Gentleman Robin Wade and OKA XT 002

Robin, about a week ago in Coolgardie. Coming up 87.

XT 002 in need of some attention.

Cheers,
Peter

Yes a true gentleman, always very helpful and full of Oka knowledge.

Yes, a true gentleman. We visited him a few years ago, and not long after leaving our water pump fell apart. Robin came to our aid, saw us safely to an excellent mechanic in Kalgoorlie despite him having a very busy day. A great man.

Yes, we overnighter in the free camp in koolgardie 18 months ago, and I as I walked past his old garage, he came along in his roadside assist service van so we had a bit of a catch-up

We met him earlier this year on our way back from Perth when collecting our OKA. He helped me out with a replacement for the driver side mirror which had fallen off & been destroyed en route. Replacement was a very second hand one for which I willingly paid him more than the cost of a new one. "You’d Know Peter & Margaret Wright with OKA 196” I said. “Of course” he said quietly with a smile.

Must agree about Robin being a kind and generous gentleman. We found ourselves at wave rock on the way up to do the gunbarrel Hwy when I notced my aircompressor hanging by its hoses and resting on the front axle. Its support bracket uses the same two M16 bolts that fix the LH engine support bracket to the engine. Both bolt heads were sheared off at the head and are in shear stress. Tried two local worshops nearby, but both too busy, so I decided to head for Calgoorlie. Got there just in time as Robin was about to leave for ten days, and he offered his workshop space and any equipment I needed to do it myself the next day. It took me two hours to remove engine mount bracket, and then start to remove the sheared portion of the bolts. Finally ended up welding a nut to the stud and with an hour of back and forward action, and much WD40 got one out. The second one was going to be tougher as less stud was protruding and the welder was very questionable, so I left it and fitted it all back together with one bolt. With no compressor and one bolt repaired we decided to abort the Gunbarrel Hwy and turned back for Adelaide. On top of that the Rockwell T/C brake flange seal had started to leak about 200ml of oil per day.
Robin is one of a very few people nowadays that would be so kind and trusting and always prepared to help an OKA driver. We will forever remember him for his generosity. Peta found on the net that Robin is one of only three people in Calgoorlie over 85, and I thought it would be nice if somehow the OKA group could acknowledge him for his assistance and generosity with all things OKA. I believe his birthday is coming up in November, exactly when I don't know.
Robin did say that he thought that there had been a recall regarding these bolts shearing, but could not remember what the solution was, mine were M16x35mm class 8,8 set screws with lots of loctite, so check yours, and if anyone knows of the solution please advise.
I am after a handbrake drum splined flanged that is not worn out as much as mine, which rocks on the splines and quickly wears out the seal. The workshop manual shows that it should be removed with a puller, mine is a sloppy fit.

Frank instead of chasing parts for the Rockwell which is an abomination and should never have been fitted to an Oka you would be better to spend the time and funds towards fitting an NP205, much more efficient, less noise and a better unit all round.

Hi
Had the same problem with mine and came up with a solution to be able to bolt it up firmly using the existing flange, its done over 100,00 now with no issue so far. I know the rockwell is not well thought of but this was a solution that was a lot cheaper than replacing the transfer case which wasn't financially possible. I have some photo's of the parts if you would like to see them. Send a txt to 0408096886 and I will send them to you.
regards Keith