The next morning was the final stretch to Tuktoyuktuk and the Artic Ocean. Started out uneventful except I heard a popping sound coming from the front end while I was turning. It almost sounded a like a U-joint locking up or binding, but I actually didn't feel anything happen so I kinda ignored it and thought I'd look at it that night. Of course that was a mistake.
Halfway up to Tuk, which put me halfway between nowhere and the edge of nowhere, I decided to shift into 4-hi because the roads were so slippery. Thats when I found out what the popping sound was.
(In this picture, the clamp had already been removed)
In preparation for this trip I rebuild almost everything on the Jeep. Newly rebuild engine, transmission, transfer case, rear axles, ball joints, drag link, U-joints, etc. However, the one part I wasn't able to source was a right hand drive tie rod for a jeep cj. I've had it on back order from 2 different places for over a year, and even called up Crown to see if they had any available, but they informed me they no longer manufacture it. But I wasn't too worried about it, the tie rod joint still felt tight, and I felt it would be fine. But I guess the stress from all the rough roads finally stripped out the threads, to the point the TRE would just slip in and out.
What made it worse was I was stuck in the middle of the road in the rain, and although the Dempster is a pretty remote road, there a surprising amount of semi truck traffic delivering supplies. And those trucks don't slow down or move over for anyone. So in a panic, I desperately had to get the jeep off the road. So I shifted into 4-lo, locked the left front tire and just limped my way up a gravel incline. So stuck on the side of the road I hammered the tie rod as much as I could, then tightened the clamp until I was able to get it to grip. Wasn't great, but I was about 100 miles from reaching the Artic and I didn't want to turn around. So off we went but at a much slower pace, so instead of a 2.5 hour drive from inuvik, i think it ended up being 6-7 hour on the road.
Onward
Finally made it. At this point I was beaten down and just wanted to park.
We grabbed some dinner, my son tried (unsuccessfully) to eat some muktuk, walked around town, and explored the beach before heading back to the campsite.
Finally back at camp I figured I couldn't put off the inevitable and started crawling under the car. The ground mat that you see on the ground is actually a waxed canvas log carrier. A long time ago, I somehow got dragged into the youtube rabbit hole of custom boots being cut in half, bespoke work clothes, and waxed canvas. So, being easily manipulated, I decided I needed to buy something made of waxed canvas, but didn't want to spend 100's of dollars on something nice. So this log carrier was I think $20 or so. Bought it, threw my logs in it, and forgot about it for years. Until the night before my trip I saw it and thought, hmm....some type of bag that folds flat open might come in handy, even if just to hold my tools. So I threw it in the jeep at the last minute. But it's come in so handy on this trip as a creeper mat and a place to put tools.
Since i wasn't planning on doing any serious off roading on this trip, in place of a winch I opted to put a toolbox so I could hold some spare parts and fluids.
Hard to show in a picture, but even with the clamp tightened all the way the tie rod was loose and would wiggle all around. Considering I was on the edge of the Arctic ocean and had trouble finding a can of coke, I think the chances of finding a replacement tie rod that would work was less than zero. I dug around my toolbox and all supplies, laying them out Apollo 13 style (anyone remember that movie?) and figured if I could shim the gap, I might be able to tighten the clamp enough to get it to hold. I was about the cut up my spare oil filter to make some shim stock, when I remembered the metal zip ties I had it my tool roll. So, shoving 3 of those in place and cranking down on the clamp, there it is.
Satisfied with my fix I went to bed. This is around 11pm, I believe the sun wouldn't set for another hour or so.
