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TALK CARS
By Tom & Ray Magliozzi
sponsored by
Metcalf Auto Supply
Dear Tom and Ray:
In May of this year, a tornado
went through my area. It took my house and then
picked up my 2003 Ford Ranger truck, turned it
around a few times and dropped it in my
neighbor’s front yard. It was banged up and
had a bent frame, but it was drivable. Most
people said that the truck would never be right,
and it should be totaled. But the guys at the
body shop disagreed. They said that used to be
true, but now there are computerized ways to pull
out the frame. They said there would be no
problems. I’ve gotten it back and it drives
OK. But I don’t know how it will wear tires
over time. Which theory do you guys believe?
— Billie.
RAY: Well, we hear that a lot,
Billie. "If the frame gets bent, the vehicle
will never be right." And if you bend it
badly enough, that’s true. But in a lot of
cases, bent frames can sucessfully be
straightened out.
TOM: A car or truck with a bent
frame will be put on a frame machine. That’s
a platform with a bunch of sturdy towers, a bunch
of chains and clamps, and a guy named Igor
limping around it.
RAY: Most frame machines are
not terribly high-teach. In fact, I’m not
sure what’s computerized here. It could be
that the system that measures the position of the
frame has a digital component that stores the
data. Or it might have an alignment machine
that’s computerized. But in any case,
mechanics will measure the shape of the frame
before and after, and try to bring it back within
factory specifications.
TOM: The measuring they do is
much better than when I was starting out, when we
used to eyeball it. "That look straight to
you, Rocko??"
Natural Nutrition
by Mari An Willis
sponsored by
Oak Street health & herb
The battle of the bulge is
still in full swing. Many new products are being
marketed at this time. Some are good, some
questionable and some just not good at all. The
fibers which absorb fat before it can be
metabolized are popular because they are working.
Not only do they add extra fiber to the diet, but
they are easy and allow the user to follow a
fairly regular eating habit. Especially during
the holidays, it is hard to say no to all the
extra fatty goodies. A couple of things to
remember: if you are allergic to shellfish, stay
away from chitosan as it is from shellfish. Also,
with any of these products be sure that you are
not taking the essential oils your body needs as
it will absorb them also. Example: do not take
them if you are eating a nice salmon dinner or if
you have just taken your multivitamin with
Vitamin E, A or any other of the oily vitamins as
they will be absorbed and flushed from the system
along with the undesirable fats. An occasional
complaint has come back regarding an urgent need
to eliminate, but most are pleased with this type
of product.
Amino acids are making their
way back into the diet limelight again. Arginine/
ornithine just before bed, a hydrolyzed protein
compound prior to bed, protein drinks in the a.m.
or as a meal replacement. Protein is high in
amino acids and helps to build muscle. Always
popular monohydrate creatine for
"instant" muscle.
Remember that adequate amounts
of pathothenic acid are essential for conversion
of fat and sugar to energy.
* This article is meant for
informational purposes only and is not intended
as a substitute for medical advice. References
available by request.
SENIOR NEWS
LINE
By Matilda Charles
sponsored by
Linda Woody with Bankers Life & Casualty
Company
Last week I was pretty hard on
the newly enacted Medicare bill and its
prescription-drug provision. I still think the
measure will have to be modified in a number of
areas, including where the higher consumer costs
legislated into the law will start to kick in,
and where the right to buy prescription drugs
from Canada will either be restricted or removed.
Meanwhile, is there an upside I
can find in the law even as it is now?
Yes, I can. The fact that a
prescription-drug provision passed at
all—after years in which we were the only
Western democracy without such protection for our
elderly—means that there is now recognition
by both parties that older folks need access to
affordable medications. The law needs fixing, as
I said. But at least we now have something to
fix.
On Another Note: Marie J’s
75-year-old mother has persistent heel pain
caused by a condition called plantar fasciitis.
Her mom was told that magnetic insoles could
provide relief.
Marie says although the insoles
are expensive, "If they work, it’ll be
worth the cost." But, she wants to know, is
there any scientific proof that the magnetic
insoles are effective?
No. Although many people have
claimed magnets relieved their foot pains, their
migraines, their painful arthritic conditions,
etc., researchers around the world have not been
able to substantiate these claims or find a
scientific reason why these devices should work.
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