We
finally had to take the truck in for some much needed maintenance. The power steering system just couldn’t keep
fluid from flowing out. It hadn’t really
affected the actual steering of the truck, but it sure could make a lot of
racket. We have been putting it off for
some time, but since the inspection and registration are also due this month,
we figured we’d get Dennis the Mechanic to check it out.
And
while we were (Ha. Fooled you) inside recuperating from another bout of
scraping paint and working in the flower beds, the dreaded phone call finally
came. Chris answered it this time. The official word from Dennis the
Mechanic? “I have some good news and
some really bad news.” Not ever words
you want to hear from a mechanic, especially one who is also a preacher. He is going to tell the truth. That’s one reason why we like him so much. He doesn’t try to upsell us at every
turn. He tells us what work we
absolutely need and what can safely be put off until next time. So good news and bad news.
He
started out with the good news. Always
helps soften the blow to come. Since our
truck is 25 years old this year, it has become an official “classic
vehicle.” And what’s so special about that
designation? It means (and here is Dennis’ good news) our inspection
charge from here on out is only seven dollars.
I’ll take that. Oh, and the truck
passed with flying colors. Well, after
the bad news was taken care of.
“The
bad news is actually the worst possible situation we could have found once we
got into the job,” Dennis began. Again,
not something you want to hear from a mechanic or a plumber. Now I don’t remember all the mechanic-y words
he used, but it seems the gear box was almost completely shot as well as one
other part that, “if this one goes out you will have no control over your
vehicle at all.” Ouch. Once he realized that part was almost gone,
he made an executive decision to replace it instead of the high pressure hose,
which was still working fine. That kept
the cost he quoted me the same while making the vehicle safer. I have given him absolute sovereignty over
such decisions. I trust the guy. So the bad news in all its parts involved
that gear box and its buddy that operates the truck’s steering. Well, and the $700+ bill that accompanied the
procedure. That was pretty bad news,
too. Especially since we had to do all
the work on the house. Oh, the steering
wheel sits a little catty-whompus because of the way it fit into the new gear
box, but (the good news) that can be
fixed with an alignment if we want to fix it.
Or (the better news) we can
live with a crooked steering wheel. It doesn’t
affect the mechanical operation of the truck in any way. But the good news is (And you always have to end on some good news) we now have a safe
truck. A safe Classic Truck.
2 Timothy
1:3 says, “I thank God, whom I serve, as
my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly
remember you in my prayers.”
Father,
bless Dennis this week with some good work at his shop and some good times at
his church. Amen.
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