A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to McGrew (1 Viewer)

[Russ in California]

...on the way to the Official Trail Ride that is.
Tucker, I found out a few days ago, didn't even see that big lonely rock in the middle of the trail that bent the tie rod on the pre-run.
Sooo, I get a nice used tie rod with ends from arcterex in Texas. Cleaned and prettied it up and was going to install it Sat but found out the son is going to use it for a few days starting Sunday.
I had the wheels off but couldn't get the tie rod out of the steering arm.
Point of the story is, when I put the wheels back on I noticed a slight wobble when I pulled back and forth on the tire. Not good. Other side was ok so I checked tightness on both but the RH side still had play.
Tore into it late PM and found badness. Not totally rusty but some and little grease.
With time, money and energy running out, I opted to inspect the inner bearing only(not as bad as the outer), clean and repack the outer, slop some new grease in the between pocket and button it back up. For now.
Now I need to assemble some parts and replace or repack all four front bearings in the next two weekends(DD for the wife & can't be down during the week).
Sadly, not enough time and $$ for a full birf service but that will be on the plate sometime this summer.
So, there you go. Fun times. And you thought you were having fun this week!!
Just a peek into my life as a Land Cruiser owner.
McGrew or Bust!!

 

[dILzNAK]

I'm sorry to hear that Russ...

 

[mobydick]

I hear you Russ. The big events are always full of alot of different plans and timelines. That's what happens when you try to accommodate as many people as possible. I will not be able to finish my preparations until after I get paid on the 22nd and that leaves little time to ready a rig that has not been wheeling in several years.

 

[Russ in California]

I hear you Russ. The big events are always full of alot of different plans and timelines. That's what happens when you try to accommodate as many people as possible. I will not be able to finish my preparations until after I get paid on the 22nd and that leaves little time to ready a rig that has not been wheeling in several years.

Sadly, I did the prerun and mining claim run with same bearings. It's a GOOD thing I found what I found when I did. Trail fixes aren't really that fun.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Hehe well I started the install on my high steer today, and when I took the drivers side steering arm off to replace it with the hi-steer arm, lots of water poured out of the knuckle... probably from the mining claim run... I'm going to have to tear it down... and on the pass side, the top knuckle bearing exploded when I took it apart to change the arm... Long day, but it is back to drivable, just need to do some more reinforcing and install the stabilizer...

I'm with you Russ!!! If only in spirit...

 

[mobydick]

Maybe you guys should stop "looking" at your rigs...?

 

[Kief]

I have some used but good inner races and bearings for an 80 that I didn't have the heart to reuse. They are aftermarket, the outers were in bad shape but the inners were good. You can have those if you want them..

 

[Russ in California]

I have some used but good inner races and bearings for an 80 that I didn't have the heart to reuse. They are aftermarket, the outers were in bad shape but the inners were good. You can have those if you want them..

Thanks Kief. I do have some 'trail spares' I've salvaged myself. Let me 'inventory them and see if there's anything decent. I'll let you know later today.
I think I'm just going to tear into them next weekend, replace the seals with new and see what condition the bearings are in. The outer I repacked was rusty on the bearing 'cage' but the rollers were in fair condition.
Besides, in a couple of months, my local club has a night run down on the Eel and VanDuzen rivers. Lots of water crossings. Just might wait till then to replace all with new...again.

 

[Russ in California]

Jacked the cruiser up Fri after work and pulled off the calipers.
Today I fiddled around part of the day repacking the front wheel bearings.
Had to swap out one of the outer bearings. The cage was a bit rusted but the rollers looked ok. Still, I opted for a spare that had been heated a tad.
Haven't gotten to the tie rod yet. Also noticed a slice in the outer rubber cover on one of the outer brake hoses. Note to self: REPLACE BRAKE HOSE(S)!!! REPLACE TIE ROD!!!
I'm feeling all this in me bones. Don't like these bigger repair jobs this close to a run.
Always fun though... Thanks goodness for 3 day weekends.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

A few days ago I tore down the whole drivers side knuckle, had to disassemble the birf as well as repack all the bearings... I know you can do it Russ! Or make your kid do it! Hehehehe Hang tough, there's still 2 weeks!

 

[Russ in California]

Oh the fun...

 

[jamister1]

Went out to work on the Pig and figure out why the brakes have always sucked. Rear brakes...what rear brakes?? Jacked the truck up hit the brakes and the rear tires didn't slow down one bit which I suspected. Pulled the drums and they were not adjusted and coated in gear oil and mud from a bad seal...Needless to say the Pig will not be running the McGrew, just going with the 4runner. When I built the Pig I didn't have any money and cut a lot of corners, it is now going to be done right. I've always wanted to convert the rears to discs so now I have my motivation. Ordered a complete kit online but I won't have enough time to install it before the run. Oh well, maybe next year it will make it.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Hahahahaha! Awesome!

 

[Butt Ugly Chuck]

Oh the fun...

Let me know if you need someone to lend a hand. By "lend a hand" I mean fork over a tool now and then, drink your beer, point at stuff and say things like "Is it supposed to look like that?"

Butt

 

[retrofive]

Let me know if you need someone to lend a hand. By "lend a hand" I mean fork over a tool now and then, drink your beer, point at stuff and say things like "Is it supposed to look like that?"

Butt

my style.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

I got the front axle moved forward one inch on GB today, and did some fender pounding. A bit more massage will be needed though...

 

[dILzNAK]

Went out to work on the Pig and figure out why the brakes have always sucked. Rear brakes...what rear brakes?? Jacked the truck up hit the brakes and the rear tires didn't slow down one bit which I suspected. Pulled the drums and they were not adjusted and coated in gear oil and mud from a bad seal...Needless to say the Pig will not be running the McGrew, just going with the 4runner. When I built the Pig I didn't have any money and cut a lot of corners, it is now going to be done right. I've always wanted to convert the rears to discs so now I have my motivation. Ordered a complete kit online but I won't have enough time to install it before the run. Oh well, maybe next year it will make it.

That sucks... Rear breaks are over rated! TRUST ME!

I got the front axle moved forward one inch on GB today, and did some fender pounding. A bit more massage will be needed though...

NICE!

 

[Russ in California]

Today's 'project'. Zero'd out the heater control valve cable. Couldn't get a better shot of it.

Still lookin' at the tie rod 'prolly' nest weekend. It's not sitting too bad this far out considering.

Not that I want to even ask this as I know the 'correct' answer, but... is leaving the bent tie rod in even a valid short term option for McGrew? Hypothetically speaking.

Good luck everyone with what ever last minute trials you may face...henceforth.

 

[jamister1]

Drove with a bent tie rod for years but I also reinforced it. If u can get it pretty straight its good temporarily but I wouldn't go through the sluce or really hammer on it either.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Just sleve the bent rod with a hi-lift jack handle or other piece of tubing. I wheeled mine that way for over 2 yrs!