On Road Repairs

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 at 06:28
ThreadID: 124881 Views:3826 Replies:0 FollowUps:0
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Howdy all,
Like to relate a solution to a problem we had on way back from Pt Lincoln Nat Pk last Sunday.
Had left van and were just basically idling along a sealed surburban street to a fellowship meeting and heard a clear crack sound from the rear of our 80 series DX. Still had engine and increase/decrease of revs etc, but NO drive. So rolled to a park and had a look see. Right (off side) rear axle was loose - ALL six screws/studs were gone! NOT the wheel nuts, but the ones from the plate on the end of the axle. We still had front wheel drive through the transfer case, so put the front hubs into Lock and continued to meeting & then back to base with axle removed and in HR 4WD as a front wheel drive.
Hm! I should be at work the next day, no assistance in Whyalla on a Sunday - Oh bad luck we will have to stay out a day or two longer!
Rang Alltrac (our service garage) in Adelaide Monday am, ran the problems past Peter Young as well as the idea that I keep the axle out, remove the tail shaft and drive home as a front wheel drive. Asked about towing the van and with Mobi having the good braking system and WDH and it was totally feasable theoretically.
So by 11 am we were on the road with the van and rig just moving along majestically - almost as if there was nothing wrong! We did take it really easy and carefully with accelaration etc but were cruising home at 80 through to 95 Kph or so depending on the conditions and traffic!
The rig travelled nearly 400 k like this without a hassle!
Credit to the balance of the van, the set up of the WDH etc as well.
We did just one "chirpy" near home as we had to stop up a hill at a set of traffic lights and the up hill take off on a wet road meant the front wheels slipped a tad!
Just never know when these aging hoods and their big rigs show their real character eh!
Cheers - Ian & Sally
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