The Ugly Duck (becoming the Bad Duck)

What am I getting myself into now lol

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Put those control arms on a vice and flex the Duroflex joints and make sure they aren't squeaking. They should articulate easily and with no noise.
 
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Put those control arms on a vice and flex the Duroflex joints and make sure they aren't squeaking. They should articulate easily and with no noise.

Tested all 14 joints. One had the tiniest bit of squeak. Probably needs some something. Also noticed that one joint was slightly built differently from the rest. It had snap rings on both sides vs just one. I emailed them to see what they say
 
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Tested all 14 joints. One had the tiniest bit of squeak. Probably needs some something. Also noticed that one joint was slightly built differently from the rest. It had snap rings on both sides vs just one. I emailed them to see what they say

Did they include any of their magical grease for those joints?
 
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They appear to have been packed with some sort of grease, I haven’t found anything included elsewhere as of yet.

For what you spent on that kit, ask them to send you some grease. You'll need it when it comes time to service those joints. I'd suggest every 30K miles, or if they start squeaking, whichever comes first.
They are pretty simple to service. Hardest part is removing/installing the dang arms from the jeep. Get a pair of snap ring pliers, a vice, and a hammer.
 
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For what you spent on that kit, ask them to send you some grease. You'll need it when it comes time to service those joints. I'd suggest every 30K miles, or if they start squeaking, whichever comes first.
They are pretty simple to service. Hardest part is removing/installing the dang arms from the jeep. Get a pair of snap ring pliers, a vice, and a hammer.

I’m communicating with them about it. Snap ring pliers and tools I have. Grease I have too, not necessarily theirs, but I have other options available that are pretty amazing.
 
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Engine update *
Ordered a reman from a big name builder, Gearhead Engines, only to find out they are a retailer for ATK. While I had reservation about ATK, the warranty through Gearhead seems good. Maybe too good to be true.
That aside, they say there’s an “estimated” 2-3 week lead time. Uh
Ok.
In the meanwhile, I think I found a local shop in the Phoenix area that is very promising.
Phoenix Engine Specialists.
While they don’t have “as good” of a warranty that the big shop “advertises”, they are local and will allow me to be involved in every step of the build from tear down/inspection, to machining to assembly.
That alone is promising because a) I get to see for my own eyes, and b) film for my YouTube channel.
Also, it’s a win because I save on shipping costs, get to use my own core and support local small businesses.
Anyone have any input, what am I missing??

FYI on a side note, the TJ is making quite the transformation from the Ugly Duck into the Bad Duck

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Should I replace my oil pump drive during engine overhaul? 2002 and 205k miles but do they wear or have issues like the later models? What about the cam sensor on top of it?