It's never simple and straightforward is it?

[sam_d]

After getting unstuck from a boghole last Sunday I was aware that I could no longer engage low range and that my radiator fan was rubbing against the cowl.

At the time I couldn't work any of it out - I figured that during my scrambling in and out of the car via the passenger's window I had at some point knocked the centre console with such force as to upset the high/low range selector and that the force of water entering through the front grille had somehow dislodged the fan cowling.

However, today, after a bit more looking I realised that the radiator and fan cowls were exactly where they should be but the engine looked a bit more forward than usual. So, I had a look under the car and noticed that all the rubber things that hold the engine in place were broken in half with the half attached to the engine/gearbox/transfer case about an inch further forward than the half left on the chassis.

So, instead of the small job I was hoping it might be it now looks to be a bit of a big one. Meh... :(

Anyone know of any cheap tow companies in central Sydney? Now I've seen what is underneath I don't want to drive my Disco until it's fixed even though I managed 150km on road plus several km off road on Sunday with it like it is.

Oh, and before anyone asks, I know when this all happened: it was during an attempt to pull me backwards out of the boghole. It wasn't until after we aborted that attempt that the great big tree root wedged up again the transfer case was noticed. I guess I've been really rooted in this case...

[cartm58]

Must be easier ways to stretch your Disco

[langy]

If you have (or can borrow) a trolley jack or engine crane, you can do it yourself. All 4 mounts are the same, and you can jack up the engine and gearbox and bolt them in with moderate effort. Use a prybar to lever the drivetrain back into position.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Graeme Cooper uses Dial a Tow in St Peters - if it is going up there contact Graeme and he'll get the trade rate for you. (02) 9565 1305 or 0415 300 301

I have used them even when recovering a project from Alexandria to my home, not via Graeme.

Then if you have NRMA they may be able to do the tow/tilt tray under the terms of the membership.

Diana

[abaddonxi]

Cheap tow would be NRMA. Membership was about $80 for standard, or $150 for premium, which is well worth it if you break down more than 100Km from home.

I doubt a call up tow is going to cost you much less than that.

A breakdown tow with NRMA is free and this does sound like a breakdown.

Or I could come round with a chain and skull drag you and see if everything falls back into place.

Cheers
Simon

[sam_d]

If you have (or can borrow) a trolley jack or engine crane, you can do it yourself. All 4 mounts are the same, and you can jack up the engine and gearbox and bolt them in with moderate effort. Use a prybar to lever the drivetrain back into position.

Thanks for the advice. But, I ain't that great a mechanic so I'm not going to risk it! :)

Is this something you've done before? Or known someone else having to do it before? I just want to get an idea of how much the Visa card is gong to get hot for this time round...

And thanks Diana and Simon, I forgot about my NRMA membership! I'll give them a call :)

[HAK]

hay mate sorry to hear the bad news the job isnt that hard if you want to save your self some bucks give it a go then if all fails tow it then to a machanic you got nothing to lose ;)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Gee's Sam,, what did you headbut?:eek:
to break all the mounts is a serious collision,,

or you hung it on something worthwhile:D

[langy]

I've R & R'd my transmission mounts in situ twice - when I was doing work on my transmission - easy as. (For a petrol v8 - they should be ANR3200 /3201 (L & R) roughly $30 ea) As for engine mounts, I've done a few on V8's including an old v8 rangie - a little bit fiddley but an easy afternoons work.
( For a v8 should be STC434 roughly $20 each)

[DiscoDave]

Nice work Sam! Got any photos?:p
From personal experience I can recommend Mr Lang as a valuable source of advice re Disco repairs and modifications. :)

[sam_d]

Nice work Sam! Got any photos?:p
From personal experience I can recommend Mr Lang as a valuable source of advice re Disco repairs and modifications. :)

I was stuck in the boghole for nearly two hours and there are surprisingly few photos knocking around at the moment. I cant't be arsed getting photos of the underneth of my car - it means getting muddy and dusty again.

Mr Lang does seem to be a reliable source of info. I wasn't doubting what he said, I was just amazed at his casual description and apparent ease of the job. Unfortunately my mechanical skills and resources fall far short of those required to undertake the task myself :)

[Redback]

This may sound harsh and i'm not having a go at you Sam, but, if your going to be doing a lot of offroad then damage and breakage will happen more often, so doing alot of the repairs yourself will save you lots of $$$.

So unless your loaded, give it a go, i'm sure some of the guys here will even help if you ask.

Baz.

[sam_d]

This may sound harsh and i'm not having a go at you Sam, but, if your going to be doing a lot of offroad then damage and breakage will happen more often, so doing alot of the repairs yourself will save you lots of $$$.

So unless your loaded, give it a go, i'm sure some of the guys here will even help if you ask.

Baz.

Yeah, I'd like to be able to do more of my repairs etc (I do some of the smaller things myself) but as I live in second floor unit and my car is is a basement carpark I don't have much/any room to store tools or to work in. :(

I know there are plenty of people on here who would also be willing to help though! :)

[abaddonxi]

Yeah, I'd like to be able to do more of my repairs etc (I do some of the smaller things myself) but as I live in second floor unit and my car is is a basement carpark I don't have much/any room to store tools or to work in. :(

I know there are plenty of people on here who would also be willing to help though! :)

Basement carpark.

You mean a flat, level, clean surface where you can work, and not be bothered by passing hoon traffic inches from your head?

Bet you've got an elevator to bring the tools down in, too.

You lucky, lucky bugger.

:D

Cheers
Simon

[sam_d]

Basement carpark.

You mean a flat, level, clean surface where you can work, and not be bothered by passing hoon traffic inches from your head?

Bet you've got an elevator to bring the tools down in, too.

You lucky, lucky bugger.

:D

Cheers
Simon

Flat: Yes. :)
Level: Yes. :)
Clean: Well, muddy and dusty from whatever falls off my car. :)

But also,

Dimly lit: Yes. They decided to skimp on lighting in the corner near my space.
Often wet: Yes. The walls leak during rain and drainage is poor.
240v Mains power: My nearest socket is out of order and the next closest is two extension cords away.

Oh well... :)

[abaddonxi]

That's Parramatta Road in the background.

And I have to fight the neighbours for the good parking spots.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/%7Eabaddon@ozemail.com.au/AULRO/workshop.jpg

:D

Cheers
Simon

[BMKal]

That's Parramatta Road in the background.

And I have to fight the neighbours for the good parking spots.

Cheers
Simon

Looks like a pretty one-sided fight. That looks like a RAV4 in front. 130 has a bullbar AND is a Land Rover - easy. :angel::angel::angel:

[abaddonxi]

Looks like a pretty one-sided fight. That looks like a RAV4 in front. 130 has a bullbar AND is a Land Rover - easy. :angel::angel::angel:

People talk, and eventually they work out who has been using their cars as axle stands.

:D

Cheers
Simon

[sam_d]

That's Parramatta Road in the background.

And I have to fight the neighbours for the good parking spots.

:D

Cheers
Simon

Okay then. Maybe I do take my luxurious basement carpark for granted :)

[loanrangie]

Okay then. Maybe I do take my luxurious basement carpark for granted :)

Give it a go, its no harder than changing a wheel really, the only real problem will be lining up the mounting holes.