When I have a problem I cannot diagnose, my first call is to Bruce at Bogart Engineering. He has helped me solve many issues by tracking down the sound.
I persuaded Bruce to share his knowledge with us.
You’re driving home after a great day of off-roading and notice a new noise coming from somewhere in the Jeep. Dayum. Whattheheckisthat? Well, as off-roaders we are always seeking new challenges. One of those challenges that’s a little unwelcome is the appearance of those new noises. You wonder what’s going to happen. Will the motor quit and leave me stranded? Will it suddenly steer itself off the highway? So you pull off the road and open the hood. You look inside. Yep, the motor is still there. Good. You look under the vehicle. Nothing hanging down. Now what? You call a friend who’s a good mechanic. “What does it sound like?” he asks. You answer as intelligently as possible “Clackety clackety clack”. He replies “Sounds like the clacker to me. Better have it towed.” We don’t want this scene, do we? Well, I’m gonna tell you how to identify what’s happening in your vehicle and how to better communicate remotely with your buddy the mechanic.
The Source of a NoiseThe source of a noise is identified by a combination of characteristics and a process of elimination: Speed (frequency)-under what circumstances does the speed of the noise increase and decrease?
Nature of Sound
TIPS:
So to summarize, now you can call your mechanic and tell him: “I’ve got a four-times road speed eek-eek in the rear. Whaddyathink?” To which he can reply: “Sounds like a bad pinion bearing. Check your gear lube. Drive slow with steady throttle. Watch for leakage at the rear of the driveshaft. If it gets worse, get it towed. Bring it to me in the morning.” Bruce Bogart, AKA “Pappy”, has been swappin’ lies around the campfire for over twenty years. He’s the inventor of the Plugzit and Starterita. After 45 years with cars of every description and ten trips across the Rubicon, he’s surely heard every bent and broken part imaginable. Although he’s become something of a recluse, he still enjoys hearing new lies and war stories at jbrucebogart@gmail.com. |
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Related Articles from Badlands Off-road Adventures |
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Major Events Planned for 2012Badlands Off-Road adventures, Inc. has a number of significant events on the schedule for this year. If you wish to participate, you need to start making plans soon. Some events have early due dates, may require significant preparations, have limited positions and require time off from work. And of course we will have our Mojave Road and Death Valley Adventure Trips. See details below. |
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March Events
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Tierra Del Sol Winch Safety Demo Friday March 02, 2012
Join Tom Severin and Frenchie La Chance for a winch demo Friday March 2, 2012 at 3:00 PM in the training course at Ocotillo Wells SVRA. Sponsored by Superwinch and International 4 Wheel Drive Trainers Association (I4WDTA). More Details...see page 3 |
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Getting Started Off-road Driving Clinic March 10, 2012The clinic is held in Hungry Valley State Vehicle Recreation Area near Gorman CA. This clinic is specifically designed to meet the needs of novice off-highway drivers or someone with a bit of experience who is looking for a more complete understanding. This is a one-day session. The session includes classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. More Details... You can register directly here |
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Advanced Beginner Clinic March 11, 2012The clinic is held in the El Paso Mountains near Mojave CA. The goal is to help you get a "better feel" for tire placement and to visualize the obstacles as they move into your blind zone. You will gain more behind the wheel experience combined with picking lines. The difficulty level is one step higher than the basic class and you can expect some pin striping. More Details... You can register directly here |
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OAUSA Amateur Radio Testing plus Meet & Greet March 17OAUSA will hold the annual Meet & Greet on March 17, 2012, at the Ruby's Diner in Redondo Beach California. Ruby's is located right on the beach in Redondo and offers a perfect setting for this get together. There will be a special section for display of outdoor vehicles, a testing session for all levels of Ham Radio Licensing, Ham Radio demonstrations, guest speakers, emergency preparedness information, and great food at Ruby's. More Details... |
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Death Valley March 16 to 19, 2012This is a 4 day trip on the back roads in Death Valley. We will drive the Panamint Mountains, drive past Badwater Basin (lowest spot in North America), visit Chloride Ghost town, Titus Canyon, check out Ubehebe Crater, Teakettle junction, The Race Track & Lippencott Mine Road, camp at the Warm Springs and leave via Steal Pass up to the high meadows, then take Dedeckera Canyon down to the Eureka Sand Dunes. All four days will see some light to moderate 4-wheeling. Much of the trip is quite remote with random or no cell service. Click here to check out the details and sign up on the website: Or register directly here. |
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Mojave Road March 24 - 26We will follow the Old Mojave Road for 3 days. This was the earliest wagon road into California. Traveling the Mojave Road isn't a picnic but it is a great family style 4-Wheel drive trip / Expedition. It's a 3-day excursion, best made in convoy with other 4-wheelers. The Mojave Road was a main wagon trail for many years between the Beale wagon road in AZ and the West Coast. The terrain is mostly desert; some hills over the various mountain ranges; a dry lake; water crossings; canyons; and areas of soft sand. We will visit tons of history and see some incredible views. The 4 Wheeling is quite mild. More Details You can register at Mojave Road Registration |
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The Badlands Off-road Adventures Store |
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