If it isn't broke don't fix it

[xzostd1]

I'm in the process of refurbing my Million mile Volvo and was given the advice a few times of "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

Why wouldn't you anticipate the expected life of a part and replace it before it fails??? For example, I just removed all the Brake Chambers, brake hoses, air bags and inspected them. I replaced the spring units, installed new pucks in the other two rear chambers and also replaced all the brake hoses. The front chambers and hoses where like new so I reused them. Two of the air bags where like new the other two had deep cracks only visible deflated on the bottom (which I replaced) I also unbolted and moved the fifth wheel allowing me access to inspect and tidy up the wire/hose looms, touch up rust, do a thorough cleaning...etc.

What would the total cost be if a airbag failed out of state with a load.
I spent 123.00 each and replaced them in about 45 minutes...(While I watched the Packers LOOSE!)
Bill

[Rev.Vassago]

I'm in the process of refurbing my Million mile Volvo and was given the advice a few times of "If it ain't broke don't fix it"

Why wouldn't you anticipate the expected life of a part and replace it before it fails??? For example, I just removed all the Brake Chambers, brake hoses, air bags and inspected them. I replaced the spring units, installed new pucks in the other two rear chambers and also replaced all the brake hoses. The front chambers and hoses where like new so I reused them. Two of the air bags where like new the other two had deep cracks only visible deflated on the bottom (which I replaced) I also unbolted and moved the fifth wheel allowing me access to inspect and tidy up the wire/hose looms, touch up rust, do a thorough cleaning...etc.

What would the total cost be if a airbag failed out of state with a load.
I spent 123.00 each and replaced them in about 45 minutes...(While I watched the Packers LOOSE!)
Bill

One of the biggest reasons to do PREVENTATIVE MAINTAINANCE is to keep parts from failing while you are out on the road, so that you avoid towing. Another reason is because you will likely save on labor by having things replaced all at once, thereby avoiding the shop having to take apart and put together the same items over and over.

You certainly did the right thing by doing the entire job at once, rather than waiting for failure.

But doing the job while the Packers are losing, that is another story. :wink:

[xzostd1]

[quote="Rev.Vassago"]

I'm in the process of refurbing my Million mile Volvo and was given the advice a few times of "If it ain't broke don't fix it"
waiting for failure.

But doing the job while the Packers are losing, that is another
story. :wink:

The Packer failure may have been my fault! I was dividing my attention and I am truly sorry!
REV. I used to be the Bill in "Bills West Side Exhaust and Brakes" in Green Bay. Were you ever a customer??
Bill

[Rev.Vassago]

I used to be the Bill in "Bills West Side Exhaust and Brakes" in Green Bay. Were you ever a customer??
Bill

Nope. I've only had my truck for a year and a half now, and Peterbilt of GB does all my work, as it is under warranty.

[allan5oh]

It all depends on the situation. I like changing parts early that I know will be replaced with a part that I will never have to change again. Something like this would be a brake chamber. They last about 2 years for me. If I'm down there doing a job, I'll change the brake chamber with a "lifeseal" one even if it's fine.

Other items are very visible how much wear is occuring. Tires, brakes(although there can be exceptions for brakes), clutches, etc.. Some people up here change their starters and batteries every 2 years. If they're maintained properly, they should last a LOT longer then that.

[bob h]

It all depends on the situation. I like changing parts early that I know will be replaced with a part that I will never have to change again. Something like this would be a brake chamber. They last about 2 years for me. If I'm down there doing a job, I'll change the brake chamber with a "lifeseal" one even if it's fine.

Other items are very visible how much wear is occuring. Tires, brakes(although there can be exceptions for brakes), clutches, etc.. Some people up here change their starters and batteries every 2 years. If they're maintained properly, they should last a LOT longer then that.

A local fleet here, with a couple thousand power units are changing out their starters at 600,000 Miles... based on their fleets history.

One of my customers recently changed out his 4 original batteries in his '99 eagle... 7 years, but that's exceptional... and besides batteries are generally predictable with a pre-winter capacitance test.

Curious... how do you assess that a cluch is "almost" worn out?