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The Technicals

Mike Mavrigian | Editor

The ignorance of some customers continues to amaze. A buddy’s shop recently took in a 2001 Honda Accord with a “no brakes” issue. The car was towed in on a f atbed, since the customer was afraid to drive it to the shop.

The female owner complained of a “grinding noise.” Initially the problem seemed simple enough — install new rotors inst and pads, top off the and master and kick it ma out the door. out As it turns out, A the woman had th been driving the be car with ca no front brakes, and had b been stopping the b car by using only c the handbrake. The t rotors were shot r to the point of leaving a mere to the point 1/16-inch or so of thickness on 1/16 inch or each side of the rotor vanes. The pads were gone, with only the backing plates scrubbing against the rotors.

Again, no big deal, right? Replace the rotors and pads.

However, the caliper pistons had worked themselves all the way out, with the seals and boots destroyed.

OK, install new calipers, rotors and pads, bleed and go, right? Wrong. The system simply would not bleed. And the master cylinder would build no pressure at all.

Upon examining the master cylinder reservoir, the “f uid” was gray and swirly looking, and felt like syrup. The owner mentioned that she had been ref lling the master cylinder reservoir, and the f uid she had been using was in the trunk.

After peeking into the trunk, the shop found several empty and near-empty quarts of 10W-40 engine oil. Instead of laughing or lecturing her, the tech mustered every ounce of politeness and professionalism possible, and asked her why she had added engine oil to the brake system. Her reply: She assumed that any “automotive” f uid would suff ce.

After f ushing the lines, replacing the rear cylinders, master cylinder, ABS actuator, calipers, rotors and pads and bleeding, the rocket scientist (obviously smart enough to be a federal politician) was sent on her merry way.

Regardless of what havoc they wreak on their vehicles, we continue to pacify and professionally accommodate these customers, even though we’d often prefer to strangle them with our bare hands.

At the end of the day, ya gotta love it. It’s this type of customer who keeps us in business. ●

3515 Massillon Rd., Suite 350, Uniontown, OH 44685 (330) 899-2200, fax (330) 899-2209 Website: www.autoserviceprofessional.com

Editor: Mike Mavrigian Mike.Mavrigian@bobit.com Managing Editor: Lori L. Mavrigian Lori.Mavrigian@bobit.com Senior Editor: Bob Bissler Bob.Bissler@bobit.com Associate Editor: Ann Neal Ann.Neal@bobit.com Contributors: Bob Weber/Automotive Technical Writer Craig Truglia/Diagnostics & Driveability Specialist Bob Rodriguez/Hybrid & Alternative Fuel Specialist Advisory Board: Dan Paddy/Dan Paddy Service, Seville, OH Frank Dannemiller/Mobile Service & Repair Co., Wadsworth, OH Bob Fall/Fall Automotive Machine, Toledo, OH Scott Gressman/Gressman Powersports, Fremont, OH Ken Styer/Ohio Technical College, Cleveland, OH Greg McConiga/O’Daniel Automotive Restorations, Ft. Wayne, IN Art Director: Neal Weingart Neal.Weingart@bobit.com Production Manager: Karen Runion Karen.Runion@bobit.com Publisher: Greg Smith Greg.Smith@bobit.com Sales: Dan Thornton djtinc@gmail.com (734) 676-9135, mobile (313) 410-0945 Michele Vargo Michele.Vargo@bobit.com (330) 899-2200, fax (330) 899-2209 John Dyal The Dyal Company John.Dyal@bobit.com (760) 451-5026 Marianne Dyal The Dyal Company Marianne.Dyal@bobit.com (760) 451-9216 Customer/Subscription Service Tammy Katata, (800) 991-7702

Auto Service Professional is a Bobit Publication Executive off ces: 3520 Challenger St. Torrance, CA 90503 Chairman: Edward J. Bobit CEO & President: Ty F. Bobit Chief Financial Off cer: Richard E. Johnson Vice President & COO: Cyndy Drummey