2024...

[Moneybox]

If your diff gears are coming by Team Global Express Phil I can understand that. Been waiting for a generator to go from Perth to Albany and it has finally arrived today, a fortnight after it was consigned.

I have no idea who the shipper is because Major Motors ordered the parts from Sydney on Friday on overnight freight but they didn't expect it to leave until Monday arriving in Malaga on Tuesday morning. By Tuesday closing time the package was lost....

Anyway we eventually made it home. When we went to leave Capel the Hyundai iLoad wouldn't start. I tried to switch the fridge batteries in but we'd been camped overnight with the lights and TV running so those batteries were depleted. I hooked a snatch strap to the back of the trailer behind the Merc and clutch started it. Mrs M drove it north about 50km while I dropped into Battery Alltypes and bought new batteries for Tonka the loader, one for the Hyundai just in case and one for my Honda Quad. About $1000 later I got the call, she'd turned the engine off and couldn't start. She switched in the fridge batteries and got started but I told her to stay put until I arrived. I fitted the new battery and so far it's all good with the alternator charging over 14v I don't expect any more trouble.

I think I've had my share of little problems for now. It all started when I had to replace the Isuzu bus rear brake wheel cylinders. After that I busted the CV joint and diff gears. While doing that repair I noticed a small oil leak at the rear of the transfer case. When I pulled that apart I found the park brake linings worn out so I replaced the brake shoes. Next I had the Merc belt tensioner bouncing down the highway and that damaged the serpentine belt. I spent Monday night pulling that apart and Tuesday morning chasing parts and putting it back together. The Hyundai battery just delayed our 900km trip home but fortunately I bought the battery in Bunbury so it was just a little hiccup

Home now and 25 years in Capel is just another bit of history.......

 

[grubstake]

I have no idea who the shipper is because Major Motors ordered the parts from Sydney on Friday on overnight freight but they didn't expect it to leave until Monday arriving in Malaga on Tuesday morning. By Tuesday closing time the package was lost....

Anyway we eventually made it home. When we went to leave Capel the Hyundai iLoad wouldn't start. I tried to switch the fridge batteries in but we'd been camped overnight with the lights and TV running so those batteries were depleted. I hooked a snatch strap to the back of the trailer behind the Merc and clutch started it. Mrs M drove it north about 50km while I dropped into Battery Alltypes and bought new batteries for Tonka the loader, one for the Hyundai just in case and one for my Honda Quad. About $1000 later I got the call, she'd turned the engine off and couldn't start. She switched in the fridge batteries and got started but I told her to stay put until I arrived. I fitted the new battery and so far it's all good with the alternator charging over 14v I don't expect any more trouble.

I think I've had my share of little problems for now. It all started when I had to replace the Isuzu bus rear brake wheel cylinders. After that I busted the CV joint and diff gears. While doing that repair I noticed a small oil leak at the rear of the transfer case. When I pulled that apart I found the park brake linings worn out so I replaced the brake shoes. Next I had the Merc belt tensioner bouncing down the highway and that damaged the serpentine belt. I spent Monday night pulling that apart and Tuesday morning chasing parts and putting it back together. The Hyundai battery just delayed our 900km trip home but fortunately I bought the battery in Bunbury so it was just a little hiccup

Home now and 25 years in Capel is just another bit of history.......

What a saga! It makes me exhausted just reading about all your adventures, not to mention the endless hours on the road to and fro. I'm glad to hear it all went safely for you both. Now back to work - that lawn won't mow itself!

 

[Moneybox]

What a saga! It makes me exhausted just reading about all your adventures, not to mention the endless hours on the road to and fro. I'm glad to hear it all went safely for you both. Now back to work - that lawn won't mow itself!

