NSW: Glen's first major recovery!

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Well I took a last minute trip out to Newnes to explore new tracks, and it was a great day until the afternoon, on the last track of the day. It was steep, rocky, and I didn't walk it first... Half way down it became too steep and gnarly to be tackled alone, even with my rig, I definitely couldn't turn around, and it was a dead end track in the middle of no where. In a desperate decision I tried reversing, but when climbing over a big rock step (seen below) there was a massive snap... another CV axle...

Now in rear wheel drive only and the car in reverse (no weight on the rear), I had no chance of getting out, it was just too steep and spun on the spot. The more I tried the more it spun it's way off the track and downhill. So there sometime after 4pm I started my first hand winch recovery..



The first pull required both straps and the winch line - it just reached! It took a total of 5 sepearate pulls with different arrangements and different trees, and I used every single component of the recovery kit. I even used the chainsaw once as the car kept sliding off the track into the bushes. It took about 4 hours, into the night, and through some rain... but what relief when I got to the top!!!

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

A couple kms up the track the knocking started...



So in the freezing Lithgow temps I removed the shaft, and drove home with centre lock engaged.

Some pics from today:

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Glen

I have done the same myself driven down an unknown track late in the afternoon, fortunately I could turn around and with plenty of goes and horespower managed to get back up the track. I learnt then don't try "interesting side tracks" late in the afternoon by yourself. also went out and bought a winch after that as well.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Man, you're gutsy, going on all these (this isn't the first) solo rock crawling trips!

This certainly makes front and rear electric winches seem attractive.

[mkh Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mkh]

How did your upper body feel the next day? I once spent 6 hours hand winching a Patrol out of mud. The next day I barely had the strength to dress myself!

Good effort though mate. Always pays to be prepared.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Yes today I can feel every muscle in my body!! hah, but I need fitness, maybe I should do this more regularly

A front winch has certainly come to mind... if I had one I would have just continued down, knowing I could winch back out. However, it's all avoidable if you check the track first... and reversing - I'll won't do that again.

[GH4wd Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close GH4wd]

Lucky you managed to get the vehicle back up the track, otherwise it would have been a very cold night there! Amazing how that shaft snapped; is that an aftermarket or genuine article?

That looks like the Dingo Creek track in the Waratah Ridge area

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I had a sleeping bag if needed

I'm amazed at the damage as well!! It's not surprising to break a CV in that situation, but all the previous CV's failed at the joints, not the actual shaft. I'm just glad it was the CV not any other driveline components, which is why I'll keep using normal CV's. In this case it was a Repco one, which have a thicker shaft than standard, but who knows how their strength compares.

It occured on this southern descent..
https://maps.google.com.au/?ll=-33.3...05681&t=h&z=18

...which leads to a dead end by the creek, and it's not even worth going to, the bush was too thick to enjoy the valley view. The northern descent was possibly steeper, didn't go all the way down to the valley, but it had a very nice view.

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Awesome stuff, makes good memories!

What were you thinking at the time glen? I tend to talk out aloud to myself saying the following.....

First action is despite knowing that no one else is around, I look around to see if anyone is...around.

Secondly I say in a low murmur.

1. Everything is OK.
2. We can get out of this situation
3. Take it slow and easy.
4. We've (me, myself and I) got plenty of time.
5. F@ck.
6. F@ck.
7. F@ck.

Was just thinking, I presume you had the car in neutral while hand winching. So if anything failed, strap, u-bold, winch cable it was bye bye prado!!.

Bernie

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

Nice work mate, good to see you got home in a few pieces, when's the solid axle conversion comming on or a winch for the front. Cheers samo

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Respect...

[mackayvx Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close mackayvx]

Unreal effort glen. It seems we are all at the mercy of our weak CV's!

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Hey Bernie,
I had someone in the car ready to brake, with the engine running. Lucky!

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

When the going gets tough, Glen gets going!

Curiously, what tools are needed to remove the front axle?

Reading your story reminds me how hungry I get during difficult recoveries. In fact I'm hungry just reading about it. Time for a meal. .

LFaR.

[Sako85 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sako85]

Good effort Glen!

If you are really stuck, don't hesitate to give me a call. If I'm home (which I usually am these days) I can be there within the hour.

Ben