re: Coupe gt rant

[LAMchop27@aol.com]

hi guys, 
i had the exact problem on my 82 5k last year.  when i would brake, 
especially if i was going downhill or when turning out of driveways, it 
sounded like a 747 was taking off from the front end of my car.  it was that 
loud.  At first it scared the shit out of me, then it got REAL annoying.  my 
dad takes care of all the maintainance on my car, and unfortunately he did 
the same kind of haphazard repair because our mechanic of at least 10 years 
was convinced it was one thing..then that fixed...noise was still there, then 
fixed another thing.  with each repair the noise was lessened but was still 
there.  finally took it to a second mechanic who did a separate repair (i 
dont know all the specifics but i recall struts and shocks getting work).  
FINALLY got rid of the noise, - 1,000 grand later!  i don't even think my car 
is worth that much!  luckily my dad paid for it, but i feel bad that he did 
because it seems like such a waste of money for an older car.  but on the 
other hand, ive been able to drive another year in peace :-)   as Huw said 
"IMHO you don't replace something till you have proved it *is* the problem.  
Random "this might work" replacements 1. get expensive and 2.are poor 
troubleshooting practice (in both senses!)"  - unfortunately our long-term 
mechanic seemed convinced he was right each time, and up to that point he had 
been a reliable and knowledgeable mechanic for us.  i guess none of us will 
ever know the real thing that needed repairing..maybe its just a weird 
combination of things that do the job?  well that's my 2 cents to add to the 
rant.  all the best - lydia marcus