Brake Time
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,198
Likes: 10
From: Homestead Fl
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Brake Time
The pads on the 91 had about half the pad left on them. Bled the brakes twice and even though there was an improvement the brakes seemed low and spongy to me. Others who drove it said they felt fine but I was just not comfortable with their response (the brake pads either). After browsing through some forum threads I decided to go with the HAWK HPS pads. Ordered them last week from Pep Boys online and they arrived today by UPS. The box was a little banged up and the tape was torn so naturally I was a little concerned. You know how them UPS guys can be on a package. 
The contents were fine and I called up a friend of my sons who happens to be a mechanic. Off to his house with the FSM, Haynes and supplies in hand. It took us about three hours not including a break for supper. Replaced the pads, oil switch and two scarred up wheel lugs. I'm not doing it alll by myself yet but learning as I go along. I feel I could tackle it next time if the need arises. Unfortunately for me, I like to see it done a time or two before I take it on my own.
Next came the break in and test run. I seasoned the pads as suggested by the manufacturer. Let them cool down for 15 minutes, then took it on a nice long ride. NOW I have the braking power I was looking for. I had to burn up the excess oil left behind by the oil leak so I took a nice ride on the turnpike. I can't wash it off because we happen to be on water restrictions due to a drought. It's not smoking now. Man do I love it when problems get resolved. And it feels good that I have a hand in doing it.
And Thanks Corvette Forum
The contents were fine and I called up a friend of my sons who happens to be a mechanic. Off to his house with the FSM, Haynes and supplies in hand. It took us about three hours not including a break for supper. Replaced the pads, oil switch and two scarred up wheel lugs. I'm not doing it alll by myself yet but learning as I go along. I feel I could tackle it next time if the need arises. Unfortunately for me, I like to see it done a time or two before I take it on my own. Next came the break in and test run. I seasoned the pads as suggested by the manufacturer. Let them cool down for 15 minutes, then took it on a nice long ride. NOW I have the braking power I was looking for. I had to burn up the excess oil left behind by the oil leak so I took a nice ride on the turnpike. I can't wash it off because we happen to be on water restrictions due to a drought. It's not smoking now. Man do I love it when problems get resolved. And it feels good that I have a hand in doing it.
And Thanks Corvette Forum
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,198
Likes: 10
From: Homestead Fl
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Cash always seems to get me the needed attention. Dinner compliments go to the Canton Chinese restaurant. Finger foods like chicken wings, fried shrimp and ribs go well with auto maintenance as well as applying a fine layer of lubrication to newly installed parts. My wife had the case of ***, I had the gas and I think he had stash hidden somewhere. So all the bases were covered. 
Cool Hand Luke of W MI
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,292
Likes: 181
From: Winona Lake, IN
Classy! Though I prefer gas, grass, or ***!
Nice job TommyTB, you get that thing all fixed up and then you'll probably sell it??
There is ALWAYS some extra satisfaction of doing the repairs yourself or helping to do then your self...nice job!
