For anyone following the recent Fierorama threads, you probably know the basics on a couple of things: I recieved the Hard Luck award for a brake problem, Tina had engine problems within 10 minutes of leaving the show, and my brake problem resurfaced at the same time.
Now the details. Saturday night and Sunday morning I had been noticing a hot-brake smell from my right rear wheel. About 2 blocks from the show field (while stopped at a light) I noticed smoke in my side view mirror. I immediately pulled into a parking lot and let the brake cool (it was hot enough to flash-boil water on the wheel). So we limped the car to the show field, where I let it sit for another 10-15 minutes before actually pulling it into it's parking/show spot. After finishing the car's show-prep, I began informing others of my problem. I enlisted the help of Joe (KissMySS) who was happy to drive me down to the local PepBoys for a new caliper (I have Grand Am Brakes). We returned to the showfield and I ran around and finished my voting. As soon as the voting was through, I jacked up the car and removed the wheel (right where the car sat on the show field) to find the brake still solidly clamped to the disc. By the time I was nearing completion- the awards presentation had begun (directly in front of my car). I finished replacing the caliper and putting the wheel on about a minute before they asked if anyone had any "hard luck" stories. Still greasy, I volunteered and explained my story.
After I recieved the award, I immediately had 2 or 3 people stop and tell me their stories about brake problems- reminding me to watch it because it could be the brake line itself (thanks for the tip guys). So I drove the car around the lot a bit, and up to the gas station, and finally to the highway (with no signs of trouble).
Once on the highway- we're on the road for less than 10 minutes when Tina radios that she needs to pull over. We come to find that the temp of Tina's V8 was beginning to rapidly rise. There was steam blowing out the breather, and upon inspection there appeared to be coolant in the oil.
At the same time (once stopped)- I found that my right/rear brake caliper had once again locked up, and the wheel had heated up so much that the center cap fell out (which again, someone had warned me about).
So Tina contacted V8Archie- who was kind & gracious enough to come by and pick her up with a truck & trailer. Thanks Archie!
ProudGT headed home once everything was in order and everyone seemed to be set. (Thanks for hanging around Bob!)
We decided to stay another night with FieroGal & 86seyellow (at the very next exit- thank God). Ron & I got up and headed for Menards at 8am, where we picked up a small vice grip. I again removed the wheel & the brake line, then used the vice grip to pinch of the line- and released the caliper from the disc. We were cleaned up and on the road again shortly after 10am.
Everything seemed to be fine (my car was still braking well with only 3 working & the line wasn't leaking at all). Then about 25 miles south of Wisconsin Dells on I90, FieroGal Radios that she thinks she's out of gas, and in less than another 1/2 mile- she pulls of the road (thankfully under the shade of an overpass). Ron (86seyellow) quickly heads off to the next exit (about 5 miles) and returns with a tank of gas- and we're back on our way!
All said and done, 4 of the 5 of us had some problem or another (86seyellow had an easily-fixable problem with a broken starter wire going to the battery). And we all made it home allright- although much later than expected (I arrived home last night around 5:15pm).
So here are some pics of our "Post-Fierorama Show" on Hwy355 in Chicago... there must've been at least 40 cars per minute that saw us there!
Me at the show... just finished the brake job.
My Award & Class Sheet
Our "Roadside Show" shortly after stopping
86seyellow's ride
(more pics in a second...)
[This message has been edited by MinnGreenGT (edited 09-10-2002).]
