Having squirted lots of Kroil all around that ball joint the night before, I decided to prep for extraction before going on my bike ride. This time I followed Jason's advice, moving the X5 into the garage and doing the work there. That way I didn't have to worry about the weather; I could work in the dark; I wouldn't bother the neighbors !
I backed the car into the garage, figuring that if I failed and had to get it towed, at least it would be facing the tow truck. There is always a worst case scenario !
Up on the jack stands, I decided to try and give it a pry and hammer, just in case Kroil had done such a good job that it would just pop out. Sandy helped by using the pry bar while I did the honors with the pickle fork. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that I was able to remove the two large torx screws holding the carrier from below without removing the ball joint from the thrust arm / control arm.
Nothing. Oh well, it was worth a try.
It was time to use the ball joint extractor and get the thrust arm out of the way. I cranked that up and BANG, as before, it came off with a gunshot. Wait ... the extractor came off the joint but the thrust arm is still attached ! Oh oh, the extractor has sheared off half of the threaded end as it slipped off ! The threads are wreaked and there's not enough left for the extractor to work with !
I decided afterwards that the proper way to use the tool, in this instance, would have been to undo the nut to where it was flush with the end and use that entire surface with the extractor, but too late now.
Well, I'm pretty well stuck at this point and I have to think on this ... time for a bike ride. I had my lunch and hit the road. The wind was quite brisk from the ESE but I was feeling good -- besides, I had that ball joint waiting for me at the end, spurring me on.
Back home, I didn't even bother showering since I was about to get very dirty anyway. I put on my work clothes, chugged down some V8 and went into my garage. I guess that it was about 4:30 at that point.
I fussed with the arm a bit more and then bit the bullet, bringing the angle grinder into play. I'd picked up some metal cutting disks when I went to Home Depot for better Dremel disks and attached the beefiest one. I cut into the arm right where it joins with the end of the ball joint. It's tough metal but the tool did the job. Once I was at the intersection of the two metal parts, the thrust arm fell off of it's own weight.
From that point it was pound pound with the chisel, cut cut with the Dremel, heat it up with the torch ... I didn't have my watch on so I had no idea how long this was taking. Sandy opened the garage door and said that it was 7pm and time to quit ... but I said "just a few minutes more". That was because I'd gotten it down to just the inserted collar being in place with the rest of it cut off. It had to move soon ! It never rotated with all my pounding and chiseling; not like last time.
I started working from above, having left that until the last because once I make a hole in the aluminum cap, I can't use the torch because the flame hits the driveshaft boot. It still wasn't going anywhere. Ultimately I was able to cut that collar vertically with the Dremel, which then meant that I could squeeze the ring together and it fell out.
What a B of a job !! I cleaned out the hole with the Dremel, removing the accumulated rust, put the new ball joint in place, screwed in the torx screws (I had been careful, no damaged threads this time), and installed the new arm. I tightened up the bolt where the arm attaches to the frame, leaving the nut at the ball joint loose. That's not supposed to be tightened until I have weight on the car.
It was time to get cleaned up. I was so dehydrated from the ride and then all the work. I was like a zombie. Even thought Sandy had supper ready in a few minutes, all I could do was sit and stare at it. Eventually, after a diet pepsi and ... ok ... three beer which went down like water ... plus some food ... I started to feel human again, but was completely drained. I never drink three beer but practically chugged them. Sore all over, I wondered what it was going to be like with Christie in the morning.
So ... the car is still on the jack stands, attaching the wheel and tightening up that nut the only things left to do. Of course there's a lot of cleanup as well, but I'll move the car out of the way first, which will make that easier.
I'm thinking that I'll probably take it to Tire Kingdom for a wheel alignment next week. It also needs a "reward" of an oil change, rather than all this pounding !
Today ... I was supposed to be working on the car. I now have space on my calendar !
Onward ...
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Jan 31 - a huge lunch
With a so-so warm day ahead of us, we decided to got boating. It turned out to be a great day, the only cool time was when we were heading back into the wind at the Inlet. Otherwise it was quite warm.
We did our usual, out to the ocean ... but not for long since it was really rolling ... over to the island ... to Inlet Harbor for lunch.
Chilli went crazy at the beach. This was her first beach. She ran and ran and ran in the soft sand, not bothering much with the water. Abby, of course, walked the edge looking for minnows, rolling in the sand at times trying to make herself smell like bird dirt. Why ??
