Repairing a Defender in Kyrgyzstan (Ep76 GrizzlyNbear Overland)

[@feo171]

Nikolay is hero! One of the old school! Not remove and put new, but repair it! 💡👍💪👏👏👏💚

[@bangaloretrailrider2472]

That kind of work is disappearing from where I live. Partly we have dealer workshops to blame. Car companies make more money on part replacement.

[@tailorslow7917]

Yap couldn't agree more. A mechanic is one who can repair, not merely replace. Good job Nikolay👍

[@ArmenianLifewithMitch]

Yep, they're a dying breed alright...but we still have these guys in Armenia (where my wife and I have been living for the last 5 years). We've got a 2015 Russian UAZ Hunter and it's totally fixable if we run into trouble. Parts are cheap and even a good mechanic (if you need him) won't charge much (sometimes nothing at all!)...ah, where do you find this kind of old-fashioned service anymore? Plus, it's actually therapeutic watching an old master figuring out a remedy as he goes. Let's hope we can keep learning from them for a little while longer before we plug in our 4X4's to the electricity supply! Regards, Mitch

[@rogerdavies6226]

@@ArmenianLifewithMitch watching an old master at anything is a pleasure

[@mrchillout1989]

Very dangerous

[@whyg6703]

Nickolay is the man. No machine can replace Nickolay.

[@bayls8422]

Nickolay, is living proof, not all Super Hero’s wear capes.

[@mjallenuk]

Or fortunately for those watching, underpants on the outside...

[@JJV..]

Exactly....

[@bernhardkinsky3611]

I love Zulu land engineering come into the middle of Africa and see the bullet s fly as you fix an old series 1 with no spares.

[@RenegadeRanga]

Indeed what a legend.

[@kenmartin1048]

No words can describe Nickolay....impressive! Amazing skills

[@alangastellou4665]

Nikolai is the kind of Man that fulfills the meaning of what a real Man should be. Greetings from Mexico.

[@tronaboron_99]

The old timers like that man working on your rig are a gem... They are special and getting harder to find!🏜️☃️ Safe travels, enjoying your show!

[@trajtemberg]

The world needs more Nikolays.

[@henrygreen19]

Awesome, back on the road. Just confirms my believe - guys like Nikolay can not be replaced by manufacture-trained mechanics you find today in dealership workshops. Nikolay any day for me !!! Enjoy.

[@MegaRyan123456]

Anyone with a welder and grinder can weld together and grind something.... the question is .... is the repair any good how has the heat from the weld effected the metal how much penetration did you actully get i would weld just about anything together in the middle of the Bush but i woild never trust the repair....

[@docfischer7291]

You said it . Huge difference between mechanic and parts changers. Birfield joints can suck the life from you. HD units along with the stubs axles and caps are worth their weight in gold . My Disco I benefited heavily from them. Greetings from North Carolina USA !

[@fowletm1992]

People like this definitely still exist Even at dealerships But welding up a swivel ball or building up the spindle threads is highly illegal in most 1st world countrys I do this sort of stuff all the time But I'm an Australian farmer not a Soviet block mechanic so I just get called a dodgy hack farmer not a genius, lol

[@mogendo]

Really good to see a chap like Nickolay, Makes me miss my father who had many of the same values and skills as him.

[@Reaper4367]

Guys, please pulease give huge hugs, love, gratitude to Nickolay from us. He is grouse! Huge respect. Awesomeness yet again you pair. Our love and gratitude to you both. Cheers for sharing, Brett and Marie.

[@elrey8876]

Incredible what can be achieved with some mechanical ingenuity. Nikolay is the kind of guy every expedition must have wanted when they took cars around the world in past decades.

[@leighdearle5965]

That's for sure, I think I have a man crush on Nikolay 😜 A really genuine and nice guy, we will be catching up with him again before we leave Kyrgyzstan that's for sure.

