OP
Nashville TJ's Build - Continued
- Thread starter NashvilleTJ
- Start date
I've been reading your build posts and it's quite impressive how you documented everything. I do have a question about the spare tire rack. Is that a custom build, modification or does somebody sell it. Thanks
OP
Thank you. The tire carrier is a full custom, built by me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another one like it.
I have never seen one like that as well. I currently have a swing tire carrier but my age is catching up with me and lifting the 40's up that high isn't as easy as it once was.
I'll take a look at the pictures you have and see if I can make something similar. I'm a firm believer that Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.
Are there any pearls of wisdom you might impart on this endeavor?
Once again my gratitude towards your documentation of your projects.
They are very insightful.
Here is the only stock jeep I have.
I'll take a look at the pictures you have and see if I can make something similar. I'm a firm believer that Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.
Are there any pearls of wisdom you might impart on this endeavor?
Once again my gratitude towards your documentation of your projects.
They are very insightful.
Here is the only stock jeep I have.
I have 38" tires and choose not to carry a spare right now due to the weight. Here is his tire carrier build. He really is a master at fabricating stuff.
https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/swing-away-swing-down-tire-carrier.1128388/
OP
Thanks for posting the link, Rick. I wish Jeep Forum had not shrunk the pics.
And you are too kind.
OP
Since my last wheelin' trip I've occasionally noticed a knocking sound coming from the back end - usually when going from reverse to forward. I had some time yesterday and decided to dig into it. I quickly found this - my guess is this could be it... 
I tried pulling the remaining portion of the bolt, but it would not budge - even with a lot of force - so I pulled the caliper to get in there with a punch.
@Irun - if you are watching, please turn away from the dirty brake pads....
Even with access, it took quite a few, very hard shots with a punch and a heavy hammer to get it out. Not a good sign.
I pulled the arm - and this is what I found. Trashed. I don't know if that bolt was tight (since it was half gone), but all the other bolts were.
No worries, I have spare JJ's. But, I was just gittin' started....
I tried pulling the remaining portion of the bolt, but it would not budge - even with a lot of force - so I pulled the caliper to get in there with a punch.
@Irun - if you are watching, please turn away from the dirty brake pads....
Even with access, it took quite a few, very hard shots with a punch and a heavy hammer to get it out. Not a good sign.
I pulled the arm - and this is what I found. Trashed. I don't know if that bolt was tight (since it was half gone), but all the other bolts were.
No worries, I have spare JJ's. But, I was just gittin' started....
Came loose and beat itself to death?
I don't think I've ever seen such a dirty,rusty, section of your jeep before!
I don't think I've ever seen such a dirty,rusty, section of your jeep before!
OP
For me, it is easier to remove the rear lower CA's by dropping the frame side first. But when I went to pull that bolt, it gave me a fit as well. I get it out and find this:
A bent bolt, and another trashed joint. At this point I figured I'd better check 'em all.
And I found this:
This was the frame side of the passenger lower rear arm. Another bend bolt. Another trashed joint.
Yep - three trashed joints. All the others, front and rear, were fine. I keep a bunch of spares, so I replaced all three.
So I'm thinking the only way this could happen is overextending the travel of these joints to the point of binding. But when I built the suspension, I certainly checked for bind, and with the length of my rear arms there was none - not even close.
This joint clearly has evidence of bind, and I thought I had my answer. But then I realized this is the joint with the broken bolt, and it hyperextended after losing half of its connection to the mounts. None of the other joints show anything like this - so I'm back to being stumped.
So now it's all back together, and strangely enough - no more noise...
I run joints with 9/16" grade 8 bolts. All were tight - well, except for the broken one.
So, has anyone had a JJ fail like this? Next time I have the springs out I'll check for bind once again. I do beat on the rig quite hard, and I can see taking a shot hard enough to do this in the front, but not in the rear.
Anyone have any idea what may be going on?
A bent bolt, and another trashed joint. At this point I figured I'd better check 'em all.
And I found this:
This was the frame side of the passenger lower rear arm. Another bend bolt. Another trashed joint.
Yep - three trashed joints. All the others, front and rear, were fine. I keep a bunch of spares, so I replaced all three.
