Kathy, can I please import you for my next car repair episode?
I had my beloved Jeep in for routine repairs and inspection last Thursday. It just hit 100K and the 90K inspection/maintenance hadn't been done yet. So I took it in for "the works". Brakes passed with flying colors, but I had $700 in maintenance and improvements....both universal joints had to be replaced, new shocks, new sway bar bushings (it rides MUCH better now), alignment adjustment, slow leak in one tire thanks to a roofing nail, radiator flush, and then the basic stuff like fluid exchanges, new belts & hoses, and a tune-up. They gave me a break on several things so I really wasn't inclined to complain.
BUT
I've had "this funny noise" for over a year, that nobody seemed able to diagnose. It's a clattering that's speed-dependent, must more noticeable at lower speeds. Going through drive-throughs, like at my bank, get my attention. I pointed out this noise and was told that they couldn't find anything, but that I might have a leak out of my transfer case (I have 4WD). Well, off we go towards Santa Fe on Friday....got to just east of I-17 on Flagstaff and I start to notice a noise....a sort of rattle and grind right under the 4WD shift. No vibration or anything with it, just an ominous noise. So we pull into Winslow and head to the car dealer. Luckily they have a Chevy/Dodge/Jeep dealer in town. (Winslow used to be a thriving town, now it's basically dwindling away.)
Long story shorter, the dealer was very busy but took time to check things out, put 1.5 quarts of oil in the transfer case, and suggested I baby it home to get a real inspection on it. We stayed overnight at a wonderful restored Harvey-era hotel
-- KarenK Desert Dreamer Designs