[@davidb.1218]

you have to respect the mechanics in these areas. They acquire a skill of repairing parts and vehicles that modern mechanics wouldn't even think of attempting to repair.

[@derrickmurphy9988]

What a legend old nick is.These men are few and far between now.great story there well done.

[@pureboom9436]

Nikolay is the old school Rusia mechanics 👍

[@badgerpa9]

Nikolay is a hero. Love the horses.

[@prebenlorentzenphotography]

Another masterpiece. Now I'm able to change a front swivel myself :-) Great to meet Nickolay, hope we see him a little more.

[@wadejensen3301]

Nikolai, if you are reading this....you are a bloody legend mate....long life to you!

[@TheSquiggyacfd]

I always wanted a Defender, and still do, but I would need to move nextdoor to Nikolay.

[@aufermo]

Of all off roaders you are fantastic couple along with all those that have aided you both, so best wishes from a Defender supporter. Long Live Land Rover and the Defender.

[@miklawson211]

Outstanding repairs which show that necessity is mother of invention. I like seeing stuff repaired instead of thrown away. Nikolay has some serious skills.

[@chrisfort7340]

I'm new to your videos and I must say they are outstanding, inspirational and brilliant! Save journeys, keep posting and thank goodness for all of the mechanical Nikolai geniuses of the world!

[@ruffus8039]

Nikolay is a treasure, found a few like him in my travels. Will give you the shirt off his back to help you out. Glad you met a good one. They're few & far between.

[@abdullahibrahim5189]

Awesome video, many thanks for sharing it with us. I wish I were there just to express my respect to Nickolay, amazing man.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Hopefully he will read the messages. 😁

[@craigtyler731]

Great to see video documenting complete repair to swivel joint. Three cheers for nickoly, what a great guy.

[@Digger43]

What a beautiful, positive couple you are !!. I reckon Nikolai enjoyed what he did as much as you enjoyed the job he did. All the very best to you both in whatever you do in the future........

[@fahren1962]

Nikolai est une personne très attachante, il méritait vraiment les petites attentions que vous lui avez offert.

[@briankelvindiffey3006]

Good to see you both back on the road again....Isnt it amazing how many wonderful mechanics there are out there that just get a job done without a moment of stress.....GO 4 IT GUYS.....

[@VeteransInAction]

Great to see you back on the road enjoying your channel. We take groups of veterans suffering from PTSD on expeditions using Land Rovers and I have been encouraging them to watch your channel to get some inspiration which will help them with their mental health issues

[@leighdearle5965]

Wow thank you so much for that comment. We would be absolutely honoured if we knew we were helping out veterans in any way 😊

[@VeteransInAction]

@@leighdearle5965 We have just started our channel so were looking for inspiration and found your channel. Our channel so far is us building our 4 Land Rovers which we then used to drive from the UK to Greece and back with a group of veterans suffering from PTSD. We fully believe that overland travel allows them to find themselves again and we have many more expeditions planned.. I am hoping in the future to take a group of veterans around the coastline of Australia. Keep up the good work mate, if you can please give our channel a plug and help us grow to reach more veterans

[@nengmoua9935]

My goodness this man is awesome I don’t know how to describe this gentleman he’s perfect

[@oldrocker5609]

It's good to see you up and running again !! Nikolai is a real craftsman. I believe he could fix anything. Great video !!

[@soylentgreen224]

...it bring tears to my eyes to see you guys back on the road💛👌 what a lovely man Nicolas has been a god send! Safe travels to you both👌💛

[@mameokhun4319]

Lucky to have master like Nikolai.

[@Salman-sc8gr]

You are lucky lad to have such a calm and understanding Stephanie, imagine going through this nightmare alone

[@G55-j9z]

Those Toyo Open Country's are about the best Tyre for serious overland travel and you are not joking about how stiff they are, These bad boys are 10ply, I bought a full set a couple of months back and for "any" 4x4 these are about as Tough as a Tyre can be physically made they make all well known brands look like toys, That older Guy really saved the day, He is a True Mechanic in every sense of the word, Thanks for posting the video and drive safe.

