Anyone do any wrenching over the last few weeks?

[JulesMaximus]

I developed a really soft rear brake pedal on my bike and the fluid in the reservoir was pretty dark so I changed out the fluid and bled the brakes. Still, the pedal was spongy to I rode by the dealer about a week ago to see if they had any ideas and the mechanic there suggested that I unbolt the rear caliper and turn it upside down and slide it over the top of the rear brake disc and bleed it again. The bleed valve is at the bottom of the caliper and the caliper is mounted at the lowest point on the rear wheel so it makes sense that you wouldn't be able to bleed it correctly in that position.

Of course, this isn't something you think of, or at least I didn't anyway. So, last weekend I unbolted the rear brake caliper and the plastic cover that routes the brake line along the bottom of the swingarm so I could pull the caliper around to the exhaust side of my bike and slip it between the spokes of the rear wheel and onto the top of the brake disc. I bled it and it firmed right up.

I actually use the rear brake quite a bit for holding the bike at a stop on a hill or to help settle the bike under heavy braking.

Anyway, I gotta give props to my local Ducati dealer for the tip because my rear brake was useless. I changed the front brake fluid yesterday and bled the system. I'm in need of another new rear tire soon (this will be the third rear tire I've had on this bike-they're good for about 5,000 miles) so I'm going to give them the business.

Big thanks to Moto Forza in Escondido. :thumbsup:

 

[Zivic]

on the brake note I finished my front caliper rebuild on my evo:
I installed completely new components on the fronts
russell speed bleaders
racing brake SS pistons
new dust boots and seals
racing brake crossover tubes
brembo retainer and pins
new peformance friction pads
front calipers refinished with a standard red powdecoating and ebay brembo decals

I had two piece racing brake rotors that I had resurfaced. Crossing my fingers they don't warp in the near future. never had much luck resurfacing rotors.

For the rears, I simply replaced the rear rotors with some centric blanks and new peformance friction pads.


Pics for your enjoyment

New Crossover Tubes from Racing brake:

New SS pistons from Racing brake:

new Seals/dust boots from racing brake:

Installed tubes with refinished calipers:

Installed seals/boots with new pistons:

Reinstalled calipers on the car with resurfaced two piece racing brake rotors:

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[exdeath]

Nothing here except a loose connection on my intercooler pump that caused the car to bog when it was heatsoaked. I didn't even notice until I got in boost on an on ramp one day and saw steam coming out of the passenger side hood vent from the intercooler reservoir The bogging had only occured for two nights when I was stuck in heavy traffic so I dismissed it as an anomaly until it happen the second day after I saw the steam.

 

[satyajitmenon]

No wrenching last week. Was too busy riding an R1200GS around the BMW performance center track at Spartanburg. :awe:

Next week, will be bolting on some high-flo catted mid-pipes onto my truck.

 

[CraigRT]

It's funny but true, that is a great idea but just something that would seemingly escape your mind from typical troubleshooting. Great tip for anyone honestly.

I haven't done much wrenching in a while now that I have a newer car. Just switched over my snow tires recently that was it.

I may be doing brakes in the spring, that would be some much needed wrenching therapy for me.

 

[JCH13]

Cleaned and organized by garage a little bit, got my Miata on high-lift jack-stands for suspension surgery and a clutch replacement over the winter.

So ready to have that car sorted out for realz...

 

[96Firebird]

My roommate and I took a trip to the mall Friday night. As we are leaving, we hear this dragging sound coming from the rear of his truck. Get out and look, his driver's side shock is dragging on the ground. No bolt in sight, so we limp over to Home Depot and have to buy a bolt, nut, and some adjustable wrenches. Total came to about $7. Luckily it was an easy fix, but it was COLD out.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yeah, this fix cost me 32 fluid ounces of DOT 4 brake fluid... or about $5.

 

[halik]

Getting colder here, so not whole lot of opportunity. Swapped motor mounts on the 911 and tore down the front end on the ducati.

Nothing too exciting.

 

[onza]

Summer tires -> Winter tire transition. That's it for me. 20deg here as well in MN.