The Graveyard Shift - Part 2

Hamish has re-lived the exciting events from the Night Run  and sends us this report...

 

[ Hamish's vehicle on the operating table...]

So there we were scrambling up the last little bit of track to the carpark and we could see a signifigant cross axle obstacle in the headlights. I noticed what I thought were Jeremy's wheel tracks going into it, that was enough to encourage me to have a go. But no go, had several attempts, gave up when I heard a funny little click from the front end.
 
Rolled back down the hill to the main track and headed up to the carpark for a sausage and coffee.
 
At that point learnt that Jeremys wheel tracks were in fact backing down the hill......so possibly he hadnt got through the same spot ?
 
Anyway after Quiz results were announced we decided to hit the road back to town. Popped truck into high ratio, no go. Figured the click must have been a broken axle. Its happened before. No probs previous two times its happened, got home safely enough then, so engaged centre diff lock and off we went.
 
The front end started getting a bit clattery and we stopped for a conference with some of the troops tagging along with us. Got a little worse near Waimauku so stopped for another conference. But we figured just take it quietly, diff's probably shagged by now anyway may as well just box on. Big Bad idea. Very Bad.
 
Motoring around the SH16 corner at Brighams Crk and there was an almighty great bang from the front end and the truck instantly locked up in a slide, it was like we were in a slow motion movie......as if a large bear had just grabbed the truck and hauled us over to the other side of the road and then flicked us sideways for a bit and then flung us right around facing the way we'd just come from. Stopped. Sheeeit.
 
The front diff housing looked as if it had been opened up by a ragged old tin opener. Oil everywhere underneath.
{from Neil - And here it is...]
 
 
 
I had zero control throughout the entire maneouvre. Fortunately no one was coming the other way. Fortunately we didnt roll over. Fortunately we didnt go left and find a powerpole.  We were lucky boys. Quickly the guys coming behind pulled over. Stewart Lee stopped in the centre of the road and got his lights flashing to direct cars around us. Those lights were very useful. Thank you Stewart.
 
When things cleared a bit we got back in the truck and limped over to the side of the road (heading back towards woodhill !) and waited for the tow truck.

 

Really appreciated the moral support from everyone who was there. Thanks fellas right then it was really good to have your company.
 
Poor Neil had stopped to help and partly parked over someones driveway, unfortunately he copped an earful of abuse from the returning lady home owner, so went to start Leonard to move him and the battery was flat ! Eventually that got sorted.
 
Tow truck duly arrived. He only had one passenger seat. My 'navigator' hoped into the tow truck and I lay down across the three front seats of the Landy, (he didnt want anyone to see that I was there) so that was another new experience. Surprisingly quiet, peaceful ride home and gave me a little time to reflect on the evening !
 
Got to bed around 2pm. After I'd cleaned all the diff oil off our new exposed aggregate driveway !
 
The axles were fine [it was one of the spider gears which crunched]. Stag 4x4 have installed a replacement second hand axle housing and diff, with a shiney new diff guard.
 
So that was my Saturday night. How was yours ?
Hamish Boyd