Mon.5/6-Fri.5/10: The Week-Long Brake Job.
Well I had a pretty bad experience with getting my brakes fixed. I came down a big hill west of Calgary and felt pulsing and vibration from the RF brake. Took it to a place called Canadian Tire on Monday in Cochrane,AB.
Big Mistake.
They put on new rotors/pads,checked the rears and I also got an alignment. They got it all done and I headed down the highway (with many mountains ahead of me) and it pulled hard to the right. The manager drove it around town for a while and when he pulled back to the shop, the RF brake was pouring out smoke.
They took it apart to find that both calipers had froze up and burnt the new rotors/pads. They ordered all new parts and would redo them the next mornig (Tues.) but this time with rebuilt calipers. They finally got it done at 4pm and the 'mechanic' road-tested it but when he came back, you could smell brakes burning. Both calipers again were freezing up.
They said they would try again on Wed. and ordered all new parts AGAIN but this time included new brake hoses. I then later told them I wanted a refund and would find another shop. They did refund everything but the cost of the alignment and the guys at NAPA recommended a local 2-man indy shop who was supposed to be really good and reasonably priced.
Talked to his help on Wed. AM but the guy was at the doctor and wouldn't be in that day OR the next (Thurs).
Finally, on Friday I got them fixed at another place but they had to order calipers again because one of the other rebuilts was leaking at the seal. I was lucky that the second road test hadn't got them too hot and burnt the pads or warped the rotors like the first time around.
Anyway, I'm back on the road and now in Prince George,BC. The drive thru Jasper National Park was amazing. I took some pics but will post later as I need to catch the (rescheduled) ferry.
Well I had a pretty bad experience with getting my brakes fixed. I came down a big hill west of Calgary and felt pulsing and vibration from the RF brake. Took it to a place called Canadian Tire on Monday in Cochrane,AB.
Big Mistake.
They put on new rotors/pads,checked the rears and I also got an alignment. They got it all done and I headed down the highway (with many mountains ahead of me) and it pulled hard to the right. The manager drove it around town for a while and when he pulled back to the shop, the RF brake was pouring out smoke.
They took it apart to find that both calipers had froze up and burnt the new rotors/pads. They ordered all new parts and would redo them the next mornig (Tues.) but this time with rebuilt calipers. They finally got it done at 4pm and the 'mechanic' road-tested it but when he came back, you could smell brakes burning. Both calipers again were freezing up.
They said they would try again on Wed. and ordered all new parts AGAIN but this time included new brake hoses. I then later told them I wanted a refund and would find another shop. They did refund everything but the cost of the alignment and the guys at NAPA recommended a local 2-man indy shop who was supposed to be really good and reasonably priced.
Talked to his help on Wed. AM but the guy was at the doctor and wouldn't be in that day OR the next (Thurs).
Finally, on Friday I got them fixed at another place but they had to order calipers again because one of the other rebuilts was leaking at the seal. I was lucky that the second road test hadn't got them too hot and burnt the pads or warped the rotors like the first time around.
Anyway, I'm back on the road and now in Prince George,BC. The drive thru Jasper National Park was amazing. I took some pics but will post later as I need to catch the (rescheduled) ferry.