Retire ropes based on feel and damage, not just a set schedule.

Honestly, that whole timing thing reminds me of when I tried to give away an old TV stand. Posted it right as I dragged it out and it just sat there for two days in the weather. Tbh I should have listed it over the weekend when people are actually looking.

My uncle was a pilot, said the same thing.

You said "mostly works, which is good enough." Read a forum post once where a guy had random packet drops for months. Traced it back to a slightly messed up homemade cable. The connection worked, but it was slow and flaky. That's the real problem. It's not about total failure, it's about making something that actually works right.

That "awful grinding noise" is the worst sound in a shop.