Pep Boys Sucks and a Fun Party

Starting yesterday, I was attempting to replace a bearing and half shaft on my newly acquired Storm. One of those things I knew I'd have to be doing when I bought it, and the previous owner had even already picked up the rather pricey bearing. To me, however, it really sounded like a CV joint, so while I had it all apart I'm going to take care of that. I called around to the local parts stores, and the only one who had it in stock was Pep Boys. I got it and took everything apart. The bearing is a press fit, so I had my wife take it over to the other Pep Boys that has a garage to take care of that. She comes back a while later and tells me that the guy who operates the press isn't there today. WTF, how hard is it to operate a press??? Oh well, guess I'm not finishing it today. I got to thinking that evening that there are a couple places real close that might do the press work. First thing this morning I get up, put the old axle in the trunk and try out the first place that might get the bearing installed. No problem (for me, anyway) they can do it. Ended up taking them almost an hour straight to get it handled, they really earned their money on this job!!! Glad it wasn't me!!!

I took the old axle to Pep Boys and got my core money back and headed home to finish putting things together. I went to put the spindle on the new axle, and it practically falls through it!!! The new one is about 1/8" smaller in diameter that the original!!! I call up to my wife to call Pep Boys back and tell them to look for the one for the GSI model (the same thing I asked when I first called them up, and when I was there picking it up). They don't have it. She calls the store with the press specialist, and they say they have it. Great, I take the old new one out and get the receipt and head on over there. When I get there, the guy pulls out the one he's got in stock. Its the exact same thing that I have!!! He looks it up, and next to all the part numbers it says "All models - except GSI is not available" I left out of there bitching quite loudly about thanks for wasting my damned time...

I head back to Pep Boys #1 and head up to the parts counter. The guy there made the mistake of asking me how I was doing. I let him know rather loudly in no uncertain terms. Not too good, y'all sold me what was supposed to fit my car, now I can't get shit and gimmie my damned core back and credit me...." He did, and was rather diplomatic. He gave me the name of a place in East LA that does rebuilds. Drop it off in the morning, pick it up that afternoon. I got home and called them up and asked them how late they were open until today. Only 1. It was already after 12. Looked like it was going to be Monday evening before I'd have a part in hand. Damn. Well, what choice do I have???

We have a birthday party going on this afternoon, starting at 1. I loaded the boys into the car and set out for East LA. It was actually a couple minutes after 1 when I got there. I brought the shaft in, and told the guy at the counter the deal. He says he'll take a look first to see if he's got it in stock. Lo and behold, he's got it!!! Almost half the price of Pep Boys, too, although no lifetime warranty.

I don't think I'll ever buy another thing from Pep Boys. Pep Boys sucks.

The party was a lot of fun.

I kept trying to get mid air pics of the kids jumping into the pool. I got a lot of right before and right after shots, but I got these few.


The kids sure seem to like me!!! I wonder if its because I was the only "big kid" in the pool???