First Catastrophe - Howard To The Rescue!

[ihpj]

Well it didn't take long for my first catastrophe to strike with the Ex.

Driving in traffic, doing 60'odd in a national speed limit, look to reduce speed as approaching roundabout. Go to tap the breaks as normal and I am met with a grinding sound and definite feeling of binding to the front brakes with juddering/stuttering. OK something definitely not right, so pull over and visual check of everything shows OK. Hop back in and continue to drive, before pulling away and joining flow of traffic, touch brakes but everything fine.

Drive to about 40MPH [in a 60MPH zone] as I am not 100% confident in the brakes. Test them as I am approaching another roundabout - more pronounced juddering and vehicle shaking when brakes applied. Got wife and 3 kids in Ex. and I'm seriously concerned.

Drive becomes unstable with vibrations through car and definite fuzzy steering - stop again and check to find the O/S/F tyre totally deflated. Now stuck on side of 60MPH road, with good amount of traffic around me and no turn signals/hazard lights either.

Bugger.

Called Police to let them know I had broken down and The AA for recovery. While waiting, thought I should call Howard and explained situation. Guy turns out to help and takes a look - diagnoses calliper bolt having come undone/loose, catching on the inside of the alloy wheel causing calliper to jam up against the alloy itself.

The AA turn up in 30MINs. and recover car; but in the meantime Howard stays with us offering support and assistance.

I can't thank Howard enough for turning out and for his help, a true gent.

Vehicle recovered to mechanic who, upon checking the vehicle, accepts that lower calliper bolt not tightened enough that most probably lead to it working free - just like Howard diagnose (kudos).

Thankfully the only 'damage' done was a trashed O/S/F alloy wheel and completely trashed [brand new] tyre. I also need calliper bolts and some couple of other minor bits - all of which the mechanic is going to pick up the tab for.

I shudder to think what might have happened should, as we had been over the weekend, been on the motorway at 'fast speeds' and had to brake...

On the flipside, this was not a failure of the vehicle (or one of its components) but rather genuine human error. I am also relieved to see the mechanic accepting responsibility for the workmanship and making every effort to put things right - kudos to him for doing the right thing.

Just need to track down the replacement bits so that I can get the car roadworthy again



...pictures to follow.

 

[ihpj]

Well, here is the rim/tyre that greeted me when I stepped out of the car:

This is a close up of he first image:

Shows some scour marks on the inside of the rim, visible through the spokes:

Another picture of the mangled tyre - its painful for me as I fitted a full set of expensive Conti tyres only 4 days and some 300-odd miles ago Atleast the mechanic is going to pickup the tab:

 

[Ilikemice]

Glad you're okay, and yes, Howard is a great guy

 

[janolsson]

Yes Howard rocks, enjoyed meeting him at last 2 Ford fairs

Caliper bolts need threadlock and heavy torque!!!!

There is a sticky in the US part of the site
Sticky in Stock 95-2001 section

Glad no human casualty. Another call to justin or chrisquelch for the parts

 

[BIGHVM]

He da man!
Glad you are all safe mate- take care.

 

[Howard]

Only glad I could help. Hope it all works out ok.

 

[ihpj]

Replacement alloys, caliper bolts and a few other misc. items on their way - many thanks to Justin for his help (and Chrisquelch - sp?) for coming to my aid.

Just want the Ex. to be fixed now

 

[ihpj]

@WaH! My front hub seems to have gone missing in the post

I just can't get a break with this car ... atleast Justin is trying to chase this on my behalf to determine where it might have gotten to - but its still a slow process and means the ABS issue remains unresolved

 

[ihpj]

Well to bring this entire sorry episod to a close, the Ex. is all fixed and back on the road

I was so happy to have the Ex. back that I was motivated to replace the fancy leccy aerial for the fixed flexible type - job done, I now have full radio reception

Just need to sort out that pesky ABS sensor now...

 

[Rick]

Howard to the rescue!!

 

[ihpj]

Well I got a 'known good' sensor from Justin and I swapped it out on my car - in the hope the ABS judder at low speeds would be fixed. Sadly, same symptoms

I feel rather depressed as the ABS judder [at very low speeds] is the only thing that otherwise detracts from my complete enjoyment of the car.

At least I'm headed over to Texas in July - so two new hubs required? Bloody well hope they solve this issue

 

[Ilikemice]

I have the same problem with ABS judder at low speeds. I tried various sensors and it didn't solve anything so I need new hubs. I temporarily unplugged my ABS sensor so I didn't get the judder. I preferred no ABS than the unpredictable effects of the ABS kicking in.

 

[ihpj]

I have the same problem with ABS judder at low speeds. I tried various sensors and it didn't solve anything so I need new hubs...

I have a HUB that I got from Justin that I was going to fit, but having read up on the fitting instructions, I can see that I am in noway tooled up to DIY replace it. It comes w/o sensor wire though - if you want it for say £20 (delivered) its yours?