V8 Brakes

[lucas daye]

I just called my mechanic and asked about "just the brake pads" and he said
"No, they are applying pressure unevenly, yadda, yadda, yadda. As far as
your rack, its a dealer item only, there is (verbatim) no one in the free
world where you can get the rack except from the dealer, and its about
2000.00 dollars." Didn't someone say there is someone Jurgen or Jorgen who
makes steering racks for less? It's like now he has my car hostage, and
looking for things, real or unreal I'm thinking now. I just asked him to
change the oil and oxygen sensor, and DON'T DO ANY WORK, just give me an
estimate. Once I get this, I'll let the list know what he's charging for
what, and hopefully someone cn tell me if this is on the "up and up". Thanks
in advance.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Arman" <armanmik at n-jcenter.com>
To: <quattro at audifans.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2001 11:37 AM
Subject: V8 Brakes


> >
> > 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
>