Builds 2002 HZJ76 Build (2 Viewers)

[Rigster]

Here is another view of the collapsed infrastructure looking uphill:

The next day, we decided to head the opposite direction, taking the old wagon road towards Kaslo, then headed up the mountain on a promising trail, and eventually reached the empire backcountry ski cabin

We met one of the caretakers of the cabin, who also happened to be the groomer of the trails in the winter time.

After a brief visit, we continued up the trail for a ways, and I noticed what appeared to be a mine entrance below the trail and decided to hike down to check it out. I did not investigate too much as the others missed it and had moved on, so I figured I better keep with them or they might wonder what happened to me...

We went around the mountain a little ways before deciding to make our way back to camp for dinner as it was starting to get late (and we needed to make dinner!)

 

[Rigster]

On the way back, I must have ridden under a ladder, or broke an unseen mirror. I started having fuel starvation issues, tore an axle boot, and my drive belt started separating. I made it all the way back to only about 1km from camp before I had one of my buddies tow my quad the last little ways.

I have already replaced the fuel filter, axle boot, and put a new belt in (the last one was only 2 years old!!). From the looks of the old belt, I ended up with one that must have sat on the shelf for YEARS. It was already cracking, and had split lengthwise. Very annoying. I cleaned it up and repaired the tire leaks. All good for plowing this winter now.

On another note... this just started happening on the cruiser:

Looks like it is time for a front hub refresh... sigh.

 

[Rigster]

Last night I took to working on the cruiser and everything went really well tearing apart the knuckle. I decided not to document hub refreshes as there are several threads on the issue already, and it is enough that I have it documented in my own thread that they were done.

I spent considerable time getting the birf out of the knuckle. Now I know why. It always looked like the camber was off a bit on the passenger side, and with the difficulty getting the birf out my suspicions were rising.

After cleaning things up (was worried I didn't have enough towels and rags!) and inspecting, my suspicions were confirmed that the axle housing was slightly bent. Sorry for the poor quality phone pic

Fortunately the axle shaft is fine. Very weird.

 

[mt72]

Very strange

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Last night I took to working on the cruiser and everything went really well tearing apart the knuckle. I decided not to document hub refreshes as there are several threads on the issue already, and it is enough that I have it documented in my own thread that they were done.

I spent considerable time getting the birf out of the knuckle. Now I know why. It always looked like the camber was off a bit on the passenger side, and with the difficulty getting the birf out my suspicions were rising.

After cleaning things up (was worried I didn't have enough towels and rags!) and inspecting, my suspicions were confirmed that the axle housing was slightly bent. Sorry for the poor quality phone pic
View attachment 3436411
Fortunately the axle shaft is fine. Very weird.

Was the vehicle in an accident?

 

[Rigster]

Was the vehicle in an accident?

No this was not a recovery status vehicle, and I was trying to think of anything I have done off-road, but I am always careful and gentle as I need to rely on it!

I am even wondering if at some point someone backed a truck bumper into the top of the wheel or something and took off? It is on the passenger side (RHD) so I would not have noticed right away. Creates a lot more work for me to make it right... sigh.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

No this was not a recovery status vehicle, and I was trying to think of anything I have done off-road, but I am always careful and gentle as I need to rely on it!

I am even wondering if at some point someone backed a truck bumper into the top of the wheel or something and took off? It is on the passenger side (RHD) so I would not have noticed right away. Creates a lot more work for me to make it right... sigh.

I think the front housing on mine is a little bent too. When I bought it, one of the radius arms was bent and there was fresh paint on one fender. I imagine some minor accident must have happened (slide into ditch maybe?). Price was right, so I wasn't too fussed.

Must take a lot of force to do this though.

 

[Rigster]

I think the front housing on mine is a little bent too. When I bought it, one of the radius arms was bent and there was fresh paint on one fender. I imagine some minor accident must have happened (slide into ditch maybe?). Price was right, so I wasn't too fussed.

Must take a lot of force to do this though.

