These Shoes are Made for Walkin'

We've put our car through a lot in the past month. We drove roughly 3000 miles across Mexico, including passing through the Sierra Madres three times, and have been playing taxi to guests at Ibis' hotel. She hasn't protested too much, just asks that we give her oil a little more than normal.

The tires have been problematic since last summer. We replaced a couple different parts having to do with the brakes (there's a more detailed explanation but I've made a point to not absorb it; if you need to know more, please ask my husband) and we thought everything was fine.

This past week the grinding/knocking sound it makes when we turn has gotten a little louder, and her whine has become more high-pitched. "Must be all the dust," I said. It hasn't rained since November and I remember my old Corrolla used to scream at me when her pieces got dry and dirty. I think I mentioned it to Ibis, but I honestly don't remember. He's been driving, too, so if it was that bad I figured he'd realize it on his own.

Well... yesterday we were leaving the beach and the grinding/knocking/screaming was so loud people on the sidewalk were staring. The majority of the cars in Mexico are falling apart so if you get a look you know you're in trouble. Ibis got out of the car to check the tires (both of us being so mechanically inclined) and discovered the brakes are gone. Not only that, the shoes are wearing down and starting to eat the metal on the wheel frame.

He thinks we need both brake pads and shoes. Fabulous! Looks like I'll be walking again till we get them replaced.