NEXT LOST KJ SE QLD RUN

mikey · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:11 am

mmmmm...I love the smell of diff oil in the morning :?:

NOT!!

pipeliner · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:41 am

Yes, well, an interesting day!
Arrived at Cityview around 9:30, spent 15 minutes trying to decipher the signs to find the way in (directions over the CB were very little help!). Finally found the "office" where we were told "All tracks are Extreme 'cos our dozers broke and we haven't been able to grade any since the rain". Set off up Track 2, getting a bit worried in case we couldn't go forward as there were no places to turn round, when bang! Team JaG's front diff exploded dropping all its oil on the track.

So the rest of the day was spent taking the front driveshaft and the half-shafts off so the Jeep could be driven out. Don't bother trying to find a 36mm socket (needed to remove the half-shafts) in Beaudesert on a Sunday 'cos it's impossible.

Finally drove out in the dark at 6:30pm. Although we'd told Cityview that we were stuck and fixing the car they couldn't have cared less - no-one checked that we had fixed it or that we were OK.

CD · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:42 pm

pipeliner wrote:

Yes, well, an interesting day!
Arrived at Cityview around 9:30, spent 15 minutes trying to decipher the signs to find the way in (directions over the CB were very little help!). Finally found the "office" where we were told "All tracks are Extreme 'cos our dozers broke and we haven't been able to grade any since the rain". Set off up Track 2, getting a bit worried in case we couldn't go forward as there were no places to turn round, when bang! Team JaG's front diff exploded dropping all its oil on the track.

So the rest of the day was spent taking the front driveshaft and the half-shafts off so the Jeep could be driven out. Don't bother trying to find a 36mm socket (needed to remove the half-shafts) in Beaudesert on a Sunday 'cos it's impossible.

Finally drove out in the dark at 6:30pm. Although we'd told Cityview that we were stuck and fixing the car they couldn't have cared less - no-one checked that we had fixed it or that we were OK.

Fock, that's no good no good at all.

Team J.a.G · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:04 pm

CD wrote:

pipeliner wrote:

Yes, well, an interesting day!
Arrived at Cityview around 9:30, spent 15 minutes trying to decipher the signs to find the way in (directions over the CB were very little help!). Finally found the "office" where we were told "All tracks are Extreme 'cos our dozers broke and we haven't been able to grade any since the rain". Set off up Track 2, getting a bit worried in case we couldn't go forward as there were no places to turn round, when bang! Team JaG's front diff exploded dropping all its oil on the track.

So the rest of the day was spent taking the front driveshaft and the half-shafts off so the Jeep could be driven out. Don't bother trying to find a 36mm socket (needed to remove the half-shafts) in Beaudesert on a Sunday 'cos it's impossible.

Finally drove out in the dark at 6:30pm. Although we'd told Cityview that we were stuck and fixing the car they couldn't have cared less - no-one checked that we had fixed it or that we were OK.

Fock, that's no good no good at all.

Yes you could say that Chris.....'s

It was just a leisyrely drive around to "Basic" tracks"

My heart filled thanks & appreciation goes to my fellow LOST friends CMOHR, PIPELINER, MIKEY & FOUROS for their support and mechanical knowledge to get J.a.G out off the cliff and back on the black top. I very interesting, expensive and tiring day. In it's own way enjoyable with good company. Thanks guys

Fouros · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:07 pm

mate

i am just Happy and relieved that we got you and Jen down off the track and home in one peice.

the KJ can be rebuilt you guys cant

cmohr · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:07 pm

Good bit was we were told "Yep , go through the blue gate and up that track it fine", Oh Yes, the dangerous track that is under investigation because thats the track the guy rolled off the side in April and was Killed. Yes, just go up that track..

F#@% me, playing with our lives...........

Will not ever consider going back and I don't think I'm the guy they should come to for a reference.

Not Happy Jan!!!!!!!!!

smorison · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:35 pm

darn that sucks all round...
good to hear you got home safely.

any ideas why it exploded? did you hit somethign or was it just time?

best of luck with the repairs

pipeliner · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:26 pm

Lessons learned.........

1. Always make sure your trip contains a Cmohr clone (the original is better!) who knows how to deal with problems like this. Without Cmohr the rest of us would have been running round like headless chooks.

2. Make sure your tool kit contains a 36mm socket, a 21mm socket (mine stops at 19mm!), two hammers, a long tyre lever or pry bar, and plenty of WD40 or equivalent. Two or three jacks or axle stands are also helpful.

3. Make sure that whoever is with you (even if it's only your wife) is strong enough to lift up the heavy bits and doesn't mind getting her hands dirty.

4. Avoid Cityview.

And we have no idea why it exploded - certainly not because it hit anything. No sign of a fatigue crack on the fractured surfaces, just a good crystalline brittle fracture all round. The bit that went was the input bearing support (I think) so it could have been that the bearings were wearing and set up a cyclic stress which finally made the casting let go - but that is just a theory off the top of my head and could be completely wrong.

Team J.a.G · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:23 pm

Just got back from Mechanics.......... All's good as far as 2wd situation until diff replacement etc.

The most frustrating .......... Cmohr you're goning to luv this. My mechanic was in has work shop all day yesterday and would have been only TO happy to loan his 36mm socket

And yes Chris (Pipeliner) Chris (Cmohr) was invaluable yesterday........ Everyone needs one of him in their tool kit.

But thats not too say that everyone there played their own part giving, again, valuable imput in to what could have been a worse situation.

Jenni & I can't be more greatful. Thanx

cmohr · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:32 pm

Team J.a.G wrote:

......... Cmohr you're goning to luv this. My mechanic was in has work shop all day yesterday and would have been only TO happy to loan his 36mm socket

D'Oh......... I remember you saying, "Thats his workshop right there.........."

Team J.a.G · **Posted:** Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:38 pm

cmohr wrote:

Team J.a.G wrote:

......... Cmohr you're goning to luv this. My mechanic was in has work shop all day yesterday and would have been only TO happy to loan his 36mm socket

D'Oh......... I remember you saying, "Thats his workshop right there.........."

Yeah, We were no more than a 100mm away....... $#@!#$!^@^&#$