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Post by Cowboy Camper on Oct 21, 2010 19:28:09 GMT -6
Car GPS. That's what I should have said, not the hand held unit. Oops. Anyhow, those weren't available back in the day when we were heading to the concert. I DO have a car GPS too these days, and that would go a Long way to keep me from pulling over on the Dan Ryan to check a map. Technology is good... if you know how to use it!
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Post by Cowboy Camper on Oct 21, 2010 19:48:11 GMT -6
since i was driving i was planning on fixing my brakes, glad i did it anyway... i knew better than to drive it after they started squealing, by the time i could afford the new rotor i was missing half of the old one. the brakes were less than a year old but they had exploded for a lack of a better word, must of been defective when we got them, Auto Zone was surprised at the state of them when we exchanged them (gotta love life time warranties) Exploded Brakes? Uh... there's no way that this could go well on a trip. I remember back in '90 or '91, I was driving the girlfriend's '76 Toyota Corolla when a front brake pad actually Fell Out/Off the car cause the rotors were worn SO bad. I was on Rt. 52 - 49/45 junction at the Stop sign when I heard a certain amount of clunks, chinks and scrapes as I came to the stop sign. Didn't think much of it until I had to hit the brakes a few miles up the road.... only to have the pedal go to the Floor! Man, was that Ever a difficult Caliper to rebuild, seeing as IT was what was hitting the chewed up rotor after the pad had found it's way free from the vehicle. Oh, such memories. Sometimes I wonder just exactly Why I am still alive after some of the things I've gone through over my driving years. I used to think I was gonna die in a car crash. Somehow, I don't think that's even possible anymore. Anyhow, glad you got that taken care of before the rest of the clan was on a trip in that van. I know all to well (at least 5 times) that I've suddenly found myself with little to NO brakes. Can be pretty scary when the problem presents itself.
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Post by blaird83 on Oct 21, 2010 20:48:10 GMT -6
for a person who started the last 3 years with NO mechanical ability i'm learning very quickly
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Post by Cowboy Camper on Oct 22, 2010 19:37:58 GMT -6
Incidentally, how's that Starter holding up? Has it acted up since that trip to Willow Slough? As important as the Brakes are... they're actually one of the easiest systems for a Home Mechanic to fix. My Opinion of course, and I could be a bit biased as I have been doing that type of work since you were 6 years old. ... What the... ? Ouch! Snap! Just another display of how old I am.
Honestly though, methodical disassemble and reassemble procedures will always yield you the proper success needed to get the job done right. Do one wheel at a time (to have a model on display of how to put things back together) and you will always be rewarded with a Job Well Done under your belt. Drum Brakes can get tricky, and a Manuel is never something to be ashamed of to hold as a Reference. Also remember that the left and right wheel will be Mirror Reversed as you look at the model to reassemble the springs, adjusters, shoes and so on. Many parts are involved in Drum Brakes. You should have seen me trying to put my truck's rear brakes back into proper working order. I had a that VERY hot place of a time doing so, and this leads me to my next thought on the entire process. One has to then assume that the job was done properly before it lands into your hands. In the case of my truck, the previous brake job was Not reassembled correctly. Thus, the Manuel saved the day.
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