See, I just completed a cross country road trip, and you have FAR more faith that bad things won't happen than I do. I can't stand noises that I can explain, especially ones that sound like what a bad bearing sounds like. I really should be less paranoid, but the thought of getting stranded in Utah, with a dead "new" (to me) vehicle with work expecting my return in 2 days wasn't healthy for me

I've certainly done my fair share of what my friends call "Gheto-fab" fixes, but most of those are around here where if it dies I can call someone for a lift home.

I need to borrow your ability to be calm about such things. I have no doubt that an unbalanced wheel or a failing CV joint would last the remainder of a trip, but I'd have purchased a Napa shaft and put it in the trunk

When I did it, I flew to Portland and drove back to Virginia. I took a decent set of tools, a new serpentine belt and the factory service manual. I stopped at Walmart on the way out of town and purchased oil, water and paper towels. I did use the tools too - at one gas stop it wouldn't start and I had to reconnect the battery.

Congrats on making it, and I look forward to reading about the rest of the trip.

-Tad