Drum brakes...why do they still exsist (traction, spark plug, fuel)
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So I spent way to much time this weekend changing the shoes on my 2001 Xterra. Which led me to think why haven't drum brakes been completely done away with 20-30 years ago?
Cheaper? Many econ-o cars used to have them on rear wheel a few years ago. Maybe some still do?
I have an 05 Magnum RT with discs all around. I do not know what I have, but my parking/emergency brake is useless. And I apply thee brake all the time. Its worse wehn the car is parked on a inclne-head first...
If parked front pointing downhill turn the steering wheel all the way to the curb so your vehicle will run into it if the brake fails.
Cheaper? Many econ-o cars used to have them on rear wheel a few years ago. Maybe some still do?
I had a '98 Taurus with front disc/rear drums. It was a LX. No ABS. The '02 Cavalier was discs all around while the '03 Focus was front disc/rear drums. The '95 Taurus' are disc all around as is the '01 Frontier. The '02 has discs all around.
I don't know when they changed but Chevy Silverados came with standard front disc/rear drums with ABS as late as the 2004 model year. I was looking at those and F150s at the time. My 2003 F150 has discs all around.
My, how far we have come.
My first vehicle had mechanical internal expanding drum brakes, no power steering, no air conditioning, no radio, a 6 volt positive ground generator powered electrical system, and it was incredibly easy to maintain (everything that needed maintenance was right out in the open, easy to get at!) It DID, however, have a good heater and excellent ventilation!
It was a 1936 Ford half-ton pickup.
I guess it wasn't "safe" by the standards of today, but it took me where I wanted to go and brought me home, and I never had an accident in it.
Yes, in many ways modern vehicles are much better than the old ones. BUT, there are many things I miss. For instance, that old truck had NO COMPUTERS! THAT was wonderful. I had to get one replaced in my '06 car not long ago; a little over $800! I could exchange the engine for one from a 1953 Mercury in about an hour, 2 hours at the most.
Oh, well, that's progress...
For instance, that old truck had NO COMPUTERS! THAT was wonderful. I had to get one replaced in my '06 car not long ago; a little over $800! I could exchange the engine for one from a 1953 Mercury in about an hour, 2 hours at the most.
Oh, well, that's progress...
I prefer computers. Makes troubleshooting and repairs a hell of a lot easier and I like to be able to tune and tweak an engine by plugging in a laptop.
Granted...I was born when carbs were being phased out, so I cut my teeth tuning and tweaking fuel injected V8 engines. Having a computer in the car gives me more control IMHO.
Ah, yes, the wonderful computers...
The computer in my Dodge 1500 keeps illuminating the CEL.
When queried, it says P0301. Which, of course, is misfire #1 cylinder.
It does NOT however, say WHY #1 cylinder misfired. Nor does it say how many times it misfired, or when it misfired. Obviously, it was sufficient to turn the light on.
So, a mechanic with a functioning brain was required to do tests and determine that the exhaust valve in #1 cylinder has a slight leak, resulting in compression slightly lower then the other cylinders, which results in a misfire, mostly at idle.
The mechanic had to do EXACTLY the same tests I would have done 40 years ago when I was making my living with a wrench in my hand; spark, fuel, compression test and cylinder leakdown test!
WOW, them computers sure do make life easier!
Ah, yes, the wonderful computers...
The computer in my Dodge 1500 keeps illuminating the CEL.
When queried, it says P0301. Which, of course, is misfire #1 cylinder.
It does NOT however, say WHY #1 cylinder misfired. Nor does it say how many times it misfired, or when it misfired. Obviously, it was sufficient to turn the light on.
So, a mechanic with a functioning brain was required to do tests and determine that the exhaust valve in #1 cylinder has a slight leak, resulting in compression slightly lower then the other cylinders, which results in a misfire, mostly at idle.
The mechanic had to do EXACTLY the same tests I would have done 40 years ago when I was making my living with a wrench in my hand; spark, fuel, compression test and cylinder leakdown test!
WOW, them computers sure do make life easier!
What's your complaint exactly? Engine was running odd and it told you that you had a misfire in cylinder 1. Did you want it to cook you breakfast too?
What's your complaint exactly? Engine was running odd and it told you that you had a misfire in cylinder 1. Did you want it to cook you breakfast too?
My complaint is, that the much vaunted computer didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.
In order to find the problem, I had to resort to the old fashioned tried and true methods of a trouble shooting mechanic.
The engine analyzers in the 1950s era P2V-7 Neptune (R3350-32WA engines) aircraft could give better information!
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