How To
John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor, hears from a reader who was told they needed a part replaced on a truck with only 22,000 miles.
The Car Doctor hears from a reader who was told they needed a part replaced on a truck with only 22,000 miles. Ford
August 6, 2026 | 6:22 PM
4 minutes to read
Q. I have a 2023 Ford Maverick, the all-wheel-drive model, with 22,000 miles. The truck is driven like a car and mostly around town. Recently, it was making noise, and my mechanic found the front sway bar links broken. My mechanic says it is just a lack of quality parts. Is this normal? I am of the opinion these parts should last a lot longer than 22,000 miles.
A. I agree, I would also expect the parts to last much longer. I did check to see if there was a technical service bulletin or a new part number, but there does not seem to be anything to indicate updated parts. If the truck is still under the three-year, 36,000-mile warranty, I would take it back to your local Ford dealer and have them repair it under warranty. If not, I would consider an aftermarket part. Looking up replacement parts, some sway bar links have greaseable ends. Having a sway bar link that can be lubricated may help extend the life of the part.
Q. I was working on my car and have a decent selection of tools. The part I was replacing was held in place with Torx-Plus fasteners. I don’t have any Torx-Plus sockets but managed with just Torx. My question is: why Torx-Plus?
A. Just like Torx replaced Phillips fasteners, Torx-Plus is a stronger version of Torx. I suspect it has to do with automated assembly. Over time, any tool will wear and can strip out the fastener. Torx-Plus provides a more precise fit and, I suspect, will last longer with less chance of stripping.
Q. I look forward to reading your column every week. I know you have answered this dozens of times, but could you recommend a quality trickle/maintainer charger? My wife has a newer Porsche Macan she hardly uses, so I need to keep the battery in top shape, especially when we take a vacation and it sits in our garage.
A. In my opinion, the best battery maintainers are made by CTEK. They produce a well-designed charger/maintainer and have also been private-labeled for luxury and performance brands over the years. CTEK chargers are a bit more expensive than some other brands. Being somewhat frugal/cheap, I use Deltran’s Battery Tender. I have two – a Battery Tender Junior and the larger 1.25 amp Battery Tender. They are also quality products, have never let me down, and are less expensive.
Q. I have a 2008 Chevy Impala LT with only 40,000 miles, and it is having trouble shifting. I’m told it needs a complete rebuild at almost $4,000. I am not in a financial position to spend this much money on this car. Also, I feel it is an issue that should have been a recall by General Motors. Your thoughts on what to do?
A. The transmission in most Chevy Impala models with a V-6 engine was the 4T65-E 4-speed automatic. These transmissions are not particularly robust, but typically last 100,000–150,000 miles, depending on how they were serviced over the life of the vehicle. You could try a transmission fluid and filter change or even a transmission flush. Be aware that, depending on what is wrong, a fluid change or flush could make things worse. Another low-cost option is to try a transmission additive like Lucas Transmission Fix. A flush or additive could help extend the life of your car’s 18-year-old transmission. As for a recall, this is not a recall-level defect. It’s a known wear-prone design, but not a safety defect.
Q. I own a 2009 Jeep Wrangler JK with approximately 165,000 miles. It has been passed down to my kids, and now my youngest has taken it away to college. While home, it started shaking pretty badly while stopped but seemed fine while driving. We took it to the shop I use; they replaced the spark plugs, and coil packs, but then told me the PCM (computer) was shot and Jeep had discontinued making them. They suggested two shops near me that they thought could help. The Jeep is somewhat sentimental, and I was hoping to get two more years out of it. If Jeep does not make this part, what can another shop do? Do they make rebuilt PCMs, and are they reliable? Lastly, if it’s possible to get a rebuilt unit, in your opinion is this Jeep worth fixing?
A. It is unusual for a PCM to cause a poor idle and engine shake. Is it possible? Yes. However, it is not as likely, in my opinion, as issues such as poor engine compression, faulty fuel injectors, or vacuum leaks. Your repair shop is correct that the part has been discontinued, but there are rebuilders such as Flagship One, Solo Auto Electronics, UpFix, and WranglerFix (a Jeep-specific company that is very well known on forums). Reliability depends heavily on the quality of the rebuilder and proper VIN/programming setup. A used part could also work but would also need to be programmed. Before condemning the vehicle’s computer, I would check for other possible causes. As for your final question – whether the Jeep is worth fixing – if it is truly a sentimental vehicle to you and your family, then yes. But only you with the help of your repair shop can make that decision.
John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor Podcast on Apple Podcasts or other popular podcast sites.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
