If you know there has been a vacuum leak for a few years, the engine's performance is dropping, and finally the brakes are not as good as they used to be, just fix the vacuum leak. I've finally cut the tip off the hose from the oil filler to the vacuum port on the inlet manifold (older models are from flame trap to manifold), and all of a sudden there is more vacuum for the brakes (sharp again, was soft for last 3 months), idle improved, and the engine is more responsive. I wonder why? The crack in the (original) hose has been there for a few years, but lately got larger. And with the ventilation working again, perhaps I'll get less oil in the air filter box!

If the steering is loose because of worn bushes and joints, don't try to improve things by tightening up the adjuster on the steering box. You just end up not feeling any difference when you do replace the bushes, and then wonder why you've spent all that money. After adjusting it properly, I now have light steering with a solid front end (remember my recent post on wheel alignment?).

What can I say, I'm an electronics guy not a mechanical guy. But it's all part of learning and expanding your horizons, and having a very forgiving car.