Spring Surgery: Bidding Farewell to the Clamp Catastrophe

 

The final item on my "Must Do" list was tackled on Sunday morning. My grand plan involved removing the spring and evicting that bracket clamp from the passenger side of the car’s front spring. Frankly, it looked like a cancerous growth that had no business being there. Even my garage agreed it was a disaster waiting to happen and would definitely raise eyebrows during a safety inspection.

Before getting too carried away with the whole spring removal ordeal, I figured I’d try just unscrewing all the bolts first. Maybe, just maybe, the clamp would fall off like a bad toupee. Armed with a socket, a few wrenches, needle-nose vice grips, and a screwdriver that could double as a crowbar, I set to work. It took 30 minutes of creative cursing and some wiggling, but success was mine!

With the wheel already off, I thought, "Why not give the front end a quick once-over?" A bit of grease in all the nipples, a glance here and there, and I discovered the brakes were in pristine condition, sporting new pads and a shiny, turned rotor. Feeling like a mechanical superhero, I decided to repeat the process on the driver's side.

Once completed, I drove the car onto the street and gave it the once-over from the front and back. No sign of a lean or any crookedness—victory! The car looked as straight as a ruler, and I was as proud as a peacock.

Finally, my wife, bless her heart, was kind enough to follow me in the MGB to The Sports Car Factory in my Volt. Picture this: me, beaming in my newly cancer-free car, back-up lights working, new windshield and windshield washers on the ready, and my wife, probably wondering how she got roped into this, trailing behind. We arrived, and I left the car to undergo the Ontario Safety Inspection, plus a thorough check-up for my own peace of mind.

As I returned home driving my Volt, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Would the Master Mechanic of MGs find something I missed? Only time would tell. But for now, I could breathe easy knowing that the clamp, the bane of my spring’s existence, was no more. And so, with a triumphant grin, I walked away, ready for whatever automotive adventures awaited next.

On the way home, I decided to stop in Osgoode and treat my wife to lunch at the Red Dot Café. Chantal, ever the picture of health, ordered a salad with creamed potato soup. I, on the other hand, couldn't resist the Prime Rib Sandwich Dip with Sweet Potato Fries. It was the perfect end to a productive day, filled with good food and the satisfaction of a job well done.

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