I was reading the post on lessons learned with field repairs and thought this experience my help some in a field repair position I was recently in....

Well I spoke of my U-joint they went takeing the ears of the stub shaft and axle with it. Well in tearing down the front end to pull and replace everything there was one problem. The ears were bent out and obstructed the removal of both the stub shaft and the axle....what do ya do in the field...well your 4x4 is gone and the neat week end or trip is cancelled till you get them out.

What I have done is put an inverter in my vehicle, you can use air but the enigine has to be running, and bought a $20.00 grinder that is  easy on the amps to be able to grind out in the field. We ended up grinding down the ears and the project was finished, with out a grinder your weekend may be finished...

So extra parts and hand grinder will save the weekend...I know space is limeted, but if with me know we have a grinder if needed.

Steve