I had the big, all around tire replacement done on the Steed and after making a few trips into Vegas, it appears to have a shimmy somewhere around 65 to 70.  Sometimes around 30 to 40 too so I dropped in at the local tire shop yesterday that got me for a grand for new tires.  Not bitching, it’s the cost of doing business and it’s painful in the pocket book.

Joey, the youngster that helped me with new shoes for the Steed is quite the kick to tease and pester. When the tire replacement was complete, he told me there were a few dings in the rims on the front and they had put them on the back to see if that had any effect on shimmy/shake.  We danced back and forth in the conversation about what would cause the dings – he says he has a ton in his rims, I tease and say, “Yeah, but I don’t drive 100 MPH like you do and run over curbs and everything…”

So, after driving it a bit, I went back to see if I needed to have the rims replaced or what else might be the problemo.  Bob took it for a test drive and came back with the decision that the front tires needed rebalancing, yesterday was a bad time for them, today or tomorrow might be better.

While we were doing the dialogue dance, I mentioned that I needed to take it in to Ford for a 50K check-up/tune-up.  Joey said that Bob was the best mechanic around and was Ford certified.  I asked Bob if he did the tune-up and an issue popped up later with Ford on problems and warranty issues, if they would recognize his work.  Umnhhhh…maybe…but before that was clarified, Bob looked at Joey and said, “It’s got to have a 6.0 in it.”

Joey looked at me and emphatically said, “Trade it in now!”

OK, boys, I’m at a tire shop that does tune-ups and auto work but their main business is tires.  I’m sure I’m going to run right in and negotiate new truck prices and trade-ins on your advice.  NOT!  They talked it up quite a bit and informed me that at 100K miles, my engine would fail, they had a lot of experience with these 6.0 engines and knew other people that had issues and told me Ford knew that engine was a piece of garbage, etc.  I admit to being interested enough in their conversation to search the internet forums and see what reports are out there and to also contact Ford support and query them, and ask the local Ford boys their opinion.  Anyone out there have any news for me to aid me in the search?  It’s an 2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty Diesel just for additional info.

Sis is still here, her grandkids go back on the plane for home in MT this p.m. and her and the other half of her team head out of here tomorrow around noon.  Then I’ll be minus my landmates again for another four or five weeks.

I’ll be heading for Vegas tomorrow around noon myself.  I’m supposed to have a dinner date with Tony G. if I can find him somewhere…he’s such a busy guy.

The long saga of Riot may or may not have improved but I’m supposed to pick him up on Monday and bring him out to the property for a few days.  DAMN!  It will be great to see him again.

Can’t stay, gotta go play!