HELP! Overlander in need
 

Here's the story:

I'm in a 1993 Toyota Hilux Pick-Up in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and I have broken BOTH my rear springs (two leaves in each, it's driveable, but only with great care).

I have new springs waiting in the UK, but DHL want a life-changing GBP1172 to send them. Clearly this is the last resort.

What do I do? I will try the Toyota dealer, but I've a feeling they will just say Nyet.

Does anyone know any breaker's (scrap) yards for Japanese cars?
Does anyone know if springs from another model or another vehicle will fit a Hilux? (e.g. Hiace, Delica)
Does anyone know any spring specialists that could put new leaves in my springs?
Does anyone know a cheaer method to ship the springs?

I am in Almaty at present. I will check the car bazaar and the dealer, but if I have no luck I will limp on to Tashkent, so my above questions really refer to Tashkent.

Thanks for any help, I will deeply appreciate it.

Daniel

Can they not be sent as freight with one of the airlines? Cutting out the middle man of the courier company?

BA Cargo for example have an office in Almaty:
http://www.britishairwayscargo.com/dcc/delivering.shtml

Middle East - Kazakhstan - Almaty (ALA)
Address: Aksunkar Hotel
Room 243
Almaty International Airport
Reservations: +(7) 3272 571889/904
Facsimile: +(7) 3272 571873
Telex: ALAFFBA
Open: Mon-Fri 0900-1800 Sat0800-1400

check your insurance
 

If you carry a travel-insurrance, check the conditions!

Some travel-insurrance companies (travel not vehicle-insurrance) include policies about spareparts and/or even change of transport (hire a bike/car/taxi) for the time it's not repaired.
Mostly if your means of transport is broken and cannot be fixed by a 'official' mechanic in three working-days or spareparts are not at hand.
Our insurance-company would have paid shipping spareparts all over the world with DHL (24hour delivery!) in the case we couldn't find spareparts for our 1986 TLC in Africa (checked and confimed several times) didn't need it tho.

I supose you could also watch out for truck-repairshops and such, although it's not Africa I supose there is also a great deal of bushmechanics going on overthere. So there must be a good deal of local knowledge to cope with 'temporarly' repairs and workarounds or even make new ones!

succes

INsurance Company
 

Hello Bart - who was your insurance company? I might need that sort of service ... :)

CornishDeity:
Mmm, I thought somebody could be interested.

Send you a PM

cheers

Bart,

Will you share it with us, too?

Hi Daniel. I have an account with DHL. What do the springs weight? I guess they are about 30 kg each. If they are then I could get them from me to KAZAKHSTAN for about £300. This is still a lot of money (!) but it's less than £1172.

Milner Off Road are just down the road from me if you want some springs from them.

Or, find a local lorry spring place, they might be able to make you a set? Or adapt some others.

Good luck,
Matt



... just starting a little cheeky bottle of Stella...

blacksmith
 

I know I have said this before but I have had a spring made from a longer one of the same width and thickness. I took it to a blacksmith and he turned the eyes on the ends for me. he did a great job and I had no further problems. don't know if it is possible in whatever Stan it is your in, but got to be worth a shot.....the locals would not get one sent from the UK!

Graeme

Leaf springs are usually plentiful, even though the ones available may not be designed for your vehicle. I'd suspect that almost any welding/repair shop could fashion leaves that would work. Sounds like you need an extra leaf or heavier springs anyway. Unless you're in BFE with no shops and services, this shouldn't become more than a one day delay....?

for that kind of money you could fly back to the UK and take them out as hand baggage!!

Thanks
 

Thanks guys for all your suggestions. I am currently looking at a friend bringing them with him on a flight from London to Almaty as excess baggage.

Matt - if I have no luck, I may well take you up on your offer, but it would be to Tashkent in Uzbekistan. Would this make any difference to the price? I have already bought a pair of Milner Heavy Duty Springs. Weight is 62kg for both.

Thanks again, I'm touched by how many replies my message has received.

Daniel

P.S. I really don't think my STA travel policy will cover me for shipment of spares!