It’s hard to say exactly what tools you should carry under all circumstances. There are bound to be occasions that arise when you wish you had that super-duper speciality tool that costs hundreds of dollars but would be ideal just this once! However, on most occasions the items in the All-the-Time Kit should see you through most problems.
Read more...

Carrying spares, both generic and specific to your vehicle (and knowing how to use them!) will get you out of most problems and is considered good trail etiquette too. Make sure you have spares appropriate to the duration and remoteness of your trip, the severity of the terrain, and your driving/breaking-things style. Most of us will want to be driving home from the trail head at the end of the day.
Read more...

To ensure your safety and the safety of others on the trails, the Northern Alberta 4WD Association has adopted the following vehicle and equipment requirements for any vehicle participating in an NA4WDA trail event.
Read more...

Diagnosing Noise

• Whirring noise only while decelerating at any or all speeds is most likely caused by bad pinion bearings or loose pinion bearing preload, and almost never by bad ring and pinion gears.
• A howl or whine during acceleration over a small or large speed range is usually caused by worn ring and pinion gears or improper gear set up.
• Rumbling or whirring at speeds over about 20 mph can be caused by worn carrier bearings. The noise may change while turning.
• Regular clunking every few feet may indicate broken ring or pinion gears.
• Banging or clunking only on corners can be caused by broken spider gears, lack of sufficient positraction lubrication, or worn positraction clutches.
• Rumble while turning may indicate bad wheel bearings.
• A steady vibration that increases with the vehicle’s speed can be caused by worn u-joints or an out of balance driveshaft.
• Clunking only when starting to move or getting on and off the gas might be loose yokes, bad u-joints or worn transfer case or transmission parts

Read more...

Just thought I would shed a little light on to the great world of differential Lockers and Limited Slips. I hope that this helps people to better understand the recommended usages of each type. This is just a list of the styles of Lockers and LSD's that I have used in the past. This is by no means a complete list. As i get more info on other types I will post them to.

Read more...