Day 09; 15-07-2012

Today was fixit day.  After cutting an inspection portal in the back panel of the van, we got to see the extent of damage to the winding mechanism.  On the positive side, I have learned a load more about how this mechanism works.

It turns out the guide that the push rod runs in was bent which kinked the box section enough to crimp itself on to the push rod thus restricting it's movement to zero.

We managed to straighten the guide enough to release the push rod so that it has free movement.  Luckily, nothing was actually broken.

So we now have it free standing without any extra support.  Tomorrow will be the litmus test when we wind it down for our trip to Derby and then up again at the other end.

Links:
Google Maps reference is -18 12.50, 125 35.05
See more images at... https://picasaweb.google.com/106361511620108780730/Day091507201202

Day 08; 14-07-2012

We got away from the Bungle Bungles Caravan Park at around 0700 as I had a date with a bloke in Hall's Creek to get a new tyre at 0900.  Total damage was $395.

Then we headed off to Fitzroy Crossing where we plan to stay 2 nights now.  It's only a small drive (about 3 hrs) to Derby which is where we need to be by Monday night for our booked tour to the Horizontal Waterfalls on Tuesday.  We're all looking forward to that after speaking to many people along the way that have done it.  It gets the thumbs up as a must see by everyone.
We had some dramas when we arrived at Fitzroy Crossing.  When Judy and I were establishing our site, we started winding up the van top when we heard this loud bang.  We had inadvertently left one of the hold down clamps still secured.  I have had thoughts of what would be the consequence of this or anything where the winding mechanism was to play up.  Well we now know because we broke something - I knew that noise wasn't gonna be good news.
We had to use Les' high lifter jack to raise one corner while the other three corners raised normally via the winder.
We have a bush mechanic solution setup at the moment to get us under way.

Each corner has their own separate winding tackle all controlled by a single main pulley and winch system.  The biggest problem is that the faulty corner is the worst to get at - in the corner sealed by the shower/toilet area.  It appears we may have to remove the entire back end of the van but that's a second choice for obvious reasons.
1st option is to cut an inspection hole in the corner which will give us external access to the relevant pulley system where the action has all gone down.  From there, we will be able to see the damage and what course of action to take.
Tomorrow morning (Sunday), we are going to launch into some repair work in order to either repair it fully or get a reusable work around that will get us home or at least to someone that repair it.  There are a couple of places in Broome that may be able to help.  Being a weekend is the big issue.
Tonight we went over to have dinner with Barb and Les (BYO).  When we got there, they were inside their tent and there were strange conversations emanating from the tent.  Dialogue like...  "Just lay there and shut up", "now roll over", "what's this" and "there's another one".  Other comments which have been censored I will not mention.  We thought they were doing kinky things with a torch.  It's lucky the tent is too thick to show the silhouettes.  It turned out they were searching each other for ticks which they picked up somewhere.  After talking to a lady in the laundry, Barb learned that they are grass ticks which are fairly common around here.  Anyway, drama averted.  Barb, Les, the neighbours and us have all undergone counseling and all is good.  Very funny from a spectator's perspective though..

Links:
Google Maps reference is -18 12.50, 125 35.05
See more images at... https://picasaweb.google.com/106361511620108780730/Day0814072012