. But with full- time four-wheel-drive, EST, ASR and anti-lock brakes, ie Gro on. Dealars are foe to et havidua the E430 4Matic reacts to slippery surtaces much faster than a driver can, thus increasing winter driving safety substantially. Extensive list of standard features With a suggested retail price of $78,550, the E430 4Matic is the most expensive mid-sized all-wheel-drive car on the market. For that money, vou get all the tea- tures [ve mentioned above, plus dual-zone climate con- trol, 10-way power front heated seats and power head restraints, power tilt/tele- scopic steering wheel, three- position memory for the tront seats, mirrors and steering wheel, premium cight-speaker AM/FM/cas- sette audio system (but no CD), dual level centre arm- Friday, May 26, 2000 — North Shore News - 31 ee penroid ides quicker than driver rest and folding rear armrest, and a slide-out cupholder. My test car did not have folding rear seatbacks or a trunk pass-through. The E430 includes a unique infra-red ignition “key” and remote locking device. Though there's no meta kev, the infra-red kev fits intu a slot on the dash and transmits a signal allow- ing the car to be started. North Vancouver www.regemcy. aento-.com, voted "Best New Spon Usiiy Wehice” by [From $44. 5 Ofrment ttisher $49,060° INFINITI REGENCY INFINITI Like other Mercedes- Benz automobiles, the E430 4+Matic comes with a stan- dard four-year /80,000 km warranty and 2 five- vear/120,000 km power- train warranty. Mercedes- Benz also offers a unique two-vear/40,000 kim war- ranty on items normally con- sidered “wear and tear,” such as brake pads, wiper blades, and fight bulbs. time offers: 36-mo lease ‘appiias to 2001 Pathfinaer XE (SC1G71 AOD); 2, Dog ment or equivalent trade $5,949. Required at signing $6,758. Total 21 Obigason $20,313. Leases are OAC licenses included destination and detvel Shanes. Gased on 24.000 km a year for ali 200% athfinder onty. Sellin includes dastinatinn and deivery. Taxes, insurance, individual prices, 2009 Automobile Fe ine ohare Assoeel Association of Canada. See your Nissan dealer for details. and eoqulsiion feed Special lease sate available 1768 Burrard St, Vancouver (604) 739-7811 ne and you'll understand. bak Ss Sie feasts te aS pete ; ieee