The Forester Rolls On

       Jeff always did the mechanical work on his cars so it was no surprise he was willing to change the brake pads on the Forester.  But it was a shock to him that it took a couple of hours Saturday to get the one wheel and rotor off of the car.  He kept mumbling about 'foreign cars' but eventually he got everything 

off. 

   The brake pads were nonexistent! 

What was left of the brake pads on the rear passenger side.

No wonder the wheel was  making such a racket... metal on metal grinding!  The rotor looked rough on both sides-like it had been turned, too, so it will be next to be changed.  He took the piston out of the caliber because he though it might have to be replaced but it was in pretty good shape.  By the time Jeff had everything disassembled it was supper time and he was exhausted...but he called a taxi and went to town and bought some brake pads before we ate. The next morning...Sunday...Jeff could hardly get out of bed!  (When you don't have a pit in your garage, the car has to be put on jacks and you have to get on the ground to do the work.)  

    Instead of just relaxing, Jeff spent most of Sunday watching videos on YouTube of guys changing the brakes on Subaru's!  This afternoon (Monday) he changed the pads on the rear passenger wheel.  Wally stopped by and they decided the rotors should be changed sometime soon but the piston in the caliber was still in good shape so Jeff got to force it back into the caliber.  That took some effort and there was more muttering about foreign cars during the procedure. 

   Then I was called to assist in bleeding the brake line.  I got to sit in the driver's seat and pump the brakes...on command!  Jeff kept adding more brake fluid to the engine and letting air out the the brake line.  When the brakes were finally hard enough for him, Jeff put the wheel back on and took the Forester for a test drive.

   When he came back he said the Brake light on the dashboard had gone out and the brakes worked fine. And no grinding noise!  I could tell the brakes were silent when he drove back it.  The car had really made a racket the last few days before the brakes had failed.  

   In no time Jeff had the other back wheel off and the brake pads changed.  The brake system was still functioning quietly, so he took it for another test drive.  When he came back, Jeff said as soon as he put away the tools it would be my turn to drive the car.  I pointed out I had never had a car's brakes fail on me and didn't know what to do if they did so he had to come with me.  I offered to buy supper and he checked his blood sugar to see if it was good enough (low enough) to go to Burger King.  He suggested not turning onto the highway right away but go the back way thru E Herkimer so I could get use to the way the car was breaking.  No problem. The brakes worked fine and we made it downtown without a hitch.  The girls were in the backseat...Zoey even had her head out the window! 

   When we got to BK's drive thru, Zoey climbed over me to say Hi to the girls at the window.  (She knew there were chicken nuggets in the bag for them!)  I got BK's tacos and Jeff a Whopper.  Everyone was satisfied with their meal when we got home.  Fanny and Zoey are snoozing next to me and Jeff is watching another YouTube video.  I've got to finish my navy and white Pin-stripe hoodie...pin-striping takes forever!...and do a few more baseball hats. This is our big weekend!! BBHOF Induction!