Haha, that's one little problem I don't have. We're in the process of buying the vacant lot right behind our house. It's vacant crown land and the process has taken more than four years but we're nearly there so last week I went out there and pulled up hundreds of tumbleweed. They have fine sharp thorns that will germinate again next season if allowed to flower and mature. No lawn grass here

 

[rustyhooks]

Ah the life of a semi retired mechanic Phill i know the feeling, i just fitted after market stone guards under our four wheel drive and they had to have some fiddling to get the holes to line up, while i was at it i checked the wheel bearings on the front and found them loose as, so a trip to isuzu here in Geraldton and i nearly fainted at the price of the bearing kits almost $85 per wheel, decided to head to statewide bearings in webberton and both sides for $89.00
I also picked up a new belt set at the same time from Supa cheap here for also half the price, so yes old mechanics never seem to stop, grandson has jsut contacted me overnight as his Commdore hot rod has a dead short in the wiring harness somewhere he says so i know what tomorrow is bringing me.

 

[Nightjar]

Ah the life of a semi retired mechanic Phill i know the feeling, i just fitted after market stone guards under our four wheel drive and they had to have some fiddling to get the holes to line up, while i was at it i checked the wheel bearings on the front and found them loose as, so a trip to isuzu here in Geraldton and i nearly fainted at the price of the bearing kits almost $85 per wheel, decided to head to statewide bearings in webberton and both sides for $89.00
I also picked up a new belt set at the same time from Supa cheap here for also half the price, so yes old mechanics never seem to stop, grandson has jsut contacted me overnight as his Commdore hot rod has a dead short in the wiring harness somewhere he says so i know what tomorrow is bringing me.

Were the wheel bearings too far gone to adjust?

 

[Moneybox]

My parts came into Malaga this morning but that's still 650km down the road so I can't see any chance of having my diff back together before Tuesday at the earliest if all goes well. That makes it the 23rd and I have to pick Mrs M up at Brisbane airport on 3rd August.



We're going up to Cape Palmerston for a 70th birthday on the 10th. After that I want to go and have a look at this little aircraft. No good having a pilot's license without something to sit in

 

[rustyhooks]

Were the wheel bearings too far gone to adjust?

I had alraedy cleaned and repacked the old bearings around 40000 kms ago, so decided to replace them, Isuzu Dmaxs and Holden Rodeo and Colerados are notorious for the front wheel bearings not being the best, under warrenty Major motors in Perths workshop service manager recomended that to me while the vehicle wa under warrenty.
The good thing is the dash has a service area that i had set the computor (ECM) to wanr me at that 40k amount so it was fairly close to that as it was, a lot better thatn a mechanical repair place charging me $130-150 per hr which is the going rates here in Geraldton, i may take a bit longer now but am confident in my abilities just not as flexible as i used to be, Neck, Back and right knee Oh to be 20-30 years younger aye.

 

[Moneybox]

I'm on the road eventually, my mechanical repairs have been done and all seems good in that department.



My plans have changed a little. I was going to Camden NSW on the way to buy an enclosed trailer for the plane. That was until Mrs M got wind of it and did some analysis coming to the conclusion that the plane wouldn't fit inside . The plane is 2480mm high and van entry was just 1800mm. Yeah, I guess it could have been a bit of a squeeze....

Anyway I got away just after 9am when Mrs M went to work and I've spent the night in Kalgoorlie. I don't usually have any problem sleeping but after spending all day just sitting behind the wheel without exercise my mind is now on all those things I should have done before leaving. I had three missed calls yesterday from some Native Title mob meeting that I should have attended and I just finished writing a submission to the Wardens Court on another mining lease application that was on my mind.

Never mind, right now it's heading for 5am so I'll get underway again during the daylight. At least I should have a tailwind most of the way across the Nullarbor if I get most of it out of the way tomorrow.

 

[rustyhooks]

Were the wheel bearings too far gone to adjust?

I am a great believer and was taught many many moons ago wheel bearing repack once then replace next adjust,the Dragon and I just back from a detecting trip over Yalgoo way and sad to say we cut the trip short as both have covid

 

[Moneybox]

I'm in Wilmington SA this morning 2°C so the sooner I'm out of here the better. I stopped for breakfast and turned the diesel heater on.

 

[Bush]

I'm in Wilmington SA this morning 2°C so the sooner I'm out of here the better. I stopped for breakfast and turned the diesel heater on.