[@Andrey_Bodrey75]

Повезло вам с Николаем - старая школа одним словом! Респект ему! 👍

[@wellronicllp]

Добрый день!! Я тоже увидел в вашем путушествии моего Спасителя Никалая! Он тоже мне очень помог отремонтировать мою Паджеро 4. Я с Ташкента. Зовут меня Бахтиер! Спасибо Николаю!

[@4buzze1]

Hope you grabbed some of those beautiful auspicious lil plants you found growing beside his shop for your travels. Hope you have a great time. Keep your chins up.

[@rakeshpanwar5075]

Really I enjoyed full story. I could remember those days when I toured himalaya on two Wheeler. So many problems I encountered such u hv. Finally keep up good luck.

[@garthlee8166]

Nickolay is an AWESOME mechanical Eng Legend!!!

[@simplebeing7583]

Kind, noble and mastercraftsman Nikolai can be trusted with ones life. Could watch him work all my life. Is there any way to follow his works?

[@KingABS]

This is how you *Nicolays* a L.R Defender . Excellent work old man *Hats off*

[@MrJenishbek]

I was watching a Chris Burchard film and all of a sudden got prompted to your video. I'm Kyrgyz, I live in Canada, heading out to Florida tomorrow. I know Ryan Hornung. Worked with him on a couple of adventures. Good guy

[@overlandbyrover]

Overcoming adversity is what creates bonds for life. You are living the dream! Don't let the Rover haters spoil your love of Grizz

[@scoutm966]

Exciting to watch you two work through adversity and with such a great attitudes.

[@Ironhorse41]

Great video guys, Nikolai is a bloody legend is what he is...In NZ we call that number 8 mentality awesome work

[@axelcordes]

This is what makes a Defender a Defender - you will find a swivel by chance when you need it - good luck - cheers axel

[@axelcordes]

Sorry was the balljoint - anyway ;-) weld what needs a weld ;-)

[@자연과함께낭만을]

와우 수리가 잘돼서 다행입니다. 자기일 같이 도와주는 분들이 참 보기 좋네요 행복한 여행 돼시길 기원합니다.

[@centralpacruiser2552]

Honestly this is amazing. The journey within the journey is half the fun. Your spirit and positive outlook are inspirational. Nickolay is a saint!

[@melwinparmar]

Great Job Nikola, enjoy the ride guys.

[@jhcr1912]

That mechanic man much respect to you sir from Dallas TX

[@jaseerkannampath2458]

This channel needs way more subscribers..

[@Boediprasetya]

Other channal only prank prank and prank

[@littlebull8881]

What an awsome place with fantastic people, the russian way is good, I hope to traverse the motherland one day

[@chrisrea7347]

Great to see your 130 back on the road. I ran 265/75 R16 BFG Mts for years on my 90 - a good size. What a discovery in finding Nikolay.

[@ej5936]

Good stuff, good to see your 4x4 is fixed by Nickoly if you look at the spindle it is made by two parts the way he welded that part it will stay put for very long time.

[@tailorslow7917]

Nikolay: The legend. Period

[@vikramb149]

You met the right person at right time, Nicolay. New tyres look dope , little puny though...have a great drive ahead..I am following,🏃

[@jimmcgettigan1326]

Great news to have the vehicle back on the road. Also a lucky break finding this mechanic. Bon Voyage!

[@VWnerds]

As a auto mechanic this guy is an inspiration lol, love the videos guys

[@janpur1417]

Thank you for the video: My analysis was right, I was also contemplating on putting spacers on a hilux LN 106 solid front axle due to potential issues you faced. The joint (diameter) where the swivel hub meets the main axle housing is so small that adding a spacer will add excessive force on that joint. Your LR is fully loaded and that too put too much strain at that joint. Glad you removed the spacers. Looking forward to meeting you and Steff in Texas!

