mission semi-accomplished

Yesterday I took on a large van related project. I had parts for replacing the brake booster, master cylinder, both rear flex lines and both rear brake cylinders. The shop would have charged me $1,000 to do the whole job. At this point I didn't feel like I could lay out that kind of cash for just labor. So I started with the brake booster and master cylinder which are the bits that take the most labor.

The catch is to replace the brake booster you have to remove the entire dash. I've pulled the dash before to replace the heater core and blower, so I knew just how big a job it is.

I got off to a slow start yesterday because of the anti-histamine haze (it's not purple). I started to disassemble, then we went to breakfast with Hawk and Hawk's mate. When we got back I really dug in and put in a marathon session. Pulling the dash with all the assorted bits went well. Getting the brake booster out was one of those jobs better suited to Mister Fantastic than a normal human. Did finally get the old unit out. The new unit went in much easier and from there it was the long slow process of reassembly. While I had all the electrical bits strewn about I pulled the last bits of the car alarm from the Boston era. I had dash back in and most of the electrical wires lined up to their components before stopping for the night at 6pm.

This morning I was really sore and not in a mood to finish, but I went back out and finished assembling all the bits from the dash and electrical. I took a look at the back cylinders, but decided that they were two rusted into place for me to take off. There is one bolt and one brake line to remove on each. If either broke, I wouldn't have the tools the clean up the mess. On the other hand, it will be a quick job for someone with the right tools. So I put things back together and bled the front brakes thoroughly. Now the brakes are functional but soft. I will take the car in and have the rear cylinders and hoses replaces and have the whole system bled again.

reading (Johnny books)

I ended up reading the Johnny Maxwell books out of order. I looked at something in Johnny and the Bomb that made me think it was the first one, so I just started with it. It didn't do me much harm I'm sure, but I'd recommend you actually start with "Only You Can Save Mankind" if you haven't read them before. I like the way Terry Pratchett writes for kids because it's not like he's writing for kids. His characters have real (read as messed up) lives. He deals with stuff that's ugly as everyday background. Guess what, so do kids. I really like the fact that the names imply a James Bond style plot but the plot in contrast is very human scale. I think that is lesson all it own.

Pratchett's wit in these is right on. There were many laugh out loud or at least chortle bits. "Only You Can Save Mankind" was a little heavy handed and a bit clunky, but it is great nostalgia for those of us who remember the old school games.

20. Terry Pratchett "Johnny and the Bomb"
21. Terry Pratchett "Only You Can Save Mankind"
22. Terry Pratchett "Johnny and the Dead"