I got another alternator test with the car, pure voltage as well as load, plus a CCA test on the battery. Everything seems to be checking out and yet I did have that problem. After a fair amount of fussing, testing, research and M5board exchanges (a very helpful crew indeed !), I found out several things:
1) the voltage should settle at 13.7, never above, if the regulator and alternator are doing their respective jobs
2) the voltage will fluctuate down and then back up to 13.7 as load is added, but shouldn't really get much below 13
3) there's a "secret" display, where I can show the current voltage on the dash, as well as a host of other things, once unlocked ... but I'm concerned with the voltage right now ...
4) last, but not least, the positive cable was not-quite-tight, which could have led to some of the diagnostic issues that I was seeing ... perhaps
Sandy is going into Orlando today and taking the X5. I've got an errand to run in Daytona and will be watch that voltage, hopefully less than I'm watching the road ! I will report my findings back to the crew on the M5Board and will get some feedback from that group on what they think as to the "health" of my alternator.
I find myself wishing, and perhaps I should do this, that I had one of the batteries from my boat on board the car so that I have some reserve to get home ! Since I'm going boating today as well, perhaps I'll pull one of the batteries ... hmmm ...
-----
Then there's the bike. I cannot simulate the creak that I was hearing with my hands on the pedals on the repair stand, since it takes standing up and cranking. Luckily our little cul-de-sac is quiet and I could cycle a tight loop, braking at the same time, and get the creak at the bottom of every pedal stroke. I needed to hear that so that as I made any changes, I'd know if I was accomplishing anything !
So ... first off, I had to do some cleaning. My worst fear was that I'd see a crack in the frame but with all the crud removed from the rainy ride, there was nothing to be seen. Ok, next up, remove the cranks and check the bottom bracket (the bearings where the crankset goes through the frame). Wait, before I do that, let's check the wheel ... perhaps it's the cassette (cogs in the back).
I mounted a different wheel ... did my test ride ... peace and quiet ! Ok, so it's not the frame, it's not the bottom bracket or crankset, it's something in the wheel.
I took off the cassette and cleaned it. No, the cassette was tight and there was no discernible play. Clean the cassette (because it needed it) and the wheel ...
Look what I found !
Yikes ! My wheel was about to disintegrate ! Actually, it wouldn't be catastrophic from a riding point-of-view since it would start wobbling from side to side and bring me to a gradual stop. That being said, it would certainly have finished off my 600k early !
I mounted another wheel, wanting to be ready for next weekend. I moved the tire etc. All is well.
Next up, I started researching a replacement, intending at first to simply replace the hub. I changed my mind and looked at replacing the entire wheel, since the spokes and rim have been worked on so much and the hub is the most expensive part anyway.
I sent a copy of the picture to Aaron as well as Paul. Paul does legal work in the area and of course Aaron knows everything there is to know about parts failures and their frequency from his readings and experience. Both of them figured that the mileage was low for that hub. Aaron recommended that I talk to White Industries about a warranty replacement, regardless of time and mileage. I was initially going to call them, but then decided to just send them a picture.
Well, they got back to me within minutes saying that they would ship me a new hub ... wonderful ! I'm totally impressed. I should see that within 10 days. I then have to decide as to whether I'll re-build the wheel with the existing rim and spokes, but I think not. The rim and spokes are worth about $110 total and with them being already worn, it's not worth the bother. I can keep them as spares and of course the damaged hub itself will have spare bearings etc.
----
What more did I want to say about the ride ? Well, it's amazing to me how you can do these rides over and over and yet they are always different. The people, the weather, the way that you're feeling, what you eat and drink, what's on your mind ... they all contribute to a unique experience. Some think that you'd get bored doing the same ride again, but far from it. Some think that you'd get bored during the ride, so many hours turning the pedals, but far from that !
The memories always crowd in. Past rides, past riding partners, prior experiences, there's always a lot to think about. It's far from mindless. It's not like watching TV ! It's like "survivor" only you're in the show !
Today ... I've committed to taking Norm Himes, his son and grandsons, out in the boat. We will have one girl with us -- Abby. She'll hopefully get her romp on the sand. We are meeting Norm et al at the marina at 9:30.
Onward !
No comments:
Post a Comment