[@MrRiaan1980]

Spacers on a 4x4 plus big wheels plus a load equals trouble. Hope they checked the wheel bearings as well, they are probably shot

[@billolgaau]

@@MrRiaan1980 Wheel spacers are illegal unless factory fitted in Australia. (I agree with you)

[@jacobuscoetzee6689]

From seeing my own father weld snapped series 2 109 B side shafts the welded shaft is actually much stronger if welded properly. Nikolay is what you call jack of all trades but a master of none.

[@ggglogggg1868]

Cool👍👍

[@カブトムシ-k1r]

The car which oneself thinks and thinks and chose with confidence betrays it suddenly. When she seems to cry for uneasiness for uneasiness in a previous work, it is a correct answer that you wiped worry with a smile. You should choose the Toyota system if you do the next big challenge. I do not disappoint expectation, but am almost perfect if I attach custom parts when I also choose the product made in Japan. I support you from Japan.

[@ageofchaos516]

Nickolay just needs good suppliers and he'd have the best shop in the country.

[@renekreher]

Land Rover Defender - The Work is never ending :D . Thanks for the great Video.

[@alexandrepifelli8042]

Bonjour, je découvre vos aventures avec plaisir,ça m emmène loin de mon bureau.. Je vous souhaite de trés belles aventures...vous êtes vraiment sympas!! Big up to Nikolay.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Merci pour ton message !! Ca fait plaisir. 😁 "big up" !

[@nighttrucker7909]

you guy,s are so cool . the help you got was awesome. great friends. that you met.

[@greyjay9202]

High marks to your host and mechanic. Not a parts replacer, but a real master mechanic. That welding job he did, was superb. I still say: Dump that Defender, and find yourselves a good used Toyota. You'll be glad you did. The Peruvian National Police use Toyotas for back country, off road, and desert patrol. Tough as nails.

[@wseejattan]

You met a genuine person in Nicolai.

[@janpur1417]

WOW! It's after 2.5 years I am back in this video. Can't believe how time flies! This episode is in my mind like it happened in 2021.

[@isaacgonzalez784]

Awesome channel guys!! Congratulations!! We need some Nickolay in Mexico!!

[@storiesbyyousif416]

Thank God you guys had good people around to get fixed things otherwise in some countries it could be very difficult.good luck

[@naveedspicher]

Super cool enjoyed your video of repairing the monster. I'm in love with that old guy with a super skill. Love you grand pa back country car fixer

[@kman6482]

Hey guys,just come across your videos,awesome to watch,I’m used to watching Australian videos so this is a big change.

[@garthhayward9581]

Interestingly my old Willys wagon uses the same closed knuckles set up on the front axles. Rebuilding them was great fun on the old Dana 25. Looking good guys.

[@liamcosgrave5410]

Nice . I run open country MT on my 110 . Great tyres. Nice strong sidewall so they are rugged as hell when aired down !

[@tomlee6263]

Very cool, and as a machinist I can appreciate everything you went through. Thanks for sharing the adventure!

[@jkitchens71]

Man, that guy has some skill! You realize he may have just got worldwide recognition for...bring your expedition vehicle, I work wonders!!!

[@roncameron9541]

That was a hell of a lot of travel when you grabbed the hub and rocked it back and forth...

[@ar0undworld611]

Nockolay the GOAT of yard-work car repair.

[@lror]

Your going to love the toyos mate, I surely do on my 110. Re the swivel balls I've heard many of them black "Teflon" coated britpart units fail. Keep the repaired one for emergency use only, the hard chrome coating will not last after the heat from welding and will create leaks for you as it peels off. Safe travels and enjoy.

