Camber question

[ric80]

I did a bit of a write up in the diesel section about how my hdj81 was stolen and the thieves put gas in the diesel tank. Fortunately after draining and filling with diesel the engine seems to be OK. Well the thieves also smucked up the front bumper, bent the bullbar , and buckeled the front quarter panels. There are no dents or creases in the panels but they were pushed in at the bottom and buldged at the top and i couldn't get my doors open. My main concern now is that the front right wheel camber is way out . It leans in about 2" from the ground to the top of the tire. The steering components do not look bent and there are no signs of impact on the undercarrige. I don't think there is any way to adjust the camber so what do you guys think it could be ? The left front wheel looks pretty good . I can hear a bit of a scrubbing sound when I make a hard left turn. I'm having a hard time finding a mechanic who knows these rigs so does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be? Maybe a bent or broken spindle????

[Beowulf]

Just a guess. Sounds like they took a high speed joy ride and wrecked it. Might have caught a curb with the right tyre and busted a knuckle bearing (if you are lucky) or bent the spindle if you are unlucky. The worst case scenario is if they bent the axle. That would cost a couple of thousand US $$$ to get fixed.

Take it to an alignment shop and they will figure it out quickly.

-B-

[d0ubledown]

yep...they definitely messed something up. is there noticable rim/tire scuff or damage? regardless, i hope you havent fully settled for your repair yet. take it to an alignment shop as recommended, even the toyota dealership should be able to tell you, regardless if its an HDJ. where are you located?

[ric80]

BTW i just found out that the thieves were using the rig to ram parking meters so they could steal the change. No wonder the front end is damaged. I'm really not having a good week.

[ric80]

My location is Lethbridge Alberta.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by ric80

BTW i just found out that the thieves were using the rig to ram parking meters so they could steal the change.

Originally Posted by ric80

My location is Lethbridge Alberta.

Does Canada have the death penalty?

-B-

[ric80]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

Does Canada have the death penalty?

-B-

Yea no kidding ! And the thing is most of the girls were under 16 so they will get only a hand slap. When I arrive on scene 4 cop cars had the vehicle sourrounded ,lights flashing. Three of the girls were sitting on the grass beside the cop car fooling around and having a great ol" time. It's a good thing there were 6 cops there and they didn't let me confront them or I would probably be in jail.

[ric80]

I took the truck to a shop and the mechanic pulled the axle hub and told me that the axle was bent or broken. He has never worked on Landcruisers but he owns and services Landrovers and he said that they have similar solid front axles. He said that as soon as he pulled the hub he new it was the axle because it was not lined up??? He told me I would have to find a complete axle and housing and the estimate to install it is 9.4 hours labor. I NEED ADVICE!! I NEED PARTS!! I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination but I did change an axle about 30 years ago on a 1969 Pontiac. Should I get a second opinion? Should I pull it apart myself ? If I did could I even diagnose the problem? Should I just start looking for parts and let him do the job? What do you guys think? The front right wheel is definately out of camber and it does make a scrubbing noise when I turn a hard left. HELP!!

[Beowulf]

The LR and LC axles are similar. If he said the axle was bent or broken then that makes sense based on your verbal description. Pictures would help us give you advice but absent of any other information than what you have given us then I would say you should trust the mechanic. 9+ hrs sounds about right. Based on what you have told us, you should plan on 30 hours if you do it yourself. It is not a technically difficult job but you should have 2 people and some good equipment like a floor jack, several sets of good jack stands, and some relatively big metric sockets and related. 1/4" and 3/8" stuff won't cut it. You'll also need a good torque wrench. A FSM will help a lot.

I have no advice on finding parts in Canada.

-B-

[Buckru]

That sucks. It is horrible that people do this and then show no remorse. In the US, their parents would be responsible for the damages done by a minor. Is it the same in Canada? Are these girls going to have to pay to have it fixed?

Good luck,

Buck

[ric80]

Originally Posted by Buckru

That sucks. It is horrible that people do this and then show no remorse. In the US, their parents would be responsible for the damages done by a minor. Is it the same in Canada? Are these girls going to have to pay to have it fixed?

Good luck,

Buck

Thanks, well one of the girls is old enough and is going to be charged . I have filed a statement asking for restitution. I am hopeful that the judge will order her to pay ,but even then it's not likely that I will recieve any compensation because according to the police they very rarely do what the court orders them to do. Just thinking about it makes me angry so I try not to. Right now I just want my cruiser back on the road.