LearningBefore jacking up the front of your car, always place two pieces of wood behind each rear wheel as stoppers. Just in case. Before installing the new brake pads, start the car and put it into drive. As the rotor turns, use a file and sand paper to clean off the accumulated brake dust and rust on the rotor. Garages never do this for you. After you tighten the wheel's lug nuts by hand, lower that side of the car just until it touches the ground. Tighten the lug nuts again using your full weight against the friction of the tire on the ground. Then lower the car completely.***After changing the brakes on Amy's Civic, my dad and I washed up and sat together in the kitchen where I ate countless meals as a kid. Only this time, I'm not staring at the Huckstables on the 13 inch Sony or in a rush to watch the Knicks on the 27 inch Sony we had downstairs.We talked about his day helping my brother with his home renovations, about how he takes care of his two granddaughters everyday. We talked about how on his quest to get his bachelor's degree over 35 years ago, he left my mother and my then 3 and 4 year old brothers in the States to go to the Philippines for 11 months. We talked about my ongoing search to buy a house. After that, we talked about the new book he bought, "American Caesar", a book that documents the rise and fall of General Douglas MacArthur. He went on a 20 minute rant about MacArthur's prowess as a military general and his influence on Asian and US military history, finally relating MacArthur's downfall to Obama's recent firing of General McCrystal. Then we talked about the new iPhone's antenna issues.***I'm 28, soon to be 29, married, I have a stable career, and pay my own bills...and I'm still learning from my dad. It's not that my dad, at 67, has unlocked the truths about life (and changing a car's brake pads) in the two years since I moved out and is only now willing to share it with me. He's been teaching me how to change brake pads and lecturing me about his experiences as an immigrant to this country since as long as I can remember. Unfortunately it's only now, since starting a life separate from his, that I'm wise enough to finally pay attention.You really do learn something new everyday. I just never thought that I at 28, I'd still have a lot to learn from my dad.Disclaimor: This entry is in no way serves as a "how to" to change brake pads on a Honda Civic. If your brake pads need changing, please see your local dealer to have them replaced. So please, don't try this at home.
posted by pierre 3:01 PM
powered by blogger
| |
| |
| |