UPDATE: Tie Rod Ends, Ball Joints, Alignments... OH MY!!

The last few days have been interesting... and expensive.  Try to follow...

FRIDAY:  While out and about, I was really starting to worry about the car shuddering under hard braking.  Also noticed the front end was getting really loud. 

SATURDAY:  We finally took off the snow tires.  Noticed front right brake rotor looked a bit warped.  Rear brake pads need to be replaced.  But worst of all, left tie rod end VERY loose.  I mean bad. 

SUNDAY:  Dropped car off at Taxi Guy

MONDAY:  tie rod ends replaced, made appointment for alignment next day

TUESDAY:  dropped ar off for alignment at 7:45AM.  Went for half hour walk.  When I got back, the car was on the rack, but not aligned.  I was told there was a bad ball joint on the right side.  They told me it would be a waste of money to align it, then get the ball joint repaired, only to need another alignment.  Got quote for job, about $200 installed.  Drove to Taxi Guy.  Said to leave car there.  Mom picked me up, went to Friendly's for breakfast.  Passed shop less than an hour later, and car is being backed out.  All done.  Drove to alignment shop, made appointment for next day.

WEDNESDAY:  dropped car off again for alignment.  Hours pass, car done.  Drove home.

Yes, snow tires are STILL on!  It has been raining a lot lately, and combined with Todd's pinched nerve in his neck, nothing is getting done!

Funny Photo: Park at Own Risk

Coil Pack For Mom's Town Car

Mom's '99 Town Car blew a coil pack today.  About 82,000 miles on the car. 

Chelmsford MA Cruiser

UPDATE: 12th Anniversary!

April 7th marked my 12th year with Vic.  It has about 128,990 miles on it.  I was hoping to make it a round number, but I was off a few miles! 

Yesterday, I had one of those "what made you do THAT??" moments.  I parked to go into a convenience store, and each space had this big upside down horseshoe thing made of steel and concrete.  For some unknown reason, I put the car in drive instead of reverse, and... CRUNCH!!!  I was so mad and embarrassed, knowing the guy at the counter of the Domino's I was in front of probably saw me... I went across the street, got gas, then got out to see what damage there was...

... there was NONE!  Just a slight smudge next to the license plate.  I was so sure I had ruined something.  If I was in a newer car, no doubt the grille or headlights would have been ruined.

I still don't know why I did it...

SPOTTED: New MA State Police Ford Interceptor!

This morning I caught a very quick glimpse of a marked Massachusetts State Police cruiser on a flatbed... a brand spankin' new Ford Interceptor.  It was on a flatbed headed in the direction of Devens MA.  There is a state police barracks there, along with an EVOC training facility.   I tried to find the car later in the day, but it was most likely deep inside state property by that time...