[Power Hungry]

Send the bill to your B-i-L. Or at least start charging rent. I mean after all, it's not a chumpy, little MTD lawnmower... it's a JD! That alone commands a certain amount of respect.

Since we're on the subject of horrifying jobs, here's a good one for you. 1978 Jaguar XJ6, rear brake job INCLUDING rotors.

Now brakes on a Jaguar are just about the easiest things in the world to do. 1 screwdriver, a pair of needle-nose pliers, and 15 minutes is all it takes. Got a chewed up rotor? That's another matter entirely.

I checked the labor manual. Rear brakes pays .6 hours. Rear brakes with rotors pays 12 hours! Yes, 12... as in a dozen! Why? Because you have to pull the entire rear subframe out of the car to get to where you can remove the rotors.

See, Jaguars have a really nice independent rear suspension with the brakes mounted right to the differential. This is nice because it reduces the unsprung weight of the wheel assembly making for a much smoother ride. The problem is that there are axles outboard of the rotors and there is no way to remove the axles without removing the subframe first.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I have to remove half the exhaust system (which routes THROUGH the subframe ) along with the brake lines, parking cable, and main driveshaft. After setting the subframe on jack stands, unbolting the assembly, and then raising the car back up, everything was easily accessible. It took 15 minuted to pop the new rotors on and then the long, laborious task of reinstalling the subframe.

Needless to say, it was quite an interesting experience and definitely the most memorable (and expensive) brake job I've ever done.

One day I may reminisce about a couple of troublesome power steering hoses I've done over the years.