Gary Tayman
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- Reaction score
- 135
- Thunderbird Year
- 1964
Okay, I just spent all my money once more on this car. I'm happy and fuming at the same time.
If anyone has been following along, my car is a slow restoration. One day I bought a set of new wire wheels, and they gave me trouble from day one. Wouldn't balance. To make a very long story much shorter, I've had shops tell me that the car needs this or that, and so I've replaced the entire steering and front end, rear axle, springs, shocks, universals, essentially the entire bottom half of the car. Then one of the wheels collapsed, and that was that. I replaced the wheels. The new ones are Coker, and are a huge improvement.
During all this time and actually before, I've complained about the brakes. Not bad in the morning, but if I drive awhile it gets to where the car doesn't want to stop. Press slightly harder and you go through the windshield. Several shops, while doing all this work, assured me the brakes are in great shape. A few small adjustments were made, but it's probably my imagination. Remember these are drums all around.
A couple weeks ago someone pulled up beside me and said, "hey, nice car but your brake lights aren't working." So I got a new brake switch. Not only did that NOT fix it, but the brake fluid looked like molasses.
Another long story shorter, I have a complete new brake system. Also lots of new wiring to the taillights, and the car now has the relay mod for the switch.
The brakes feel GREAT! You cannot tell they are drums; they feel like both of my other (modern) cars.
Not to discourage anyone who wants to convert to disks, but there is nothing wrong with original-style drums in good condition. With all the steering, springs, axle, etc., this car drives like new.
All those shops who said the brakes were fine . . .
If anyone has been following along, my car is a slow restoration. One day I bought a set of new wire wheels, and they gave me trouble from day one. Wouldn't balance. To make a very long story much shorter, I've had shops tell me that the car needs this or that, and so I've replaced the entire steering and front end, rear axle, springs, shocks, universals, essentially the entire bottom half of the car. Then one of the wheels collapsed, and that was that. I replaced the wheels. The new ones are Coker, and are a huge improvement.
During all this time and actually before, I've complained about the brakes. Not bad in the morning, but if I drive awhile it gets to where the car doesn't want to stop. Press slightly harder and you go through the windshield. Several shops, while doing all this work, assured me the brakes are in great shape. A few small adjustments were made, but it's probably my imagination. Remember these are drums all around.
A couple weeks ago someone pulled up beside me and said, "hey, nice car but your brake lights aren't working." So I got a new brake switch. Not only did that NOT fix it, but the brake fluid looked like molasses.
Another long story shorter, I have a complete new brake system. Also lots of new wiring to the taillights, and the car now has the relay mod for the switch.
The brakes feel GREAT! You cannot tell they are drums; they feel like both of my other (modern) cars.
Not to discourage anyone who wants to convert to disks, but there is nothing wrong with original-style drums in good condition. With all the steering, springs, axle, etc., this car drives like new.
All those shops who said the brakes were fine . . .
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