Imbil State Forest - Charlie Moreland, Sunday 25/5

[Dave]

It was a relatively warm sunny day when 6 groups meet at the BP at Morayfield. The lucky people were :
- Cuboid (Trip leader),
- Capella_Ben ,
- Louis,
- Boxy,
- Dave
- Don (guest)

We travelled past Kenilworth, and shortly after turned off into the Imbul State forest. The first turn took us straight into a true offroad environment. It was a relatively steep ascent and still somewhat damp. However, no vehicles had any difficulty with the climb.

There were quite a few climbs and steep descents, but was reasonably dry, which made the track easy to navigate.


We even took a detour via a dry creek bed. It was relatively smooth in parts, but was certainly scenic.




We stopped for lunch near a creek, and afterwards continued our exploration of the area.


And that's about all the exciting things on the trip. Several hours we drove out and headed home.

Oh yes ... there was this minor little thing that happened to the Prado. It must have been that a Nissan bolt/nut was used on the steering control arm. After the bolt dropped out, it was only a matter of time that the right wheel went it's own direction, and turned so much, it pulled out the CV shaft, leaving a trail of CV bits on the ground.

I'll give a more detailed report once the Prado is fully repaired.
A big thanks to all who were very patient waiting around while the Prado received some attention, with a special thank you to Cuboid and navigator for leading this trip. There were still many other tracks to explore, so will definitely need to organise another trip in the near future.

[BenJancz]

Looks like someones mechanic has some explaining to do.

[Dalmatian]

i understand dave...


You just cant put jet fuel in a car... same thing with putting nissan parts in/on a TOYota, It just doesn't work. The stuff is designed for more power machines.

Sounds like a nasty break too. Were you able to bush mechanic it, or was it a tow home?

[Capella_Ben]

It was a good trip. We might even get a new member out of it.

There were some really steep hills, but the track was in great condition.

I still think we should have gone for a drive around the motorbike tracks on the way home....

[Dave]

Nice "come back" Tim.

But for an update and more detail.
A bolt connecting the wheel assemble to the steering rod fell out somewhere on the track, which let the front right wheel take it's own direction. This happened on a hill, but luckily on a short flat section. The wheel turned so much, it pulled our the CV shaft, and destroyed the CV joint in the process. And without the bolt to reconnect the steering arm, and car was winched to the side and left on the track. The car wanted to camp in the bush.

Monday morning I received a return phone call from a 4x4 specialist who had just installed a front e-locker. Parts were ordered, and Tuesday morning (5:30am) we returned to the vehicle. Just over an hour later, a new CV shaft and knuckle joint was installed, and the car was virtually as good as new. So it wasn't any challenge to drive it back onto bitumen. To be on the safe side, the vehicle was towed back to Brisbane for a full checkup in the workshop.

So my car was delivered to my door step tonight. A great service by the 4x4 specialist which was really appreciated.

Now .... we need a trip to test out that front locker. Maybe we need to return to Imbul and explore some of those side tracks.

Thanks again to all who patiently waited around on Sunday while attempting to repair the vehicle.

[cuboid]

I only have a few photos to add



The wounded Toyota and surrounding apprentice council workers


Ben's dad doing his best to get the car back on the track

[krn]

So pleased to hear all repairs made and your vehicle is back on the road Dave