In one of the local newspapers, the local Oldsmobile dealership is offering a free GM 21 point inspection. I have had problems with my 79' (my U-joint I think and perhaps also my bearings and c-clamps?) As you can probably tell, I'm really not sure what the exact problems are.

I was just wondering if anybody knows enough about the GM 21 point inspection to tell me if I was going to waste my time by bringing the El Camino by there for the free inspection. I can't see any disadvantages to a free inspection, but I do want a quality check up to tell me what's wrong.

The main problem is that when I reach the final gear, let off the gas, and then begin to accelerate again, I hear a loud noise (rat-tat-tat) coming from under the car. When I let off the gas it goes away and it only does it sporadically. I had a loose exhaust manifold, and thought that might have been causing the problem, but I have since anchored that down and the problem remains.

Do you think they could accurately diagnose my problem?

And how much do u think it would be to pay for somebody to change all my bearings and u-joint?

Any help is appreciated.

I can't imagine a GM dealer doing a free inspection of only 21 items that would cover much more than what you do on a regular basis, except maybe pulling the wheels to check brake wear on the shoes/pads.
You specific problem would involve other things that they would probably not include in the special promotion and even if they did it for no charge, there would be an expectation that you would have them do the repair they recommend. Remember, "there is no such thing as a free lunch."

As far as that intermittant noise under the car, I suspect it might be a heat shield rattling on top of your catalytic converter. Check that out next time you put it on the lift or jack it up.

Thanks for the reply John.

I also was very skeptical about the free lunch. And I figured that they would want to do the repair.

I'd love to check to see if it was a heat shield, but I have no way to jack it up, other than the spare tire jack, and definitely don't have anywhere to put it on a lift. Can I check for that with my regular jack?

Any idea on how much a U-joint replacement and all bearing replacement would cost, rough estimate?

When you check that heat shield also check the transmission troque converter dust cover. The metal version, as opposed to plastic, will drive you crazy as it works loose. BTW, it usually is noisy only during acceleration. There's four bolts or screws that keep the cover in place. One bolt or screw at each corner. Tighten each one good and snug. Only a small chance that this is the problem, but the last potential you eliminate will be the one! You know the story - the last place you looked.

In times past when I did not have a place or equipment to safely jack up a car I stopped at a shop with a lift. For just a few dollars serveral shops have put my car on a lift and let me check whatever I wanted to check. I always went to private owned shops.

Dave

I don't see any harm to getting a free inspection and lunch. I worked at a dealership service department for years and we often did this very thing for two reasons--get additional work for the shop and give the new/used car salemen a crack at selling a car. You might learn something you don't know and get a free lunch also.

Like Mrapii said I'd get since its free and you might find out somethings about your elk. Just let them pressure you into getting things fixed that they say is broke. I once got some tires at pep boys for a POS car that i drove for awhile and while they put the tires on they did an inspection of things that they said needed fixed. the list was abour 4 pages long and about 800 dollars. When the guy came and told me my cars was done he told me about this list and i just laughed at him especially since i only paid a couple hundred for the car and he tried to get me to get things fixed. He decided to stop when he told me i needed new shocks and i told him i had just put new ones on the week before and that i had recently replaced some parts on the list.

Thanks for all of the advice. I will most likely take it by for the free inspection (and hopefully lunch) even though it may not help what I need at this moment in time. And maybe I'll even let them try to sell me a new car. just to humor them...

I don't think it'll hurt to ask them specifically to check out my U-Joint, bearings, transmission torque converter dust cover, and the heat shield above the catalytic converter either. They'll probably tell me that it all needs replacing...

When I get the list of stuff I need fixing/replaced, I'm sure it'll crack a smile on my face too. But, I do need this rattling/banging sound fixed and maybe I'll let them do it too, if I can't find a cheaper place...

Thanks again for all the advice and I'll keep you posted when I get it done...

Camini81s story reminds me of a time I replaced the tire rod ends and Idler arm on a truck I had just bought. When I took it to the alignment shop they told me it needed new tire rod ends. I said really, can you show me. The mechanic took me out to the rack and graped a 3' pipe wrench. He comminced to rotating my tie rods back and forth. He explained even though they looked new they were bad. I told him to go ahead and replace them if he really thought they were bad. He went and got the parts and started removing my tie rods. Then I told him when he was finished I wanted to borrow his pipe wrench. I said if I can roll the new ones the way he rolled mine then I would not pay. He started stumbling his speech explaining that if money was an issue I could probably get a few more months out of mine etc.... Needless to say in the end he refused to put his new ones on even though I really tried to get him to.

I was only 18 or 19 at the time. I guess he thought I was stupid or totally ignorant. It makes you wonder how many people fell pray to his schemes.

Daves77