Showing posts with label differential. Show all posts
Showing posts with label differential. Show all posts

Sunday, November 20, 2011

NO IDEA WHAT TO CALL THIS POST


We have so many possible titles for this post, we couldn't pick just one, so

MOTHERF'N DIFF
NOT AGAIN
ARE YOU SERIOUS
WE MUST HAVE BAD KARMA
1200KM FROM HOME AND THE DIFF STRIKES AGAIN
DELAYED PART FOUR
BUTTER BOLTS
WHAT GOES CRINK AND WHIRR?
FOR SALE, GENTLY USED LANDROVER - PICK UP AT DAYS INN, INTERSTATE I-5 MOUNT VERNON (CHEAP)



Well if you haven't guessed already - our seven month old diff is broken.  The bolts holding the ring gear sheared.  This was suppose to be a set it and forget it kind of part.

This has brought our trip to a very abrupt end.  After going through a dozen options and checking prices we have decided to rent a u-haul and trailer and limp home.  Not really how we wanted to end this trip.

10 sheared bolts


no problem with the half shafts - they are designed to break first

Aaaarrrrrrr!!!!  We don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

GUESS WHAT WE DID TODAY

So this morning we drove to the store to pick up some supplies.  Yeah, that's right, WE DROVE.  The diff is in and now one day shy of five weeks, we will be leaving Manzanillo.  (cross your fingers!)


The past five weeks has really tested us.  Every inch forward has been a struggle.  We don't even want to write about it.  Lets just say that Fedex Mexico and Mexican customs is at the top of the list.  We pray that we never have to ship something internationally again.



We have so many people who have gone out of their way for us.  We cannot thank Alberta Land Rover enthusiasts Dave and Bill enough.  You guys made this happen, without you both we may have had to ship the truck home.  We have and will continue to drink many cervezas in both of your honors!  We also need to say thank you to Chris and Brian for pulling a used diff to help get us out of here (but, it was later turned back by another shipping company - considered dangerous goods)






So tomorrow we leave, we're heading across the heart of Mexico to the caribbean coast, about 2400km.

Wish us luck......twice

Friday, March 4, 2011

IN THE MEANTIME.........


We were suppose to be here for three days to check out the beaches but as fate would have it the Land Rover decided otherwise, again.  So we have been trying to make the best of it - not hard.

uuummmm cereal again 

Our days begin with Justin making coffee in the parking lot of the hotel on a camp stove.  Then we sit on our balcony drinking coffee, people watching and then we ask each other, "what do you want to do today?"  Its always one of two things, take a bus into town or go to the beach.  Every once in a while we mix it up and do both.



After the big breakdown and realizing we were going to be here awhile, we knew we had to watch our money.  So at first we were making all our own meals, but with only a fridge, our culinary delights consisted of cereal, sandwiches and cheese & crackers... we couldn't stand it anymore!  So every night we hunt for a new restaurant and food to try.  We've had Chinese Mexican, Japanese Mexican, Italian Mexican and Mexican Mexican food, along with many cerveza to swallow it down.  Going out to eat has become our favourite part of the day.

jalapeno burger

we can't help ourselves

bean soup for Nadines birthday



Justin laughed when he saw my plate coming




finally, chocolate cake

Manzanillo has been good to us.  Lots of shops to check out, food to try, streets to wander and endless empty beaches.  When planning our trip we were going to try and avoid expensive cities but as for a place to break down in, its not to shabby.  The only thing is were not really meeting as many people here, most people here are on package vacations so they don't frequent the same spots we do.  Oh well, its still all good!





our hotel at the end of the block


HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS OF OUR STAY

  • buying an insane amount of phone cards
  • for good luck, Justin shaved off his goatee
  • Nadine was stung by a bee
  • saw a lady get hit by a car (we think she's okay)
  • countless jellyfish on the beach
  • went to the museum of perversion - very creepy, most pictures are R rated
  • going to Walmart for the air-conditioning
  • had 2 cockroaches on our balcony
  • ants in the bathroom - every time we go in, an army of them is slaughtered 
  • we have been here so long that all of the lightbulbs in our room have burnt out
  • we have one english channel on TV, and all it plays is Ugly Betty, Ghost Whisperer and Nora Roberts mini series (we are learning Spanish from the subtitles though)
  • bus rides that you wish you had motocross equipment on
  • taking your life into your own hand when crossing the street - they don't stop
  • finally after a very long search the proper oil has been found for the diff

view from our room



jelly fish

look Craig, we found more reeses and rum and coke in a can

As for a current update on our broken rear end, after many different solutions fell apart, we now have a brand new diff and True Trac built and as I write this we believe it is being shipped from the UK.  There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.  This will not shorten our trip, we will just need to move through Mexico a little quicker than expected.


anybody got a f@cken diff around here