Death Valley Off-Road Adventures

AMMO461 · Oct 23, 2023

MR E30 said: ↑

Specs on the replacement bolt? I need to do this upgrade too. My COM10T bearings are always wearing out too quickly.
Click to expand...

ETAV8R · Oct 23, 2023

sawbladeduller said: ↑

rock on side of road in death valley national park august 2023

truck on road in death valley national park august 2023

truck parts with spherical bearing replacement due to driving on roads in death valley national park august 2023
oem lower control arm bolt is replaced with bolt that has longer shoulder prior to threads. oem bolt with short shoulder
promotes wear to spherical bearing.

Click to expand...

I'm more curious about what part of DV this was.

MR E30 · Oct 23, 2023

turbodb said: ↑

A bolt with longer shoulder - assuming identical shoulder diameter - shouldn't hurt, but personally I've found that spherical bearing wear is primarily the result of which spherical bearings you use; they are not all created equal.

I've written what seems like an entire dissertation on my experience with these things, which you can read in a series of posts: https://adventuretaco.com/tag/spherical-bearings/, but I'll try to include the summary here as well, I know not everyone wants to click through my stream of consciousness and thickheaded learnings over the course of several years.

It is extremely important to use FK branded bearings, and they must have the F1 fit. F1 is the FK designation for an extra-tight fit (details).

After looseness, RUST is the biggest enemy of spherical bearings, so preventing it is important. As such, using the stainless steel variant of the bearings (FKSSX10T-F1) in the lower shock eye position is worth the (small) additional cost in materials. Never use a "plain" COM10T.

For the curious, here's the overall timeline for spherical bearings in my lower front shock eye - the bearing that is subject to the most grit and grime of any bearing on the truck.

The first set (from the ADS factory, I have no idea what brand they were) lasted 22K miles

Second set of (as far as I know, unbranded, purchased from ADS) COM10T: 9K

Third set of (as far as I know, unbranded, purchased from ADS) COM10T: 7K

Fourth set of (as far as I know, unbranded, purchased from ADS) COM10T:10K

Fifth set of (as far as I know, unbranded, purchased from ADS) COM10T:9K

Sixth set of FKSSX10T-F1: 40K

Seventh set of FKSSX10T-F1: 15K so far, still "like new"

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response Dan. I recall reading this at sometime in the past, but didn't understand the severity until I experienced it myself.

I will be ordering two sets of those FKSSX10T-F1 bearings you mentioned as it is my lower front shock mount that suffers the most.

mk5 · Oct 23, 2023

Got some good ones this trip.

The creepy crawlies were out in full force for the spooky season... luckily I was quick on the draw and shot them all:

ETAV8R · Oct 28, 2023

Insane footage (not recent) of a full size towing an old school popup trailer down Lippincott at the 17:35 mark. I can't even fathom how someone would try this.

https://youtu.be/PLUzVebK_dw?si=fHYdTv9oNkEOKjfR

essjay · Oct 31, 2023

*looks at screenshot*

Without watching the video, I have to imagine that the erosion at that spot looked significantly worse after that trailer was dragged through it.

HB Taco · Nov 1, 2023

ETAV8R said: ↑

Insane footage (not recent) of a full size towing an old school popup trailer down Lippincott at the 17:35 mark. I can't even fathom how someone would try this.

https://youtu.be/PLUzVebK_dw?si=fHYdTv9oNkEOKjfR
Click to expand...

Thats one lucky and not too smart SOB. We had a popup trailer that we took to DV. Needless to say the trailer didn't see any backroads. It made a great basecamp though. Furnace creek CG

ian408 · Nov 2, 2023

DV has a job opening!

DVNP said:

Now is your chance to work with us!
Apply online; this position serves as a construction control representative in Death Valley National Park, working on projects to repair the park from flash flood damage. This Term position will manage projects to repair flood-damaged roads, utilities, and buildings in Death Valley National Park.
For more information, click here: www.usajobs.gov/job/757627400
Not for job openings.
Click to expand...

