Should I get a second opinion?

Question: Our 2000 Honda Accord has only 39,000 miles on it. It is garage-kept. During an oil change, the local mechanic said my brake lines are rusted and could cause a brake failure. When he told me it would be $500 to 700, I almost had a failure. Is this a danger or should I check elsewhere?

- T.L., Des Plaines, Ill.
Answer: Whenever you doubt a diagnosis, whether for your car or your own health, get a second opinion. Although a leak in the brake hydraulic system is serious, there is redundancy to prevent a catastrophe. There are actually two circuits, one for two of the wheels and another for the other two. Although it may take longer, you will be able to stop the car.

Q: I have a Plymouth Neon. Last summer, a creaking sound started when I turned the steering wheel. The culprit turned out to be a clock spring, according to the shop that does the maintenance on my car. I finally found one on eBay for a Dodge. Are they the same? Although the sound went away in cold weather, it is now back. I can stand the noise, but is this dangerous? Will I lose my steering?

- J.B., Chicago
A: It is not dangerous and you will not lose control of your car. It only functions for electrical components like the turn signals, horn, or other stuff. It is called a clock spring due to its appearance, a coiled wire harness that winds and unwinds as you turn the wheel. The clock spring for the Dodge Neon is the same for the Plymouth. Replacing one, however, should be left to a professional unless you are a highly skilled do-it-yourselfer and aware of the dangers of working on an air-bag-equipped car.

Q: I have a 1974 Chevy and want to know of a Chevrolet car club in the Chicago area.

- H.S., Chicago

A: You are in luck. The Chevy Club of North America is actually based right in your hometown. For Chevy owners across the country, contact the club at 5433 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60640; 773-769-7458; or www.chevyclub.com.

Q: I own a 2005 Ford Escape. The rear passenger doors do not open from the inside or the outside. From searching online, this seems to be a common problem. I took it to the Ford dealership and the service writer told me that there wasn't a recall on my vehicle. The Auto Gurus website says there is a recall for latches/doors/linkages, but Ford could not help me.

- J.K., Roselle, Ill.
A: Whenever we want information on recalls, we go directly to the source - the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - rather than various websites. We did find a recall, but it was not for passenger doors but the rear liftgate. Here, verbatim, is the NHTSA summary:

"Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utility vehicles having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard No. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' The rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction."

Anyone can access the NHTSA site by going to www.safercar.gov.

Send questions along with name and town to Motormouth, Rides, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Fifth Floor, Chicago IL 60611 or motormouth.trib@verizon.net.