Hi All,

Ordinarily I'd send this directly to Alan, but I felt this had to be done
via the list....

My oldest son Erik is at RIT in Rochester, NY (about 420 miles from
home)....and of course he drives a VW, specifically an 84 Vanagon (his
other car were my old GTI and a 78 bus which caught fire). Last week he
called to tell me that the front brakes were grinding, and that he went to
Monroe Brakes to get an estimate. Well, they told him that he needed a
complete brake job - $800+.

I suggested that he take out his Bentley manual and do it himself.
Unfortunately, Erik hasn't quite the same mechanical genes as his father.
So I suggested that he contact Alan Bosch.

We met Alan Bosch a couple of years ago for breakfast in Rochester (along
with Joel Cort). It was one of those "is there any one on the list in (you
name the city)" type of get togethers. From time to time we've run into
Alan....after I bought my 87 Westy, I found out that Alan had his sights on
the very same Westy...we bumped into eachother at Transporters by the
Tunnel this summer...so I felt comfortable in sending Erik off to find Alan.

Erik emailed Alan, and Alan volunteered to help out....I told Erik to
contact Bus Depot for the parts...which arrived on time (contrary to some
of the postings on the list).

Erik just called....he and Alan spent about five hours doing the front pads
and rear shoes. Erik is extremely happy to have new brakes and a new
friend. (Interestingly enough it appears that Monroe only checked out one
wheel when they did the "complete estimate")

I'm of course extremely happy that he can safely drive his van around town
again! I guess the bottom line is that this list is a wonderful resource,
and its members are always there to lend a hand. Its folks like Alan who
make it work!

Alan, thank you for taking time out this weekend to help my son, I really
appreciate your time and help!

Ric