Outer Limits 4x4 Board

G'day all,

after bending a lower control arm the other day we chucked in a set of heavy duty arms and panhards. Now the truck was driving fin before hand, but after it was all in I went for a drive and found that I had very low power at high revs, only just enough forward movement to change from 2nd to 3rd at 3-4 grand. The only thing I can think of is that the hand brake has jammed on (we were using this to hold the wheel still while rotating the diff to get the arms in).

Does this sound plausible?

I am a little concerned, but oil levels are fine, no new noises, just slug like power. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, what were your experiences and what did you do to overcome it.

Cheers,
GFN

Try going for a short drive to see if the hand brake drum is red hot

Or have you pinched a fuel line when the diff rotated after the bent arm

I will try taking a short drive later tonight to check the handbrake drum. I doubt it is a fuel line as we drove back with 'loner' control arm from Newcastle to Sydney at normal function.

Hopefully jsut the handbrake then.

GFN

Soooooo, anyone got any ideas for this problem when the handbrake drum isn't hot?

The GQ is a petrol 1990 model.

Cheers,
GFN

Mate are the Rear brakes somehow stuck on

after mucking around near the brake lines did you pinch a line

I know its very unlikely

Can't see a pinched brake line anywhere. I am stumped; I think I might pull apart the hand brake drum anyway.

jack it up and put it on stands and see if it turns freely

Easy test, put it in neutral with brakes off and see if you can push it by hand. If yes then look elsewhere ...

Are the 'heavy duty" arms longer than stock ?

Right,

So, I looked through all the possible problem areas in a systematic easy fix to hard fix fashion. The handbrake was not stuck on as the drum came off freely, but it was full of crud and not too far from jamming (I cleaned it all up). With the tail shaft off I jacked the rear axel up and tried turning the wheels by hand from the diff centre - this was quite hard, but do-able, so not the problem. I reconnected the driveline and turned the truck on, slipped it into gear and gave it some revs. The wheels didn't turn, I revved harder, they turned: Interesting. Taking out the axel stands I decided one last final test: Into gear, foot off clutch, foot off accelerator, foot on brake. It didn't stall. I had finally found the problem...my clutch is cactus.

It was parked around the corner from the local mechanics, so we towed it in. Looks likely to cost $1500 for a heavy duty clutch and labour. Annoys me a lot, but I don't have the space to do it myself and street repairs only stretch to the minor ares!

At least I now know it has a strong clutch that will last now. Before I finish writing I will let you in on the condition of the old clutch. I pooped down to the garage and had a look. The clutch still had a little life in it, but the bearings and the pressure plate were rusted to all hell. It had gotten to the point where the pressure plate was actually seized open - one of the previos owners has told a porky pie to one of the new owners...grrrr.

Cheers,
GFN