Came from their FB page.

sawbladeduller · Nov 3, 2023

sun was up. i'd driven down the grade in the dark with DRL. rolled as slow as possible with electronic braking assist, noisy but effective over the boulders. took a break for coffee, scrambled eggs and toast. relaxed in the early morning shine watching for Salpinctus Obsoletus, an effervescent, shy and fast moving small bird. mid may 2023.

jimlangfordphotography · Nov 6, 2023

Does anyone know for sure if I can get through (or not) from Trona to the 190? Thanks in advance.

DVexile · Nov 6, 2023

jimlangfordphotography said: ↑

Does anyone know for sure if I can get through (or not) from Trona to the 190? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Yep, been open since around 10/24.

DVexile · Nov 7, 2023

The latest buzz from DV:
(sorry... actually, no I'm not)

Exciting times on 190... According to CalTrans the vehicle couldn't be recovered for quite some time as it was "currently unapproachable" until the company beekeeper arrived.

sawbladeduller · Nov 20, 2023

turbodb said: ↑

A bolt with longer shoulder - assuming identical shoulder diameter - shouldn't hurt, but personally I've found that spherical bearing wear is primarily the result of which spherical bearings you use; they are not all created equal.

I've written what seems like an entire dissertation on my experience with these things, which you can read in a series of posts: https://adventuretaco.com/tag/spherical-bearings/, but I'll try to include the summary here as well, I know not everyone wants to click through my stream of consciousness and thickheaded learnings over the course of several years.

It is extremely important to use FK branded bearings, and they must have the F1 fit. F1 is the FK designation for an extra-tight fit (details).

After looseness, RUST is the biggest enemy of spherical bearings, so preventing it is important. As such, using the stainless steel variant of the bearings (FKSSX10T-F1) in the lower shock eye position is worth the (small) additional cost in materials. Never use a "plain" COM10T.

For the curious, here's the overall timeline for spherical bearings in my lower front shock eye - the bearing that is subject to the most grit and grime of any bearing on the truck.

The first set (from the ADS factory, I have no idea what brand they were) lasted 22K miles

Second set of (as far as I know, unbranded, purchased from ADS) COM10T: 9K

Third set of (as far as I know, unbranded, purchased from ADS) COM10T: 7K

Fourth set of (as far as I know, unbranded, purchased from ADS) COM10T:10K

Fifth set of (as far as I know, unbranded, purchased from ADS) COM10T:9K

Sixth set of FKSSX10T-F1: 40K

Seventh set of FKSSX10T-F1: 15K so far, still "like new"

Click to expand...

yeh ditto.
just to clarify the product used. see foto. the long shoulder bolt is key to service life.

edit out
photos from fall 2022

Stuck Sucks · Nov 11, 2023

I learned the hard way that spherical bearing wear is alive and well.

theesotericone · Nov 11, 2023

Stuck Sucks said: ↑

I learned the hard way that spherical bearing wear is alive and well.

Click to expand...

What the hell did you do to that rod end? I literally bent the rod on my passenger side and was able to re-use the rod end. lol

Stuck Sucks · Nov 11, 2023

theesotericone said: ↑

What the hell did you do to that rod end?
Click to expand...

A little thing I refer to as "deferred maintenance."

theesotericone · Nov 11, 2023

Stuck Sucks said: ↑

A little thing I refer to as "deferred maintenance."
Click to expand...

I know it well. All my wheeling buddies have heard me say "I'll fix it when it breaks". Usually that's on trail in a less then ideal spot. lol

Finbox · Nov 11, 2023

Hi,
For the bolt length- if it is not metric -you can go to aircraft spruce get a bolt with a selectable grip length. This way the shank of the bolt can be closer to the exact length needed.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/ha/bolts/anbolts.php

ETAV8R · Nov 16, 2023

Amazing videos showing road conditions for the region. The washout on 190 is no joke!

https://youtu.be/C_1Y80j8pkM?si=LFqXcJI1QwaI0v2D

https://youtu.be/sQBCJc01WL0?si=7jhSltrfk-13gNaW

DVexile · Nov 18, 2023

South entrance to the park from Shoshone via 178/Badwater is now open.

Caltrans estimates the 127 from Baker will open December 4th but with long delays due to single lane flagging/piloting until spring.

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