Header time, suspension too, and a bomb q

[Mike Arman]

From: "rob hod" <rob3 at hod3.fsnet.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Header time, suspension too, and a bomb q

 >My experience with the bomb was that it didn't make any difference to
 >braking capabilities, after all it's just a reservoir. If the pumps working
 >fine then it seems that it has enough power to do the job 'on demand'.

No, it is more than that - it is the power assist for the brakes.

Type 44 brakes do *seem* OK without a working bomb, and are frequently 
driven like that for quite some time.

When the new bomb is installed, the difference is night and day - a hard 
stop is now like driving into a giant marshmallow - the car decelerates 
with impressive rapidity - and without the working bomb, it is like "Oh 
**** am I gonna stop before I hit this guy?"

The biggest problem with a properly working brake system in a type 44 is 
worrying if the guy in the SUV behind you who has been yakking on the cell 
phone, drinking coffee and tailgating you is going to be able to stop 
before HE hits YOU!




 >In my case I was aware that the bomb was bad when I got my type 44
 >because there was no assistance with the engine off. So I replaced it. The
 >only difference I noticed was that I could switch off the engine and still
 >feel assistance for many many applications of the brake pedal (stationary I
 >must add!) afterwards. I think I stopped counting after about 40 presses.
 >Good value for $240 in my book.

If you don't drive very fast, and anticipate traffic well, and nothing 
unexpected happens (child chases ball into street, box falls off truck on 
interstate), you'll be OK with the dead bomb. On the (fortunately) very few 
occasions that you really, really do need maximum braking effort, a working 
bomb WILL make the difference between a close call and a crash.




 >So I'd agree that a bad bomb must be replaced immediately or else you're
 >in trouble trying to stop with a stalled engine, but I didn't find that they
 >influenced the brakes performance.

You just *might* want to take a drive in another type 44 to compare the 
brakes between the two cars - it is possible that something else may be 
wrong with the brakes on your car, because the working bomb DOES make a BIG 
difference with the brakes.

("Hello, Mr. Hob? We're done with the brake job on your Audi, you can come 
pick it up. Just to make sure those expensive new brake rotors with all the 
holes in them don't rust, we've made sure to grease them up real well . . . ")


Best Regards,
Mike Arman