I am beginning to realize why the shop wanted $900 to do this.

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
12/14/2018 at 09:57 • Filed to: disco inferno

All I wanted to do was repair the transmission brake on my Discovery. That’s all. Apparently the shop that quoted me nine-hundred damn dollars for something that is, at most, $60 in parts knew something I did not.

The problem is whoever did this repair last really botched it in a variety of ways . Last night’s fiasco was that the operating cable was at maximum tension and, as a result, impossible to put back on. I assume this was done to compensate for the lack of tension in the shoes because, spoiler alert, the neglected to put the adjustment plungers back in.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The adjuster is, for some reason, on the underside of the car and therefore the threads have the natural thread-lock of rust and about two inches of caked mud.

It took me all evening to get the tension dialed down and the cable back on.

Then I drank.

A lot.

Hopefully I can finish tonight or tomorrow, but I may be headed off to Dallas to help a friend to buy a car. (This will be the third person I’ve converted to driving stick, thus securing my place in Oppo heaven.)

DISCUSSION (22)

E90M3 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 10:03

This will be the third person I’ve converted to driving stick, thus securing my place in Oppo heaven.

My last college roommate/pledge brother bought a Focus ST, despite not knowing how to drive a stick, upon finding a job, I might have been slightly influential in that decision.

boredalways > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 10:06

(This will be the third person I’ve converted to driving stick, thus securing my place in Oppo heaven.)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 10:20

The very similar brake on a Series IIA is actuated by mechanical linkage, which can also be very fiddly. The biggest problem there, though, is that the rear t-case seal is very difficult to prevent from leaking, so 95% of t-brakes are full of 90wt. They even had an “oil thrower” on some to try to prevent the problem.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
12/14/2018 at 10:23

Yikes! I was pleased how dry everything is/ was. :knock on wood: Must be because I bought the seals, just in case.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 10:28

I think on the Series it isn’t even just the t-case rear seal, though there must be some weird dynamic that causes oil to get pushed through. Possibly related to the screw on the speedo drive. At any rate, on a Series, the speedo drive case sets the tension on the tapered roller bearings on the t-case output shaft, so it spaces off the housing with shims. Shims that have no gaskets on them, so unless perfectly smeared with Hylomar and you play games setting the tension, will leak, guaranteed. And, the bottom plate on the t-case seals with a cork gasket that really isn’t all that.

Bottom line, there’s a lot of 90wt around, and I think some from other sources can get in even without a bad rear seal.

Chariotoflove > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 10:30

Have a safe drive to Dallas if you come. It’s really windy right now, but we didn’t get the wintertime stuff they hinted at. So safe for now.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 10:49

You pay for knowledge, more often than people realize.

shop-teacher > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 10:49

That’s a job that would result in many thrown wrenches for me.

jasmits > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 10:50

Welp, knocking on wood that I never end up needing to do the trans brake on my Range Rover.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > jasmits
12/14/2018 at 10:52

I think on any car but mine it wouldn’t be that bad. Someone just really fucked this up hardcore.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > shop-teacher
12/14/2018 at 10:55

Have done. I can only take having wrenches/ dirt/ rust/ parts/ WD40/ driveshafts fall on my face before I start screaming drinking . Also cold concrete is cold. I really need a lift....

jasmits > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 10:59

I’m (at minimum) the third shade tree mechanic in a row on mine so you never know what you’re going to find lol

benjrblant > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 11:16

nine-hundred damn dollars for something that is, at most, $60 in parts

you’ve just described almost every Rover repair in the history of England.

razorbeamteam > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 11:45

I just read your other post about getting parts from the UK. I know its not useful for you now, but I order from LRdirect.com. They only offer express service to the US and their shipping is cheap. They offer the full LR parts catalog and have discount manufacturers as well as OEM. Your post gives me anxiety because my transmission brake is on my project list this winter.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 11:58

Well look at the bright side... you’re getting to know your vehicle better, getting it fixed for less AND you’re making sure it gets fixed properly.

shop-teacher > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 12:21

Agreed on all counts. It is amazing how much laying on a piece of cardboard helps though. It is significantly less cold and hard.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > shop-teacher
12/14/2018 at 12:27

Hmm I’ll have to try that tonight/ tomorrow. I just could not get warm again last night so I pulled the trigger on an exceptionally boozy hot toddy.

shop-teacher > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 12:28

I always save my big cardboard boxes and flatten them, because over time they get oogy with oil drips and whatnot. It’s remarkable how much it helps.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > razorbeamteam
12/14/2018 at 14:17

Wow! Great prices, you’re right. I’ll add them to the list. Looks like they didn’t have it anyway.

Kinja'd!!!

greasemonkey235097 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/14/2018 at 14:36

converting people to drice stick, then helping them buy a car with a clutch pedal, you are my hero! we need more oppos like you!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > shop-teacher
12/14/2018 at 19:28

Holy crap! That works insanely well! I really would not have guessed cardboard would make such a difference, but it made fitting the shoes downright tolerable!

shop-teacher > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/15/2018 at 01:29

Right!?! It’s amazing! How is a simple piece of cardboard THAT much better?