Just supposed to be an oil change.

[sychodelix]

I took my 94 Grand Caravan to get the oil changed this morning. Apparently, they found the back brakes were totally shot, leaking brake fluid all over the brakes and keeping them from working right, and the front brakes are probably 90% gone. Not to mention the wear on the front tires in uneven where I had to have alignment adjusted a few months ago, but it wasn't serious enough to have fixed today. I didn't have the cash to fix everything at once, so I had to have the back brakes, rotors & cylinder totally replaced, plus the oil change for around $350 bucks. My wife was crying when I told her because she knew we couldn't afford it. We knew we really didn't have a choice though, because we have two kids that have occupational and speech therapy and doctor appointments that are extremely necessary for special needs kids. Anyway, my back brakes are fixed, but the front ones are nearly gone. It will cost $275 for just the front brakes and rotors, and around 300-350 for new tires and realignment and stuff. I guess I will have to manage the front brakes next month, and get tires the month after that. It really stinks living on limited income when unexpected things come up. Already spent $1500 on transmission a few months ago, and now something else happens.

I was just about to get into pipe smoking and just getting into honing and such, and now it looks like I'll have to be selling some of my stuff soon on BST, and although luckily we already bought most of the youngest boys food and stuff already, looks like the rest of us will be living on beans and rice and cornbread for a while!

Sorry for the rant, I just needed to vent my frustration a bit. Sometimes life just runs you over like a steamroller

 

[Hunter]

Sorry to hear that bud! Don't worry about the Brown Leaf, we will still be there when you get all this figured out again. I'll be sure to take a look on the BST when you have stuff up to see if I can lend a hand.

Good Luck,

 

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Had the same van and put 203,000 on it with replacing the transmission once. Traded it in, limping along and got a Honda minivan with only 102,000 miles on it. A MUCH better vehicle IMHO.

Four months later pushed the 18 year old Volvo in to a dealer and got a Honda Pilot with 97,000 miles. A HUGE upgrade IMHO. Those Hondas are tight as a drum and quiet as a ten-year-old walking past a cemetery. Highly recommended.

 

[Rockminer]

Sorry to hear about your van conking out on you. How mechanically inclined are you? I ask because over half of any quote you get is labor costs. Brake jobs can be done fairly easy with a minimal amount of tools. Your brakes being 90% gone may just need new pads. If you are not getting a shimmy when you apply the brakes, your rotors may be fine. Even if you get a shimmy, sometimes you can just get the rotors turned and save money.

Didn't understand if you need an alignment or if you got it done a few months back. If the tires are ok on the back, you can switch them to the front. Assuming the worn tires are not showing cords and have tread. Sometimes mom and pop mechanics can do alignments for less than the big name stores.

Doing minor repairs and changing fluids yourself can save a lot of money. Sorry I don't live close to you, I would help you out, I have done most of my own car maintenance myself, for many years.

Let me know if you need help, I might be able to walk you through some repairs.

 

[smalltank]

perhaps its worth considering a new van on a low lease?...but I would get a 2nd and 3rd opinion on whats really needed to be done on your van...my suv is a year 2000..I spent about that much as well just due to that fact its "wear n tear" over time...I dont have alot of mileage either...

 

[hillbilly pick]

Wow, sorry about your misfortune. That situation would hurt my family too right now. I wish you lived close to Louisville, I would fix your brakes for the cost of the parts. As for tires, I am in need of four news on my old truck.

I am sure things will right themselves, for such a deserving an kind gentleman and his family.

Positive thoughts with you!

 

[Krona Kruiser]

Been there done, done that. You go in for a $100 or so maintenance job and find out you need $500+ of work. Not happy when it happens. Especially stinks when it's your only option. Get that sucker fixed and move on!

 

[_JP_]

The front brakes provide most of the stopping power for a vehicle. They are more important, so that needs to be the next thing you get fixed on it!

Old vehicles. Fix 'em or replace 'em. The older they get, the more often they need repaired. It can help to learn about repairs so that you can something done when needed, instead of letting problems stack up on you. Usually cheaper in the long run to keep repaired than buy another one.

