[Dangling_Dave]

Went wheeling last weekend (4/28-4/30) at Moab and took a little damage to the Bronco. The Nag and I were wheeling on Saturday afternoon on Moab Rim. We got about 100' or so up the trail to the point of where that huge rock pushes you out alongside the edge of the cliff. I needed a spot so the guy that was with me hopped out of the Bronco and started saying "turn left". I told him that I had the wheel all the way over. Mark then looked under my truck and said "oh shit"... Turns out my sector shaft on the steering gear box snapped in half.

About that time Nathan came down the trail to see why I was taking so long. Turns out he carries just about an entire Bronco with him when he wheels. He had a spare steering gear box (70# or so) bolted under his Bronco. We used a come along on the steering knuckles so I could back down to a place where we could work on the Bronco and it took us two hours or so to get it replaced.

I don't have the other pictures of the weekend but here are some shots of the carnage.

dc

 

[jrdbronco]

niiiiiice. at least it was a clean break and didnt take anything else out

 

[Dangling_Dave]

Yes I am glad it happened at 1/2 mile per hour vs. 75 on the highway.

dc

 

[dogonmut]

Well...

That's one way to get a pitman arm off a Bronco.

 

[Redwagon]

:shocked that dont look good...

 

[ToddACimer]

That's pretty cool I've never seen one of those broken before

 

[Redwagon]

That's pretty cool I've never seen one of those broken before

Im hoping that I never do...but shit Todd with all your carnage suprised you havent done it yet...:goodfinge

 

[ToddACimer]

Im hoping that I never do...but shit Todd with all your carnage suprised you havent done it yet...:goodfinge

I've broken cooler shit... or something like that. I tried taking my pitman arm off one time I couldnt get it, I even broke the pitman arm puller. Heated it up pretty good too and it still wouldnt come off.

 

[Andy351]

impressive, have not seen one of those break yet on a bronco. now i am scared with my 40s...

 

[Dangling_Dave]

Yes it was really weird. Did not make any noise or anything. Just sheared off.

dc

 

[Guest]

The Nag has an entire kitchen, hotel, and auto parts store in that back of that bronco.

If there was ever a nuclear war i would imagine nate is best prepared :beer

 

[Burl Swift]

The Nag has an entire kitchen, hotel, and auto parts store in that back of that bronco.

If there was ever a nuclear war i would imagine nate is best prepared :beer

And he SLEEPS in there too!

I was pretty impressed by all the stuff we was packin' when we met up in American Fork.

 

[Dustin]

impressive, have not seen one of those break yet on a bronco. now i am scared with my 40s...

Ive broke one too. however mine didnt shear off completely. I hit a rock in martinenz canyon that yanked the wheel out of my hand and took it to full lock. got back on the hwy and noticed the steering wheel off center. I stoped check it over, could see anything, proceded to drive home at 75mph. decided to take the pitman arm off to look at the box since I couldnt see anythign wrong with it on. as soon as I did the shaft fell apart and opened up a huge crack in the shaft. I got lucky it didnt shear off on the hwy!

 

[topfisherman]

Wow, that's impressive. :shocked It is amazing that it didn't even make a noise.

 

[peteyg]

That's pretty good carnage there. I've never seen a broken sector shaft before, but I did break a pitman arm right in half once. We welded it back together on the trail...

That was a VERY interesting drive home that day....

 

[thenag]

The Nag has an entire kitchen, hotel, and auto parts store in that back of that bronco.

If there was ever a nuclear war i would imagine nate is best prepared :beer

technically this time the spare part was under the bronco.

I really threw it up there thinking it would be the best insurance of never needing it.
http://www.supermotors.net/clubs/superford/vehicles/registry/showmedia.php?id=85962

At the gatherings in Moab between the 10ish broncos we have I bet we could pretty much build a whole spare bronco. especially if Keith L is there.

I am a little paranoid now and am wondering what vehicle would be the best to get a gently used box off of? I am thinking Van, or Ranger. what years PS boxes are identical to broncos? anyone anyone?

Nathan

 

[Crazed]

Jim broke one on our christmas tree run a few years ago (78bronco460)

:toothless

 

[TTBlows]

I am a little paranoid now and am wondering what vehicle would be the best to get a gently used box off of? I am thinking Van, or Ranger. what years PS boxes are identical to broncos? anyone anyone?

Nathan

Vans, Rangers, BII's. Not sure about Exploders?

 

[TTBlows]

Jim broke one on our christmas tree run a few years ago (78bronco460)

Yeah but it's common on the '78/9 Sag boxes. Seems much less common on the '80+ boxes.

 

[Guest]

keyyrist that looks cold. Brrrrr..