Back 6 wheeling

[hipowerone]

A recent photo of my 1996 MAX II, after a romp in the muddy woods. We have had an extremely wet spring and start to summer, and the local clay soil clings to the tires like cookie dough.

MyMAX-IIad.jpg

[hipowerone]

Whoops

[hipowerone]

Another update: So, after waiting forever for the U-bolts to arrive, my mechanic buddy got them installed in quick order, and I was tickled pink when I brought the trailer back to the house and parked it in anticipation of an upcoming chance to drag the MAX for an outing. First, I had to deal with a planned 440mile trip in the van, which went off without a hitch. However, 2 days later, when getting things ready for a possible outing, I noticed an oil leak. Upon examination, I found my power steering was leaking....bad. I filled reservoir, took van for a short 20 mile ride and the PS pump was complaining about low fluid. Called my mechanic, and he has me scheduled for the repair, only problem is, it is at least a week away. As is often said, if it were not for bad luck, I would have no luck at all..... Maybe some day all the stars will align!

[hipowerone]

Another update: after waiting nearly 1 week to get my van in for the PS leak diagnosis, the mechanic determined it was the whole rack & pinion unit that was bad, and that is more than a 4+ hour job to pull and replace. With his current work load (he is a one man shop) he was not going to be able to fit it in for another 3+ weeks. He suggested I transfer the job to another shop down the road, that can do the job sooner and it is the same place he would have to transfer the van to for a FE alignment following the replacement. So, now I wait again until next week, for a possible repair, solution, and possible final attempt to get my MAX back into traveling/visiting mode. Still waiting for all the stars to align!

[hipowerone]

Another update, and this one is not so good. While waiting on van repairs, I opted to take the MAX II out for a short spin in the woods, behind my house. Mind you, I have done this somewhat frequently this summer, since having gotten the valves fixed/adjusted. It had been running great. Anyway, yesterday, I went to start it, and while it started, it was running very rough. I backed out into the drive, hoping that maybe warming up would make it settle down. Not the case. Shortly, blue smoke was coming from the exhaust. Still running very rough, I started to just drive a few yards and the smoke got worse. I turned around and by the time I got it parked, it was like someone had dumped a smoke bomb in the drive. Very dense and hard to breath in. While not diagnosed, I suspect a possible blown head gasket. It will have to go on the back burner for now, until my van is fixed. I have a couple trips that I need to make and those are more important right now. If and when I dig into this again, I will update. The stars just do not want to align this year!