So I'm thinking the only way this could happen is overextending the travel of these joints to the point of binding. But when I built the suspension, I certainly checked for bind, and with the length of my rear arms there was none - not even close.
This joint clearly has evidence of bind, and I thought I had my answer. But then I realized this is the joint with the broken bolt, and it hyperextended after losing half of its connection to the mounts. None of the other joints show anything like this - so I'm back to being stumped.
So now it's all back together, and strangely enough - no more noise...
I run joints with 9/16" grade 8 bolts. All were tight - well, except for the broken one.
So, has anyone had a JJ fail like this? Next time I have the springs out I'll check for bind once again. I do beat on the rig quite hard, and I can see taking a shot hard enough to do this in the front, but not in the rear.
Anyone have any idea what may be going on?
OP
Came loose and beat itself to death?
I don't think I've ever seen such a dirty,rusty, section of your jeep before!
Not sure on that one, but the others were all tight.
And yeah, the rig needs a bit of a cleanup after running in the snow a few weeks ago...
Those joints have been in there for over a decade. And one thing is for sure - they do get beat on.
For me, it is easier to remove the rear lower CA's by dropping the frame side first. But when I went to pull that bolt, it gave me a fit as well. I get it out and find this:
View attachment 502887
A bent bolt, and another trashed joint. At this point I figured I'd better check 'em all.
And I found this:
View attachment 502888
This was the frame side of the passenger lower rear arm. Another bend bolt. Another trashed joint.
Yep - three trashed joints. All the others, front and rear, were fine. I keep a bunch of spares, so I replaced all three.
View attachment 502889
So I'm thinking the only way this could happen is overextending the travel of these joints to the point of binding. But when I built the suspension, I certainly checked for bind, and with the length of my rear arms there was none - not even close.
This joint clearly has evidence of bind, and I thought I had my answer. But then I realized this is the joint with the broken bolt, and it hyperextended after losing half of its connection to the mounts. None of the other joints show anything like this - so I'm back to being stumped.
View attachment 502890
So now it's all back together, and strangely enough - no more noise...
I run joints with 9/16" grade 8 bolts. All were tight - well, except for the broken one.
So, has anyone had a JJ fail like this? Next time I have the springs out I'll check for bind once again. I do beat on the rig quite hard, and I can see taking a shot hard enough to do this in the front, but not in the rear.
Anyone have any idea what may be going on?
Since more than one bolt was bent my guess is you are probably at the limit of what the bolt can handle. May want to look at going with a center ball utilizing a larger bolt. The balls breaking is most likely once the bolt started to bend it lost its clamping power and allowed the ball to move in the mount putting undo stress on it.
OP
Thanks Dan. That was my thought as well. RockJock makes a 5/8 and 3/4 bolt size joint.
Came loose and beat itself to death?
I don't think I've ever seen such a dirty,rusty, section of your jeep before!
Accelerated by a heavy Hemi-foot, I'm sure
Broken bolts and joints - Most likely due to who you choose to wheel with
On the snow subject, I drove home from Nashville in the aftermath of the last snow storm and I don't know what they put on the roads (specifically I40 since they don't put anything on side roads) but dang it quickly started to corrode items on my trailer. Chain hooks, lug nuts, and wheel studs are oxidized and pitted, rust starting everywhere else, even painted surfaces. I forgot how bad the rust belt is since I moved to TN.
On the snow subject, I drove home from Nashville in the aftermath of the last snow storm and I don't know what they put on the roads (specifically I40 since they don't put anything on side roads) but dang it quickly started to corrode items on my trailer. Chain hooks, lug nuts, and wheel studs are oxidized and pitted, rust starting everywhere else, even painted surfaces. I forgot how bad the rust belt is since I moved to TN.
TNHEADDUCK
TJ Enthusiast
Is any of the threaded part of the bolt in J J ? I buy my bolts long enough that there are no threads in the joint then cut them to the proper length so there is nothing but sholder in the joint, I also use hardened washers under the bolt head and the lock nut. Since doing this I haven't had any issues with bent bolts or wallowed out holes. I get all of my hardware from Capital City Bolt in Nashville.
Brianj5600
TJ Expert
Do you lose much articulation with the larger bolts?
OP