Friday, May 6, 2011

Disc brakes and inactivity

Machinery does not like to sit around and not be used.Especially machinery with disc brakes, I learned this quickly after the weather warmed up and I took this 1.8L for a spin. My intentions were good, take it for a spin to burn some carbon out of the cylinders and rust off of the rotors. When applying brake, the brake pedal pulsates fairly heavily.My sources tell me that the rotors warped. Upon removing the front wheels i noticed a patch of rust/corrosion where the brake pads must remained in place for that time period. See what happens H2o will accumulate there.With no time to further diagnose if the disc are warped.I used a piece of fine grit sand paper to remove some of the evil deposits, while the back side of the disc where impossible to get to without removing it. Upon test driving it , it did seem to alleviate the problem slightly. If we continue to maintain this vehicle with hopes that it will be road worthy or sold, a new set of rotors will have to be in the mix. Even after faithfully starting this Toyota once every 1-2 weeks for 6 months, maintaining a trickle charge on its battery and giving it general attention while it sat unused on the streets it still managed to teach me a lesson or two. Micro Lesson of the day. If your vehicle is not garaged kept don't just think that starting it will be enough. Make sure you at least take it for a spin around the block. If this is not feasible the at least engage motion into the drive shafts and move it back and forth a bit. Opinions may vary but use a high quality synthetic engine oil which will adhese to cylinder walls longer then organic oils. Crucial for the long periods of time of not being ran. Oh and don't forget to disconnect the battery cables or place it on a trickle charge. You will be thanking yourself later. 

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