National Wheel Bearing Week

WWHHHOOOOOAAAAAMMMMMMM.

This was my new companion on my hour and a quarter commute down to the fair city of Baltimore, and of course accompanied me home. Generally I make a note of such sounds, and if the car continues it’s roll, I’m like, new sound noted, carry on. No new lights accompanied the sound—again a plus.

In past mechanical visitations, brake indicators have made such sounds, giving you the gentle reminder that, mmh—we’re running a bit low on the brake pads down here, just sayin’.

My emergency brake light is perennially on since, on one particular commute home, thought, I’ve never checked my emergency brake and I should do this. This emergency brake check worked reasonably well as I rolled up on an unwitting participant’s bumper. No problem there. I released my brake but the emergency brake light has remained on since, to commemorate said event.

So on my next day off, I checked in with my mechanic, mentor, part time counselor, life coach, and friend with the latest dilemma. (He has forgotten to block my number.)

I had just been there, the week prior, for an inspection. He had remarked that he was working to pass some kidney stones. He had been on meds but wasn't quite there with the results. I was hesitant to update him on this week’s sound, not knowing his current status on the kidney pain.

I asked how he was faring with the stones. He let me know they still hadn’t passed and I was like, ok, I can check back next week. And he’s like, Oh no, I’m working today. For real, that’s how he rolls. Mechanics, you need an honest one in your life.

So next a.m., I give him call en route, checking to pick up a coffee or tea, maybe a breakfast sandwich on the way. He paused, “UNsweetened tea. Are you getting it at _________?” (This is to protect fast food chain who could be reading this blog!) “They can’t seem to tell the difference.” Ok, then, I replied. How hard could this be?

SO, I arrived at the fast food establishment, then went inside. THE MANAGER took my order. He questioned, “You wanted the UNsweetened tea?”

“Yeah,” I responded. He filled the order and I was off, catastrophe averted. I arrived at the garage, and we broke out the sandwiches. I handed over the tea. One swig and a wry face. “SWEET TEA— but not as sweet as normal!” We shook our heads.

He checks the brake pads. They look good, and gives each front wheel a shake. The right one’s a bit loose. Wheel bearing. In less than a minute, he’s wobbling the wheel on the phone with the parts guy. “No, it’s not supposed to sound like that!” They laugh.

The part is delivered by the courier in a bit. After a good hour or so of beating, wrestling, breaking bolts, redrilling, spraying AND ranting-ok, we both rant, a new wheel bearing is installed.

While we worked, (he basically worked-I was there and helped for a small surcharge), a neighbor stopped. Another customer waited for an oil change.

During any given repair, a stream of humanity happens by. I was going here and do you know this sound? Do you know why this light is on? You know this thing you replaced; it’s good but now this other thing stopped working. This is handled with a pause, some follow up questions, a check back or maybe I can get to you after this inspection and oil change.

A good mechanic notices things; some oil there, that sound is new, the smallest of details, something that's off.

Over the years, sometimes another other vehicle has been on the rack, and that vehicle has been me! How’s the family, the job, the parent, the child? We share work, pain, loss, kindnesses, and always humor. It goes both ways.

There may be someone in your life. The office isn't fancy. There’s grease on the knuckles, some scrapes on the arm. They can talk to you when life goes off script. Maybe God has them hiding in plain sight.

Your wheel bearing was worn out. Someone noticed.

I signed my check to complete the transaction, and gratefully hand it to him. He thanks me for my business, and we shake hands.

I am backing out of his garage, for the umteenth time, on the road again thanks to my mechanic. He holds up two empty wheel bearing boxes with a grin.. “Hey, it’s National Wheel Bearing Week!”

I smile. Indeed it is.