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HELP! Overlander in need Almaty / Tashkent HELP! Overlander in need Almaty / Tashkent
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Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
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  #1  
Old 11 Jul 2007
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HELP! Overlander in need Almaty / Tashkent
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
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  #2  
Old 11 Jul 2007
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Maybe Silk Offroad tours in Almaty could tell you where to go. They are a motorcycle tour outfit, but they may know a good mechanic who could fix your springs.
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  #3  
Old 12 Jul 2007
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Daniel, check your PMs.
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  #4  
Old 12 Jul 2007
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Drive to "Car City" in Almaty...its on the way out of town to Biskek and Astana...
You'll find what you need there for the HIlux and because they're leaf springs, those guys there will be able to easily help you out...
If its the mother spring, they will have to manufacture something...don't waste your time with the dealer or DHL...
Almaty is the most expensive city in Central Asia so don't think you'll be paying Bishkek prices...Bishkek would be the place to have it repaired, but you are where you are...
If you choose to go to Bishkek...the road from Almaty there is pretty perfect...but Tashkent is another story.
Kyrg visa can be had in a day in Almaty.
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  #5  
Old 12 Jul 2007
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As I told him over PM I am in Bishkek.

If anyone knows a local wreckyard that I could call and check for him, let me know.
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  #6  
Old 18 Jul 2007
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Not the ideal solution, but years ago when very skint I stick welded the master leaf on a Marina pickup.

It was a pain to do and I took great care to set a good wide 'V' on both sides and laid all but the capping runs with dissimilar rods and capped with standard mild steel rods , then ground everything back down the the thickness of the leaf. Any sign of undercut was then filled with mild steel rods and ground back smooth again. A light smeer of greese put both leaves back together and you couldn't even tell it had been welded.

I have to be honest I was very surprised that the welded spring was still in one piece when I finally got rid of the car about 8 months later.

As I said not ideal, but it's an option.
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  #7  
Old 19 Jul 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skorpion660 View Post
Not the ideal solution, but years ago when very skint I stick welded the master leaf on a Marina pickup.
And it is quicker than waiting for a very expensive shipped spring (then add duty etc) ... get it repaired mate.

The samller the town the more likely they are to do the "tempoary" repair so you can go on to the place that has the "new" "cheap" parts.
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  #8  
Old 23 Jul 2007
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Hi guys, thanks for the replies. Here's the situation:

I managed to get one new heavy duty spring in Almaty - a friend of a friend brought it as checked baggage on a flight from London.

I am having the second spring sent as air freight to Tashkent, but I need a weighbill address, and proof of address when I collect it. Is there anyone out there who can help me with this? Or maybe in Bishkek? The idea would be to go to the airport togetherm I will pay the customs duties etc, then take you out for drinks and dinner or so? Can anyone help with this?

I'm leaving repair as the last-ditch resort. I really need decent springs for the roads in Kyrgyzstan / Tajikistan / Afghanistan (if I go).

Alternatively, do you know if I could use a hotel address as a weighbill address? What sort of documentation would I need to go and collect it?

Thanks

Daniel
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