rvisokey
10-16-2005, 04:08 PM
I know this has been a post somewhere before but I thought I would comment about it again.
Since the weather has become excellent for 4x4, a lot of us head for hills but forget to do a simple 'rig-check' before we headed out. I know because I am one of them and this Saturday my luck ran out.
I ran Bulldog Canyon Saturday morning for a short drive and was having a great time. The sun was out, the birds were singing, squirrels were doing what squirrels do... just excellent. That was until 1/2 way through the trip, going up a small hill, when my front driveshaft U-joint felt it no longer wanted to be part of my Jeep and fell off. Ahhh... that distinct sound of "Fwap, Fwap, Fwap, Clink, Clink, Fwap Fawp" as my driveshaft twisted and clanked around freely for a few seconds.
After a few choice words, I crawled under the Jeep and instantly identified the problem. The U-Joint strap bolts were loose which let the bearning caps fall off the U-joint and scatter into oblivion. Out came the trusty tool kit, off came the entire front drive shaft, and home I went... limping in 2x mode. The sun looked not so bright, the birds went away, and I could care less about the squirrels now. The rest of the day ruined because I didn't do the simplest of things...
CHECK MY RIG BEFORE I HIT THE TRAIL!
So, my haste to get out that day cost me some scrapped arms and a not so fun on-the-trail repair. Take the 10 minutes and do a quick check of your rig. Tires OK, bolts OK, fluids Ok, etc. The simplest of maintenance now could save you a lot of headache later.
___________
Rich V.
P.S. I would also like to thank the 2 people on horseback who rode past me while I was under the Jeep with the hood up. It's good to know that when I said "Hello" (twice actually) your response was to completely ignore me and quickly gallop away. I hope your horse trailer gets stuck someday and kharma bits you in the ***** !
Since the weather has become excellent for 4x4, a lot of us head for hills but forget to do a simple 'rig-check' before we headed out. I know because I am one of them and this Saturday my luck ran out.
I ran Bulldog Canyon Saturday morning for a short drive and was having a great time. The sun was out, the birds were singing, squirrels were doing what squirrels do... just excellent. That was until 1/2 way through the trip, going up a small hill, when my front driveshaft U-joint felt it no longer wanted to be part of my Jeep and fell off. Ahhh... that distinct sound of "Fwap, Fwap, Fwap, Clink, Clink, Fwap Fawp" as my driveshaft twisted and clanked around freely for a few seconds.
After a few choice words, I crawled under the Jeep and instantly identified the problem. The U-Joint strap bolts were loose which let the bearning caps fall off the U-joint and scatter into oblivion. Out came the trusty tool kit, off came the entire front drive shaft, and home I went... limping in 2x mode. The sun looked not so bright, the birds went away, and I could care less about the squirrels now. The rest of the day ruined because I didn't do the simplest of things...
CHECK MY RIG BEFORE I HIT THE TRAIL!
So, my haste to get out that day cost me some scrapped arms and a not so fun on-the-trail repair. Take the 10 minutes and do a quick check of your rig. Tires OK, bolts OK, fluids Ok, etc. The simplest of maintenance now could save you a lot of headache later.
___________
Rich V.
P.S. I would also like to thank the 2 people on horseback who rode past me while I was under the Jeep with the hood up. It's good to know that when I said "Hello" (twice actually) your response was to completely ignore me and quickly gallop away. I hope your horse trailer gets stuck someday and kharma bits you in the ***** !