Chilli was tied up inside the boat during lunch, doing a little howling at first and then calming down. She got some comfort by lying on top of one of the carry-on bags.
The lunch was huge -- Sandy and Lo had the pulled pork, mostly eating everything in front of them. Mine was slightly smaller, with the mahi-mahi sandwich. Jason had the most conservative, with a cup of clam chowder and some fried shrimp. With all that for lunch, we had pizza for dinner with salad. We still ate a lot of pizza ... or at least I did :).
Today is the exodus, with Jason leaving for Cape Coral by Fort Myers. They leave with a car with a repaired door seal, new brake pads and new windshield wipers.
I, on the other hand, now have Kroil ! I squirted it all over that ball joint carrier last night and will likely do the same today, preparing for some pounding tomorrow. I'm hopeful that this one will be easier but even if not, at least I'm prepared !
The Kroil that arrived yesterday was the second batch ordered, shipped the same day as my order on Thursday. The first batch, ordered on Tuesday, was shipped on Friday. I called them on Monday to cancel but it was already on the road. That's ok. I'll now have Kroil for up north too.
Today I'll go for a ride. I'm still leaving my options open for Saturday's 300k, telling Jim Wilson this a.m. that I MIGHT be there. So far the weather shows only 20% chance of rain and it will be warm, so depending on that final score and whether I have a car ... I'll be going !
That's it ...
Onward.
We did our usual, out to the ocean ... but not for long since it was really rolling ... over to the island ... to Inlet Harbor for lunch.
Chilli went crazy at the beach. This was her first beach. She ran and ran and ran in the soft sand, not bothering much with the water. Abby, of course, walked the edge looking for minnows, rolling in the sand at times trying to make herself smell like bird dirt. Why ??
Chilli was tied up inside the boat during lunch, doing a little howling at first and then calming down. She got some comfort by lying on top of one of the carry-on bags.
The lunch was huge -- Sandy and Lo had the pulled pork, mostly eating everything in front of them. Mine was slightly smaller, with the mahi-mahi sandwich. Jason had the most conservative, with a cup of clam chowder and some fried shrimp. With all that for lunch, we had pizza for dinner with salad. We still ate a lot of pizza ... or at least I did :).
Today is the exodus, with Jason leaving for Cape Coral by Fort Myers. They leave with a car with a repaired door seal, new brake pads and new windshield wipers.
I, on the other hand, now have Kroil ! I squirted it all over that ball joint carrier last night and will likely do the same today, preparing for some pounding tomorrow. I'm hopeful that this one will be easier but even if not, at least I'm prepared !
The Kroil that arrived yesterday was the second batch ordered, shipped the same day as my order on Thursday. The first batch, ordered on Tuesday, was shipped on Friday. I called them on Monday to cancel but it was already on the road. That's ok. I'll now have Kroil for up north too.
Today I'll go for a ride. I'm still leaving my options open for Saturday's 300k, telling Jim Wilson this a.m. that I MIGHT be there. So far the weather shows only 20% chance of rain and it will be warm, so depending on that final score and whether I have a car ... I'll be going !
That's it ...
Onward.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Jan 30 - the taste test
I'll start at the end of the day ... we had tuna for dinner. Lo always wants hers cooked but she'd had an appetizer sized piece of tuna with Sandy when they were shopping that wasn't, so she was willing to try seared. I cooked a piece to pink and she had that side-by-side with a seared piece and she concluded no question, seared is better.
We win 'em over one at a time ... next up, sushi ?
Ha. Anyway, the tuna was accompanied by sauteed zucchini and brown rice, three types of scotch and one red wine ... I'll have to cut back on the zucchini tonight :).
Jason and I had a busy day, as did Sandy and Lo. First up, we changed his brake pads. For $39 that's the cheapest brake job that he'll ever have ! We only did the front -- the rears are not likely very worn and they're drums+shoes anyway.
We then had a full-scale breakfast, complementing the earlier cereal. Sandy and Lo tried the "baconator" -- actually a ceramic dish shaped like a vertical flower pot with a handle and saucer attached to the bottom. The bacon is hung over the sides of the pot and the pot has a small hole in the bottom to drain into the saucer. It's cooked in the microwave -- excellent ! I had a bacon sandwich; the three of them had bacon and scrambled eggs. Three of us, not Sandy, had my "seedy" bread. That turned out to be our lunch too.
