Fording Operation

["Allan & Kathryn Weidenheimer" <allanw@domain.elided>]

This one is for you, Dan!!!
Straight from the IHC manual:

Vehicle used in off-the-road operations that encounter
submersion of various chassis components in MUD and
WATER should be inspected at frequent intervals for 
contamination of the lubricant.  Should inspection reveal
that the WATER or MUD has entered the ENGINE, 
TRANSMISSION, transfer case or axles, drain, flush,
and refill with new lubricant.

Check the wheel bearings and wheel hubs, clean and repack 
if necessary.

A complete chassis lubrication is also recommended to force
out any water or dirt that is present.

Front axle universal joints on 4x4 vehicles should be inspected
and, if contamination of the lubricant is found, the universal 
joints should be removed and both the joints and housing
cleaned and refilled.

Note: the CAPS are mine, inserted for Dan's sake!  I think 
"frequent intervals" means more than: Get home from wheelin'
and park it in December.  Don't look at it again until thinking
of another wheelin' trip in February. ;-))  Isn't that what happened
with the mud situation?

I hope that you have checked out "Good" thoroughly after this last
trip.

Allan Weidenheimer
72 1210 Pickup