The Disaster Run
This is a Run I've always referred to as The Disaster Run. A group of us were going to do a run
to a place called Burnt Rubble east of Tucson, AZ. There were 3 or 4 Jeeps, me in Rhinozuki and one very inexperienced,
unprepared wheeler in a K-5 Blazer.
The day started out great. Beautiful weather and a good bunch of guys going out for a day of wheeling.
James
(driving the Jeep in the picture) went up the first obstacle without incident. Since the unprepared K-5 didn't
have a CB radio,
we had him sandwiched 2nd in line. The K-5 tried to go up the first
obstacle, which wasn't that tough. Lack of experience and too much skinny pedal
was a recipe for disaster. There was a loud pop as the inexperienced driver kept
hammering the skinny pedal.
The K-5 sitting at the base
of the first obstacle. Several of the
group checking out the rig to see what
had happened.
Once
it was determined there was a serious problem, the rig had to be brought down to
level
ground. Lack of experience just about put the rig down the side of the hill. It took a lot of
winching and readjusting to get the rig to where it could be worked on.
Another view of the K-5 Blazer trying to slide
down the hill. Brian has his XJ in position with
a strap on the rig but it took two winches working
together to get the rig stabilized so it could
torn apart and evaluated.
While
trying to get the rig up on stable ground
the sidewall of the drivers side tire caught a tree
branch and tore open. Another repair to be done.
After getting the tire repaired and the rig turned around we started on
the long slow trek back to an area where we could get a trailer in to pick
up the disabled rig. After a few yards it was determined the passenger
side axle was walking out. A makeshift retain was fashioned so the rig could be moved
to level ground for attempted repairs.
After finally getting the rig to a spot where it could
be worked on safely, the rear differential was popped open.
Unfortunately, it was not a pretty picture. Here James is
pulling out pieces of stuff that used to be gears and rings
and other power train paraphernalia.
Somehow, the hood of my Samurai served
as a receptacle for a whole bunch of trashed
rear differential parts.
Here
is a picture of all the busted up
parts loaded up in the differential cover.
Now the fun begins. The rear axle uses a
"C" Clip to hold the axle in place. The rig
is miles from the road where a trailer can
access the area to get the rig home.
Brian took off to try to find a 12 bolt or repair parts
and the rest of us tried to figure out an alternative game
plan. It started with hooking up a couple of batteries
to accommodate some welding functions!!
The "C" Clip was located and it was decided that
if it could be welded in place, the rig could be moved
out to the road and taken out of the area on a trailer.
2 batteries and 1 U.S. 5 cent piece. There were welding
rods available but the only thing that worked was a nickel!
Now this might be one scary looking welder
but James got this thing put together well
enough with 2 batteries and a nickel that
it could be limped to a road where a trailer
could get in and drag it off!!
Finally moving up the trail. It was such a slow process that
some people were getting out of their rigs and walking along
side with them idling in gear. It was a long, frustrating day
that was a lot of repairs and no wheeling BUT no person was
left behind!! <<GRIN>>!!
Final damage report. The K-5 trashed front and rear differentials, 1 front tire and taught everyone
to evaluate the rigs and driving abilities of everyone prior to the run!!
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