nick4884
24th October 2011, 08:19 PM
Hi everyone!
Having bought my first GQ Patrol (well it's badged a Ford Maverick, does that still count?) yesterday, I'm keen on getting into a community of like minded enthusiasts.
My name's Nick, I'm 27 years old and I just returned to Perth with my German wife after spending almost 4 years in Vienna, Austria. Now it's time to spend a few years (who knows how many) in Australia enjoy the many delights - two of those being getting off the beaten track and surfing! Hence the Patrol (Maverick - if thats tolerated :tongue:)
We managed to get a 1989 4.2ltr petrol model with 270 000 on the clock for $4500, which is pretty good for Perth prices. It's got a bull bar, tow bar, good semi road tyres and a gas conversion which runs pretty damn well.
As I inspected the car twice before buying, I knew that the thrust bearing and the whole clutch in general was on its way out... I just thought it would last more than one trip!!!!! After driving 50 odd minutes from Kwinana, south of Perth, to the northern Perth suburbs, the clutch died at the lights - i couldn't put it into first!!! It could be leaking clutch fluid, but judging from the amazing sound hte thrust bearing was putting out and the clutch point milimetres away from the floor plan, I'd say the whole thing is on its way out!!! My wife was behind me in my 77 mk2 escort 2 door and the poor thing was pretty ruined - she was so proud to buy the car with me (her first own car purchase) and there we were broken down before we got home. I had to laugh about it - there was nothing else to do. After jumping our and reassurung her I popped the Patrol into 2nd before starting the engine and crawled the last 1km home. In the end I had her laughing too, as my neighbours probably all think I'm a dud as they've seen my escort on the back of a trailer numerous times and we actually managed to buy a 'bomb' and get it home without the neighbours having a clue about what happened.
Hope my little story caused a few chuckles out there :smile:
Now its time to get stuck into the world of Patrols and 4x4 - kicking off with a clutch change. Looking forward to the challenge.
I'm also looking forward to getting to know some people on the forums - it looks like there's a lot happening here!
And if there are any German speaking people in WA looking for some German mates contact me und wir koennen uns auf ein paar Bierchen treffen!
Cheers
Nick
Having bought my first GQ Patrol (well it's badged a Ford Maverick, does that still count?) yesterday, I'm keen on getting into a community of like minded enthusiasts.
My name's Nick, I'm 27 years old and I just returned to Perth with my German wife after spending almost 4 years in Vienna, Austria. Now it's time to spend a few years (who knows how many) in Australia enjoy the many delights - two of those being getting off the beaten track and surfing! Hence the Patrol (Maverick - if thats tolerated :tongue:)
We managed to get a 1989 4.2ltr petrol model with 270 000 on the clock for $4500, which is pretty good for Perth prices. It's got a bull bar, tow bar, good semi road tyres and a gas conversion which runs pretty damn well.
As I inspected the car twice before buying, I knew that the thrust bearing and the whole clutch in general was on its way out... I just thought it would last more than one trip!!!!! After driving 50 odd minutes from Kwinana, south of Perth, to the northern Perth suburbs, the clutch died at the lights - i couldn't put it into first!!! It could be leaking clutch fluid, but judging from the amazing sound hte thrust bearing was putting out and the clutch point milimetres away from the floor plan, I'd say the whole thing is on its way out!!! My wife was behind me in my 77 mk2 escort 2 door and the poor thing was pretty ruined - she was so proud to buy the car with me (her first own car purchase) and there we were broken down before we got home. I had to laugh about it - there was nothing else to do. After jumping our and reassurung her I popped the Patrol into 2nd before starting the engine and crawled the last 1km home. In the end I had her laughing too, as my neighbours probably all think I'm a dud as they've seen my escort on the back of a trailer numerous times and we actually managed to buy a 'bomb' and get it home without the neighbours having a clue about what happened.
Hope my little story caused a few chuckles out there :smile:
Now its time to get stuck into the world of Patrols and 4x4 - kicking off with a clutch change. Looking forward to the challenge.
I'm also looking forward to getting to know some people on the forums - it looks like there's a lot happening here!
And if there are any German speaking people in WA looking for some German mates contact me und wir koennen uns auf ein paar Bierchen treffen!
Cheers
Nick