Bill Frantz wrote: > And, I still am willing to work on my brake systems. Replacing pads > on a disk brake unit is a lot easier than replacing drums.
Agree it's easier, and there is very little to get wrong changing disk brakes -- remove a couple of bolts, using some leverage push the pistons back, slip out the worn pads, put new ones in, slide assembly over disk, and re-tighten bolts! Only takes a few minutes once you've done it a few times, and seems to me there is little room to screw up. I mean aside from forgetting to tighten the bolts I don't see any opportunity for screwing up. Drum brakes on the other hand usually have hateful spring assemblies that are a bitch to get back together afterwards. As far as evolutionary pressures, aggressive and fast driving is far more dangerous, however adrenaline inducingly fun that may be. (ke =1/2.m.v^2). Also exposed or unduly light vehicles -- motorbikes, light built cars like citroen 2cv or such. motorbikes have very bad accident statistics. > Set a new personal record for removal, disassembly, reassambly, and > installation of a transmission after I slipped the clutch to get the > car home too. I had a clutch cable snap on me when I was moving -- car was jam packed with household effects. Just drove it for 10 miles without a clutch. To start: switch engine off, put it in first, start engine; gear change match engine speed to road speed pull out of gear, reduce engine speed to match road speed at higher gear ratio put into new gear; and plan ahead to not have to do a hill start on 1 in 6 hill on way home :-) You can change down also, but it's harder because there's less tolerance for error in the engine speed. It helps to have practised this a bit first, otherwise you'll grind the gears or even break something. I was glad I had practised it when the cable broke. You're putting strain on the synchro-mesh when you do this, as it is compensating for your error under-power which it is not designed to do. Commonly there is no synchromesh on first, so a moving 2nd to 1st change-down will be harder to do. Adam
