Dusy Ershim Carnage

alvarorb · 08-13-07, 01:07 PM

We went on the Dusy-Ershim trail this weekend.
The trail is 33 miles of tough terrain. Most of it over 9700'.
I'll do a full trail report later, now I just want to tell you what happened to my rig.

On the first day, on Thompson hill, I bent my rear panhard. I have no rear sway bar on La Cabra and backing up to get a better line, I got the bar with a rock and that was that. The e-brake system also got some damage.

I will order a new one from Christo and look for a diff hat for my rear diff. I don't plan to put the rear sway bar back on. I also need to look for a way to improve the e-brake system. It seems to mee that it's too exposed where it's at. Any ideas?

On the second day, I got some candy stripes on my rear driveshaft. No big deal, I just need to have it re-sleeved.

Early on the third day, while going over a rock the size of a book, the sector(?) shaft on the steering box broke. A clean break right on the edge of the box.
When analyzing the broken surfaces, we noticed that about 40% of them where dull, and the rest shinny. Which means this was in the process of breaking for a long time. Scary!
The break happened pretty much on the middle of the trail. The distance to pavement was maybe 15 miles one way and 18 miles the other way. We were very fortunate to have a satellite phone with us. After some calls, we found a used box in Sacramento. My wife went and got it.
Meanwhile, Rick Cortez performed the trail fix of the century. He placed 3 steel pins inside the broken pieces to add strength, then welded the two sides. It was amazing to see the parts line up perfectly. Rick is a true craftsman and I'm glad I was on the trail with him.

8 hours later and 2.5 miles from the end of the trail on a uphill rock garden, POW, my front right birf went. Again the Cruiser Gods where on my side. We had all the spare parts, including birf and inner axle, plus all the seals.

That night (Saturday) we camped at the trailhead and by 9am my wife had driven 200 miles to deliver the steering box.

After a good Norcal wagons breakfast we installed the box and were on the way home.

What I've described was just the damage to my rig. Others had some damage as well.

Regards

Alvaro

D'Animal · 08-13-07, 01:16 PM

Do you realize how much your wife loves you?

You better remember this thread next Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Valentines, because she will.

Does La Cabra have 35"s?

pismojim · 08-13-07, 01:21 PM

Pics!

alvarorb · 08-13-07, 01:21 PM

Clownmidget had issues with the front panhard. The upper bolt came loose and fell off. He was able to do a trail fix. But when he got off the trail, he notice a crack all around the upper front panhard bracket weld.
I told him to look for it, since I had a crack on the same weld a couple of years ago.

If you wheel your 80 hard, keep an eye on the front upper panhard bracket weld. As far as the sector shaft, I would change prophylactally.

Alvaro

alvarorb · 08-13-07, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D'Animal

Do you realize how much your wife loves you?

You better remember this thread next Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Valentines, because she will.

Does La Cabra have 35"s?

My wife is just incredible. I know I owe her big time.
Yes, La Cabra is on 35"s

Alvaro

FJBen · 08-13-07, 01:26 PM

ActionJackson had the same steering break...very interesting...

alvarorb · 08-13-07, 01:29 PM

I guess that if you are wheeling your 80 hard, it's likely to happen.
Scary. It's a good thing that it happened on the trail and not on a windy road.

Alvaro

clownmidget · 08-13-07, 01:34 PM

both rear corners got tagged. PS up onto the pillar.

rear driveshaft while ignoring 7 spotters

dropping front discs onto rocks repeatedly...

clownmidget · 08-13-07, 01:35 PM

hit front diff so many times the top 5-6 nuts holding the third member on came loose and I lost the gasket.

both upper and lower front panhard bolts tried to leave

upper front panhard bracket cracked completely off at that weld repair line.

DanKunz · 08-13-07, 01:36 PM

Sounds like you all had some fun!

NorCalSam · 08-13-07, 01:48 PM

That is scary. Can this be beefed up or upgraded in some way?

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvarorb

I guess that if you are wheeling your 80 hard, it's likely to happen.
Scary. It's a good thing that it happened on the trail and not on a windy road.

Alvaro

yep · 08-13-07, 01:48 PM

Very nice indeed. Sounds like I took video on the wrong trip this summer

NorCalSam · 08-13-07, 01:55 PM

holly crap Mike, That trail most be somthing to see! Look like a little too much fun

alvarorb · 08-13-07, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalSam

That is scary. Can this be beefed up or upgraded in some way?

