As I read Oak's columns and these pages, I'm always making mental notes of recurring Airhead issues so I can order the parts and plan a time to check it out. I'd simply rather replace or repair the item in my shop and be "on top" of the issue, than have to deal with it on the side of the road. Not only is it hard for me to lean over long enough to make a repair on the side of the road, but I really don't wish to be an inconvenience to my traveling companions either.

So I decided to remove the front engine cover and check the condition of the rubber mounts on the rectifier board. That's a well documented trouble spot. Well, it's amazing what you can learn when you remove the front cover. The rubber mounts are in great shape and there was no worry there, but the alternator brushes were down to nothing ! Last time I looked (about 15,000+ miles ago), the installed set was nearly as long as the new set I had purchased. Tonight the installed set had lost 50% of their length. So out came the spare brush set again, and in they went. 15 minutes later I was all done.

I'm heading off to a rally that's 4 states away in 9 days. Finding that issue before it became a problem is a big morale booster. That's the power of a preventative maintenance plan.