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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:58 am Post subject: OPERATION: StuckFoose! |
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I have a reputation for breaking things, and sometimes that leaves me in places unable to drive back home without help. This is to point out just how amazing The samba people can be. If your reading this, I urge you next time you see a Person in need, especially if they drive an aircooled VW or something like that, that you take 5 minutes to ask if they need help. just pulling off to see if they are okay can work miracles like you couldn't possibly understand.
This is a story about Kevin:
no, not the minion...
He Goes By Xevin, the Great I might add.
a few weeks back, I was scheduled to go camping with Xevin Near mount St Helens, but mere days before the trip, on a cool evening on a not so smooth road between wenachee and Ellensburg,
I came to an unavoidable stop, when my axle decided it wanted to push my bus no further...
I call tow truck, pay a whopping 950 bucks to get out of the woods, and back to wenachee, and get a ride home with local family. I leave my bus at the tow company and vow to return to fix it and drive home....
well, when I call Xevin to cancel, he simply suggested giving me a ride over to wenachee to get it fixed, then following me part way home to make sure I am good to go.
Xevin lives in Portland, three hours south of me, and im 2 hours west of wenachee. that 5 hours of drive time just to help out
so I build an axle to install, and he comes up wednesday afternoon, we get to levenworth around 7 or 8, and what does Xevin do? BUYS ME DINNER. yeah, me, the broke down, I just cancelled our super awesome camping trip, VW guy. why? Ask him, cause I certainly don't know!
after an awesome dinner, I drive the rest of the way into wenachee ( I don't drink, and this worked in his Favor. )
we find a motel 6 and Xevin pays for that. why? again, ask him. I am so thankful at this point, its hard not to talk without saying thank you!
we get up the next morning to find the bus, and we get to the shop, pay I pay the bill, and we head out to see lil miss maisy...
still on the truck...how convenient, I don't have to jack it up and theres nearly 3 feet of room under it to toss in the fresh Joint (CV joint...stay focused!)
I quickly tear out the old one, held in by the last two bolts since I didn't quite get it out before the tow truck showed up....and Xevin starts wandering and taking pictures of things...
just about 10 minutes later, I have the new joint in, and this is what came out:
ended up being this:
Xevin helped repeatedly, handing me tools, and reminding me to double check CV bolts for tightness to avoid losing it.
test drove around the parking lot:
and we take off to find breakfast! or, what ended up being lunch breakfast combo....
Xevin follows me down to Ellensburg on the paved highway 97, and snapped a few pics:
passing a semi truck:
Just want to use this as a chance to thank everyone who has helped a stranded VW owner, or anyone on the side of the road, and thank you Xevin for going beyond the call of duty and just being willing to help so much. Love you man, you're a friend I am very thankful I got the chance to meet you.
(among others, as there is quite a list, but this ones aimed right at you. ) _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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Wasted youth Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2012 Posts: 5134 Location: California's Hot and Smoggy Central Valley
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:04 am Post subject: |
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Wow! Great Karma, right!
You owe him at least a short block. |
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 3:10 am Post subject: |
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I owe him a campout and I gave him some parts he was looking for. not nearly what he was deserving of, but the best I can offer these days.
