Wheel Trouble, ...down to 5 good wheels? |
Wheel Trouble, ...down to 5 good wheels? |
Mar 14 2006, 12:29 AM
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 90 Joined: 13-January 05 Member No.: 143 |
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I just heard that there is a serious problem with Spirit's right front drive actuator after yestersol's drive. (This is the actuator that had high currents in the past and led to the backward-driving strategy.) It will take awhile to evaluate the situation, but early speculation is grim.
In a worst-case scenario, they can still drag the bum wheel along, but don't expect another summit view. Best-case scenario would be a rock or debris jammed in the wheel. This is a heads-up, sorry I can't really give more info at this time. I still thought you all would like to know. |
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Mar 14 2006, 08:34 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3008 Joined: 30-October 04 Member No.: 105 |
Oh well, stuff happens. We're all a lot creakier than we were 30-40 years ago.
My suspicion would be that this is a geartrain failure. I forget the exact reduction ratio, but there many gears and bearings between the motor and the wheel and there has been a failure along the way. Remember, we are many hours past the design service life. Spirit needs to get to an interesting north-facing site. She may be a 3-legged dog, but we still love her... --Bill -------------------- |
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