Q: I have a 2001 S-10 Chevrolet extended three-door cab pickup with 116,000 miles. I bought it used. There is a whine coming from the driveline. At lower speeds it's less noticeable. At speeds from 45 to 65, very noticeable. Over 65 less noticeable or when going uphill, less noticeable or almost gone. When coasting, no whine at all (gone/quiet). Could it be coming from the differential or drive shaft? It has a three-piece drive shaft. - Bill B., Minneapolis
A: This rear end is known for generating a whining noise at higher mileage, often attributable to ring and pinion gear wear. The most common speed ranges for this whine, according to GM's factory manual, are 30 to 40 miles per hour and the low 50s. Those are averages, of course, and your problem speeds encompass the latter range. Typically, there is some whine while coasting if this is the problem, and you're not experiencing that.
Try removing the differential filler plug, which should be magnetized. Metal shavings on the inner end would indicate wear. If the lubricant level is low (should be 0-10mm or .6 to 1.6 inches from the plug, depending on which axle you have), that could be contributing to the sound. In that event, I'd remove the rear differential cover and have a better look for metal shavings. Change the lubricant with fresh to proper level (get the exact spec oil from your owner's manual) and see if that helps.
Sometimes mysterious whines end up coming from the tires. If you've swapped them out recently, consider that possibility first. You could try moving some wheels around - particularly if all four are not the same age, and seeing if that makes a difference.
If you peg it as the ring and pinion gears, you can fix with new parts (rebuild it) or with a used differential. The latter is usually cheaper but not without risk-the same parts tend to wear, so used parts may not solve the problem for long.
Q: One of my children (I won't single anyone out by name, but the oldest is the most evasive on the subject) put a scratch about 2 inches long in the fender of our 2004 Escape. The paint is black. I have always kept it washed and waxed and stored in the garage and it has, until now, always looked very nice. So my question is, what is the best way to deal with this. I'm not talking about discipline. I just mean the paint finish. Thank you. - Jim M., Brooklyn Center
A: I don't think caning is banned here, is it? Oh wait. The fender. I would definitely try some touchup paint. Brush-on requires a lot less work than spray paint, so I'd try that. Get a container of brush-on touch-up paint in the exact 2004 Ford Escape color you need. There will probably be a brush that comes in the container, e.g., attached to the inside of the bottle cap. Don't use it. Instead, go to a well stocked hardware store, or an art supply store, and buy a fine-tip brush.
With a lint-free rag, wipe the scratch and surrounding area with alcohol to remove any dirt or contaminants and let dry. Shake as the bottle indicates and then pour a small amount of the touch-up paint into a small lid - e.g., a bottle cap. Dip the tip of the brush in it, touch it to the side of the cap to remove excess paint, then make a single pass the length of the scratch - this will yield a better result than making numerous strokes. Let it dry per instructions and do at least one more pass. This should give you a pretty good result.