Recent content by Aloha Joe

  1. Aloha Joe

    Tapping noise (is it my lifters?)

    It’s been some time now so I thought I’d update. When I started this thread I was researching the cost of engine overhauls, new engines, and even made a trip to the new Jeep dealer. I never believed the liquid solutions would work or last. But my Jeep is back to normal. Once in a while it makes...
  2. Aloha Joe

    Tapping noise (is it my lifters?)

    Over the past couple weeks I added MMO, drove a little, and did oil changes. I added MMO on the way home from work and it was quiet by the time I got home. So I did that twice. Last night I changed again with what I would consider “better” conventional 10w-30, Mopar filter and added a bottle of...
  3. Aloha Joe

    Stock tie rod end replacements?

    If you have time to wait, I would get Moog from Rock Auto. Last night I got Duralast from Autozone because I didn’t want to wait. It seems decent but is double the price. Note that many parts use plastic bearings. Moog uses steel, the better Duralast uses steel.
  4. Aloha Joe

    Help with drag link length

    Thanks. I'll try to pull the rod end from the pitman arm, but I don't want to ruin it.
  5. Aloha Joe

    Help with drag link length

    I made an embarrassing mistake and screwed my Pitman-side Link End in too far before installing the drag link. Is it possible to remove the adjuster w/o removing the ball joints? In other words, can I turn the adjuster far enough, while installed, so that one of the links comes out?
  6. Aloha Joe

    Steering shimmy / wobble issue (does this look wrong?)

    What I see is some play in the ball joint at the end of the pitman arm. Everything else looks tight. The steering shaft does turn a lot relative to the pitman arm. I hope it’s a normal amount. some videos:
  7. Aloha Joe

    Steering shimmy / wobble issue (does this look wrong?)

    Thanks guys. Trying to find a friend now...
  8. Aloha Joe

    Steering shimmy / wobble issue (does this look wrong?)

    2005 Rubicon, all stock. Seemingly out of nowhere I got a wobble in the front end. It seems to happen mostly after a bump where the from end shimmies for a bit. It just happened so I need to investigate more, but it seems like the front end is now mushy. I noticed I can turn the wheel a bit...
  9. Aloha Joe

    Tapping noise (is it my lifters?)

    Yeah, sometimes it’s silent at start and gradually gets louder, stops completely, and starts to come back. Sometimes it’s really loud right at start. Once in a while it’s just quiet. Sometimes it seems like it goes away when warm, other times I hear it faintly while driving. it gets faster with...
  10. Aloha Joe

    Tapping noise (is it my lifters?)

    I’ve had the Jeep for about a year and about 5000 miles. I don’t remember the tapping when I bought it. It had MIL for 02 sensors so I changed them, changed plugs, and finally changed cats which fixed the problem. The noise started after so I figured it’s the exhaust, but I’ve re-torqued several...
  11. Aloha Joe

    Looking for opinions on this TJ

    Don’t buy without a detailed view of the frame.
  12. Aloha Joe

    Tapping noise (is it my lifters?)

    I’m trying to figure out this intermittent tapping noise. Exhaust has been re-torqued at least twice before the video. I also changed from 10-30 full syn. to 10-40 conventional but no help.
  13. Aloha Joe

    Tapping noise (is it my lifters?)

    Can’t they be tested using the push rods and rotating the engine or something?
  14. Aloha Joe

    Tapping noise (is it my lifters?)

    Edit: I’ve got an intermittent tapping noise and was thinking maybe it’s the lifters. video below. I’ve seen plenty of info about replacing them, but how do I check them? I’m trying to diagnose engine noise. I also need to change my valve cover gasket so I want to check lifters while I’m in...
  15. Aloha Joe

    Work light recommendation

    Yes, it has internal batteries (18500 I think) and came with a USB charger.