Next up, Jason and I packed our bikes onto the back of the X5 and drove to Ormond Beach, doing the tail end of my northern route through Tomoka Park and back along the ocean. Jason kept up well but by the end his hamstring was really tight. He massaged it later and applied some heat ... all was well.
Judy, next door, had been heading out to a physio appointment and she and Jason compared scars. Apparently she has the "new technology" knee where Jason has the old model. Old, that is, compared to Judy's, but the latest thing when he had it done. I guess that it makes sense that this kind of technology changes as well, but I'd never thought about it before.
That, but not in correct order, comprised our day.
Today we might go boating. It depends on what the forecast looks like.
Onward !
We win 'em over one at a time ... next up, sushi ?
Ha. Anyway, the tuna was accompanied by sauteed zucchini and brown rice, three types of scotch and one red wine ... I'll have to cut back on the zucchini tonight :).
Jason and I had a busy day, as did Sandy and Lo. First up, we changed his brake pads. For $39 that's the cheapest brake job that he'll ever have ! We only did the front -- the rears are not likely very worn and they're drums+shoes anyway.
We then had a full-scale breakfast, complementing the earlier cereal. Sandy and Lo tried the "baconator" -- actually a ceramic dish shaped like a vertical flower pot with a handle and saucer attached to the bottom. The bacon is hung over the sides of the pot and the pot has a small hole in the bottom to drain into the saucer. It's cooked in the microwave -- excellent ! I had a bacon sandwich; the three of them had bacon and scrambled eggs. Three of us, not Sandy, had my "seedy" bread. That turned out to be our lunch too.
Next up, Jason and I packed our bikes onto the back of the X5 and drove to Ormond Beach, doing the tail end of my northern route through Tomoka Park and back along the ocean. Jason kept up well but by the end his hamstring was really tight. He massaged it later and applied some heat ... all was well.
Judy, next door, had been heading out to a physio appointment and she and Jason compared scars. Apparently she has the "new technology" knee where Jason has the old model. Old, that is, compared to Judy's, but the latest thing when he had it done. I guess that it makes sense that this kind of technology changes as well, but I'd never thought about it before.
That, but not in correct order, comprised our day.
Today we might go boating. It depends on what the forecast looks like.
Onward !
Monday, January 30, 2012
Jan 29 - stop and go
You can tell when a change of calipers works ... you stop when you want to and after stopping, upon releasing the brake pedal, you go. That sounds obvious, but it's the last part that indicates that you've fixed the problem. I stop in the driveway, which is almost level, and if I take my foot off the brake, the car will roll a little ... indicating that the calipers aren't sticking ... yay !
It was a project in two parts -- Jason gave me a hand in the a.m. as I cranked up the car, removed the wheel, removed the caliper, couldn't get the hydraulic brake line hose off the caliper -- reinstall the caliper so that's it's solid -- loosen the hose -- remove caliper again -- remove hose -- screw hose into new caliper after dripping a 1/4 teaspoon of fluid -- add pads and reinstall. We then bled that brake without any trouble, cleaned up and I took it for a test ride ... one fixed ! No stickie !
We then got on with the rest of our day, of which the lion's share was going to the art show "Images" along Riverside and Canal streets. The dogs came along and were well behaved even in those mobs of people. We were walking for a long time -- it's over a mile to where the tents start, which is a quick walk, and then a slow visit-every-tent walk for the next couple of hours. Our dogs weren't the only ones out there so there was some heavy petting and sniffing going on :).
Back home, we had a late lunch and then Lorraine headed out for a run. Jason had put his bike together and I gave it a cleaning so he accompanied her. Since they were gone ... I got out the jack and tackled the drivers side. The only thing that I was unsure about on that side was the brake wear indicator connection but after seeing where that connects, I recalled how it detaches and re-attaches from when I replaced the rotors and pads last summer. That wheel took half the time, because of course I didn't have to re-attach the old caliper, now knowing what I was doing. roughly a half-hour after I started I was ready to bleed the brakes and Jason was back and did the honors at the brake pedal.
Since a chunk of time is simply getting tools out, it's probably a half-hour job for one side and 45 minute job for both sides. The calipers -- genuine BMW -- will have cost me $59 each after I get the $38 return for used parts -- the so-called "core charge". In 2010, I paid Tire Kingdom $1004.82 to replace one caliper + rotor + pads. That too was a rebuilt BMW caliper so we aren't talking apples and oranges. When you figure that the rotor and pads are worth less than $100 ...