 

[sychodelix]

Would love to buy another one if we could, it just takes a whole lot of money at once when you don't have credit, and that much money at once is something we rarely have. Unfortunately, I'm not much for working on cars and even if I was, I live in an aparment with no garage, and have nowhere to work on it at. Anyway, taking care of two autistic kids that are totally different ties my hands to where I can barely spend time alone with my wife, let alone work on the van.

Thanks for the comments and thoughts, all. I've been with my back against the wall many times, and I'll work my way through it. Just had to get things off my chest before I lost my mind. The rest of it, I mean.

I have a handful of things I can part with on BST, and hopefully I'll get some pictures taken and get them up tonight or tomorrow.

 

[dundak]

Totally sucks. At least it is fixable and sure beats having to buy a new van.

 

[Toothpick]

my folks fixed up some beans and cornbread the other day. The beans had the left over ham in it and the ham bone. That is some good eatin'!! i'm talkin bout lunch and dinner!

It's a struggle some days for many people. Things always get better though. Keep your feet moving.

 

[sychodelix]

I agree about the beans and cornbread. It's good eatin'! It just kinda stinks when it's one of your only choices.

 

[Hunter]

I agree about the beans and cornbread. It's good eatin'! It just kinda stinks when it's one of your only choices.

Old cowboy wisdom: When you get tired of beans and bacon sometimes it is nice to switch it up to bacon and beans for a few nights.

 

[neilyasno]

Lot's of car manufacturers are offering good deals on leases. It may be more worth your while to check it out. It costs nothing to just go to a dealship and listen to their speech! Usually they will accept old clunkers as trade ins. Even though I have no experience with vans, our mini cooper which retails at almost $24k had a great deal on it. We put 0 down, and pay $240 a month with 12k miles a year. Don't know how much you drive yearly though

 

[boogieman_]

I know how you feel! Just gotta put one foot in front of the other some days but it gets better. Have you tried or thought about looking on craigslist or asking friends/neighbors about the brake job, or if they know anyone who can do one? It's pretty easy like was said before, if your rotors aren't grooved they are probably good. If they are grooved, you can buy new ones at a parts store or get the old ones turned (be careful how much turning costs). The labor is probably gonna be half the cost.

Think about any skills you have, is there anything you could trade for the labor part of a brake job? Money is hard to come by but sometimes you can trade or do a co-op type thing and end up spending much less.

Cajun beans are really good too. It's basically beans with sausage, Rotel and some seasoning.

 

[Haggises]

Good luck to you Jason.

 

[sychodelix]

Mmm...cajun. Red Beans and rice is good too. But nobody else but me here likes spicy food.

I'll have to check around if I can find someone that might do the labor for me. It would definitely save some cash.

I know how you feel! Just gotta put one foot in front of the other some days but it gets better. Have you tried or thought about looking on craigslist or asking friends/neighbors about the brake job, or if they know anyone who can do one? It's pretty easy like was said before, if your rotors aren't grooved they are probably good. If they are grooved, you can buy new ones at a parts store or get the old ones turned (be careful how much turning costs). The labor is probably gonna be half the cost.

Think about any skills you have, is there anything you could trade for the labor part of a brake job? Money is hard to come by but sometimes you can trade or do a co-op type thing and end up spending much less.

Cajun beans are really good too. It's basically beans with sausage, Rotel and some seasoning.

 

[BBrad]

Jason, sorry to hear about a "shavin' brother" falling on hard times . . . you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

I've been there a few times myself . . . keep the faith and it will all work out in the end!

Truth be told, my favorite meal of all time is ham hocks, soup beans, cornbread, and a tall glass of buttermilk!

Also - beware of car leases - that is the most expensive way to "finance" a car purchase. The only winner is the car company.

I'll check out your B/S/T listing!

 

[dpm802]

I'll have to check around if I can find someone that might do the labor for me. It would definitely save some cash.

Look into nearbyl high school or vo-tech auto shop classes. Often, they will take in vehicles from local citizens and fix 'em up to provide training for the students. You are just responsible to pay for the parts, but often, they can get you those at a good discount.

 

[rxonmymind]

Been there. I wish you well and I will keep an eye out for bst!