I am working my way through a 1985 X purchased before I found this site. One of my main concerns is of course, my brakes (and then my suspension, electrical, weather stripping …… you all know what I mean).
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Tony had a while ago offered to help me sorting out my brake system, which periodically would lock up. After a previous inspection, he recommended new hoses, rotor, pads, and that the calipers be rebuilt. Over the holidays I bought the parts for the front brakes, and after dropping my daughter off at CSUN on Monday, about 80 miles from where I live, I was invited to stop by Tony’s house on the return. After coffee, he had me jack up the car and take three wheels off. (He took the fourth wheel off because I wasn’t fast enough.)
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He then immediately disassembled both front brakes, discarding the old hoses, disassembling the calipers, and completely disassembling every feature, nut, bolt and washer in the two assemblies. He then individually degreased and scrubbed every piece, removing 25 years of dirt, grease and sediment, and air dried all the parts. After checking the condition of each of the air dried parts, he then wire brushed each part, and then buffed them. After degreasing, cleaning, buffing and polishing all these pieces, I casually mentioned that I should have thought to bring some paint, so we could paint them. He then broke out not one, but two colors of spray paint, and painted all the appropriate parts. He then served coffee while the parts dried.
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After coffee, he reassembled everything. It was not like watching a mechanic doing his job, or even like watching myself do the work, although I’ve researched exactly what had to be done, and would be doing it for my own vehicle. It was more like watching a musician play an instrument, as if he were doing it for himself. After everything was reassembled, I jumped into action, as I was allowed to pump the brake pedal so he could bleed the system.
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I was having a problem with the camber on my left rear wheel, and I had spent considerable time and effort looking for damage, or for some reason why the camber should be so radically different. The struts themselves, although used, were the same make and model, and appeared to be more or less identical to me. Tony took the offending strut off, and was immediately able to determine that one of the mounting holes had been slotted by a previous owner. After five minutes of adjusting, he was able to visually balance out the camber in both wheels, and the ride home was as if I were in a different vehicle.
This type of generosity seems to be endemic on this particular site, with members volunteering their knowledge, skills and resources. In closing, I can’t thank Tony enough for his time, effort and patience, and look forward to contributing whatever I can in the future.
Vincent dba enzo mac
PS
Tony is certainly a fount of information……..
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Tony had a while ago offered to help me sorting out my brake system, which periodically would lock up. After a previous inspection, he recommended new hoses, rotor, pads, and that the calipers be rebuilt. Over the holidays I bought the parts for the front brakes, and after dropping my daughter off at CSUN on Monday, about 80 miles from where I live, I was invited to stop by Tony’s house on the return. After coffee, he had me jack up the car and take three wheels off. (He took the fourth wheel off because I wasn’t fast enough.)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
He then immediately disassembled both front brakes, discarding the old hoses, disassembling the calipers, and completely disassembling every feature, nut, bolt and washer in the two assemblies. He then individually degreased and scrubbed every piece, removing 25 years of dirt, grease and sediment, and air dried all the parts. After checking the condition of each of the air dried parts, he then wire brushed each part, and then buffed them. After degreasing, cleaning, buffing and polishing all these pieces, I casually mentioned that I should have thought to bring some paint, so we could paint them. He then broke out not one, but two colors of spray paint, and painted all the appropriate parts. He then served coffee while the parts dried.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
After coffee, he reassembled everything. It was not like watching a mechanic doing his job, or even like watching myself do the work, although I’ve researched exactly what had to be done, and would be doing it for my own vehicle. It was more like watching a musician play an instrument, as if he were doing it for himself. After everything was reassembled, I jumped into action, as I was allowed to pump the brake pedal so he could bleed the system.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
I was having a problem with the camber on my left rear wheel, and I had spent considerable time and effort looking for damage, or for some reason why the camber should be so radically different. The struts themselves, although used, were the same make and model, and appeared to be more or less identical to me. Tony took the offending strut off, and was immediately able to determine that one of the mounting holes had been slotted by a previous owner. After five minutes of adjusting, he was able to visually balance out the camber in both wheels, and the ride home was as if I were in a different vehicle.
This type of generosity seems to be endemic on this particular site, with members volunteering their knowledge, skills and resources. In closing, I can’t thank Tony enough for his time, effort and patience, and look forward to contributing whatever I can in the future.
Vincent dba enzo mac
PS
Tony is certainly a fount of information……..
