WARNING: Contains violent images of underside of Disco

[dmdigital]

:eek::eek::eek:
Sit down and pour a strong drink before reading on.

Last Monday we left the Alice heading south about 5am. About 200km's south and 4km north of the Erldunda roadhouse there was a very large bang under the Disco and a bit of a wobble followed by lots more noise. We were doing about 125kph at the time.

We will find out the full damages on Monday or Tuesday. Car gets to Melbourne tonight (hopefully). Transmission casing is smashed, prop-shaft is stuffed, wiring loom is stuffed, transmission cooling lines are stuffed. I'd checked all the drive shafts before leaving Gove and also on getting Dunmurra on the first night about 1000km before it happened. Had absolutely no warning, no squeaks, vibrations or anything else. DC could have been damaged by running over something.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2656377581_1b2e6707f0.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2657202870_dbfe03fb86.jpg

Not good pictures, couldn't get underneath properly.

Big thanks to Sutton Motors in Alice for their advice and assistance.

I'll post more information in the next week when I get a chance.

On a lighter note, here's the tyre we blew about 40km west of Bullman station: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2658252840_ed6de0041a.jpg
Its a 3 year old Cooper and it looks like it took a big blow in the sidewall from a large rock. Not the usual way Coopers go now days;)

[V8Landy]

ouch sorry to here your troubles Derek.That tyre blow out looks horrifying hope it wasn't a steer tyre.:o

[Panda]

Sorry to hear about the damage!:( Just goes to show how easily it can happen. What a shocker!

[Narangga]

Not nice mate. Does it curtail the holiday plans much?

[justinc]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Sorry to see Derek, and I'm glad you are OK, as sometimes a failure like that can cause an accident too.

I recently sent a D2 Customer off to the Simpson with a new front shaft because it 'didn't feel right' when I removed it and felt the second cardon joint. It was not worth the risk. I'm glad I insisted now, looking at those pics.

Hope all gets back on track ASAP.

PS, Did you catch up with the other Derek?

JC

[WildOne]

:eek::eek::eek:
Sit down and pour a strong dring before reading on.

Last Monday we left the Alice heading south about 5am. About 200km's south and 4km north of the Erldunda roadhouse there was a very large bang under the Disco and a bit of a wobble followed by lots more noise. We were doing about 125kph at the time.

We will find out the full damages on Monday or Tuesday. Car gets to Melbourne tonight (hopefully). Transmission casing is smashed, prop-shaft is stuffed, wiring loom is stuffed, transmission cooling lines are stuffed. I'd checked all the drive shafts before leaving Gove and also on getting Dunmurra on the first night about 1000km before it happened. Had absolutely no warning, no squeaks, vibrations or anything else. DC could have been damaged by running over something.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2656377581_1b2e6707f0.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2657202870_dbfe03fb86.jpg

Not good pictures, couldn't get underneath properly.

Big thanks to Sutton Motors in Alice for their advice and assistance.

I'll post more information in the next week when I get a chance.

On a lighter note, here's the tyre we blew about 40km west of Bullman station: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3061/2658252840_ed6de0041a.jpg
Its a 3 year old Cooper and it looks like it took a big blow in the sidewall from a large rock. Not the usual way Coopers go now days;)

Glad you're all o/k, that could have ended very differantly, the prop-shaft and the tyre blow-out:eek::eek:

Two things i'd like to see, first, i'd like to see you go out and buy a lotto ticket, second, i'd like to see a photo of the "damage" to the drivers seat:p

Both close shaves mate, hope you get the Disco sorted out with minimal fuss and $$'s

Cheers, Phill

[Bundalene]

Sorry to hear about the damage. Unusual to go without warning. Cheers, Erich.

[sniegy]

Hi Derek,
I only found out today at work that this had happened.:eek:
I re-read the job card & noticed a few additions & Matt informed me of what happened as i had been on holidays.

Mate i am glad you are both alright.

That coffee i promised will be double strength.

See ya soon. (i hope);)

[Disco_owner]

mate , glad you're all okay. and I'd like to see you get your pride and joy sorted out very soon ,so you can get it back on the road again.:)

[Slunnie]

Bourbon oclock.

Mate, that really sucks. I'm sorry to be reading that this has happened.

[Blknight.aus]

That'll do it to ya...

I always advocate fitting some kind of control device to things like that something like the hoop in the cross memeber of a series that can control the front end of the shaft if it lets go or a strap like the rebound straps that hold the axle in place Its not Tooo bad in a deefer as its fairly well isolated and the parts that break shouldnt be able to hit any thing but add a DC and well who knows where it'l fail.

Good to hear your all Ok But at least it looks like it will all be repairable.

[RobHay]

Looks like you have taken a 'hit' from something, might have been a rock from when your tyre blew....and it took some time for it to get critical.

A roll over at that speed would not have been nice....as per other suggestion, head straight for the nearest Newsagency and buy a lotto ticket

[lewy]

bloody hell,sorry to hear that mate.erldunda ,almost the most isolated spot on the track,let us know if we can help

[tempestv8]

Sorry to learn about this incident, Derek! :o


That front propshaft is bad news for all Discovery II drivers. :mad:


And will be bad news for the new Defender drivers too. :(

[David Hallworth]

Ouch!