So ... what next ? Well, Jason needs a new set of pads. He was planning on getting them done when in Florida so we may do those today. We jacked up his car, looked at the setup, priced the pads online and checked to see that Advance Auto stocks them ... yup ... get out your stopwatch !
By the time we'd checked out Jason's car, it was 5pm and Sandy was agitating to get over to the club. I had a quick shower and off we went. We test drove the car over to the club ... yay, it stopped ! ... and had our usual burger, this time Kobe Beef ... and went home stuffed. It was very busy at the club, busy from Images, we figured.
Today -- well, we have those brakes. Jason and I are going for a bike ride. We don't have any other plans.
Onward !
It was a project in two parts -- Jason gave me a hand in the a.m. as I cranked up the car, removed the wheel, removed the caliper, couldn't get the hydraulic brake line hose off the caliper -- reinstall the caliper so that's it's solid -- loosen the hose -- remove caliper again -- remove hose -- screw hose into new caliper after dripping a 1/4 teaspoon of fluid -- add pads and reinstall. We then bled that brake without any trouble, cleaned up and I took it for a test ride ... one fixed ! No stickie !
We then got on with the rest of our day, of which the lion's share was going to the art show "Images" along Riverside and Canal streets. The dogs came along and were well behaved even in those mobs of people. We were walking for a long time -- it's over a mile to where the tents start, which is a quick walk, and then a slow visit-every-tent walk for the next couple of hours. Our dogs weren't the only ones out there so there was some heavy petting and sniffing going on :).
Back home, we had a late lunch and then Lorraine headed out for a run. Jason had put his bike together and I gave it a cleaning so he accompanied her. Since they were gone ... I got out the jack and tackled the drivers side. The only thing that I was unsure about on that side was the brake wear indicator connection but after seeing where that connects, I recalled how it detaches and re-attaches from when I replaced the rotors and pads last summer. That wheel took half the time, because of course I didn't have to re-attach the old caliper, now knowing what I was doing. roughly a half-hour after I started I was ready to bleed the brakes and Jason was back and did the honors at the brake pedal.
Since a chunk of time is simply getting tools out, it's probably a half-hour job for one side and 45 minute job for both sides. The calipers -- genuine BMW -- will have cost me $59 each after I get the $38 return for used parts -- the so-called "core charge". In 2010, I paid Tire Kingdom $1004.82 to replace one caliper + rotor + pads. That too was a rebuilt BMW caliper so we aren't talking apples and oranges. When you figure that the rotor and pads are worth less than $100 ...
So ... what next ? Well, Jason needs a new set of pads. He was planning on getting them done when in Florida so we may do those today. We jacked up his car, looked at the setup, priced the pads online and checked to see that Advance Auto stocks them ... yup ... get out your stopwatch !
By the time we'd checked out Jason's car, it was 5pm and Sandy was agitating to get over to the club. I had a quick shower and off we went. We test drove the car over to the club ... yay, it stopped ! ... and had our usual burger, this time Kobe Beef ... and went home stuffed. It was very busy at the club, busy from Images, we figured.
Today -- well, we have those brakes. Jason and I are going for a bike ride. We don't have any other plans.
Onward !
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Jan 28 - two days ?
The parts that I ordered Friday from Advance Auto arrived in two days -- including the day that I ordered them and the day of delivery, i.e. next day. Opening the boxes, they are BMW calipers, or at least that's what is stamped heavily into the metal ...
I'm anxious to get at those brakes, but I held back. I'd picked them up after my ride, which was great, by the way, and then we relaxed waiting for Jason & Lorraine to arrive.
As I expected, Chili was with them. It sounds like the plan had changed to bring her. Abby was quite happy to have a visitor too ! Also along for the ride was Jason's bike, they mythical bike that I'd heard about but never seen !
We chatted and had supper, sharing status reports on our kids. Kyle has a job; Gavin so-so; Mike's finished his degree; travel plans to Florida for Mike & Jill; Kim, perhaps Gavin ... we shared our stories about Christmas at the cottage and whatever else is happening. The four of us called David and wished him a Happy Birthday.
The wind was from the NW yesterday, cool but pleasant. I was a little warm with my long sleeved jersey but riding the Lynskey, had nowhere to stow it. Besides, it would have been too cool without and I'd rather be warm.
