What a Wonderful Day! (sarcasm)

[Wabbitdad12]

Today started out well enough, the "low level" fuel light was on and I made it to the gas station before I ran out. I then was able to drop my daughter offat school and with plenty of time and made my way to work.

I made a turn on my way to work and another vehicle failed to yield and I narrowly missed a collison. Later I made my final turn on my way to work and a old man ran a red light and hit the passenger side near the bumper. Busted the tail light, no one was hurt, ok.

The day at work was uneventful. I worked late atand left for home, everything was going fine. It had been snowing, nothing new, this is Indiana. The green turn arrow came on and I made my turn, my car however did not and I hit the curb hard. Where my hands should be at 9 and 3 to go straight are now at 12 and 6. We could not finish the brake repair on my wifes car, used up our savings in the process, brought it home and it sits in front of the house. Waiting for money to get it fixed.

Now our sole remaining operating car is not working and we have no means to get it fixed any time soon. The little public transportation we have in the town does not go any where near my place of employment.

We have no family that is financially able to help us and I cannot find anyone that can take me and my daughter to work and school.

What a wonderful day!

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Ay yi yi!

I am so sorry, Dave!
:hug:
Sounds like the steering column is broken. I was asking Nate about it, and he says if that's the case, the column could be broken right close to the wheel itself OR down closer to the engine. If it is up close to the wheel, you could just replace the upper parts. However, you wouldn't know until you opened it up where the problem is. Best to see a mechanic for that one, sadly. A Haynes manual could guide you through it if you found the assembly from a scrap yard...

As for brakes though, you can do those ones yourself.
What is the nature of the problem with the brakes, exactly?
Cheap brake pads will get you through, but the calipers and rotors are the more expensive parts. A Haynes manual will also help with this part if you haven't done brakes before.
What model and year is the car?
How far did the mechanics get with it? If you've got most of the parts, you're good to go.
Anything to pawn/sell? Shouldn't run more than $300 for the whole thing, and I'm assuming you've probably got most of the parts from the mechanics already (?)

Do you have a buddy with a garage? It will take you about a day to do it by yourself, (first time for brakes). You can do it outside, but that's a lot colder process ... any work bays at yours or Karen's place of employment that you could use on a saturday?

Any co-workers that you can reach out and call? Church family?

:hug:

ETA: depending on how bad things are, would it be possible to sell one vehicle As-is?
I wouldn't go with brake assembly from the scrap yard.
You could put an Ad on craigslist in your area for a ride (?)
ray:

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Karen's car, brake problem, the brake lines need to be replaced and possibly a valve that Ford no longer makes. It is a 1985 Crown Victoria Station Wagon.

My car is a 1995 Mercury Cougar. I was able to drive home and it would turn in both directions.

My parents will be able to take my daughter to work and school the next couple of days. So that is great.

I am trying to contact a Deacon in my church to see if there is any way they can help. I hope there is someone that they know that has a car they are not using and we can borrow it for a while or something.

Thanks for the ideas though and the hugs. I am trying to keep things in perspective, no one was hurt today, I made it home ok. I haven't had a drink for years, but I am seriously considering it!

Tell Nate thanks for the ideas of where to look.

 

[Fancy77]

WOW Dave you had a doosy of a day. I feel so bad for you. My plumbing went out tonight at about 8pm . How bout I trade u a car for a working toilet and pipes

 

[Pipp]

Ugh, what a pickle.

Hopefully a ride will pop up to get you through the immediate future, there are people traveling all the time, it takes connecting with the right people, I'd spend time on that one first, easier to get rides than money and free mechanics. You (sort of) have the gas budget re: whatever it would have cost you to drive your own car.

Not sure if your company has special circumstance advances or work-from-home options.

These stories are all too common these days, which is good news/bad news. Hopefully somebody who has been there will be more sympathetic and inclined to step up to help.

ETA: Glad the folks are helping, family is a very good thing. Good luck with the church idea.

:goodluck

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Fancy77 wrote:

WOW Dave you had a doosy of a day. I feel so bad for you. My plumbing went out tonight at about 8pm . How bout I trade u a car for a working toilet and pipes

Deal!

