The inspection runs out the end of August and I don't want to wait till the
last minute, I hate waiting in line there. So last night after I got off
work I drove to the vehicle inspection lanes. I figure I got no problems,
my check engine light is lit, the truck runs good, I should be able to sail
right thru. I pull i n and there is only 2 cars ahead of me, great, I can
get done and outta here and get home and have supper like a regular person.
The inspector waves me in to the lane, and asks me for the registration. I
was ready for him, already in my hand. He tells me to shut off the truck
and step out. I stand off to the side while he goes in my truck and starts
it, hooking up the computer to check for stored codes in the OBD-II. No
problems we're good to go. He directs me to get back in, put on my seat
belt and we start the other safety checks: horn, wipers on high,
headlights-low beam, high beam, left turn, right turn, brakes. The
inspector then informs me that I've failed the safety check. WHAT?????
What's wrong, I ask? I was told that the license plate light bulb wasn't
working and that failed me for safety reasons. OK, no biggie, I can get
some replacement bulbs and run it back thru the reinspect line outside the
regular inspection lane. Then he tells me that he isn't going to fail me
for it, BUT, my DML decal on the rear sliding is not legal. I'm only
allowed a single 3x5 inch decal on the rear window and it must be in the
corner. Geez, that's a bit out in left field. What if I had a large cargo
box or something back there that completely blocked the rear window? I
still have my 2 outside I pull forward to the brake test pad and wait for
the technician to tell me to drive up. He comes backs and instructs me how
to do the brake test. Since I have a stick he tell me to pull up to about 5
mph and push in the clutch and coast on the pad till he tells me to hit the
brakes. I do it and he tells me to back up and try it again. Uh-oh, this
ain't good. I do the test the second time and he tells me I fail because
the rear brakes aren't applying power evenly to the rear wheels. He then
tells me I can't drive the vehicle other then to a repair shop or home. OK
OK, I get it, I'll fix 'em and bring it back, what time do you close the
lanes? 8PM. OK, I can stop at a parts store on the way home and get new
brake shoes, plate light bulbs, get home, make the repairs and get back
before they close. I run to Advanced Auto, tell the clerk I need new brake
shoes for my truck. Which rear drums, 9 or 10 inch? I got no clue so I end
up buying both, paying the core on both, I remembered to get the plate
bulbs and run home. Quick change in to grub work clothes and head out to
the driveway and get to work. Get the truck up on jack stands, get the rear
wheels off, drums don't wanna come off. After turning the air slightly blue
for about 20 minutes, I get the passengers side drum off. The brake shoes
don't look all that bad, but I've got new shoes so go ahead and put them
on. I look at the new shoes and one shoe has a longer strip of brake
material then the other. WTF? I look at the installed shoes and they have
the same amount of material on both the shoes. I go inside and check my
trusty FSM. Nothing is said about the length of the brake material. I call
the parts store and ask them if they know. They put me on ignore for about
20 minutes and finally come back with the answer. The forward shoe, the
primary shoe is the one that gets the longer strip of material. I'm
suddenly starting to remember why I really hate drum brakes. I go back to
work and get the self adjuster ratchet arm pin installed on the one shoe
and start installing the new shoes. The dang retaining pins don't want to
cooperate and line up. Grrrrrrr, now I know why I really, really do hate
drum brakes. Finally the passengers side is back together and I can turn my
attention to the drivers side. The drum comes off a bit easier, but what's
this? Why is all this brake dust caked on the entire backing plate and on
everything inside the drum. Nuts, the wheel cylinder is seeping a tiny bit
of brake fluid at the aft piston boot. No time to change it now, besides, I
don't have the part and no way to get to the parts store till I get the
truck back together. Just remove the old shoes and clean up everything as
best as I can. I'll get the wheel cylinder changed out this weekend
sometime. I get the new shoes ready for install by installing the self
adjuster ratchet arm pin and go to install the new shoes. DOH! I put the
pin in on the wrong side of the shoe. Drive the pin out and re-install it
in the correct side. Re-assemble the brakes, start checking the plate
lights. Neither bulb is working so I wonder if I have another problem then
just burned out bulbs. Seems my truck likes me a little bit after all, just
both bulbs were burned out. Put in new bulbs and all is good. Drop the jack
and go get washed up so I can get back to the DMV. Side note here, if you
haven't got them yet, I highly recommend a set of Mechanix Wear gloves. I
bought a set of the M-Pact gloves when I bought my new brakes for under
$20. I gave up a little bit of dexterity for not having to worry about
tearing up my hands and keeping my hands a lot cleaner. The only thing I
couldn't do was pop open a soda can. Anyway, I drive forward, stop,
reverse, stop about 5 or 6 times on the street in front of my house to set
the self adjusters. I gotta admit, the brakes do feel much better now. Ok
off to DMV. I get down there, and the line is about 15-20 cars long. Oh
well, I check my watch and I was only gone about 2 hours or so, I got time.
I think I'll open the slider so the DML decal isn't so apparent. The line
inches along and 45 minutes later I pull in the inspection lane. I hand the
inspector the paperwork I was given at the first inspection and he tells me
to turn on my lights. He checks the now working plate lights and comes back
up and stick the brake paperwork under the wiper. Then he tells me that the
other inspector didn't say anything about it, and he is not going to fail
me for it, but the NASCAR frame I have around my rear license plate is not
legal. You gotta be kidding me. OK, lets get on to the brake test. I pull
up and wait for the signal to do the test. The tech waves me forward, then
says brake. I wait for the computer read out......... DONE! Everything on
the brakes show they are working perfectly. The tech hands me the paperwork
and I head over to the Headquarters building. I was so happy everything
passed I go in and stand in line for about 10 more minutes. I get up to the
window and hand the clerk my paperwork. Then she asked me for my insurance
card, I forgot it in the truck. She hands me the paperwork back and I run
out. get the insurance card and back in line.... AGAIN. Thank God I
remembered to bring in my wallet and cash. $40 later I Leave DMV with new
tags good for 2 years. I get out to the parking lot, put the new stickers
on my plates and go to get in the truck and I notice something on the left
front tire. I go and look at it a little closer and on the outside edge of
the tread and I see the belt starting to show just a little tiny bit. I got
two 2 things going for me on this, 1) neither inspector noticed the tire
wear (even though they did fail me for no plate lights) and 2) I got a pair
of Badyears in the shed I can put on till I can get some better tires all
around. On top of all that, in 2 weeks, I have to stop driving my truck for
a bit. I have to trade it to my Dad for his Crown Vic when I get my knee
surgery done. Kinda hard to push in the clutch with a messed up left knee.
And I still ain't taking my DML decal off.
Ray (I can stop on a dime now) Irons
Dover, DE
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