ChefGarret Cookbook

Jun 3, 07:08 AM: Swift Blue Ram

So Saturday Judson and I are driving up I-85 north of Atlanta in my ’89 Dodge Ram Charger. Traffic is very heavy so we are not going fast but at one point I go to tap the brake and the petal goes straight to the floor and we do not stop. Man if we had been at any speed that would have been a disaster. Fortunately we had a flat grader and a very slow speed so I was able to limp home without incident.

I’ve had brake trouble in the Ram before on another occasion when I was in very slow stop and go traffic. The first time this happened I was sure I would need to get the brakes serviced but I lucked out. I left the truck parked over night and the next day everything seamed back to normal. This time I was not so lucky. Sunday morning I took a little test drive and even though I did have some braking power the system was “spongy” at best.

So I take the Ram into the shop to have the brakes serviced. No big deal I have them check it out its just a little wait til the pull it in. They call me over to review what they have found.

• Master cylinder is cracked (replaced)
• One rear wheel cylinder (replaced both/sold in pairs)
• Bleed & adjust brake system
• Labor (waived) see below

It’s frustrating but its pretty much what I expected. I had planned all along to have the brakes done but I was really hoping my condo would sell before I had to do it. They check and they can get the part that day so they will have it ready before they close at 6pm, its about noon when they tell me this and I have been there about 2 hours already. It will be about 2 hours before the parts will get there so I called Dr. Drew and had him pick me up, it will be simple enough to pick the Ram up before trivia.

Back at the house I make some lunch and get everything ready for trivia. I call the garage a little later to make sure the parts came in and they did so I should be all set, they will call when the truck is ready. So 5:30pm hits and still no call. I had Dr/ Drew just run me down to the place sine they close at 6:00pm and I don’t mind waiting a few minutes if I have to. So we get there and my truck is still all torn apart, it don’t look like it’s been worked on at all and they is no one working on it right now.

I go up to the counter and talk to the little guy Wayne that works there (I’m easily twice this guys size). He tells me one of the parts was the wrong size for my truck but the have the right one now so they will be able to finish it today he’s just not sure how late they will need to stay that night. I let Wayne know that I have to be to work (trivia) at 7:00pm and I need my truck so while he rushes around for a minute I talk to Dr. Drew about my options.

It’s just before 6 and I let Wayne know that I’m going to go back to the house ad get ready for work then come back for my truck. He’s not sure it will be ready by then but I made it pretty clear that I will be “super pissed” if I don’t get my truck til Monday. Miraculously when I get back 45 minutes later my truck is ready to go. You just gotta know how to motivate people.

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