 

[Fancy77]

Im on my way lol

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Pipp wrote:

These stories are all too common these days, which is good news/bad news. Hopefully somebody who has been there will be more sympathetic and inclined to step up to help.

I am hoping that too.

Thanks for the moral support, RO members are the best.

Dave

 

[NorthernAutumn]

Was just talking to Nate, and he suggested that you could re-run all the brake lines for the Crown Vic yourself (provided they are on the outside of the car). With a rounded 2x4 to mold the aluminum piping, you should be able to form your own brake lines.

If you already bought a new set of lines, all the better! There is plenty of information on flanging (http://www.ehow.com/how_2320217_make-custom-brake-line.html), and a flanging kit should be fairly cheap.
If you don't have new lines, but the existing ones look not too bad except for a hole or two, you could cut out the holey section and put in a new piece of steel line.

If you are inclined to give it a shot (nothing to lose, right? ), you would want it up on blocks. There will be a lot of clamps, etc. and a lot of rust. Time consuming, but doable.

Is this the kind of valve you're looking for? http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ford-Repair-811/Brakes-9.htm

Here is a couple of car forums/message boards to check. I'd say post your issue, and someone may be able to talk you through it.
For the crown Vic:
http://www.automotivehelper.com/cat169-4/
http://www.crownvic.us/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3
Brake line discussion:
http://www.joesfalcon.com/page22.html

As for the 95 cougar, it's surprising that the whole thing didn't break. Within the column, there is this thing:http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1797/diagram19ae.jpg

Nate was thinking that it could be possible that some of the teeth ( at right of diagram) could have been broken... that would make some sense, as you are still able to direct the vehicle. If that's the spot, then it's somewhat of an easier repair job.. may be able to do it with a column from the scrap yard.
Cougar forums:
http://www.mercuryforum.com/forum/
http://www.fordforums.com/f439/
I wonder what these guys would say?
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Steering-Column-Repair-2047/
http://www.2carpros.com

Still, a steering column is not something Nate would touch himself. Brakes are easier, I guess.

You are 110% right... you and your family are safe. That's all that matters :hug:

*** Brain Fart!: Maybe you could bring your car to the local highschool for the kids to learn how to run brakelines on? I know that in my home town, the tech students would take their own sweet time about it, but would do it for minimal cost (apart from parts). If it's sitting on blocks anyway, could always let the kids have at'er.

Or, any local car enthusiasts around? Local car clubs usually have a number of guys who like to mod their own vehicles... they may have thoughts/suggestions.

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Thanks, you have gone above and beyond!

Dave

 

[cheryl]

Well..that sucks!...about the car that is...and sorry to hear of your rough day.

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Thanks

 

[Pipp]

Yay WTG Autumn!! :great:

 

[kirbyultra]

Wow Autumn, you're a wealth of knowledge!
Dave, so sorry it was a rough day. Some days I just cut it as short as possible because everything I touch seems to break. When it rains, it pours, as they say. I really hope you can use some of the suggestions and get out of this funk! I wish you good luck!

I'll ask if King Kirby can send some rabbit troops to Indiana to aid

 

[Fancy77]

did u get anything figured out yet Dave??

 

[Wabbitdad12]

No, if I can I am going to try and drive it to an alignment shop to see what is wrong with it. Then if (big if) money comes availalbe I will get it fixed. Parents have been doing taxi service for my daughter and myself.

 

[Fancy77]

wow, well at least some transportation is available for you. Good luck on the drive to the shop...if some one is in your way just run them over lol

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Fancy77 wrote:

wow, well at least some transportation is available for you. Good luck on the drive to the shop...if some one is in your way just run them over lol

Yeah, maybe it would knock things back in place!:biggrin2:

 

[Fancy77]

HA HA HA thats exactly what i was thinking

 

[Wabbitdad12]

Called my insurance company yesterday and they told me to take it their recommended repair center 20 miles away. I am afraid to drive it 2 blocks! If the cost of repairs are more then the car is worth, they will total it. Blue book value is 400-700 dollars. Worth more to me though. So if the repairs are less then 400 dollars I will be ok, if more I am screwed.

Oh happy days!