We finally got the moving finished today. It's amazing how much stuff a 2 year college student can acquire in just over 1 year!
We ate lunch with Cory, shared hugs & tears, and headed north.
The whole time we were in Nacogdoches, the car seemed to wander quite a bit, but I just thought it was the grooves in the pavement. Once we got on some better roads, we could tell that it wasn't the roads, and there was definitely something loose in the rear suspension. The car would drive fine for a while, and then the back end would just dart from side to side.
We stopped at a garage in Timpson, TX. that had a 4 post lift, and we found that an upper control arm bolt had loosened up, and was less than finger tight. The left tire had the tread worn completely off too. I didn't look at the tires since we left Childress, and the tires had an equal amount of tread at that time.
The garage owner tightened the bolt, checked most of the others, and away we went. He asked for $10.00, and as I only had a $20.00, that's what he got.
It didn't take long too long to figure out that the problem was still there, and we started searching for a tire shop, hoping that we could at least find a tire to get us home.
The first 2 places that "Google" listed, didn't have anything, but could get one for morning.
The second shop sounded very willing to help, and could do alignment, if necessary. We were about 2 blocks from them, when we spotted
Eagle Tire
1104 E End Blvd S
Marshall, TX 75670
It was an old gas station, that had the pumps removed, about 5 garage bays, with 4 full of tires, and one with tire equipment. Not very impressive looking, but what caught my eye was the display of some big chrome truck rims, and mountains of tires outside.
I thought that it was worth a shot, so I pulled in, and was approached by a gentleman that could barely understand English. I did show him what I needed, and he took me into the office, where the manager spoke less English than the mechanic, but they quickly figured out what I wanted. It just so happens that they had (4) Goldway G2003 275/40R20 tires on hand, and I told them I'd take 2.
No lift on site, and they had me back up in front of the building, and jacked the car up with a floor jack. Once they got the rims off, I found that one of the toe-rod bolts had also loosened up, and was the cause of the problem. I borrowed a socket, and tightened the bolt, and all was good.
I don't know anything about Goldway tires, but am sure thankful for Eagle Tire, and the way they took care of me. I bet I wasn't there for 45 minutes. 3 guys jumped in, and got us back on the road.
We made it to Brinkley, AR. tonight, and have just over 600 miles to get home tomorrow.
Not much for photo opportunities today, but I'm kicking myself for not taking pictures of the shops we stopped at, the loose bolts, and the new tires.
One more day, so we'll see what tomorrow brings.