Today ... we'll go to the art show in NSB, which has packed Riverside and Canal streets. I had a hard time getting around it yesterday. We plan on eating at the Tiki. That's about as far as our plans go ... I'd like to squeeze in the front right brake caliper ... no pun intended ...
Onward !
I'm anxious to get at those brakes, but I held back. I'd picked them up after my ride, which was great, by the way, and then we relaxed waiting for Jason & Lorraine to arrive.
As I expected, Chili was with them. It sounds like the plan had changed to bring her. Abby was quite happy to have a visitor too ! Also along for the ride was Jason's bike, they mythical bike that I'd heard about but never seen !
We chatted and had supper, sharing status reports on our kids. Kyle has a job; Gavin so-so; Mike's finished his degree; travel plans to Florida for Mike & Jill; Kim, perhaps Gavin ... we shared our stories about Christmas at the cottage and whatever else is happening. The four of us called David and wished him a Happy Birthday.
The wind was from the NW yesterday, cool but pleasant. I was a little warm with my long sleeved jersey but riding the Lynskey, had nowhere to stow it. Besides, it would have been too cool without and I'd rather be warm.
Today ... we'll go to the art show in NSB, which has packed Riverside and Canal streets. I had a hard time getting around it yesterday. We plan on eating at the Tiki. That's about as far as our plans go ... I'd like to squeeze in the front right brake caliper ... no pun intended ...
Onward !
Friday, January 27, 2012
Jan 27 - ok, enough stalling
After Sandy took the X5 out, I raised the right wheel and checked for resistance. It turns but there's more resistance than the left ... ok, I give in. I just went out to get my hair cut and when I returned I checked for heat at the two rotors -- both warm, the right one not appreciably warmer, but I'd made my decision anyway.
I didn't like the calipers at Pelican, so I went to Parts Geek. I ordered both right and left, immediately getting three emails -- acknowledgement of order; successful processing of credit card; out of stock and credit card reversal. Sigh.
I posed a question to them about other brands, since they stock (or so their website says) several brands, also posing a question to Pelican ... but then checked Advance Auto Parts (retail close to us) to see what they had -- both on the web and on the phone. The unit looked good and I went ahead and ordered it, supposed to arrive at the store in two days. I've found them pretty good to deal with. Also, when I have to return the "core", i.e. used part, it's easier to just take it down the street !
So ... that's underway, sort of. I'm still waiting for my Kroil for the Control Arm / Ball Joint work.
With some thunderstorms all around and gusty winds to boot, I decided to do my riding tomorrow. I've just returned from getting my hair cut. Sandy's out shopping, still trying to find end tables for the guest bedroom upstairs.
Aside from the car work, I've got projects pending. I'm going to put hardwood in the den upstairs and get rid of the mirrors in the main floor guest bath. That triggers a lot of extra work -- removing wall paper and vanity cabinet, filling in the silly toilet paper well-in-the-wall etc. etc. I'm waiting until after Jason's visit for both projects -- bathroom first.
More later .....
-----
I had two emails waiting for me this morning -- one from Jason, saying that they were in Witheville and would arrive today ... yay ! and one from Parts Geek, including a link to parts that they DO have in stock. Well, since I've already ordered from Advance Auto, it's largely irrelevant ... but let's check out the link anyway. Well, they've put rear left and rear right calipers in my "cart". Do they know something that I don't know ? I don't plan on touching the rear brakes.
Duh.
We had chicken for dinner -- I picked one up at Publix and quartered it, cooking it the way we used to all the time when the kids were younger -- smother in barbecue sauce in a glass dish, nuke for 20 minutes and then onto the barbie for 10. However, I didn't do it the way that we used to where you'd have to pick all the black out of your teeth afterwards :). Sandy did some potatoes and rice and we ate well, leaving enough for lunches or another meal. The chicken would have tasted better on the rotisserie but this was faster.
... and another day was done.
Onward !
I didn't like the calipers at Pelican, so I went to Parts Geek. I ordered both right and left, immediately getting three emails -- acknowledgement of order; successful processing of credit card; out of stock and credit card reversal. Sigh.
I posed a question to them about other brands, since they stock (or so their website says) several brands, also posing a question to Pelican ... but then checked Advance Auto Parts (retail close to us) to see what they had -- both on the web and on the phone. The unit looked good and I went ahead and ordered it, supposed to arrive at the store in two days. I've found them pretty good to deal with. Also, when I have to return the "core", i.e. used part, it's easier to just take it down the street !
