Winter is returning. 36 deg/25 deg forecast for Saturday. TN weather, we can experience 4 seasons in 24 hours!
As noted in the wheeling trip forum, I hit Hawk Pride this past Saturday and it was a great trip. Jeep did OK, not great, I just struggled with traction all day due to wet clay being on the rocks and I couldn't stay on top of rocks to get clearance, tires just kept sliding off. If you can't stay on top, clearance becomes issue. The larger GR23 tank in the rear (which I was concerned about) did not seem to cause me issues, jeep seemed to be a little more stable with the outboarded rear shocks and rear sway bar installed but I will need to get in some dryer conditions so I can get the jeep into some precarious situations to really tell.
Issues while wheeling:
-Johnny Joints are squeaking, I think the last trip to Tackett where we crossed deep water and mud all day and then it went down to 9 deg that night may have had led to water freezing in the joints and pushing grease out, etc...
-I have a mis-fire issue on restart that is throwing cylinder mis-fire codes and causing limp mode. Clearing codes returns it to normal until shut down and restart.
-Front RCV shafts are clicking.
Post ride inspection showed the following:
-really dented in the right rear corner and broke off plastic tailgate hinge surrounds.
-small dent in the left rear corner.
-front driveshaft has some play (up down/left right, not rotational) in the slip and stub area.
-front pinion has some play (up down/left right)
-rear diff housing and rear diff cover is really worn down at lower bolt location.
-Winch rope has a few broken strands, it looks like it is right at the end of the deep bury splice, not sure if it rubbed against something or if the edge of buried rope caused a hard point.
To do before my next trip, currently schedule for SMORR April 23 (using this list as my checklist):
-I think my misfire issue may be coming from the ignition rail due to the last time I had the jeep on it's side (chocco mtn last summer) the ignition rail plug holes got filled with oil when pumping oil out of the cylinders. I am going to change the spark plugs, ignition rail, and injectors to hopefully put this to rest. Already ordered all the parts.
-Take apart and re-grease all the Johnny Joints.
- Cut out damaged section of winch rope and repair, going to taper the end of the buried section.
-Going to weld on a steel strip onto the lower side of the rear diff housing and I ordered some Hardfacing welding rods to see if that will help protect the steel strip going fwd. (I read about this fix in another thread). I already fabbed up the steel strip, just need to weld on and then add hardface strips.
-Replace Front Pinion bearings (already ordered parts).
- Front Driveshaft - I contacted Adam's and they told me that I would need to send it back to them for repair. They said it was a warranty issue but they would not charge me labor, just parts and shipping. I just sent them another message to see if there is someway for me to do the checks, purchase parts, and R&R without sending the shaft to them. I have a TW in the rear and Adam's in the front. Tom Woods seems to be much more willing to help, I have had Shawn Woods call me to help diagnose issues before and I have had them overnight me a new driveshaft, I have also had them tell me what parts I needed to order to fix my issue and after I paid they shipped the same day. I am not saying negative about Adam's, I know I am rough on parts and don't expect them to warranty abuse. I am going to try and see if they will work with me on fixing the issue fast and if not I may just buy a new TW shaft.
-Right rear corner. Not worried about the body damage, but I will need to fix(bend back to somewhat original) top rail so that I can install soft top.