I am no stranger to the woes of the dreaded Prior Owner, and try to do my best to consider that there is always the possibility that I may pass along my ham- handedness to some other unsuspecting car fanatic. That person could likely use language to describe me that I now use to describe the last person who messed with the brakes of my new project car. So, I really TRY to do a good job, the right thing, and my best to make sure my work could at least be considered forward progress. I’m deep into refreshing a set of calipers on my old Lotus Elan, and am using all the language my mother told me not to, because somebody used a rattle can to spray the entire brake assembly silver. Pads, springs, pins, the works. Effectively, they glued the whole things together, and also forgot to change the brake fluid, so the pistons are frozen solid. I don’t think it was the previous owner, an elderly gentleman who I believe loved the car but couldn’t work on it himself. Rather, I suspect it was a “specialty shop” he had the misfortune of taking it to, spending good money on a “brake job” and returning home with the hot mess I’m now trying to clean up. To that shop, that technician who shook the can ‘till the BB stopped rattling and sprayed the entire contents on my calipers, Shame On You. I hope, no, I KNOW that car Karma will catch up to you. Please don’t be That Guy. I promise I will do my best for you, Next Caretaker, whoever you may be.
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