CLUTCH FAILURE.

 Back in February 2011 we suffered clutch failure. We were not as aware then, of using photos to tell our stories , as we are now. Consequently we do not have many photos but the happenings are still quite interesting.

We had spent a couple of pleasant days at Gulf Harbour on our way to West Harbour.
There is quite a steep climb out of Gulf Harbour up to Whangaparoa Road and our rig just would not pull like it normally would. Down in 2nd gear we crawled over the brow and it then picked up and started to drive normally.
"What was that about ?' we mused as we made our way through to the Motorway into Auckland.
Along the motorway , down pass Oteha Valley exit and half way up the next incline we started to loose power . At least that is how it felt . Down through the gears we went , flasher lights on , and cutting across the lanes , we were in trouble.
Happily we found there was an extra lane up to the brow of the rise which allowed us to stop well out of the lanes but only just before it merged back into three lanes .  We counted our blessings.

What now ?     We needed help  - where to try ?        We rang Covi Insurance .   What a good choice.
A pleasant young man with a friendly confident voice listened to our predicament and said " I'll call you back in 10 minutes".
He did !
A tow truck was on its way and he would tow us to an Isuzu Workshop less than 3km away.
The Towie arrived - the biggest towtruck we had ever seen . A Kenworth !!!!  He hooked us on , what a sight , Kenworth + Kiwi Style + towbehind , all up about 24m to pass.

 Off the motorway at Greville Road , caused a major delay at a roundabout and then up to Diesel Services
"we will get you in the workshop about 2 o'clock" said Wayne ( the Boss ).

 And they did ! There we were 2.30pm and the work had started. The rear engine is good but fairly tightly fitted.
In the floor , under the bed were two access hatches which they needed access to . While the mechanic worked in the pit on the underside we stripped out the bed and the framing.

 By 4.00pm the clutch was out . What a mess !  . From where it first slipped to giving up the ghost was only 32km but how it lasted that long was a cause of wonder.  Wayne recommended we put in a heavy duty clutch plate . Being a constantly loaded motorhome and towing our ute he felt it would be worthwhile.  It was an extra $400.00 , we thought it would be a good investment so said OK.

  The new clutch arrived by Courier at 10.30am the next day . Neglected to get a photo but it looked pretty flash.  The bell housing had been cleaned up , new gaskets were ready so our friendly mechanic swung into action.

 The gearbox was trundled back under and lifted into place . We were inside reassembling the bed framing and making up the bed.  By 2.00pm we were out of the workshop and ready to go !!!!

Just 24 hours from whoa to go - incredible . Covi , the Towie and Wayne and his team took the stress out of the situation.  Finding a local motel to stay that night was worse . After five "No Vacancy" stops , we got a room.
Our Covi Insurance covered the towing and the accommodation and we paid the workshop account , which we considered very reasonable.

On the road and on our way --  Two Happy Kiwis , again.