Apr 12 - ok, enough

I think that I stopped one step too soon. I went over to Tire Kingdom and asked what it would cost to replace the tie rods as well as rotate and balance the tires and true up the wheel alignment. I knew that the rotate and balance and wheel alignment would be free, since they're within their guarantee period.

1.8 hours ... done. I've had enough. Uncle.

We dropped off the car and back home I got ready to ride. I did my "new" route, the Permanent Populaire that takes me up to Flagler Beach. It is new, adding almost 10 miles to my previous route as I continue past Highbridge up to SR 100 and over to the water. It was a windy, gusty day so those extra miles mattered ! but I sailed home. There were many places to use as the turnaround Control, but I chose a Suntrust ATM. On the way out, I used the Citgo ATM and the 7-11 version on the way home.

Before riding, I stopped at Total Vision to try on new riding glasses. I think that I've decided; will go back this morning and double check, make the final arrangements.

After my ride, Sandy took me over to the Tire Kingdom to pick up the X5. I'd cautioned Jorge, the manager, that they'd have a tough time undoing the tie rods, that Henry and I had to use two pipe wrenches. He said that he didn't fool around, would just cut them with a torch :). Ok, I'd have cut them with the angle grinder !

Here's the interesting part -- I was worried that once I got the boots off I'd find corrosion and difficult-to-undo parts ... well, they were so clean that they might have been new ! This would have been the easiest thing that I tackled, had I gone the extra step. That's ok ... it's done.

I still have those ball joints / bushings (they're called both) that go into the rear control arms. The ones in place look fine and the big bolt goes through those and the metal, so it's not going anywhere. It's possible that a replacement might, just might, dial that camber back into range, since it's still one degree out ... but I'll live with the extra tire wear at this point.

Heck, when I did research on this I found that you can actually buy parts to increase the negative camber because that makes the car more stable ! The only drawback is increased tire wear. I'll live with that. Tire Kingdom suggested rotating the tires frequently :). For the price of replacing the rear lower control arms I can buy four sets of tires ... there's no payback !

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I worked on the wheel truing (bicycle now) and that's looking good. I also had to replace both tires on the Hummer. How many spare tubes does one need on the shelf ? Well, if I burn through 5 tubes for every two rides, that would be many, many. Hopefully that trend won't continue !

I also have to replace the tires on the Lynskey. That'll use up my Schwalbe 28's; the Litespeed operation yesterday used up my Grand Bois 26's. Do your realize that I just spent about the same on bicycle tires as a set of tires for the X5 ?!?! Of course I don't have to pay anyone for installation on the bike !

Coincidentally three new tires arrived in the mail from Excel Sports. I'm going to try the Conti 4-Season's again, but only on the Litespeed and only up north, for long rando rides.

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Sheryl and Jimmy arrived around 10pm -- yes, I was still up -- Sandy picked them up at Orlando Sanford. Their flight was like Jeffrey and Sara's -- totally uneventful. That's a good thing. We visited for a half-hour and then I went to bed. I was still reading when Sandy came to bed so no-one stayed up late.

I went to the hospital this a.m. and gave blood -- for my lab tests -- came back and then Sandy headed to the gym; Sheryl and Jimmy, accompanied by Abby, went for a walk.

I don't have any plans for the day, other than getting those glasses finalized -- I don't know about anyone else !

Onward ...