[@IDontWantAHandle101]

Genuine LR ones used teflon from approx 8 years ago so there's no real way to tell. Ive had old ones re-chromed on a few different makes of 4x4 just to ensure i'm not fitting Chinese rubbish. I think the wheel spacers and unnecessary wide tyres caused this, ,,,, just my opinion :)

[@lror]

@@IDontWantAHandle101 as we know LR went backwards on many parts over the years. I've run neg 20 to neg 40 and 35s on several LRs without this issue. Thats a good idea to hard chrome old units if you can't find oem ones.

[@lexdunet5354]

Beau boulot du mécano, un vrai comme on en voie presque plus, je viens de m'abonner et j aime votre style.... Continuez à nous partager votre trip

[@Ewanm9389]

found your channel from bad circumstances but i'm glad i did, your channel is brilliant , glad bear is back on the road, cant wait for more videos

[@rms1963]

На все приятно смотреть, всегда улыбаетесь, молодцы!

[@martinforrester8249]

I've only recently(yesterday) found your site, love it. You are a lovely couple with an infectious personality, I have subscribed to follow your adventures in future. Stay safe and look after that lovely wife of yours you lucky bugger.

[@Silencedbearar]

Really cool video of your vehicle breaking down. My names Bear as well. Good job handling the situation very well. Calm and thankful for not getting hurt or it breaking in the middle of no where with no cell service. I subscribed to your videos.

[@kabaottoemulsion1869]

AMAZing experience! Amazing Nikolai!

[@gholamhossainansari5766]

زندگی تان سر شار از خوشی وآرزوی موفقیت دادم 😍💪Afghanstan

[@stevepowell1651]

When plans go wrong the adventure begins

[@piotrek17120]

Perfect , have a good luck to rest of trip , all the best from Poland

[@doctoruttley]

Love the look of the Land Rover. I was a Range Rover guy for years, but I abandoned them due to unreliability. Might be better to get your hands on an 80’s series Land Cruiser for a replacement. Great video guys, new sub here! 🤘🏻🥶🇨🇦

[@davidwilkinson4382]

Great channel, glad Bear is back on the road. Been running Open Country on my Defender for about 5 years now. Really good tyres. Safe travels.

[@balvindersinghkhalsa3243]

Lovely video and excellent coordination.

[@ArmenianLifewithMitch]

Hey Leigh and Steph, I'm new to your channel and just subscribed. I love your content, because you combine some unique perspectives on local village life and customs, plus other interests like rock climbing. I had to comment on this video because I'm a 62yr old Aussie living in Armenia with my Armenian wife Sonia...we bought a brand new UAZ Hunter in 2015, just like the one in the video. They're a purpose built, solid, reliable, utilitarian 4X4. I love it...and it's taken my wife and I on some epic adventures in the Armenian mountains. I have a channel, but as yet there's no content, but you can see a pic of our UAZ when you click on it. All the best to you both, keep up the good work, stay safe and always love each other. Regards, Mitch

[@rajanisarahmed8626]

Come to Kashmir

[@rajanisarahmed8626]

No.whattup 0581700922

[@markamnavinit222]

Your story is similar to mine. I have Ford Mondeo 2002 model. And it broke down in middle in indian forest and I was alone and I struggled for 2 days for any help. I was without any money since no ATMS and it was rainy season and no INTERNET. I did not had any food since no money. But I struggled to overcome my negative thoughts and somehow came out with solutions. But time and life teaches us many things to struggle in life.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Ho your story is way more "exciting" and "difficult". hard at the time but a good story for later. All the best for you.

[@samalamichael1]

Your are perfect Travelers on this earth. Keep going.

[@alanbstard4]

i love land rovers. I wish they were built better though. Well done Nickolay

[@hermanheinink9157]

Just found you here. Very interesting videos, nice and realistic comments, nice music, I hope you can continue without further problems.

[@the.magnus]

Yayyy great to see u guys safe and sound

[@MegaDirtyberty]

Awesome to see her all fixed up and back on the road. :)

[@tashisherpa7263]

Nikolai is the man.

[@lamageethakidsradinsa2787]

Well done,congratulations your repair❤❤❤🇱🇰