Taking a break for some brakes.

[Art Newland]

I always hate to take my coupe out of action for any length of time but it's time for major brake repair so she'll have to set on jack-stands for a while. Hopefully not more than a few weeks. Even though I really like to do my own work, I'm sending them to Randy Gross for the full meal deal.

[Jim M]

Art,

I know the feeling well! I did the exact same thing. Kept replacing, tweaking, turning, adjusting, etc for 4 years. Finally bit the bullet and sent them to Randy. You will ecstatic when you get them back!

[Mikeinnj]

Major repair should include replacing all worn out moving parts such as rollers and brake arm bushings as well as the replacing or welding the brake tracks back into shape if worn.

[Art Newland]

Yes, Randy does a complete overhaul of all moving parts, new cast iron drums, new shoes with linings Randy has picked for best over-all performance with his drums... if it weren't for the swaging, riveting and such, I'd probably take on the job myself but I really want the brakes to be as good as they can get. He doesn't even want paid until after you get your parts back and are 100% satisfied. I went from and engine with 42 PSI compression to one with 90 PSI, if you can go better, you had better be able to stop better to. Hope to be on a bit of a drive this summer from sea level to 5000 ft, that means coming back down 5000 ft!

[Art Newland]

A bit of an update, Spoke with Randy on the phone and he wants each brake assy in an individual box. I bought 14x14x10 boxes rated for 65 lbs. They were $4 a piece. Crumpled up heavy brown paper seemed adequate for packing. I tightened the brake adjusters to hold the assemblies together, Also ran a couple of big zip ties through the front hubs to hold everything together. I've spent $160 for shipping and materials.

[DJ S]

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Don't forget to restore your brake actuating arms, cross shaft, pedal bushings, and brake rods!

[updraught]

It cost $124 to ship the two front hubs, drums, shoes and bearings from LA to my front door on the other side of the universe.

[Art Newland]

I was told it would be cheaper for return shipping because of the fact its a commercial account. I shipped from a retail ups store.

[mhsprecher]

The post office has good deals on flat rate shipping. Hard to beat for heavy items.

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by mhsprecher

The post office has good deals on flat rate shipping. Hard to beat for heavy items.

Like what?

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

Like what?

Here's their pricing for flat rate boxes. Anything you can get into the box...any weight...

https://www.easypost.com/usps-flat-r...d-pricing.html

You may have had to use more boxes than you did, however, since they don't have one as big as the size you used.

[Art Newland]

OK, you're talking Priority mail. It is possible that you might have been able to use the large flat rate boxes. The rear drum/hub is about 6.5 inches deep, assembled with the backing plate nearly 10 inches. Maybe could have got everything in 6 boxes, if eight boxes I could've saved $30 because the boxes are free. There wouldn't be any room for packing, but maybe not necessary? But then again, I'd have to go in the Post office...

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

But then again, I'd have to go in the Post office...

You'd have to go in the post office to pick up the boxes, but they are in the lobby and free for the taking. You can pay for and print the postage on line, then just drop the packages at the post office in the bin...no waiting in line. If you are super lazy (like me) you can order the boxes from the PO on line and your carrier delivers them...no charge. You can also schedule a pick up of the outgoing boxes on line and your carrier picks them up...no charge.

IMHO, the post office is FINALLY doing some of the things they need to survive. They need to stop focusing on grandmothers hand written letter, paper bills that are quickly being replaced by electronic billing and payment, and the tons of ads that are immediately thrown away by recipients...and concentrate on eating UPSes and FEDEXes lunch. The PO has the infrastructure to handle home deliveries of packages far better, easier, cheaper than the competition. eCommerce is not going to go away. It will continue to replace brick and mortar stores at a faster and faster rate. Flat rate boxes are a good example of the direction the PO needs to be taking.

[160B]

USPS also has a Regional rate Box, introduced in 2011.

The rate calculator builds a rate table based on your zip code and then using the zip code you are shipping to you can determine the cost for shipping. This is done online.

The post office will deliver the boxes to your door. Your local post office does not stock these boxes, you need to order them online.

Link to order free supplies
https://www.usps.com/ship/welcome.htm

USPS REGIONAL RATE BOXES:

There are two types of USPS Priority Mail® Regional Rate boxes:
USPS Regional Rate Box A: Shipments of up to 15 lbs
USPS Regional Rate Box B: Shipments of up to 20 lbs


link to info
http://postalnews.com/postalnewsblog...cial-shippers/

link to rate calculator
http://shippingeasy.com/usps-priorit...al-rate-boxes/

Link to "rate calculator that builds a rate table based on your zip code"
https://postcalc.usps.com/DomesticZoneChart

[Art Newland]

The front assemblies were about 25 lbs, and the rears about 35. I'm expecting my brakes back sometime this week. Randy sent me a couple picture to wet my appetite. My brakes were a real hodge-podge of incorrect parts, aftermarket pieces, stuff missing, and just worn out stuff. Surprisingly, for getting around my repetitively flat surroundings, they worked OK and I never really felt unsafe driving. Randy has a good selection of good used parts on hand and hooked me up with a good front hub (loose bearing race) and a replacement emergency brake ass'y, one of mine was cracked. I've really enjoyed being kept "in the loop" on the process. He's called me several times with updates, questions, and concerns... I really like that.

[Art Newland]

Brakes are back home, right on schedule.

[CarlG]

Just out of curiosity, what size and weight are the boxes? (Just trying to do some advance planning on my brake job.)

[Art Newland]

Originally Posted by CarlG

Just out of curiosity, what size and weight are the boxes? (Just trying to do some advance planning on my brake job.)

The boxes I sent them in were purchased at the UPS mailbox store were 14x14x10 and were $4 a piece. The front ass'y were about 25 lbs and the rears were about 35 a piece. The boxes they came back in are 13.5x13.5x12.5

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Art Newland

Brakes are back home, right on schedule.

oooh pretty,Why arent they on your car yet? Now go go go so you can stop stop stop!

[Art Newland]

I spent nearly $280 in shipping

I hate shipping big heavy stuff...