Mine went around 10 weeks ago now.

Took out both catalysts on the V8 and has cracked my transfer box casing.

Mine is on around 90k miles now.

What age is yours and what distance has it covered?

I am in the process of a legal battle with LR regarding this.

If anyone reading this has had theirs go, can you PM me or EMail me the age of your car and the number of miles/kilometres that your car had covered at the time.

Regards

David.

[Slunnie]

Did it take out your tranfer or transmission? The transfer is a long way back, but the transmission is common.

[rovercare]

I think retrofitting an earlier shaft and front Tx flange is a good prospect:angel:

[Slunnie]

Or to upgrade to a stronger jointed shaft.

[rovercare]

Or to upgrade to a stronger jointed shaft.

But my way is cheap:p:D

[Slunnie]

But my way is cheap:p:D
:lol2:

Itd be interesting to see how much difference there is in a D2 with a regular front shaft. If there is little difference it'd be a good way to go about it.

[rovercare]

:lol2:

Itd be interesting to see how much difference there is in a D2 with a regular front shaft. If there is little difference it'd be a good way to go about it.

My mate came and grabbed a front shaft from me the other day to do exactly that, will have to find out how he went

[Slunnie]

My mate came and grabbed a front shaft from me the other day to do exactly that, will have to find out how he went
He'll also need the output flange.

[rovercare]

He'll also need the output flange.


I think retrofitting an earlier shaft and front Tx flange is a good prospect:angel:

:D:D:D

[dmdigital]

Did you catch up with the other Derek?
No, haven't heard from them.


Not nice mate. Does it curtail the holiday plans much?
All depends on what happens repair wise, how long it takes etc. Will know more by Tuesday (I hope)


I re-read the job card & noticed a few additions & Matt informed me of what happened as i had been on holidays.
Yeah, as I mentioned to Matt, we might need a little more than a normal service. Guys were very helpful. Disco should be in Melbourne by now, will check it out and get it towed over to you guys on Monday.


And will be bad news for the new Defender drivers too. :(
You're kidding! If repairs mount up I was considering getting a new Defender instead.


What age is yours and what distance has it covered?
Bit over 5 years and 48,000km. Age and mileage aren't necessarily the killers though, depends on what the vehicle's been driven through or had strike underneath.


Did it take out your tranfer or transmission?
Transmission has a very long piece of casing missing, you can see the clutch plates. Resembles one of those cutaway models you see.

[slug_burner]

Derek;

good to hear that your ok, could have been a lot worse.

hope all repaired promptly and that you get your tow vehicle sorted to pick up your van. your going to need that holiday

[blitz]

Bloody hell Derek, that looks like it could have been much worse at 125kph

hope it all works out well for you and your family.

Blythe

[Franz]

Derek,

Sorry to hear about your drama's - hope it gets sorted quickly and most of all inexpensively! Would be great id covered by insurance. BTW, do you have a suspension lift?

[George130]

Ouch. I have had a rear go like that. Happened half way up a steep climb but not a front or at speed.

[The ho har's]

I didn't releise there was a thread till now Good to see you are alright

If you win on that lotto ticket when/if you stop at our place we can celebtrate in style :angel: how lucky you were.

Thanks for the PM

Mrs ho har:D

[LSBob]

Hi Derek

Lucky it did not happen on the Bulman track, it could have then been an expensive "experience" to get it transported somewhere.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Glad to hear your OK,,, :D


saw only my second ever D2a in your colour today,,,

it was in a car yard,,,


wasnt yours I hope----
:eek::twisted::p

[dmdigital]

Hi Derek

Lucky it did not happen on the Bulman track, it could have then been an expensive "experience" to get it transported somewhere.

Luckily my wife joined AANT premium cover before we left home, about the only thing that's gone right so far:(

[Narangga]

Luckily my wife joined AANT premium cover before we left home, about the only thing that's gone right so far:(

I think that would have even covered you on the Central Arnhem Rd.

[Redback]

WOW, the things that happen while away, just read about your drama, hope it all goes OK for you and glad all aren't injured.

Not what you wanted really on top of paying for the camper trailer.

Good luck.

Baz.

[Bundalene]

Luckily my wife joined AANT premium cover before we left home, about the only thing that's gone right so far:(

That's good Derek, like you said at least that's one good thing! Our NRMA Premium Protection has helped us in the past with transport and accommodation. They did tell us we would be covered on the Bullman Track (but maybe they don't really know where it is or the cost of recovery). However our daughter has still her Premium with the NRMA even tho she lives in NE Arnhem Land. Last October she had a minor hiccup with the Defender near Gove Airport on her way to Sydney to get married. She got the car transported into Nhulunbuy, fixed up and ready for them when they returned. Plus she was given a brand new Ford Territory to drive around while here in Sydney.
So we certainly can't complain about that service.
Hope things start to improve for you.
All the best, Erich

[LandyAndy]

Nasty stuff DM,lucky not to have become an accident statistic as well.
Hopefully all is fixed asap and you get to enjoy some of your holiday.
Andrew