Pan American Highway progress updates

[AWo]

@globalgregors Did they check/inspect that your calliper is functioning correctly? The only time I have seen a significant difference in wear between outside and inside brake pads was if the brake caliper slides were seized or the caliper piston was not retracting properly after being applied. Your pictures definitely show abnormal wear and should not be dismissed without finding the root cause.

Exactly. All brakes are designed in a manner that the pressure is equal on both sides. If one side shows more wear, something is wrong.

AWo

 

[globalgregors]

thanks!

do you also have a procedure for replacing the pads?

I’ve not done this on the Gren but it’s not a difficult task.

In this case I had a warning showing, was on the service interval and wanted to change out transfer/axle oils, all while keeping warranty.

Headed to Dilawri Ineos in Mississauga (Toronto) for the work.
Harneet, Shub, Ray and the whole team couldn’t have been more welcoming and helpful.

 

[globalgregors]

I have a theory...
As fas as I can see there is no return spring under the park brake handle or at the adjustment point under the rear seat. The return force might only be from the short extension springs fitted on each rear caliper. Perhaps that's not enough.
The park brake looks like it operates via a lever onto the back of the inner brake pad on each rear caliper. Maybe through a cam? I have no experience with this arrangement or Brembo calipers so this is a guess.
Unusually for an offroad vehicle there are no shrouds to protect the rear discs from kicked up road debris and dust. Because of the low return force, it may be that the inner pad is always in light contact with the disc, or the gap is so small that it fills with dust and grinds away at the pad. It's a big amount of wear difference over 43,000km (25,800 miles) hence it's a theory and maybe a bad one. A quick Google does return stories about sticky guides and pins on Brembo products so that's definitely worth a look.

I’ve posed this amongst my own inexpert postulations back to Ineos USCA. Let’s see if anything comes back.

 

[globalgregors]

@globalgregors I have driven quite a bit of BC and AK and your photo there in Post #23 just absolutely knocks me out of my seat.

On one hand, it's "typical" scenery there. As you know. But on the other hand, OH MY GOD I want to drive that road right NOW. Keep On Truckin'.

Yep, amazing views on the Dempster… north Klondike Valley towards Tombstone Mtn.

 

[globalgregors]

Today’s highlight: attained the Atlantic Ocean, completing the Trans-Canada crossing.
Iggy is running smooth as silk.
Replacement Wolfbox is a week or two away otherwise everything is present and functioning as normal.

 

[DenisM]

Great news! glad all going well. Our forum colleague @IslandFalconer is "somewhere" in the Atlantic vicinity (Prince Edward Island)... but a small map represents a massive area

 

[Shaky]

Well done mate and Iggy looks in fine fettle still

 

[globalgregors]

Great news! glad all going well. Our forum colleague @IslandFalconer is "somewhere" in the Atlantic vicinity (Prince Edward Island)... but a small map represents a massive area

Oh, that’s good to know - we’re headed to Nova Scotia after Newfoundland. I’ll take a look!

 

[parb]

Where is the next big leg taking you? East to West or crossing the Atlantic?

 

[globalgregors]

Where is the next big leg taking you? East to West or crossing the Atlantic?

We’re on Prince Edward Island at present. Next leg is New England down into Boston for a service.

In the larger scheme, south through the US to Mexico before shipping to Columbia ~December.

 

[Tom109]

We’re on Prince Edward Island at present. Next leg is New England down into Boston for a service.

In the larger scheme, south through the US to Mexico before shipping to Columbia ~December.

Post a heads-up if you’ll be heading down the East Coast!

 

[parb]

If you're coming through California before heading down Mexico, holler!

Don't miss new Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. Breath taking off-road.
Check out trans America trail.

 

[Logsplitter]

We’re on Prince Edward Island at present. Next leg is New England down into Boston for a service.

In the larger scheme, south through the US to Mexico before shipping to Columbia ~December.

Watching with interest as our next big trip will probably be South America.

 

[globalgregors]

Canada legs completed, including great drives such as the Alcan, Dempster, Expedition 51° (Québec-Labrador) and Trans-Canada Highways. Our Canada parks pass also got a real workout.

Driving Canada only in summer admittedly seems like cheating but there really is so much to offer.

Unlike Oz a roadtrip only scratches the surface however - aircraft, canoe or snowmobile is required to penetrate the back country, and a few expeditions have been added to the bucket list.

Thanks to Ineos Automotive North America for the arduous use guidance and the team at Dilawri Ineos Toronto (Missisauga to be precise) who performed a scheduled service on maybe the first and only diesel they’ll see for a while. Apart from the suspect brake caliper reported earlier, and a temporary - as yet undiagnosed - starter motor fault, Iggy has performed flawlessly in mostly highway conditions.

Next phase is New England and down into Boston for a service, something along these lines.

Presently doing a bit of Appalachian Trail hiking and taking in the fall colours through Maine. Thanks to @AngusMacG who has helped us chase peak foliage!

 

[globalgregors]

Crossed into Mexico today, bringing our US itinerary to a close.

Stopped by San Antonio for a few days where the great team at Sewell Ineos Grenadier performed a minor service and repaired/replaced a side mirror that caught some debris on the interstate.

San Antonio is where we officially rejoined our original 2019-20 RTW itinerary, so rudely interrupted by the pandemic. We had a couple of months here back in the day, as we waited for lockdowns to be lifted. It was a pleasure to be back and to experience the city back to normal, and to take up where we’d left off five years ago.

The only other damage to report since Canada is yet another windscreen chip, sustained on the same day as the mirror damage above… albeit in a separate incident. This brings the count of windscreen strikes to four.

We took the opportunity to swap the 285/70 KO2s for 285/75 KO3s before departing. Very happy so far, new boots notably quieter on road, and feel a bit better in the wet. Yet to test them out off road.

Final modification was to replace the Frontrunner Wolf Pack Pros strapped up top with a 80L Minuteman case from Decked. We got a good price on this at Hawkes Outdoors, who carry a solid range of overlanding kit if you’re in the market. I’ve ended up bolting the new case down, and between its included lock and provision for additional padlocks (and an additional 20L versus the combined Wolf Packs) it equates to more capacity, better security, and a tidier install for much the same footprint.

Better photos as an opportunity presents.

Hard to pin down a highlight from our time in the US, but it’s been great to encounter other owners, many of them Forum members, in several states. We’ve been shown tremendous hospitality, including a fantastic drive day/weekend held by Ko Ineos, ROKO Vehicles and Vermont Overland, a catchup with Virginia/DC owners and a warm welcome at Ineos US HQ.

Shoutout also to the several owners and soon-to-be owners that have said hello after spotting us on the street or trail… and of course the many enthusiasts encountering a Grenadier or just an Australian expedition rig for the first time.

We’re actually pretty relieved to have made it over the border successfully. With a 3550kg GVM our Australian vehicle technically exceeds the 3500kg cutoff for TIP and we weren’t sure what to expect. Very smooth and fast crossing at Eagle Pass after all however so onwards we go.