RE: Help/advice please: 50,000mi 2002 DOA?

[Thi VanAusdal <tvanausdal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> From: Kathy Forer [mailto:kforer@domain.elided]
> Subject: Re: Help/advice please: 50,000mi 2002 DOA?
> 
> I spoke with the mechanic today, --currently associated with 
> this used car
> shop, -- and made arrangements to look at/inspect the car 
> this weekend. He was very obliging. But I'm on alert.
> 
> He told me that "the steel lines that hold [or control or backup] the
> brakes had rusted and pressure on brake would cause them to 
> snap," as well
> as the rubber parts next to them.
> Sounds guibo-esque perhaps...dunno. My cab driver this AM (I 
> was late) told
> me that steel brake cables are about $7 a pair plus $15 for 
> something else.

Brakes on the 2002 work as follows:
*Emergency brake works via a lever inside the car, you pull lever,
lever pulls 2 steel cables in a sheath running to each rear brake
drum (1 per side).  These can rust in place but are easy to replace.
*Primary brakes (footpedal) work via pedal inside car, foot pushes
pedal, pedal moves (via several levers and pivots) a rod into a 
hydraulic Brake Master Cylinder, which displaces fluid down steel lines
to the four corner brakes: calipers in front, wheel cylinders in rear.
The front calipers have moving pistons which grip the brake rotor and
slow car down.  The rear wheel cylinder has pistons which push out on
a brake shoes which push on the inside of the brake drum, which slows
the car.

Between the Master Cylinder and the wheels are steel lines, and, where
the suspension and steering move, rubber flexible lines.

If it's the steel brake lines, he could *replace* them (they are
available and not THAT expensive) and the rubber brakes hoses with
either NEW brake hoses ($15 each or so) or steel braided teflon or
kevlar hoses - these are not prone to swelling over time but require
more active maintenance.  If a brake line already broke, have him show
you where it broke - the steel lines run from under the hood (stand
at the left front wheel, staring at the motor.  Look down closer to you,
next to fender is the master cylinder and 5 steel lines coming from it.
Two go to each front, one goes to the back and Tees out to each rear
wheel.   These lines could rust under the car, but shall I beat this
dead horse? yes? they can be replaced.

> I'm on my guard now thanks to you terrific bmw folks, and will pursue
> getting my car back alive. No DOA for Charlie! I was in such 
> shock, any
> wheels sounded good initially. It's been so long.
> 
> Thanks for excellent advice. I'm sure I'll be asking for 
> more, hopefully not too much.
>
> Kathy Forer
> Forever Ink | http://www.foreverink.com/sculpture/

No amount is too much; we're here to exchange ideas.  If someone hears
about this poor job of mechanicking (is that a word?) and avoids a sad
fate, you've done them a favor.

Thi VanAusdal
Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah

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