can report the promised story on the first mechanical troubles we
encountered in NY.
It was the third day of the trip so it came rather unexpected as we
drove in the morning on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and suddenly
lost pressure in the brakes. We weren't really in danger at any moment
as we still could brake, though much worse than normal, but a failure
in the brake system is never amusing. We took the first exit and it
happened that it was in Greenpoint, the Polish neighborhood in
Brooklyn. As we stopped on the sidewalk to diagnose the problem and
started taking off the overhaeted wheel with smoke coming from the
burned brake pads, we were approached by a Polish guy who offered
advice. Together we figured out the problem was the brake caliper of
the rear right hand wheel which blocked and needed replacement. It
came surprising because the brakes were serviced a week before the
trip and the opposite (left hand) rear caliper had been replaced.
Apparently it is a part that had a certain life expectancy, since both
failed at roughly the same time. So we looked for a car shop and
surprise, the first one we found was run by a Polish mechanic. Kazik
was his name and not only did he change the caliper the same day but
also offered a number of valuable technical and general advice.
Surprising and disturbing as it was, we ended up with having a better
car at the end of the day.
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