How can you get better 4WD service than this ?

June . 2 km out of Mt Newman .

Engine dies suddenly. I ring Richard at ARB Northside / Traction 4 in Sydney and he gives me a list of things to check .
1 ) Fuel - pump , filters etc
2 ) Check around the accelerator cable - it can cut through one of the electric cables and was the subject of a Toyota notice to dealers .
3 ) Check the wiring loom / junction just before the fuel pump . They often fall apart .
4 ) If you have an aftermarket chip, pull it off and plug the Toyota one back in to check that .

Being a mechanical cretin , I take the easy way out and we tow it back in to a mechanic in Newman .
He thinks it's the fuel pump , but tests it and it's OK . He scratches his head at this stage . Time to start going through what Richard has suggested . It turns out that it was the performance chip , so we are off on our way again .
...........................................................................................
July . Halfway down Tanami Track .

I stop for a leak and as always , I check the caravan bearings for heat . One is hot , so I put the car on fast idle and let it amble off down the road while I walk next to the hot bearing - it's making bad noises . Oh dear . I have one bar on the Next G , so I ring Richard .

He thinks it will be the brakes , as we have just replaced the bearings . "You will have to pull the wheel off , take the bearings out , remove the wheel hub and check the brakes ". Great ! I have never done a job like that , so he gives me step by step instructions . I get down to the brakes - there are lots of bits lying inside in a pile . Richard gives me more instructions on how to remove all the parts and cut the power ( and lets me know it might make the car pull to one side if I do not disconnect the same wheel on the other side ) . I complete the job and feel very pleased with myself .

What would my trip have been like without Richard's help ? Thank you Richard and thank you ARB . Richard receives one case of Crownies tomorrow morning .

If you are a mechanical cretin like me , it's nice to have a "Richard" to help get you out of trouble .

Willie .