V8 Brakes

[Mike Arman]

>
> On Mon, 8 Oct 2001, lucas daye wrote:
>
> > Mechanic just said I needed all new replacements for my front
brakes....and
> > my brake pad light JUST lit up two days ago. I am sure I have the UFO
type
> > of brakes on my V8, so I am sure I am in for a world of hurt. ZHe said
> > calipers , rotors, etc., the whole ball of wax. Okay sports fans, does
> > anyone know where I can get the hardware for a more "economical" price?
Any
> > suggestions, concerns, insight would be appreciated. Oh yeah, he said I
> > needed a sterring rack also,,,sheesh. Thanks in advance, Lucas
>
> Huh?  I can understand new pads and rotors if they're worn, but I don't
> think I've ever heard of UFO calipers going bad.  Did he give a reason why
> they need to be replaced?
>
> Also, why the new rack?
>
> Brett
>
>


I think he has a yacht payment due, and business has been slow of late . . .

Pads, possibly - could also be nothing more than a bad wire on the
autocheck system.

You can examine the pads yourself - check thickness.

Rotors? Not unless warped, and there are some tricks to un-warp UFO rotors
- no parts, no money, just go drive and do a couple of hard stops,
releasing the brakes at the end of each one.

Calipers? Doubt it, unless leaking means new seals and corrosion is found
inside the bores, or the pistons are stuck in the bores - he can't tell
this without taking them out and apart anyway.

Rack? Possibly - this is a different (and common) problem. Check where the
leaks are coming from (I presume that's what he's complaining about), and
you may find nothing more than a re-buildable high pressure hose or even
some bad seal rings or crush washers. If you *do* need a rack, the answer
is a Jorgen rebuilt, for about a tenth of the cost of the OEM rack, and
better quality, too.

BTW, Lucas didn't make the rack - now THAT is a truly terrifying prospect!

Get a different mechanic, unless you plan to support this one in a life
style to which he would like to become accustomed . . .

Best Regards,

Mike Arman