Re: IML: Old Imperial hits Kia, comes off the worst

["Hugh & Therese" <hugtrees@xxxxxxxx>]

D^2 wrote:

> The real issue here in both occasions, is lack of driver training.  This 
> CAN be
> avoided, if you learn how to operate your brakes in the wet, when more 
> likely
> to lockup (but its important in the dry too).

This is rude, insulting and presumptuous.  In my case, despite a great deal 
of work on my part, the brakes simply failed.  The pedal went to the floor 
and had no effect whatsoever.  I had been driving on the freeway and the 
brakes were fine.  Also, the accident occurred when I was a approaching a 
red traffic light and ran into a stationary vehicle.  There was road works 
going on and the amount of lanes were restricted to just one.  It was also 
on an incline, and I was hoping my car would stop before it rolled up hill 
into the pick up.  The actual contact speed was very slow.  It was also bone 
dry.

Sir, don't presume to lecture me on driving technique.  Your own 
proclivities in this regard are highly dubious.  May I suggest you ascertain 
more information before you rattle of a unthinking reply that is of no value 
to anyone except to stake some sort of superior position for yourself?

I feel terrible about the accident.  It shouldn't have happened.  I had put 
so much effort into the brakes on my car and I thought it was safe.  I 
realized that with the almost impossible to reach, single pot master 
cylinder, which was round into the bargain, I would always be at the mercy 
of mechanical failure, no matter how many hours I put into bleeding the 
brakes.  This was actually my third or fourth such master cylinder.  I had 
already replaced a couple of them.  They were all rebuilds.  I determined 
that they could never be reliable.  I had the Imperial repaired and replaced 
the single pot master cylinder with a dual set up that is rectangular.  It 
was intended for a MOPAR from the late 1960s.  It had the same pattern of 
bolt holes to attach it and married up to the brake rod perfectly.  I could 
not get one with the clip that holds on the top but at least the bolt that 
hold its on does not go through the fluid and therefore create yet another 
opportunity for it to escape.  The MC was intended for a car with all around 
drums, which was another important consideration.  A friend of mine who has 
run his own shop for many years had a very old fashioned brake bleeder that 
we managed to fit on the rectangular MC.  As a result, I was finally able to 
bleed the brakes properly and they began to work properly for the first time 
in years.  So much so that I had to spend some time practicing with them to 
avoid problems.  I had become quite used to the poor performing brakes prior 
to this time and was not used to the almost neck snapping brakes I now had.

Hugh





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