posted on May 29, 2002 03:35:56 PM new
I went out today and worked on my wifes car which needs new brakes. I have not worked on cars for YEARS and have no real desire but I am trying to stretch our money and I can do the brakes for about $70 and it would be $400 at the shop.
Well putting them back together the one bolt that locates a caliper was a little stiff and made a PoP and stripped the threads out - really did not feel that tight - I am not one to strip threads out very easy - I usually stop and see what is wrong - but it did not feel that bad.
Turns out in the past someone lost a bolt and used a bolt about 1/4 inch too long. It worked OK when the pads were worn but with brand new pads it hits. So now I have to go buy a 8mm helicoil kit for about $50 and fix the stripped hole. If it was not a life critical part I would just stuff it with epoxy and run the bolt in the hole, but not for something critical.
I got spoiled letting somebody else do all the dirty work.
posted on May 29, 2002 04:12:22 PM new
Long time ago, I used to put brakes on cars. HAted it. Cant remember the name of the dealywhop that one uses to change them..but it sure was handy. Once upon a time, I could pull a motor too. It was faster if tranny went with it, otherwise I always got hung up on the bellhousing. Wow. That was...lessee....30 years ago.
posted on May 29, 2002 06:36:20 PM new
I put a water pump and a muffler on my old '68 Rambler. Gawd I loved that car. Took it for a valve job at a local station and when I pulled out I hit he brake and it sunk to the floor. Master cylinder. I'm sure they rigged it. I kept be-ahtching that the cylinder job was taking too many weeks. This thing sat nearly a year in the yard and CRANKED when I put the key in. My baby. But I was maybe 21 and what did I know.
posted on May 30, 2002 06:42:55 AM new
Changing the air filter can be tough too.
Used to be it was right on top and you could get to it without tools. On my Honda it is over on the inner fender and you have to use a phillips driver to take 4 or 5 screws out.
