350,000km seems to be the breaking point of bits

Bit of bad luck Willem.
Was it your MP3 that buggered the alternator?
Maybe the barbed wire got entangled in it!!
Must be something strange that caused it, just 350,000 kms wouldn't cause it would it?

Dave

Bit of bad luck Willem.
Was it your MP3 that buggered the alternator?
Maybe it was barbed wire that got entangled in it and shorted it out. Gotta be careful with that stuff.
Surely it must be some strange reason why the alternator gave up the ghost, just 350000Kms wouldn't cause it, would it?

Dave

Glad to hear that ole GQ is fit and ready again Willie... I was listening to part of my Video that I shot on the weekend tonight, and I overheard you say what was the noises that were coming from under my rig cresting the little steep section we did with John on Friday. Just thought I would let you know, it seems when you lift these front ends the drive shaft distance increases and the shafts have end play, the noise comes from this, they tell me it doesn't hurt but that I can pack it with shims to stop it doing it. May have to get it done some time.....

better check the heater hoses for perishing also ,mine gave out -old age-costing me a heap (recon head)

Hi Willem,
You got the right idea with the ignition and steering lock - take it off and then it'll never break down :-)
How's our little solder job from Warraweena going?

They seem like wear and tear jobs that go on all vehicles. I have done all of those except the alternator within the last 12 months.

Recently had to get left swivel hub bearings done for a bill 0f $1000. Mechanic said Nissan bearings still seem to last longer than Toyota ones though.

Barnesy

Those GQ's are a tough old beast. All the thigs you have fixed sound like regular 350,000km service items.

On a slightly serious note Willem you should also have a look at the drag link.Mine let go at about 350000km and it was not fun.

I was turning the wheel one way and the car was going the other. When I got it fixed I was told by more than one steering specialist that it was a common failure on GQ's with a few kilometres under their belt.

The failure occurs at the left front wheel with a failure of the ball joint.

Duncs

Its a bugger with those bits and bobs with every repair seemingly starting at a grand.
I said never again after the old camper I spend a fortune on with "just one more repair and shell be perfect"
keeping a close eye on the 80 I spent $800 on the aircon recently and i have a rear main weep.
Its hard though because if you look at going down the replace path How much are you going to sell a well used 4by for?
this leaves quite a bit of cash to come up with something considerably better than what you already have otherwise you can just be buying more repair bills

Hey Willim, All those repairs aren't too bad given the hard k's you do.. Keep the old baby purring...

Bit like a good woman eh......even they break down if not serviced on a regular basis.........LOL LOL

-or so I'm told

cheers

Willem I often look at how much my car is currently worth then add to that how much I expect in repairs & additional servicing in the next few years. Sometimes that amount will go along way towards a new/replacement vehicle. When the fact you're getting a new battery, windscreen, tyres etc is taken into account the balance to change over often doesn't look too bad. The main issue for me is reliability when in remote areas & although an older car can be well maintained it's near impossible to know when some items will let go. A blown gearbox out in the Simpson could cost a small fortune, something I'd rather put towards a new car. Problem is knowing exactly how long to hold onto a car before passing your problems on to someone else :-)
Cheers Craig...........