michael hurd
Stalker be gone.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2012
- Messages
- 1,876
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- 603
People around here are often trying to upgrade there vehicle, thus this forum is an outlet for idea sharing and the stickies address common questions. Some people feel that stock is the best way out of fear IMO. I'm not one of them and don't often interact with them but the 31% number is misleading the DRW calipers are for thicker rotors and larger thicker pads also so I doubt they would be put on a 6 lug truck even by accident 14% is the better number. I've done so much math to decide what route I would go if/when I do something. That said I'd be far more afraid of fault from poorly maintained brakes then brake changes. I'm a mechanic and car nut and as much as I know of cars I wouldn't think that I could identify the difference of calipers without measuring them or having them side by side and 99.9999999999% of the accident investigations won't even look for that. And lastly people spec 1 ton srw calipers because 3/4 ton could be either caliper.
I don't keep everything stock in 'fear', any change I make to a vehicle, I carefully weigh the possible outcomes, risks and costs.
A deposition in discovery or statement made to the officer is all that is needed to hang the noose around your neck in a court of law.
Q. Are your brakes in good working order?
A. Yep, I work on them myself.
Q. You are a licensed mechanic, correct?
A. No, I work on the truck myself, with help from the internet.
Q. So then, without being an expert, you really can not say that the brakes are in good working order, can you?
A. But they stop well.
Q. Is that so?
A. I changed out the hydraulic master cylinder for one out of another truck, and they work so good!!
Q. You have modified the vehicle braking system?
A. Well no... not really.
Q. You aren't an expert, though, correct?
The point I am trying to make is it isn't butt dyno, feelings, or even observations that work in a court of law. As a LAY person, you are not an expert, and any testimony will be weighted as such. Only FACTS work in a court of law, however an expert, or police officer can give opinion as testimony.
You could subpoena an expert, but they are not likely to want to come to testify at a trial from some joe blow from kalamazoo who ended up in court after running over a baby carriage.