Sam,
If you wheel your 80 hard, keep an eye on the front upper panhard bracket weld. Luke redid the welds on mine. As far as the sector shaft, I would change prophylactally.

Regards

Alvaro

AMMO · 08-13-07, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clownmidget

hit front diff so many times the top 5-6 nuts holding the third member on came loose and I lost the gasket.

both upper and lower front panhard bolts tried to leave

upper front panhard bracket cracked completely off at that weld repair line.

Humm Mike,

Me wonder why one would have such a trick "quick disconnect" on that there sway and not use it....

Just askin.... Or is that part of your "spring retainer system” I was laughing at your message while on the plane back from Maui sounds like you guys had some fun... I miss wheelin with all of ya.

-Matt

clownmidget · 08-13-07, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMMO

Me wonder why one would have such a trick "quick disconnect" on that there sway and not use it....

Just askin.... Or is that part of your "spring retainer system”

dude, the sway bars were completely removed before the truck touched the trail. they were used for the 300 mile drive to and back...

alvarorb · 08-13-07, 02:52 PM

Almost forgot.
Clownmidget's winch stopped working after removing a fallen tree from the trail.

Alvaro

450 DUDE · 08-13-07, 03:03 PM

Thanks for the inspection data.

Glad to hear you guyz made it back ok.?

ken

Cruiserdrew · 08-13-07, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clownmidget

hit front diff so many times the top 5-6 nuts holding the third member on came loose and I lost the gasket.

both upper and lower front panhard bolts tried to leave

upper front panhard bracket cracked completely off at that weld repair line.

Wow, Mike--In your last picture, you can even see the splines on your sector shaft are twisted!

Anyway, the sector shaft issue is a major one. With that broken, there is no way to steer the truck, even to get off the trail. I don't know if they are particularly weak on an 80 series, but I have seen others post about broken and bent ones.

Anyway, this was an all time great trip. The group pulled together very well when the chips were down. I never thought the field fix of welding the shaft would hold, but it did-Kudos to Rick.

alvarorb · 08-13-07, 03:22 PM

There was also Dieselbigot's busted 3FE motor mount.
And CruiserDrew's door handle.

Alvaro

Cruiserdrew · 08-13-07, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvarorb

There was also Dieselbigot's busted 3FE motor mount.
And CruiserDrew's door handle.

Alvaro

Yep-Not only a busted door handle, but a big ass scratch in the paint on my front diff hat!

FirstToy · 08-13-07, 03:58 PM

Here is a pic of where Mike striped his driveshaft, all the guys that drove were amazing. It is the most difficult trail I have ever seen a wagon go thru.

rockclmbr · 08-13-07, 04:03 PM

Wow, you guys took a lickin' and kept on tickin'.

I was camping up there and kept waiting for you to emerge from the end of the trail. We drove out to the Bald Hill fire lookout, but that was all. I spent most of the time hanging off a rope dangling from rocks

AMMO · 08-13-07, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clownmidget

dude, the sway bars were completely removed before the truck touched the trail. they were used for the 300 mile drive to and back...

Ahhh...didn't know you had quick dis on the panhard also... Thats what is shown in the pic.

-Matt

NorCalCruiser · 08-13-07, 04:55 PM

Hey Alvaro, nice work on La Cabra, was that why you were eyeing the Birf on my workbench, you knew you'd need one?

Sorry I missed the trip, it sounds like an amazing trail and a great group, potatoes al dente are my favorite!

Matt M.

Elijah · 08-13-07, 05:20 PM

Holy Moly!!! I was thinking of taking my 80 on this trail, but now I'm not so sure!! A little body damage doesn't worry me, but all the trail fixes sure do!!!!

locrwln1 · 08-13-07, 05:54 PM

That was one trail I regretted not being able to do. I have no plans to wheel the 80 through it either.

Thanks for posting the pictures. Looking forward to the entire report.

As far as the steering box, is it time to add hydro assist to try an relieve some of the stress on the sector shaft?

Jack

Brentbba · 08-13-07, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvarorb

My wife is just incredible.
Alvaro

Yes she is!!

concretejungle · 08-13-07, 07:31 PM

that's serious stuff there. I want more pics.

now, on another note.....i don't seem to notice any lower axle bracketing there?....Whats up with that? 3-link?

CaliCruiser · 08-13-07, 07:36 PM

Sounds like a great trip! This trail is on my list to do in a couple years when my wagon is ready. It seems that many agree this is one of the top trails in California. Nice to here Patches did well too Brett!

Dylan