As I've mentioned, I'm hang'n out in 'Vegas at my sons place after our road trip. As a present to him, I bought a set of Crager 15" SS wheels and new tires for his '68 Mustang 'vert, and had 'em mounted yesterday. Went to the shop this morning to pick the car up, and the manager pointed out that the left rear shoes were totally worn out, and the car needs a bushing in the idler in the front cross link. Not trying to sell me something, just wanted me to be aware. The car looks killer, by the way, in Cragers and blackwalls! Long story short, I decided I could put new shoes on the rear this morning and then go for a drive. Ha. First of all, no tools aside from a pair of short needle nose pliers, and a screwdriver. Three trips to AutoZone later, I had everything. Then, when I tried to ***emble the thing, couldn't get the shoes to set on the upper pivot. Turns out, the E-brake cable is evidently hung up, and partially engaged, which explained it eating a (brand new) pair of shoes on that side only. So, after spending all day with the car spread out in the parking lot of his condo, blisters on the palms of my hands and gouging most of the skin off my knuckles, I gave up and just put it back together with the E-brake lever unhooked. I drove it back to the shop that got the rims and tires, and they'll be happy to fix those little things. Which is what I should have done in the first place. At home, I coulda fixed it in an hour. Oh well, it's now time for a gin and tonic and supper, then off to McCarrin and the red eye back to Detroit Metro. I can hardly wait...
The Jalopy Journal
