Adventures in Autos... i.e. bad roadtrip. BAD.

[lauragarabedian]

So got everything 'fixed' at the auto parts place yesterday.
Then learn from my dad that since it was back brakes I probably didn't need to replace them yet. And from a friend that unless it was shaking (wasn't really unless you stomped the brakes) the rotors probably didn't NEED to be replaced yet either.
So yay spending money I don't have.

2 hours out from Denver I pass an 18 wheeler, and then hear a "Whumpwhumpwhumpwhump" tapping rattle thing under my car.  Figure it blew up some rubber from the road and it bounced under my car.. sure fine, normal right?
10 minutes later I hear a tapping in the back of my car.
And so it went for the rest of the damn drive.
8 hours, stopping every 100 miles or so to stare, under it, around it EVERYWHERE, in the damn wheel wells...  at my freaking car trying to figure out what the HELL is making that noise.
Only SEEMS to happen if I am going 65 or up (speed limit is 75 in Kansas) happens mostly if there is heavy wind or I am passing an 18 wheeler.
WTF? Scaring me, and I still need to drive the 10 hours back home but can't afford to freaking pay an arm and a leg AGAIN.

Ideas?

Anyone?

Bueller?

Comments

[kazeno-taka.livejournal.com]

It does sound like something stuck in there - it could be stuck up where you can't see it. Are you feeling any shuttering or vibrations when you hear the noise? Also, do you have AAA? If so, I'd say call them and explain that you think you might have something stuck under your car and can't find it - they'll likely send someone out to check it out for free. And if it ends up it's not something stuck up there, they might help troubleshoot.

[lauragarabedian.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I tried to reply to this the other day but apparently it didn't stick.

Looks like most of the problem was the busted engine cover that I asked them to tighten up and they apparently failed to do. Car sounds better now, made it home safe. :/ Dumb.

[kazeno-taka.livejournal.com]

AH, yeah that makes perfect sense. At higher speeds, it's going to start flapping or vibrating which explains why you heard the sound only at certain speeds or when it was windy. Glad it was something easily fixed!

[lauragarabedian.livejournal.com]

yepyep, I'm just annoyed that they didn't reaffix it like they should have - but yep yep, glad it was an easy (superficial) fix

[lauragarabedian.livejournal.com]

BTW their failing to do that resulted in me losing bits of it on the road and breaking more of it.

I'm thrilled.