Hahaha ! that Cold Snap is going to chase you up the Country with viscious teeth and vengance.
Couldn`t help mysef.

 

[Moneybox]

Hahaha ! that Cold Snap is going to chase you up the Country with viscious teeth and vengance.
Couldn`t help mysef.

Yes thanks for that, it dropped a couple of degrees as I moved off. There were frozen cars in the main street of Peterborough as I passed through and the road is still very quiet. I've stopped for a cuppa in Yunta and the sun is just starting to win the battle.

 

[Moneybox]

That rear axle noise I had is still there. I said to Merv "It can't be the star gears because they only turn when the wheels are travelling at different speeds".




When I saw the condition of them I just accepted that he was right so I failed to look any further. Sure the star gears were stuffed and need to be replaced but they distracted me from looking for the real problem. I suspect cracked pinion gear teeth but they can be inspected properly without removing the pinion and I failed to do that because it is a lot more work. Anyhow they have just done 2800km in the last few days so hopefully they'll keep keeping on for the next 10,000 or so

 

[Bush]

That rear axle noise I had is still there. I said to Merv "It can't be the star gears because they only turn when the wheels are travelling at different speeds".


View attachment 14423

When I saw the condition of them I just accepted that he was right so I failed to look any further. Sure the star gears were stuffed and need to be replaced but they distracted me from looking for the real problem. I suspect cracked pinion gear teeth but they can be inspected properly without removing the pinion and I failed to do that because it is a lot more work. Anyhow they have just done 2800km in the last few days so hopefully they'll keep keeping on for the next 10,000 or so

Shiza ! Mate i`ve never had a diff fail on me.
I cannot even imagine why it has failed i thought the bus was a Toyota. ?
I`m concerned it could lock up ect ... lets hope not & you do make it to a decent servo destination.
I think it`s beyond the Banana Peel Additive Application.
If you do make it up around banana land PM me i`ll see if i can help you out getting parts ect.
Grafton wreckers has a good selection on that note.
Bugga !

 

[Bush]

On the above ; some folks warm their engines prior to use and think their ready to go yet that only warms engine oil and some componants.
All the other parts and oils are still cold & there is many of them.
Super cold weather is going to take a vehicle much longer to warm to a fully functional temperature.
Steel, cast irons and alloys are going tobe brittle somewhat in extream conditions.
Go Slow & take it easy for ten minutes or so folks or grief could be well on the cards.

 

[Flatlander]

I've just click up 1.4 million miles in a kenworth that I've had all my life weight, heat,oil goodness, my old man was cat machanic always once you start don't stop and stay off the breaks keep dust and mud out (washing trucks what fun)done one in house rebuild 900 tho

 

[Moneybox]

Shiza ! Mate i`ve never had a diff fail on me.
I cannot even imagine why it has failed i thought the bus was a Toyota. ?
I`m concerned it could lock up ect ... lets hope not & you do make it to a decent servo destination.
I think it`s beyond the Banana Peel Additive Application.
If you do make it up around banana land PM me i`ll see if i can help you out getting parts ect.
Grafton wreckers has a good selection on that note.
Bugga !

Bush,

I'm not overly concerned about the noise, it's only at crawl speed, nothing when I'm belting along. If it were to lockup that can be very scarry and quite dangerous but it's only happened to me once on Milton road when I was a young apprentice and I forgot to put oil into an EH Holden diff in one of Bedgood Bakery's vehicles. Those sort of things tend to stay in you memory.

If the worst was to happen I'd bump the axles out (about 20 min work), put the front hubs in, select 4WD and continue on my way.

 

[Moneybox]

Meanwhile I'm trying to get back on track.



I took a wrong turn in Dubbo last night. Normally that doesn't matter, I'd just divert to Lightning Ridge but right now I'm on a mission so I'd better get myself sorted out.

 

[Moneybox]

It's a bit of a diversion but at least the roads out here are a bit better than the NSW highways.

 

[Moneybox]

NSW



I slept in a bit longer this morning. The windscreen was frozen....