Tone Parsons

Yesterday, my son went crazy on the beetle.

Of course, he didn’t have much choice.  We sold our 2005 Jeep Liberty LTD yestday and he had two choices…. get his car running or take the bus.  Apparently, he didn’t like the latter of the two options.

We went to the the local VW shop and purchased a used wheel for a spare ($15 for the wheel, that’s a steal!), then we went to the tire store and had them put 4 brand new 165 SM 15 all season radials on his current wheels (and the best of the old tires on his spare).  We also had them sipe the new tires for traction.

After dinner last night, we bled the brakes (6 times…. there was an incredible amount of air in the system!).  Then he changed the oil and replaced the gaskets for the oil screen (it leaked).

This morning, he put the tires back on and took it off the jack stands.  He was very excited to drive it for the first time…. a little too excited, I guess.

He made it just over a mile down the road when he suddenly realized he had made a major mistake… he forgot to torque the lug nuts on the wheels.

He found most of the lugs, but most of them are toast now.  He did get just enough on each wheel to get it back home, but now we need to get some new ones before he can drive it again.

Bummer!

It’s November 4th… that mean’s it’s election day here in the good ol’ U.S.A.

Get off your butt, close your web browser, put on your cleanest dirty shirt, and go vote!  The internet will still be there when you get back.

For those who don’t vote, you forfeit your right to bitch for the next 4 years.

On a side note, today is also the last damn day you’ll be subjected to those annoying campaign adds (until the next election comes around).  I am soooo sick of them (expecially the ones for the Washington State govenor campaign).  Both Gregoire and Rossi have been slinging mud at each other for the last few months (more Rossi than Gregoire).  Each as taken what the other has said out of context and then used it against the other.

Blah….

Oh… and once again to all the Naderites out there…. voting for Nader = voting for McCain.  I’m sure you think that you’re a free spirit and that by voting for Nader, you’re attempting to send a message that you’re sick of the 2 party system and want a change, but it will accomplish NOTHING except take votes away from the Obama campaign (unless, of course, McCain is your second choice).  Don’t waste your vote.

By popular demand (ok… only one person asked for it), here’s an update on the restoration of my son’s ’68 beetle!

Things have gone pretty slow, as my son has been broke, and with my income turned off for several months, there’s just been no cash to work with.

But now that my income has been turned back on, combined with the fact that my son got some high paying temp work, we’re back on it!

We’ve been having problems finding parts for the beetle that actually work.  The local import parts store has been a little less than helpful (they keep selling us the wrong parts).  But… we found a great source online, Mid America Motorworks.  They have good prices, are providing the correct parts, and the shipping is very reasonable!

Here’s a list of things that didn’t work when we got it, but do work now: Read more