Anyone done the Canning in their PUMA

[pc3]

Just wondering if nayone has completed the Canning Stock Route in a PUMA. How did it go ? What Broke if anything ?

[miky]

I haven't - just to make that clear.

But...
It would go better than most 4x4 of any type, Puma 110 is an awesome vehicle off road.

Why would it break anything?
ANY vehicle can break something at any time depending on how it is used - or should that be abused?

Friend just done it in a disco for the second time and says the soft sand was real bad.
Hint: Take some maxtrax (https://www.maxtrax.com.au).

[Scallops]

I drove the last part of it into Willuna - then went across the Gunbarrel (Gibson desert). So my experience may be relevant.

Many things broke!

1) The steel guards protecting the rear disc brakes - fatigue ruptured from severe corrugations. I was lucky to hear the rattle and remove them before they sliced through my rear brake lines. Have heard of another fellow who subsequently sold his Puma after this happened to him (amongst a long list of other issues) in the Kimberley - but he didn't hear it and lost his brakes - end of hard earned holiday.

2) The brake master cylinder developed a hole through the top from the bonnet rubbing it - again, corrugations. I stuck a plaster from my first aid kit over it!

3) The intercooler hose almost wore through - rubs on steering knuckles - corrugation a factor again. I bound it up with heaps of electrical tape until a modified hose was added at Alice.

4) The passenger side mirror fell off - never noticed it until too late.

5) The ABS sensors (both) broke on front axle.

6) Prop shaft bolts almost fell out! Lucky I checked them before they did!

7) Rear passenger window winder fell off!

8) CD radio broke - replaced under warranty.

9) Passenger side guttering at front on vehicle separated from body of car - repaired under warranty.

But it never stopped going forward! True, I had a plastic bin full of all the bits that fell off, but I got there!

[Ean Austral]

Have just come back from doing it in a Disco and can tell you if you are well prepared and drive to the conditions you will have no problems..

We seen 2 cars with busted springs but we never had no suspension damage as such...Spend 20 mins each morning or arvo checking the car and drive to the road conditionsnot at 60-70kms as some tried then you should be fine..

Cheers Ean

[Scallops]

Have just come back from doing it in a Disco and can tell you if you are well prepared and drive to the conditions you will have no problems..

We seen 2 cars with busted springs but we never had no suspension damage as such...Spend 20 mins each morning or arvo checking the car and drive to the road conditionsnot at 60-70kms as some tried then you should be fine..

Cheers Ean

I've driven the full CSR too - in a Patrol - and had no problems. As you say - drive to the conditions and do a daily vehicle check. But here we are talking about using a Puma! The list above is what happened to mine. And without daily checks - I would have been stranded.

In particular, I have seen other reports for....

1) The intercooler hose issue
2) The Brake master cylinder issue
3) The rear brake plate issue.

.... as all being Puma specific faults that can crop up under the conditions the CSR will throw up.

So keep a close eye on these.

[pc3]

Thanks for the input folks, I saw a documentray on it the other night and thought that it would be a great trip to do...........

Maybe I should have done it in my 1999 diesel landcruiser ute before I sold it and bought the PUMA 130 Twin Cab :p

Ahh the PUMA I love it a lot but am still nervous about my decision on buying the PUMA 130 Twin Cab given that they are not a cheap car (most $ I have ever spent on a veichle) and all the horror stories you read in regards to them.

I have a trip to Sth West QLD in October 4,000 km round trip with some remote country thrown in, that will be its shakedown I am guessing......;)

As I have said before the concept is awsome................drivetrain seems to be to weak for its intended purpose from what I gather.

What are the remedys pre trip for the issues you have raised in your post Scallops ?

[skoller]

I have just got back from a trip through WA returning to NSW via the Gunbarrel and Heather "highways" and Great Central road in my new Puma towing a Tvan.No problems at all.The roads were mostly corrigated,varying from easy to very bad.The only thing that suffered was me!To much concentrating on the road ahead.

[Scallops]

What are the remedys pre trip for the issues you have raised in your post Scallops ?

Keep your ears and eyes on your vehicle and go over it each morning before you set off. Take oil, brake fluid, steering fluid as well as a kit of spares which LR specialists often can advise on.

I'm not saying don't go for it - do go for it! :) I loved my trip - but those were the things that happened to me, and Suttons in Alice were well aware of the brake plate issue, for example. This is fixed by using large oversized washers on the bolts and using an epoxy resin as well.

Maybe LR have modified the bonnet shape (to clear the BMC) and utilised the intercooler hose I got as a replacement - I don't know. But I'd do it again tomorrow if I had the chance.