You can't make this stuff up.......

[DanB]

Please allow me to vent......

Last week, Drew & I leave Lorain bound for Pittsburgh for the WDCU caravan. (There's a whole bunch of stories about this, but I'll skip that for now....) Along the way, we notice a distinct exhaust humm.

The next day we drove to JC. Exhaust is more of a growl.

Next day into Elkhart, the radio is adjust accordingly.......

As we leave the campground, I notice mothers glaring and small children crying as I drive by. (sorry)

On the 4 hour drive back to Ohio, it is evident that the muffler is no longer in use and the passenger side carpet is about to erupt into flames.

About an hour outside of home, We start hearing the sound that nails make when they enter tires. You know the one, wrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

We pull off, and can't find anything. We limb it to the next exit to further check everything. Can't find a thing. But, the noise remains. I forgot to mention that the drivers side power window is failing. If it goes all the way down, the door panel must be removed to put it back up. Yea, I forgot not to do that.

We got the truck home. I had this mental image of the car exploding as it enters the driveway. I really can't complain, the "Big D" has never left me stranded.

So off to the mechanic. First the exhaust was repaired. Seems the right side exhaust manifold flange completely failed. Fairly easy fix.

Then the bad news. The rear end needs rebuilt. Also possibly the differential. So now I'm looking at $5-$800.

Now I just got a call from Drew that an old lady across the street just backed into my truck and collapsed the door. Then drove away with Drew standing behind her writing down her plate.

I'm supposed to leave for New York Friday.

Like I said, you can't make this stuff up.

[85MH325]

Dan... you're right... that's too good of a story not to be told, and you COULDN'T have made it up!

BTW, my first Airstream was a '70 Safari Special single axle... I miss it.

Roger

[pilgrim]

I'm still trying to keep up with your travels. You left Lorain, OH heading for Pittsburgh. Because of the strange noises, you went to JC, basically south-southwest and then to Elkhart. Was the trip to Elkhart due to an interior problem??? Then four hours back to Lorain - from Elkhart? Did you ever make it to Pittsburgh??

Sounds like a terrible trip, I agree. Other parts sound like they need to be told also. Better luck next time!

[DanB]

Actually, the trip was "as planned". We were part of the WBCCI WDCU Caravan to Madison. It started in Pittsburgh, stopped overnight at JC, then overnight in Elkhart.

The rest of the caravan continued to Madison. I had to be home to go to work.

The primary reason for going was the chance to be part of a really cool caravan with PeeWee. Secondary reason was to pick up a new axle from Axis in Elkhart.

Maybe I should have saved my cash for the rear end! This trip is one for the scrap book

[airbassador]

Well, if bad things really happen in threes, you should be good for awhile.

I would check salvage yards for a used rear end ($800 is too much!), door... and window switch. Maybe you need a parts vehicle!

[memgrove2000]

Ditto on the used rear end!! If the Durango is Fwd make sure that you get the same gear ratio as the old one!! ( Info can be found through a sticker in the door or the glove box on a Chevy not sure on the dodge) But there is a lot of your trucks out there that have been junked with the good parts still in tact! A rear end swap you and drew could do in the driveway! It is similar to swapping the axle on a trailer with a drive shaft (four nuts!) , one or two brake hose's and a e-brake cable. Bleed the brakes change the diff fluid ( on the floor of the garage is easy) and you are off! You can do it I have faith!

Oh and by the way THANK YOU for bringing the rock guard it looks fabulous!

Mike