Need mechanical help in Fresno

[unipus]

Got myself in a bit of a bind here. Broke something drive train related trying to tow some idiot out of a creek. Maybe up joint, might be one of the wheel differentials. I don't know, I'm honestly just learning this stuff.

Anyway I'm about 300 miles from home (Los Angeles) up here by Fresno and don't really know where to go. Currently have it parked at a place called Extreme Off-road and Repair in Clovis, but they're not open until Monday.

Thoughts? Ideas? Other than "no good deed goes unpunished," of course...

Anyone with urgent advice that might get me home before Monday please feel free to give me a call at 323-839-1970. For now I'm literally just sitting in the truck weighing option s. Thanks.

[TechMOGogy]

Any more info you can provide?
Why do you think something is broken?
Front or rear, left or right?
Do you have tools with you?
Can you post photos of any damage or is it internal?

[unipus]

First off, thanks to the several people who've called offering advice! Nice community here.

No visible signs of damage that I've been able to spot. The phenomenon creates sort of a sudden lurching. Intermittent but actually kind of irregular. One one person's advice I tried locking the rear differential and that reduced the frequency quite a bit, and for a while the magnitude of the judders, but then I got it up to 4th gear and felt one strong enough to pitch the whole cabin several degrees.

It also did this with both the front or rear wheels isolated (on a tow truck, we eventually put it on a flatbed.)

I do have most of the tools, but not many parts and even less know-how!

[NEWFISHER]

Take an allen and loosen the rear diff drain plug and sample the oil in a clean white cup. Your descriptions of " pulling someone out" , " lurching" and better when locked sounds like it the rear ring gear and/or pinion. The oil sample will tell.

[unipus]

Know anywhere around Fresno/Clovis for parts? If not, I'm still probably just gonna have to ship it on home rather than wait around here for days.

[undysworld]

First off, I don't think I'd do any further "testing" under power. A Pinz is definitely capable of pushing gears out of the tranny case (you don't need to ask how I know this), through the wheel drive housing (ask Paul C), so I assure you that much damage can be caused this way. Oh yeah, expensive damage, at that.

I would lift the rear of the truck entirely off the ground, with all lockers "off", the transmission and transfer cases in gear. Then try spinning one rear wheel. The opposite side wheel should spin in the opposite direction. You should not be hearing crunchy noises from either wheel drive, nor the rear differential. Try spinning it both directions to test. If you hear noises, try to isolate the source. A screwdriver can be used as a stethoscope to pinpoint noise in a gear box.

Next, lock the rear diff., and put the transmission in neutral but leave the transfer case in a gear. Spin one rear wheel, and the opposite wheel should spin in the same direction. The drive (propeller) shaft should also turn. You should not be hearing the crunchy noises, but locate them if you do.

Next, lower the rear of the truck and raise the front, with all lockers off and transfer case in neutral. Try spinning one front wheel and the opposite wheel should turn the opposite direction. Listen for noise.

Next lock the front differential and spin one wheel, listening for noise.

I think that's about all you can do to isolate WHERE the noise is. I definitely would not drive it until you find, and probably fix, the trouble. You could easily make a bad problem into an enormous disaster. On the other hand, there's nothing cash can't fix, if you've got enough...

[TechMOGogy]

If no parts and little know-how I would just ship it 4 hours south to Jim L
Good luck and keep us posted

[unipus]

Thanks guys. Shipping seems like the only "good" option... Doesn't seem like me or anyone local would be able to fix it in the next day or two and that could rapidly turn into a major problem.

Sadly piles of cash is not something I have, but I'll just have to work it out somehow.

[pinzinator]

Could Scott at Expedition Imports fix it? His shop is just north of Oakland in Vallejo.

[unipus]

Quick update: I got it (and myself) shipped home after a few days stranded around Fresno.

The Pinz is now over at Goatwerks, and I'm sure soon enough will be back in action (with some new tips on how NOT TO DO THAT AGAIN). Looks like it's definitely a front differential. A bunch of the guys who were there when it happened have actually chipped in a bit of cash to help out, so that helps a lot too.

The learning process has begun...

[GadgetPhreak]

Glad you got home safe. Let us know what the root cause was once you find out so the rest of us who are new owners can learn from each others mistakes

Thanks,
Ben

[stiffler4444]

I had to pull my font diff a while back, the 10mm "cheesehead" bolt (as it's called in the manual) worked it's way out and snapped off. This holds the spider gears firmly in place. Diff gears were fine. Unfortunately, by your description, it sounds a bit like your diff might be buggered. Lots of work to remove the front end (when it's your first time), so heading out to Goatwerks was your best bet! Good luck!

[unipus]

Anyone got a good alternate way to reach Jim @ Goatwerks, or have any idea if something might be up with him? I've been trying to call and email him for about a week with no response. I've always gotten his machine when calling but usually he picks up mid-message or calls back quickly... not so for the last week and I'm a slight bit concerned.

[David Dunn]

I have talked to Jim this AM. He's running as always... I send him a text on your behalf.

[unipus]

Well, it's been a bit of a wait, but I'm finally back on the road! Thanks to everyone who offered advice. Now back to all the half-remembered tasks I was going to do before it went away for 3 months!

Fun fact: my insurance premiums actually have gone DOWN as a result of adding a Pinz to my policy. Definitely didn't expect that!