The Road to Morocco (2022)

[mikeau]

We're on the ferry to France on Monday 19th. Plan is to take 3-4 days to drive down through France and Spain to Algeciras.
I might visit a mate in Gib, then get on the ferry to Ceuta (or possibly Tanger) End of the week ish.
From there I think we follow the coast East as far as Nador and then South through Midelt and Erford to Zagora.
Google says travel time is 12 Hrs, but we plan to take a leisurely pace and stop if we find somewhere interesting or nice to stop.

I'll try to post some updates and pics on here as we go, and time and wifi allow me to.

 

[Kernite]

Will watch with interest as I had hoped to get to Morocco this year. Plan now scrapped along with Landy (not really).

 

[Madoobri]

Have a great trip!

 

[mikeau]

Arrived France and spent the night near St Malo.

Heard an insignificant noise while turning right at low speed coming off ferry... parked up, gave both front wheels a good shake, solid as a rock(s).
Set off next day and heading South, only about half hour down the autoroute and the front left wheel fell off!

Now the last time the front wheels were off was over a week ago when I fitted the gaiters. Wheel nuts were spun back on. Mea culpa...

Scary as I watched the wheel roll away and hoping that it wasnt going to hit something and jump the barrier...

Wheel was retrieved for me by a passing trucker who pulled over in the exit ramp, and the autoroute safety guy turned up quite fast and put out some cones, he then retrieved 2 wheel nuts and the wheel arch.

My bottle jack failed (typical) so I lifted it with the Hi-lift under the bumper and got the wheel back on using the 2 nuts he found and one from each of the back wheels. Had a quick look under and no damage other than a scuffed rotor and the back plate a bit bent.

Drove away gently, tested brakes, steering etc. All good. Drove to a supermarket and parked up and had a good look for any damage. One of the brake pad retaining rods had gone missing for some reason... replaced from spares kit. No other visible issues...

Found a spare wheel nut in spares box and removed two from spare wheel on the carrier (now secured with one nut and ratchet strap) so all wheels have 5 nuts again!
Checked and rechecked torques on all wheelnuts!

Covered another 500K with no issues... (so far..? yet..?.. )

Onwards and upwards!

Should be in Spain by this evening, but taking it easy today so will see...

 

[RandomLandyFan]

Wow, nasty experience but thankfully no serious harm done - good job of keeping control but that sort of stunt is best left to Citroen drivers!

Is their room on the dash for a wheel nut torque gauge?

Good luck for rest of trip!

 

[Redcoat]

Be careful ffs , and good luck with rest of journey

 

[Paul d]

Arrived France and spent the night near St Malo.

Heard an insignificant noise while turning right at low speed coming off ferry... parked up, gave both front wheels a good shake, solid as a rock(s).
Set off next day and heading South, only about half hour down the autoroute and the front left wheel fell off!

Now the last time the front wheels were off was over a week ago when I fitted the gaiters. Wheel nuts were spun back on. Mea culpa...

Scary as I watched the wheel roll away and hoping that it wasnt going to hit something and jump the barrier...

Wheel was retrieved for me by a passing trucker who pulled over in the exit ramp, and the autoroute safety guy turned up quite fast and put out some cones, he then retrieved 2 wheel nuts and the wheel arch.

My bottle jack failed (typical) so I lifted it with the Hi-lift under the bumper and got the wheel back on using the 2 nuts he found and one from each of the back wheels. Had a quick look under and no damage other than a scuffed rotor and the back plate a bit bent.

Drove away gently, tested brakes, steering etc. All good. Drove to a supermarket and parked up and had a good look for any damage. One of the brake pad retaining rods had gone missing for some reason... replaced from spares kit. No other visible issues...

Found a spare wheel nut in spares box and removed two from spare wheel on the carrier (now secured with one nut and ratchet strap) so all wheels have 5 nuts again!
Checked and rechecked torques on all wheelnuts!

Covered another 500K with no issues... (so far..? yet..?.. )

Onwards and upwards!

Should be in Spain by this evening, but taking it easy today so will see...

Bloody hell not a good start .hopefully that is it now ..mind how you go .

 

[Cliff4WD]

gave both front wheels a good shake, solid as a rock(s).

You may want to revise your definition of rock(s) But seriously, take care and have a good trip. Dead jealous am I.

 

[Paul d]

Watching that video again I think you did well to keep it in a straight line .must have been quite a shock seeing your wheel come past you ..lesson to be learned there always keep your nuts tight .

 

[mikeau]

Late start today as did more vehicle checks. On road by noon and over border into spain by 5.
Sitting having a beer at restaurant at campsite at San Sebastian.

I’ll post some footage if I get chance later.

 

[mikeau]

When we arrived at the campsite we drove past someone who was having an even worse day;

She had parked outside reception and either the handbrake failed or it wasnt pulled on tight enough!
She was inside booking in when it rolled backwards down the slope. Good job there was noone in the way!

You can just see her van at the bottom of the slope in this one…

 

[Redcoat]

Enjoy stay safe mate

 

[Kernite]

Sounds as though it will be an eventful trip. And you've not reached Morocco yet!
Good luck and stay safe.

 

[Dave Cook]

Late start today as did more vehicle checks. On road by noon and over border into spain by 5.
Sitting having a beer at restaurant at campsite at San Sebastian.

I’ll post some footage if I get chance later.

View attachment 296722

Salut, I hope that’s the worst day you have on the whole trip..

 

[Madoobri]

San Sebastian

SLAINT`E !!

 

[mikeau]

Last two days travel from the Garmin. Taking it easy this year.!

 

[mikeau]

Only 337Km today...

 

[mikeau]

Set up early.

Had pasta with tuna and attracted half dozen cats!

This arrived just ahead of us

One of three vehicles following the migration route of the Ospreys down into Africa.

Flight of The Osprey

Whoever you are, we hope you are here for an adventure into nature... Our projects involve global journeys, told through the eyes of some of the most threatened animals on the planet - our migrating species - who live in a wonderful world without borders.

www.conservation-without-borders.org

They left in August but have been delayed by breakdowns on all 3 vehicles (the Defender is the most reliable!).
The other two are following and will rendezvous here when they catch up...

 

[Redcoat]

It’s like watching Micheal palin journeys , great photos

 

[Big Sandy]

and the front left wheel fell off!

All things considered, I think the language response was very constrained!

Really glad you're both okay and no serious damage done. Scary how quick they come undone....

One thing I would check though, the holes in the wheel for the studs, if they ran loose for a while they could have worn a bit, and might not tighten up as much as they should. Seen it on series vehicles when people don't tighten the drum fully home, using the wheel nuts rather than the drum screws. Makes the stud holes go oval. Also wears the stud thread.

Hopefully that's all the misadventure you will experience!