Yeah, my thoughts too! If not someone backing into the tire, I would imagine this heavy brick would have to be airborne to bend. If I really need to fly, I use my ATV, it is cheaper and easier to work on. lol

 

[Rigster]

Update....

I ordered a new axle housing for my vin off of partsouq and it showed up. It was the only one available bit when it showed up I realized it was for a differential without the factory locker.

My bad, I should have double checked with the parts specialists we have here on mud.

So I was faced with 2 choices. Pay return freight and get the correct one( if it is still available) or modify the one I had to receive the locking diff.

The original:

The new housing:

I am pretty frugal, so the thought of paying return freight for something this large and heavy seemed ludicrous. I decided to alter the new housing to receive the locking diff:

I had to tweak the studs a bit here and there to get everything lined up just right, but the end result was satisfactory

It almost seems wrong putting an old dif into a new housing. Axle is back into the cruiser, now I need to rebuild the knuckles

 

[Rigster]

Rebuilt the knuckles, put the hubs on, changed over to the winters as well since it is coming up and half the work was done already.

Test drive and 4wd/diff locks are all working as well, so I will call this arduous task successfully completed!

 

[Rigster]

So I have this:

From what I can surmise with the square and measurements (I do not have any fancy laser tools or anything) it appears just the ball end of the knuckle is bent at the thinnest point.

I HAD considered getting this one fixed a a machine/fabrication shop (if I could find one that would accept the challenge) but I require and depend on a fully functional and dependable Land Cruiser being able to get me in and out of areas that are challenging, especially on a SAR callout. So I opted foe brand new.

Query: has anyone successfully repaired a damaged axle housing? Can you share your experience?

I was just wondering if I should repair this as a spare, or if someone else might need one on a budget or something?

Thanks!

 

[Rigster]

Guessing this is a rare occurrence, which is good! Or, perhaps everyone just replaces rather than repairs axle housings?

 

[Rigster]

I didn't do this last fall, but I have heard more than a couple of folks swear by fluid film, so I picked up a gallon and sprayed the underside of the cruiser.

I definitely recommend doing it in warmer weather. I put the gallon in the kitchen sink and filled it with hot water for a couple of hours. It was easier to fill the paint sprayer that way and apply.

 

[Tennessee Jed]

Fluid Film is tenacious stuff - very effective. And smells so nice.

I've never seen a bent axle housing. I've seen a few that were cracked and successfully welded though.

 

[jayp2]

Just oil under coated my 77

Inside of frame rails hosed with oil front to back and entire under body/wheel wells

I need to run the current tank of summer diesel though it and fill it with winter diesel which is just starting to hit our pumps in next couple weeks and dose it with power serve.

 

[Rigster]

Just filled the Land Cruiser again and with the smaller tires I am getting about 12L/100km or 19 mpg (US) since the front end refresh - mostly highway.

Seems about the best I can get with this beast!

 

[jayp2]

Just filled the Land Cruiser again and with the smaller tires I am getting about 12L/100km or 19 mpg (US) since the front end refresh - mostly highway.

Seems about the best I can get with this beast!

You're well above sea level though arent you?

Last month I took the 77 on vaca and averaged 22mpg up in the mountains combined highway/non highway and class 5/6 roads.

 

[coldtaco]

Someone makes little stiffeners for the bell housing to the axle that you weld in. I did this on the other axle I used to have. Don't really know how good it actually works but sounded good.

 

[Rigster]

You're well above sea level though arent you?

Last month I took the 77 on vaca and averaged 22mpg up in the mountains combined highway/non highway and class 5/6 roads.

Yeah, I am sitting around 1250ft....

 

[Rigster]

Not much to write about with the Land Cruiser. This 76 has been running and driving like a top lately. I drove 4.5 hrs to visit with my mom and brother and nephews. With the coming of cooler weather, I have noticed the smaller back door is squeaking now and again with road bumps and vibrations, so decided to replace the hinges and lube things up again.

I hate squeaks and rattles... so this level of satisfaction should be right up there with when I put in a new idle-up knob.