State of Affairs

Phase 1) Drive home from Warren Dunes, with check engine light glaring, driving severely under the speed limit, with hazards flashing, gripping the steering wheel and fearing for my life.

Phase 2) Autozone said could be mass air flow sensor and turned off the check engine light.  I thought that sounded kind of wimpy.  Go back to driving normal speed, sans hazards, sans fear for life, but drive straight to mechanic.

Phase 3) Mechanic suggests replacing mass air flow sensor -- expensive -- can't hear bad sounds.  Drive home, now fearing for my financial solvency.  Listen for sounds, can't hear them either.  Wonder if I'm crazy.

Phase 4) Hear sounds again, but check engine light doesn't reappear.  Drive to Chicago for an already planned weekend and figure Dad can take a look in the meantime.

Phase 5) Dad looks and listens, decides to take the wheel off to check brakes.  Using superhuman force, Dad operates lug wrench and does get the lug nut off, but snaps the lug in half in the process.  (Weight lifting will do that.)

Phase 6) All mechanics are closed for Sunday, drive back to Chicago with three lugs.

Phase 7) Exit highway, turn left on my street, hear loud pop, feel ticking under my feet.  Slow down and begin to fear for my life again.  Turn left into parking space and feel/hear loud clunk under my feet.

To be continued...