Maine

Alright guys, I'm currently in Dubois Wyoming on my way back from my around America road trip. The truck did great until yesterday in Butte Montana when the alternator took a poop. Changed it in the autozone parking lot. Original one and truck has 180,000 miles. Can't be too upset. I did my best to prep my older truck for this trip but I guess I slipped up on a few things. My driver's side inner and outer cv boots are slightly ripped. I just put a ton of rubber cement on them to hopefully get me home. I'll be stopping at my brother's appt. in Milwaukee for 4 days and then head to Indiana for a few days and then back to Maine. Between where I am now in Wyoming and between Miluwakee is pretty much a straight shot with only maybe one stop at the Badlands. While I did my best to make the boot last, I grabbed the CV axle and realized that on the differential end there was quite a bit of play. I'm assuming this is the notorious front diff bearing that goes and needs to be replaced with the EGCS clamshell bushing. I have not heard the front-end growl. I am lifted 2.5" in the front. Bets on making it back to Maine? I supposed I could change the axle at my brother's but he lacks a floor jack and while the axle is out it would be dumb not to do the bushing. I remember reading on here that someone in the group has the tool needed to do the bushing. Would it be possible for me to borrow the tool? I'd happily pay for shipping. I don't remember who had it but I'm between Farmington, Waterville, and Scarborough a lot. Mostly just want opinions on if people think I'll be able to make it back to Maine. Its Wyoming to Milwaukee, grabbing my brother then heading to my grandparents in Indiana then back to Maine. I do have single bay garage space at both my brothers and grandparents and I have handtools with me but lack a jack other than the one that comes with the truck. If someone had the tool, I'll order the bushing and axle tonight. Thanks! Hopefully, someone can help a fellow Mainer in need.

 

I have one and you can definitely use it let me know when you're ready. Live in oxford if you happen to come through that area or ship

 

Your going to have play on the drivers side. if it’s not leaking, (myself) i wouldn’t touch it and re evaluate when you get back.
Of course if your going to replace the axle then yea makes sense.

 

If it's not leaking around the EGCS then I'd say no touchy for now. Swap the CV and you can always deal with the bushing when you get home, where you'll have time/tools/facilities to do it. Repairs on the road are always a gamble, and the more in-depth they are the faster things can go sideways.

 

It does not appear to be leaking. Just oil residue from the fill plug and a little grease thrown from the CV boot. I may change the CV axle at my brothers. I will re-evaluate the condition when I get there. Glad to know that it's not a huge immediate deal. I'll definitely borrow that tool, and coordinate a pickup or shipping when I get home.

 

A few of us are meeting up out at Cabelas in Scarborough at 1 tomorrow if anyone wants in

 

It’s just the detached 30x40 garage. My attached garage has openers.

 

Dam super close to my house, but I’m 4 hours south for the weekend.

 

Did I miss anything good? Pulling a 12 hour shift with the fire department until 8 tonight.

 

Yes

 

Always my luck!

 

When you sit outside and talk for five hours in a drizzle you know good shit is going on.

 

I'd be down for that. Used to do that in the north Windham Walmart parking lot back in the day

 

Heading up towards Jackman to look at acreage on Sunday, anyone suggest a pond or somewhere to wet a line? I'm more or less familiar with the area but am a novice fly fisherman (at best) and want to get some practice in, and maybe just catch something.

 

I was at Durgin Pond last week. Mayflies were hatching! If you have a canoe, would be helpful. It's a little east of Parlin Pond. Should be able to drive to it off of route 201.

 

Don't get stuck

 

No canoe unfortunately, just cheap waders. Canoe/small aluminum boat may be in my future though.

No problem, air down and go like hell!

 

I still say we need to have a local meetup in around the Freeport area. At one of the breweries, obviously. There seems to be a lot of us in that greater area

 

Yes, there are many just outside of Portland as well

 

Mast Landing is coming to Freeport in the plaza where Shaw's is located. Lots of parking. Hopefully they open soon as all the other breweries have tiny (SnS) or packed lots (MBC). I guess there's Gritty's....