I have a brother, two years younger than I am. All our lives we've both been "gearheads," but every time I've taken advice from my brother on things automotive, I've regretted it. Muffler choice on my '88 Cherokee? Tried what he suggested instead of an OEM replacement. No happy. Shocks for the '88 Cherokee? Tried what he recommended, took 'em off within about two weeks and bought good old Monroes. Brake rotors resurfaced by the shop he recommended? They butchered them -- had to get new rotors.
It goes on and on, but I think we hit a new high (or low) this week.
L'il bro has recommended an independent tire shop for several years. I took some tires there a couple of years ago to be mounted and balanced. They did the job and the price was fair, but I got funny vibes from the place. Fast forward to this week. Found dry rot and age cracks in the sidewalls of the Cherokee my late wife drove. Time for tires, so I went to the shop for a price. They had moved from where I last saw them to a larger building immediately next door. Cool. Got some prices, but they stock tires I wouldn't ever consider buying. And I still get funny vibes.
Poking around the news on the web site of one of the local newspapers yesterday I found an article about two gentlemen with Hispanic last names who were busted for stealing a truck, then going to car dealers' lots and stealing the tires and rims off cars on the lot. The cops got security camera video of the thieves unloading a bunch of stolen tires and rims -- into the back of the tire shop my brother likes so much.
Mr. Tire Shop has now been arrested and charged with trafficking in stolen property.
Sheesh. Gotta learn to trust my intuition.
