I just got back from a weekend of camping and wheeling in the Panoche Hills... i got stuck for the first time that required someone to pull me out. as we were trying to get me freed, i shattered my CV axle that i just repalced last weekend, and the tow ball on the Tacoma's hitch broke up causing it to go flying into the rear of my runner, putting a really nice dent in the tailgate. not the best wheeling trip to say the least... i will get more pics later, but here's what left of my cv axle:

 

Is it me or does that metal look really porous. Where did you get it from?

 

autozone... i just bought it last weekend... my stock boots ripped so i replaced it last sunday with this one.

 

What were you thinking about using a towball as a pull point?

 

i love autozone... the replaced the CV axle free no questions asked.

 

Yeah, consider yourself lucky no one was killed. This is why its always a good idea to chain or tie down the recovery strap loops to another part of the car the straps are attached to so as to minimize the slingshot potential. Sort of like a leash on a surfboard. You could even use the belf off your pants if nothing else is around. Many recovery strap manufacturers recommend putting a blanket or something else heavy over the middle of the strap for this same reason.

 

Where is Panoche Hills?

 

always tie down to a frame or mounting point...never a bumper, tow ball...or anything bolted on...and just like when winching use a blanket...
try some cvs from cvunlimited i believe...
there was a post earlier about this...
Brian

 

Yep. I've been happy with my CV Unlimited CV axles. And I've not been very nice to them.

 

south of los banos, take the Shields ave exit off I5, turn right onto Panoche Road take that for 12 miles and turn left on to a gravel road name Panoche Hills Access Road, and then there are dirt roads off that... no real trails, jsut dirt road.. great for camping tho