maybe a few campouts.... _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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madmike Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005 Posts: 5291 Location: Atlanta,Michigan
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 8:35 am Post subject: |
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That's quite a tow bill Very reason to carry a spare even brand new at the FLAPS their only $80
Check the bolts often if you don''Locktite' them
I have bailed out a few VW Bro's on the side of the road Hope they do the same
Should be a List in my Glove box of guys I can call on when(Brokedown) in their area _________________ 'Black Ice'Drag Buggy 'Turbo'
Rail Buggy 1915 turbo
76 Drag/Street bug 2180cc 'Turbo' 11:85 @113 mph"If I go any faster I'll burn up the Hamster" ,gets 28 mpg. also 10/09/22 11.90 @115 mph
"If I'm ever on Life Support,UNPLUG Me, Then Plug me back In see if that Works" |
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madmike Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005 Posts: 5291 Location: Atlanta,Michigan
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 8:52 am Post subject: |
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Hey Stu,You should of heard the joint 'Clicking" on slow turns?? before it let go _________________ 'Black Ice'Drag Buggy 'Turbo'
Rail Buggy 1915 turbo
76 Drag/Street bug 2180cc 'Turbo' 11:85 @113 mph"If I go any faster I'll burn up the Hamster" ,gets 28 mpg. also 10/09/22 11.90 @115 mph
"If I'm ever on Life Support,UNPLUG Me, Then Plug me back In see if that Works" |
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grandpa pete Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2008 Posts: 6426 Location: St. Petersburg, FL
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DaleNW Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2012 Posts: 169 Location: Boulder, CO
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:12 am Post subject: |
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Xevon really is a class act. I've met quite a few really great people here in the Samba and general VW community. Thanks to all who've helped me and others. _________________ '78 Deluxe Westy - Loose Lucy (where I rest peacefully)
'77 Transporter (may it rest in peace) |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16922 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 10:34 am Post subject: |
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Great story.
Was that a German cv that failed? _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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CompleteHavoc Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2014 Posts: 31 Location: Crown point, in
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:06 am Post subject: |
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Great story, and one that lets me know I made the right move getting my VW Bus.
When I had my Mini Truck, I had a list of guys from different clubs around the USA that volunteer to help people in their area when they are passing through. I call it a list but the thing was a book really, close to 300 different people, most who I had no idea who they were other then their club and other people vouched for them.
I used that book 7 times in 15 years... every time someone helped or knew someone who could. I slept on floors, received tows, and had "strangers" help fix my truck time and time again.
Maybe this is something the VW community can put together too... |
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Xevin Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014 Posts: 7599
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:22 am Post subject: |
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Maybe this is something the VW community can put together too...[/quote]
And so it does
http://type2.com/
Many thanks to all the Seattle/Portland (and Samba) ACVW folks taking this novice under their wing and teaching me so much. What a good group. So many here helping for the cause. "Keep on Bus'n" |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16922 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:27 am Post subject: |
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Kevin,
Guys here pay attention when members go out of their way to help other bus drivers. If you ever need help with anything please contact me. _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:32 am Post subject: |
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It was a duralast chinese axle, and the bolts had no lock washers for a while...all thats fixed with used german hardware and joints...good to go!
And yeah, it had been ready to go for a month and was planning on fixing it when i pulled my transmission out, but it broke before i had a chance....could have been prevented, but then where would the story be? _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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Xevin Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014 Posts: 7599
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:44 am Post subject: |
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aeromech wrote: |
Kevin,
Guys here pay attention when members go out of their way to help other bus drivers. If you ever need help with anything please contact me. |
Yep, I know how you and the other fellas roll. It's infectious
This is the part were I remind all you all of the power of the Bay Window forum. I love this story.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5...f86503ccbb |
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Brian Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012 Posts: 8340 Location: Oceanside
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16922 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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It was a duralast chinese axle
Ah, I suspected that because I've never seen a failure like you had before. This thread should stand as a good example why bus drivers should stay away from the easy, cheap axles. It turned out to be not so cheap in your case. Live and learn Stu. _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51057 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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Big pat on the back for Kevin!, it's guys like you who set VW people apart from most of the rest. (that goes for Stu as well).
As for Stuart what the hell were you thinking boy?!?, Chinese axles combined with the places you go in that bus is a recipe for a long walk, I guess there'll be a spare under the bed from now on eh? _________________ Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Слава Україні! |
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notchboy Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002 Posts: 22416 Location: Escondido CA
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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Aeromech and busdaddy, yes, no more cheap parts, all German and a spare one under the back seat for sure. _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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Jody '71 Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2842 Location: Manassas VA
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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Great story Stuart... So, who sells the best German axels out there now??? Which vendor of the regular bunch we deal with online has the best German product and what price? _________________ '66 Beetle
2011 Hyundai Elantra Touring |
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