Sedona Jeep School
02-04-2006, 07:16 AM
Anyone heard of blowing two axles at the same time?
In 14 years in the tour business, I have never seen it--and I have seen carnage--Jeeps blowing an axle, carrier and housing, even, but never BOTH axles...
Richard, in 18 years in the rental business--never seen it...
Keith, 20 years owner/operator/chief rescue & mechanic of Moab Offroad--never seen it.
Do we just get exceptionally talented tourists in Sedona?
So that is where I spent the last 36 hours--on the trail, running back and forth, ordering parts, scavenging parts, driving Simon crazy, driving Little John crazy--now when I call 4 Wheelers or Desert Auto, I just hear hysterical laughter in the background...:cool: :D
When I first got the call on Thursday morning from the driver, I thought "Oh a blown axle--no problem" (Lesson #1: Don't get ****y--nothing is ever the same twice.)
So we take our little assemblage of goodies out to the trail. (Lesson #2: Take more than you need--anything that may be attached to the supposed broken part.)
After pulling the diff cover, I grabbed the supposedly "good" wheel to turn it, to rotate the carrier, and nothing happens. Richard and I looked at each other. He pulls on the "good" wheel and it begins to slide right out. My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach--I knew then that we were dealing with two broken axles.
I told Richard "I think I want to cry". He says "No crying! That is why women shouldn't be mechanics! No crying!" :D (Lesson #3: If you feel like crying, at least you can pretend that you got dirt or grease in your eye if you are laying under the Jeep.)
Well, thanks to Simon at 4 Wheeler Supply and John K. at Desert Auto, we were able to get enough parts together to limp the Jeep home. It is now warm and cozy in the shop and prepped for all its new parts today. Thanks, guys, you are both AWESOME! (Simon, welcome to the circus...;))
Also, met Rob in the big red YJ, who stopped to see if we needed anything, and demonstrated for the other folks the PROPER way to climb the slide--a fine example of 4-wheeling, trailsmanship, and an all-around nice guy.
Thanks, y'all!
In 14 years in the tour business, I have never seen it--and I have seen carnage--Jeeps blowing an axle, carrier and housing, even, but never BOTH axles...
Richard, in 18 years in the rental business--never seen it...
Keith, 20 years owner/operator/chief rescue & mechanic of Moab Offroad--never seen it.
Do we just get exceptionally talented tourists in Sedona?
So that is where I spent the last 36 hours--on the trail, running back and forth, ordering parts, scavenging parts, driving Simon crazy, driving Little John crazy--now when I call 4 Wheelers or Desert Auto, I just hear hysterical laughter in the background...:cool: :D
When I first got the call on Thursday morning from the driver, I thought "Oh a blown axle--no problem" (Lesson #1: Don't get ****y--nothing is ever the same twice.)
So we take our little assemblage of goodies out to the trail. (Lesson #2: Take more than you need--anything that may be attached to the supposed broken part.)
After pulling the diff cover, I grabbed the supposedly "good" wheel to turn it, to rotate the carrier, and nothing happens. Richard and I looked at each other. He pulls on the "good" wheel and it begins to slide right out. My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach--I knew then that we were dealing with two broken axles.
I told Richard "I think I want to cry". He says "No crying! That is why women shouldn't be mechanics! No crying!" :D (Lesson #3: If you feel like crying, at least you can pretend that you got dirt or grease in your eye if you are laying under the Jeep.)
Well, thanks to Simon at 4 Wheeler Supply and John K. at Desert Auto, we were able to get enough parts together to limp the Jeep home. It is now warm and cozy in the shop and prepped for all its new parts today. Thanks, guys, you are both AWESOME! (Simon, welcome to the circus...;))
Also, met Rob in the big red YJ, who stopped to see if we needed anything, and demonstrated for the other folks the PROPER way to climb the slide--a fine example of 4-wheeling, trailsmanship, and an all-around nice guy.
Thanks, y'all!