| I had a low tire on my DD today (technically this post is SZR because my DD is a TT - Merc S600 V12 TT). When I pumped up the tire, I could hear air leaking from the valve stem. I figured I'd better get it fixed asap so I stopped by a local tire shop in my neighbourhood. I explain my situation and ask if they can fit me in while I wait. The manager says he can fit me in, but the guy who will do it will be tied up for a few minutes. He motions to a "mechanic" removing the wheels on a blue RX8 on the hoist just outside the viewing window. He said the guy should be able to start on my car in about 15 minutes. I note that the RX8 has three wheels off and the "mechanic" is currently removing the passenger front wheel, and figure "Ehh - it'll be closer to half and hour but I might as well hang out". So I grab a paper and a coffee. Twenty minutes go by - I've finished my coffee and the paper - great article on why Angelina Jolie is so sexxxxy (but i digress). I check on the blue RX8. The "mechanic" - that is supposed to work on my car next - is still working on removing the front wheel. He is standing their with an air wrench just spinning and spinning and spinning on a lug nut. Do ya think it is stripped? Next, to my horror, he grabs a sledgehammer, and starts pounding on the tire from the back side of the wheel. Over the next ten minutes this process repeats 3 or four times - air wrench, sledge, air wrench, sledge, air wrench, sledge. I watch - stunned - like watching a bad car wreck. I want to speak up, to look away, but I just watch. Then another rocket scientist comes over. They decide to hit the lugnut with the shops torch. A new ritual begins - torch, wrench, torch, wrench, torch. I can't stand it - I seek out the owner. There are only two other people in the shop - a 20something asian guy and an 200 lb 40something female. I seek out the asian guy. "Stripped lug nut?"
"Yeah, wheel lock - sucks - they think the rim is f'd too now"
"5zigens?" I say
"Yeah"
"That happenned to me once on my Z", I say. "You might want to suggest that they drill out the lug nut until it disintegrates. Then you will probably only need a new wheel stud?"
"Really - how much is a new wheel stud?"
"About 5 bucks", I say.
"5 bucks???", he says.
"About that.", I say As he goes to see the "fools", they manage to free they wheel. A few minutes later he comes back to talk to me. "Well, they got it off. The rim is fucked - I will need to replace it. They think the rotor is probably OK and that the caliper is probably OK.", he says. "Oh and you were right, I will need a new wheel stud" Fortunately, while all this craziness is going on - the manager must have felt bad because he fixed my tire himself and was just pulling my car out of the bay at that time. Needless to say I will be checking the pressure and re-torquing it myself as soon as I finish this post. Sorry - no pics. (I was hoping that he would get done first so I could talk to him outside the shop and get a pic on my camera phone as well).
Pics
Cruizin' Topless on December 26th
Engine Bay Pics
719 miles on the turbo'ed NA 'VerTT and counting
Versus TransAm
Versus Audi S4 Biturbo
Versus Cadillac XLR
NA's are for Sissies
Sudden Loss of Boost is Heartstopping
First Driving Impression
Preliminary Dyno Results
Acknowledgments |