So ... that's underway, sort of. I'm still waiting for my Kroil for the Control Arm / Ball Joint work.
With some thunderstorms all around and gusty winds to boot, I decided to do my riding tomorrow. I've just returned from getting my hair cut. Sandy's out shopping, still trying to find end tables for the guest bedroom upstairs.
Aside from the car work, I've got projects pending. I'm going to put hardwood in the den upstairs and get rid of the mirrors in the main floor guest bath. That triggers a lot of extra work -- removing wall paper and vanity cabinet, filling in the silly toilet paper well-in-the-wall etc. etc. I'm waiting until after Jason's visit for both projects -- bathroom first.
More later .....
-----
I had two emails waiting for me this morning -- one from Jason, saying that they were in Witheville and would arrive today ... yay ! and one from Parts Geek, including a link to parts that they DO have in stock. Well, since I've already ordered from Advance Auto, it's largely irrelevant ... but let's check out the link anyway. Well, they've put rear left and rear right calipers in my "cart". Do they know something that I don't know ? I don't plan on touching the rear brakes.
Duh.
We had chicken for dinner -- I picked one up at Publix and quartered it, cooking it the way we used to all the time when the kids were younger -- smother in barbecue sauce in a glass dish, nuke for 20 minutes and then onto the barbie for 10. However, I didn't do it the way that we used to where you'd have to pick all the black out of your teeth afterwards :). Sandy did some potatoes and rice and we ate well, leaving enough for lunches or another meal. The chicken would have tasted better on the rotisserie but this was faster.
... and another day was done.
Onward !
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Jan 26 - am I getting too good at this ?
I called the makers of Kroil this morning to ensure that they had my order (they did) and to ask if anyone retailed the product. I found that Fastenal does, or was supposed to, so I headed over to their location in Edgewater, which is 1/2 mile south of us.
They have a fascinating array of products ... but no Kroil. The guy had heard of it, could get it in, but my order was already underway or was supposed to be. He has substitute products, but I passed.
When I was working on the left hand side of the car, of course I was leaning on the brake calipers all the time and I thought that I should check to ensure that they were working smoothly. I felt that that left wheel was a little sticky. I went on the highway and gave the brakes a workout and sure enough, as I came home, I could feel some stickiness. Lifting the left side, I rotated the tire; lifting the right side, I did the same. The right side was noticeably harder to rotate than the left. These wheels don't spin freely anyway, since they do have a driveshaft, but there was a difference.
There was also a difference in the heat coming off the rotors. Yes, I know what that's from ! So, I worked the caliper a bit with a C-clamp and pumping the brakes and it seemed ok. I gave the brake a break :).
Christie showed up, but not before Abby and I took an unscheduled boat ride. Out front a dolphin was lingering too long in one spot, according to Sandy, so I dropped the boat in the water and we went to investigate. I was pleasantly surprised that the motor started as if I'd been running it only a couple of hours before ... delighted, in fact. The dolphin moved ahead of us as we got there and I followed it around. There didn't seem to be any problem. Sandy was worried that it was caught up in something, but all seemed ok.
Christie's visit was for me to strip her bicycle frame. That took a while -- her mountain bike hadn't been apart since it was built. I did have all the necessary tools though and eventually we had it stripped, leaving the fork on at this point. She's getting the frame and fork painted pink ! I'll then help her reassemble.
Things nag at me ... Sandy went off, in the M5 since I wanted to play with the X5 some more. Up again on the jack stands, I removed the caliper -- I am getting too good at this -- and really worked the piston. Back on the car, I took it for a spin and all seemed ok. I think that I'll probably replace that caliper though -- the other front caliper was replaced two years ago -- who knows, I might replace both calipers at the same time. They get a lot of abuse. There's still a lot of life left in the pads -- I replaced pads and rotors last summer -- but I'll probably do the pads at the same time, what the heck.
Yet again I thought back to when I paid a lot of money to have a caliper replaced. What a waste of money ... it's so simple ! I'll have to bleed that one when I replace it, but that's not a big deal.
I'm sitting outside typing this. It's sunny and 77F. Tomorrow will be colder. 75F. What a life ! We are supposed to get thunderstorms in the a.m. so that might hamper my biking, but that just means that I'll bike on Saturday, should that rain show up.
It's close to 4pm at this point; somehow another day in paradise has mostly gone by.
