Better day

[altivo]

...at least somewhat. It was a bit quieter.

Weather alternated between gray sky and sun, but wasn't as hot and humid quite. No rain, which we could probably use, but if it stays dry maybe the mosquitoes will die.

I went out after dinner to water the newly planted tomatoes and was nearly carried off and eaten by hordes of the nasty little bloodsuckers. Most of the tomatoes look OK, though the cherry tomatoes are a bit wilty. If even half the plants make it, we'll have plenty of tomatoes though.

Took the Escape to Ford because the ABS warning light was on. They replaced a broken "tone ring" in the left front brake, which solved the problem. Of course that leaves the question of why it was broken, as I'm a very gentle driver. The repair was covered by warranty, no charge. Now let's see if the other side goes out or if the same side goes again.

Comments

[songdogmi.livejournal.com]

I've encountered musicians with broken tone rings. Too bad they don't have warning lights.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

We thought maybe it was a reference to cell phones with broken ring tones. Whatever it is, the warning light is now off.

[hellmutt.livejournal.com]

Could be a faulty part or random mishap, which would almost certainly have been worse if you weren't such a gentle driver. Glad to see all Clydesdales aren't leaden-hoofed.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

No shoes, you see. Without those big steel things, my feet aren't heavy at all. ;p

Actually, whatever a tone ring is, it seems to have only to do with the ABS. The regular braking system was fine and was working normally. Both the owner's manual and the mechanic assured me of that. The warning light just meant that the ABS would probably not have come on in a skid.

I've had ABS in my cars since 1996, and even with the ice and snow we get here in winter, I can still count the number of times it has activated on just one paw. It's a nice safety feature to have, but I'm such a cautious driver that it has never mattered. (Yet.)

[farhoug.livejournal.com]

It seems that tone ring is part of the ABS speed sensor, usually with teeth or little magnets which tell the magnetic sensor the rotation speed. Seems a bit odd how something like that can get broken, though there were some mentions about them missing teeth, or having dirt interfering the measurement. Or that the ring has split, cracked, or rusted off...

Also found a manufacturing bid for a quarter million tone rings (per year) for some auto mfg, with "production in China preferred". I guess that explains some... =)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I had a feeling for a while that something might be going on with the ABS, but I couldn't prove it. Mostly the symptom was that when I made a left turn and applied the brakes while turning (as is often necessary when turning into my own driveway at home, since it is a steep downhill grade) the ABS would kick on for just one "clunk" with no apparent reason. Only on left turns, though, never on right. So now we know. I think it was going bad for a couple of months before it finally failed.

[flaredragon.livejournal.com]

Hey horsey. I need to speak with you, assuming I'm still in Michigan when you read this. It's 10 PM Wednesday.

I made a locked post for you:
http://flaredragon.livejournal.com

Sorry for the spam, I'm leaving messages for you everywhere I think you'll be likely to look sometime in the near future. >

[flaredragon.livejournal.com]

Better news neigh... I can get into Chicago proper with a bit of help. If that changes anything for you, please let me know. Still in Detroit waiting on the trailer to bring over to your area.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Longer post attached to your locked entry. If you can get into Chicago, you should be able to get off back home through bus, train, or plane without too much trouble other than having to wait for the right departure. Public transportation connections to the airports are good from downtown, and getting to downtown is fairly easy from most of the city. It will just take time. Amtrak departs from right downtown, too. The bus station is down there somewhere as well, but has moved a couple of times since I was last there so I'm not sure exactly where it is now.