The "Tank" - Big, Grey and Ugly ..

[Bigrig]

Here's something I found out yesterday as well - Tony, please help me out with the terms here.

When they took the wheels off and took the CV's etc out, where the wheel bearings sit on the CV stem (spindles???) are starting to look worn - they told me that a lot of the time people get what they believe to be a bearing wobble and change them out, only to find the wobble is still there - essentially it's because the spindle? is wearing down and the bearing is loose on it. Mine weren't too bad, but they also said it is more common on nissans than toyotas (yuck) as the bearings are closer together? and hence the wheel load on the bearings is worn over a shorter distance and hence they wear quicker?

Tony - are you with me? If so, can you explain it properly please .... I'm still just an apprentice!!! lol

[Bigrig]

but wanted to be able to turn it off ... does that make sense? Not really!!! LOL

And why TJM over ARB[/QUOTE]

That's an easier one - ARB won't warrant the product if not installed by them - the agent can sell the product but has to be installed by ARB for warranty!! Being a "support the local sherriff" guy I am, I stuck with the guys I trust and put in a TJM instead (still with the ARB compressor though as they are proven and cheaper!!).

Love ARB's products, but try to support smaller players where possible so the big boys don't get all the business and hopefully it drives price competitiveness for everyone .... hopefully!! ...

[YNOT]

Here's something I found out yesterday as well - Tony, please help me out with the terms here.

When they took the wheels off and took the CV's etc out, where the wheel bearings sit on the CV stem (spindles???) are starting to look worn - they told me that a lot of the time people get what they believe to be a bearing wobble and change them out, only to find the wobble is still there - essentially it's because the spindle? is wearing down and the bearing is loose on it. Mine weren't too bad, but they also said it is more common on nissans than toyotas (yuck) as the bearings are closer together? and hence the wheel load on the bearings is worn over a shorter distance and hence they wear quicker?

Tony - are you with me? If so, can you explain it properly please .... I'm still just an apprentice!!! lol

I've not heard of this before but I can see that on high milage vehicles especially on vehicles that doo a lot of rough road miles that this could be an issue. The red arrows in the photo show where the wheel bearing casings sit on the spindle. Normally the bearing casings are a neat fit on the spindle but over time the spindle (being made of a softer material than the bearing casings) could wear causing movement between bearing and the spindle. This movement can not be adjusted out leaving spindle replacement as the only option to repair.

Tony

[Bigrig]

I've not heard of this before but I can see that on high milage vehicles especially on vehicles that doo a lot of rough road miles that this could be an issue. The red arrows in the photo show where the wheel bearing casings sit on the spindle. Normally the bearing casings are a neat fit on the spindle but over time the spindle (being made of a softer material than the bearing casings) could wear causing movement between bearing and the spindle. This movement can not be adjusted out leaving spindle replacement as the only option to repair.

Tony

Thanks mate - you're a star!!

[growler2058]

Ive become disheartened with the ARB store that i used to go to customer service and quality of some products ie rust on a brand new deluxe bar twice in exactly the same spot and have now gone over to TJM guys much better customer service and advice

[Bigrig]

Ive become disheartened with the ARB store that i used to go to customer service and quality of some products ie rust on a brand new deluxe bar twice in exactly the same spot and have now gone over to TJM guys much better customer service and advice

Yep - they just don't care. At the end of the day I can't blame them, they ate employees of large companies and like most, they are simply there to earn a wage (which is fine to a degree). I prefer to deal with a place where I can see and talk with the owner - yep, I might pay a bit more, but they generally value my business as they don't have the national reach of the big players, and when it goes to poo, they roll up the sleeves and fix the problem. That's why I go to Redlands 4WD - Peter Kitchen is the owner, he's always there, and he absolutely pulls out all stops to ensure you are not only satisfied, but that you will cone back! Smaller operators often get overlooked, and then when they fall and large players own the market, we all whinge and bitch about it ... Vicious cycle that WE absolutely contribute to.

[YNOT]

I'm with you all the way Scott. The only way for local business to survive is for us to support it. You might have to pay a little more but it's worth it to keep theses businsses alive.

Tony

[Bigrig]

Thanks mate

I'll go one step further - an example which is not trying to open a debate, but when I got my snorkel I was looking at Safari as they are a large and well known superior product (which Pete agreed with), but he suggested I go with Ironman which is actually cheaper - the reason? Because he has forged a strong dealer relationship with ironman and knows they will stand behind him and their product. Safari has a six year guarantee that they proudly splash about, and he stated "good luck trying to get them to honour it" ... essentially they'll put you through the wringer after 2 years if something goes wrong, and basically sap you of any will to get it replaced under warranty. The ironman only has twelve months warranty, but he stood by it and said if it showed true signs of perishing (or whatever), he pretty much guaranteed they'd replace it to protect the brand. Dhuck is an ex-plastics industry worker, and he said the same thing - the PVC used for them is basically the same compound when tested, but Safari use the name (big player) and a bullsh!t guarantee to price up their product - remember the movie Tommy Boy? To quote "I could take a sh!t in a shoebox and put a guarantee on the side, and all you'd have is a guaranteed piece of sh!t" ... it's the people and their genuine concern with maintaining their business that makes the difference ... and if you have to pay a bit more for that, then so be it - you'd be paying a lot more for it in future if they aren't around!!!!

[patch697]

Thanks mate

I'll go one step further - an example which is not trying to open a debate, but when I got my snorkel I was looking at Safari as they are a large and well known superior product (which Pete agreed with), but he suggested I go with Ironman which is actually cheaper - the reason? Because he has forged a strong dealer relationship with ironman and knows they will stand behind him and their product. Safari has a six year guarantee that they proudly splash about, and he stated "good luck trying to get them to honour it" ... essentially they'll put you through the wringer after 2 years if something goes wrong, and basically sap you of any will to get it replaced under warranty. The ironman only has twelve months warranty, but he stood by it and said if it showed true signs of perishing (or whatever), he pretty much guaranteed they'd replace it to protect the brand. Dhuck is an ex-plastics industry worker, and he said the same thing - the PVC used for them is basically the same compound when tested, but Safari use the name (big player) and a bullsh!t guarantee to price up their product - remember the movie Tommy Boy? To quote "I could take a sh!t in a shoebox and put a guarantee on the side, and all you'd have is a guaranteed piece of sh!t" ... it's the people and their genuine concern with maintaining their business that makes the difference ... and if you have to pay a bit more for that, then so be it - you'd be paying a lot more for it in future if they aren't around!!!!

Truer words mate & I've just been stung with the guarantee (or lack of it) thing & I tell you it hurts right where you don't need it...... Your pocket. But thats another story.

[Bigrig]

Truer words mate & I've just been stung with the guarantee (or lack of it) thing & I tell you it hurts right where you don't need it...... Your pocket. But thats another story.

Sorry to hear it mate.