------
It's a.m. again and we've had a smattering of rain overnight and a rain system is passing through. If it goes soon enough, I'll bike ... if not, then tomorrow. I checked the weather for Gainesville and it's showing showers next Saturday. If that holds, I'll probably skip that ride. I've got enough without opting for a rainy 300k. I can always do a Permanent. We'll see.
We had shrimp on the barbie last night, along with rice and broccoli. Simple. I used the wok on the grill.
I'm continuing to watch the Torchwood series by myself and I put on X-Files when we're both watching TV. I can handle one episode of each. Torchwood is pretty hoaky. X-Files has much better writing and dialogue.
Jason is supposed to leave for Florida today and we're expecting him and Lorraine either tomorrow late or more likely on Sunday. They'll leave here on the 1st, heading for their rental in southwest Florida.
I talked to Jerry last night and he's going to come down for the 1st week of March and do the 400k with me on the 10th. That could change, but that's the plan.
Onward ...
They have a fascinating array of products ... but no Kroil. The guy had heard of it, could get it in, but my order was already underway or was supposed to be. He has substitute products, but I passed.
When I was working on the left hand side of the car, of course I was leaning on the brake calipers all the time and I thought that I should check to ensure that they were working smoothly. I felt that that left wheel was a little sticky. I went on the highway and gave the brakes a workout and sure enough, as I came home, I could feel some stickiness. Lifting the left side, I rotated the tire; lifting the right side, I did the same. The right side was noticeably harder to rotate than the left. These wheels don't spin freely anyway, since they do have a driveshaft, but there was a difference.
There was also a difference in the heat coming off the rotors. Yes, I know what that's from ! So, I worked the caliper a bit with a C-clamp and pumping the brakes and it seemed ok. I gave the brake a break :).
Christie showed up, but not before Abby and I took an unscheduled boat ride. Out front a dolphin was lingering too long in one spot, according to Sandy, so I dropped the boat in the water and we went to investigate. I was pleasantly surprised that the motor started as if I'd been running it only a couple of hours before ... delighted, in fact. The dolphin moved ahead of us as we got there and I followed it around. There didn't seem to be any problem. Sandy was worried that it was caught up in something, but all seemed ok.
Christie's visit was for me to strip her bicycle frame. That took a while -- her mountain bike hadn't been apart since it was built. I did have all the necessary tools though and eventually we had it stripped, leaving the fork on at this point. She's getting the frame and fork painted pink ! I'll then help her reassemble.
Things nag at me ... Sandy went off, in the M5 since I wanted to play with the X5 some more. Up again on the jack stands, I removed the caliper -- I am getting too good at this -- and really worked the piston. Back on the car, I took it for a spin and all seemed ok. I think that I'll probably replace that caliper though -- the other front caliper was replaced two years ago -- who knows, I might replace both calipers at the same time. They get a lot of abuse. There's still a lot of life left in the pads -- I replaced pads and rotors last summer -- but I'll probably do the pads at the same time, what the heck.
Yet again I thought back to when I paid a lot of money to have a caliper replaced. What a waste of money ... it's so simple ! I'll have to bleed that one when I replace it, but that's not a big deal.
I'm sitting outside typing this. It's sunny and 77F. Tomorrow will be colder. 75F. What a life ! We are supposed to get thunderstorms in the a.m. so that might hamper my biking, but that just means that I'll bike on Saturday, should that rain show up.
It's close to 4pm at this point; somehow another day in paradise has mostly gone by.
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It's a.m. again and we've had a smattering of rain overnight and a rain system is passing through. If it goes soon enough, I'll bike ... if not, then tomorrow. I checked the weather for Gainesville and it's showing showers next Saturday. If that holds, I'll probably skip that ride. I've got enough without opting for a rainy 300k. I can always do a Permanent. We'll see.
We had shrimp on the barbie last night, along with rice and broccoli. Simple. I used the wok on the grill.
I'm continuing to watch the Torchwood series by myself and I put on X-Files when we're both watching TV. I can handle one episode of each. Torchwood is pretty hoaky. X-Files has much better writing and dialogue.
Jason is supposed to leave for Florida today and we're expecting him and Lorraine either tomorrow late or more likely on Sunday. They'll leave here on the 1st, heading for their rental in southwest Florida.
I talked to Jerry last night and he's going to come down for the 1st week of March and do the 400k with me on the 10th. That could change, but that's the plan.
Onward ...
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