What is your process for making sure that none of the electronic bits are affected when you degrease/pressure wash?
2005 Rubicon; A Rubi Brother
- Thread starter Jamison C
- Start date
What is your process for making sure that none of the electronic bits are affected when you degrease/pressure wash?
Just be mindful of where you're spraying the high pressure. They (the electronics) get wet every time it rains. You just don't want to direct a blast of 3500 psi water directly at them.
That being said, when I clean the engine, I don't typically use the pressure washer, but I do use a garden hose sprayer at whatever my municiple water supply is (around 50 psi, I think).
OP
Very similar to what Mike said, don’t hit electrical connections directly with water.
I usually do it on a day when the engine is cold and the water doesn’t evaporate. Just throw some simple green in the soap reservoir on the pressure washer, spray it down good on the light setting and let it stand for like 15 minutes, then come back through and rinse it off. I use a special attachment that converts the water pressure to air pressure with a fine mist. When I’m satisfied with rinsing, I use an electric leaf blower to remove any standing water.
As long as your wiring and weather packs are in good shape, you shouldn’t have issues. It’s when dirt and grime builds up that things like wiring, rubber, vinyl, sensors etc. start to deteriorate. I’ve always kept my engine bays “healthy” and have never once had an issue with this method.
OP
So a thought occurred to me today. One of the mounts for my factory HELLA fog lights broke and I haven’t really found a replacement mount yet. My good friend and fellow Rubibro @AndyG sent me set of 97-04 OBEN factory fogs and I haven’t done anything with them. Tonight it occurred to me to check the wiring and sure enough, they use the exact same internals as the 05-06 HELLA fogs; just different connectors. So I opened them up and swapped out the wiring. Now the OBENs are factory wired for my 05-06. I still plan to fix my HELLAs and put them back on but these will do in the meantime.
This guy is amazing- love keeping tabs on him.
OP
Finally knocking another one of those things out that I was procrastinating. Currie steering, and new ball joints and axle u-joints.
OP
OP
Holy smokes friends. That ujoint was toast! I have no idea how long it was like that! It had obviously done some sort of carnage because one of the hub bolts had been ground down. I’m wondering if this has contributed to my front DS vibes?
Anyways, I got the knuckles and steering off. The passenger knuckle gave me a little more grief as you can tell by this photo.
Otherwise, tear down went pretty smooth.
Anyways, I got the knuckles and steering off. The passenger knuckle gave me a little more grief as you can tell by this photo.
Otherwise, tear down went pretty smooth.
Any damage to the ears of the shaft? Any plans to eventually go to 4340 shafts? Good time if so!
OP
If your front is locked (and it is) then with 33’s you should have 4340 shafts for the smaller 27 spline outer. If you are going to 35’s anyway, then why not? You’re there.
OP
I don’t plan to go to 35s (said every guy ever
) so I didn’t consider an axle upgrade. I think my stock Rubi shafts are ok with my 32s for now.When I go 33s I’ll probably upgrade along with new front hubs.
I don’t plan to go to 35s (said every guy ever
When I go 33s I’ll probably upgrade along with new front hubs.
Yeah, I said that. I settled on 33’s and then broke all my rules, and my pocketbook went broke too! Going to 35’s is no joke, but hey, what else am I going to do? I think you should stop kidding yourself and join the club. Have you re-geared yet?
Actually, out of interest, when I went to Moab the first time in 2018, I met an old dude named Rick Antolovich. He’d been going to Moab for 50 years. He was in a white Rubicon on 32’s with a partial tuck. He invited me to go wheel with him and some younger folks on Hell’s Revenge the next morning. He out-wheeled everyone in the group, which included a JK on 37’s and an LJ on 40’s. So, I think you’re good.
OP
Wow the last couple days have been a bear. I decided to a do refresh on the front end and replaced the axle u joints and ball joints. Glad I did because as you saw above I was missing a bearing cap! Turns out one of the axle ears was bent and trying to get that resolved was cruel and unusual punishment.
I also got my winch and Currie steering installed. I’ll post more pictures later when I have it completed but for now I have these.
I also got my tires balanced today. All 5 were way out of balance according to the tech. I wonder how that happened
I also got my winch and Currie steering installed. I’ll post more pictures later when I have it completed but for now I have these.
I also got my tires balanced today. All 5 were way out of balance according to the tech. I wonder how that happened
OP
Finally, feast your eyes on that winch, and that beefy steering! Feels sooooooo good to have this done!
OP
The above post was short lived
I will say, the steering felt tighter than ever. I was doing 80 most of the way to Phoenix and through the city last night, and it was easily one finger steering. Amazing how well they can handle when everything is dialed in.
Also popped another bearing cap on the axle u joint, so I guess it’s time for new axle shafts.
I will say, the steering felt tighter than ever. I was doing 80 most of the way to Phoenix and through the city last night, and it was easily one finger steering. Amazing how well they can handle when everything is dialed in.
Also popped another bearing cap on the axle u joint, so I guess it’s time for new axle shafts.
The above post was short lived
View attachment 506122
I will say, the steering felt tighter than ever. I was doing 80 most of the way to Phoenix and through the city last night, and it was easily one finger steering. Amazing how well they can handle when everything is dialed in.
Also popped another bearing cap on the axle u joint, so I guess it’s time for new axle shafts.
I heard there was breakage today. What'd you do?
OP
Just popped another ujoint cap. My bumper smacked a rock bit that was an error on my part. I was able to drive home just fine.
@MikeE024 sheared a control are mount off. It was gnarly!
The above post was short lived
View attachment 506122
I will say, the steering felt tighter than ever. I was doing 80 most of the way to Phoenix and through the city last night, and it was easily one finger steering. Amazing how well they can handle when everything is dialed in.
Also popped another bearing cap on the axle u joint, so I guess it’s time for new axle shafts.
The upgrade will be worth it.