Have I ever changed brake pads, you ask? No, I answer!
So I watched a couple online videos, called my dad to talk about it, and it seemed pretty easy. Take the tire off, take the caliper off, replace the brake pad and reassemble. My dad suggest blocking about 4 hours our for the job, but I thought, nah - I'll do this one in 30 minutes.
I was right on pace... for the first 5 minutes. Feeling pretty proud of myself, I put the new brake pads in and tried to reassemble the caliper, and that's where it went screeching off the rails. It didn't fit anymore, the piston was out too far and I couldn't push it back in.
Not sure what I had missed I called my brother in law, Tanner for help. He's a diesel mechanic with the truck heard round the block, so I figured he'd know.
After a comical exchange where he thought I was one of his customers asking for help, he gave me some pointers, but basically told me I didn't have the right tools.
I borrowed a C-clamp from my neighbor but couldn't get it to fit. As the minutes turned into hours, I started to get pretty frustrated - not just because I couldn't get the C-clamp to work, but mostly because my father was right - this was going to take me 4 hours! The picture below is to show what it should look like, but the C-clamp I borrowed wasn't quite big enough to fit like this.
That's when AutoZone came to my rescue. I was looking on their website for a C-clamp big enough to push my piston back in when I came across their "Loan-A-Tool" program., whose tag line is "There's nothing like having the right tool for the job." They had a kit of tools specifically designed for this very problem. Now if they could just train the sales associates to offer it to young whipper snappers like myself buying their own brake pads!
Long story short - I finished job in 15 minutes.
In short, I dedicate this post to Tanner - the right TOOL for any job.
9 comments:
Isn't he adorable, to boot?!
you calling my hubbins a tool?!?!
NICE picture Tanner...just love it!
Don't you hate it when you're wrong?! :O)
When did Tanner dye his hair? Wait - that's a wig?
Would you like to join the "we LOVE tanner club"? we're getting shirts!
Brake pads are tough work. I remember one time Alicia had a friend try to change hers for "just the parts." Well, $60 and several hours later, they towed the whole car to a shop to have a real mechanic put the whole ensemble back together... plus labor costs! Not fun. So, I guess I share this to say, glad your story had a happier ending! way to go, mr. fix-it!
Josh needs some help with his scooter. He has been trying to fix it himself since January. I'll tell him to consult with you.
That previous comment is from me. My mom borrowed my computer and I lost my identity. :)
I was trying to figure out who Michele and Josh were :)
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