Basket's Build

[lBasket]

Cold couple days laying in the snow in sub32 temps

Got the Jeep back together. Pressing the JJ together with the vice wasn't too bad, but definitely a bit finicky. definitely see how the tool would make it nicer... Plus can be brought on a trail easily.

Drove about 30miles yesterday and it felt much better.

I did pass this so called "spin test" when putting the new locker together. I remember it not passing this when I first put it in my HP30 axle, so I guess I will try to pay attention to if the locker is acting differently too.

Going to take it out on a mild nearby trail and make sure it doesn't spit out the snap ring again since I'm not sure what caused that in the first place.

Side note, my headlamp disappeared and my normal light shit the bed this week. I ordered one of those "NightWing 230° headlamps" that I remember having a bunch of hype a year or two ago. Hopefully it works well, I can see having a non-single-point light source headlamp being convenient.

 

[Wildman]

Cold couple days laying in the snow in sub32 temps View attachment 579409 Got the Jeep back together. Pressing the JJ together with the vice wasn't too bad, but definitely a bit finicky. definitely see how the tool would make it nicer... Plus can be brought on a trail easily. View attachment 579399 Drove about 30miles yesterday and it felt much better. I did pass this so called "spin test" when putting the new locker together. I remember it not passing this when I first put it in my HP30 axle, so I guess I will try to pay attention to if the locker is acting differently too. View attachment 579401 Going to take it out on a mild nearby trail and make sure it doesn't spit out the snap ring again since I'm not sure what caused that in the first place. Side note, my headlamp disappeared and my normal light shit the bed this week. I ordered one of those "NightWing 230° headlamps" that I remember having a bunch of hype a year or two ago. Hopefully it works well, I can see having a non-single-point light source headlamp being convenient. View attachment 579410

I have one of those headlights. I like it a LOT. when you have dirty hand this is a great feature. Plus it being slim like it is IMO makes it more comfortable to wear.

 

[sab]

...I'm not sure what caused that in the first place.

In the picture you posted with the JJ's guts puked out, I can see the snap ring, but I can't tell what's holding it in place. Was the snap ring deformed when it came out? If not, it was likely not seated completely. If it was seated completely and popped out, I would expect to see it dished or otherwise bent.

Also, for future reference (if you weren't already aware), snap rings are stamped, and as a result, they have a sharp edge and a not-so-sharp edge. The sharp edge helps bite in and hold the assembly together. Always look at the snap ring during assembly, and place it so that the sharp edge is on the side that it would pop out to. In your case, the sharp edge should be on the outside of the JJ housing.

 

[hosejockey61]

Cold couple days laying in the snow in sub32 temps
View attachment 579409
Got the Jeep back together. Pressing the JJ together with the vice wasn't too bad, but definitely a bit finicky. definitely see how the tool would make it nicer... Plus can be brought on a trail easily.

View attachment 579399

Drove about 30miles yesterday and it felt much better.

I did pass this so called "spin test" when putting the new locker together. I remember it not passing this when I first put it in my HP30 axle, so I guess I will try to pay attention to if the locker is acting differently too.
View attachment 579401


Going to take it out on a mild nearby trail and make sure it doesn't spit out the snap ring again since I'm not sure what caused that in the first place.

Side note, my headlamp disappeared and my normal light shit the bed this week. I ordered one of those "NightWing 230° headlamps" that I remember having a bunch of hype a year or two ago. Hopefully it works well, I can see having a non-single-point light source headlamp being convenient.
View attachment 579410

Those lights are awesome. I use them when I set gears. The only downside is you'll sweat pretty good at the band.

 

[lBasket]

In the picture you posted with the JJ's guts puked out, I can see the snap ring, but I can't tell what's holding it in place. Was the snap ring deformed when it came out? If not, it was likely not seated completely. If it was seated completely and popped out, I would expect to see it dished or otherwise bent.

Seemed like the opening was just smaller than the bolt-hole section of the JJ ball, so it didn't fall off. At first I thought I was just super lucky to not have lost it but I don't think it could've fallen.

Yes it was slightly deformed, a little dish shape. Is that a problem? I figured the load of the joint after releasing the vice would flatten it (seemed like that was what happened)

Also, for future reference (if you weren't already aware), snap rings are stamped, and as a result, they have a sharp edge and a not-so-sharp edge. The sharp edge helps bite in and hold the assembly together. Always look at the snap ring during assembly, and place it so that the sharp edge is on the side that it would pop out to. In your case, the sharp edge should be on the outside of the JJ housing.

Good to know.. I was not looking for that

 

[lBasket]

Okay it already spit the snap ring back out

 

[sab]

Check for interference between the JJ housing and the mounting bracket within your travel range. If you have interference, it will side-load the joint, and that load will far-exceed the capacity of the snap ring. Also, don't re-use that snap ring again. Get a new one.

 

[lBasket]

On the bright side this is where I stopped to look

 

[lBasket]

Check for interference between the JJ housing and the mounting bracket within your travel range. If you have interference, it will side-load the joint, and that load will far-exceed the capacity of the snap ring.

What would this look like do you think? I know it was easy to put the arm on, no drift or hammer required at all

Also, don't re-use that snap ring again. Get a new one.

Yeah I was thinking that. I will probably order an entire rebuild kit for it just in case

 

[jjvw]

What would this look like do you think? I know it was easy to put the arm on, no drift or hammer required at all


Yeah I was thinking that. I will probably order an entire rebuild kit for it just in case

The snap rings have a sharp side. That side faces out away from the race. It is also a good idea to tap the ring into the groove to ensure it is fully seated.

 

[sab]

What would this look like do you think?

If, at any point in the range of travel, the JJ housings at both ends of the control arm make contact with their respective mounting brackets, additional movement will then side-load the joint, puking the snap ring out from the sudden increase in axial force on the joint. If it's happening on flat ground, maybe you can have someone stand on the bumper (front or rear, as necessary) and bounce hard while you watch the control arm ends (if you leave the joint apart like that, you can probably watch that joint and see it move to the side.) Either that, or pull the springs and cycle the suspension - not fun outside in the cold where you're at. Come on down to Texas - it's 75°F as I type this!

 

[lBasket]

The snap rings have a sharp side. That side faces out away from the race. It is also a good idea to tap the ring into the groove to ensure it is fully seated.

I'll make sure I do this too next time

If, at any point in the range of travel, the JJ housings at both ends of the control arm make contact with their respective mounting brackets, additional movement will then side-load the joint, puking the snap ring out from the sudden increase in axial force on the joint. If it's happening on flat ground, maybe you can have someone stand on the bumper (front or rear, as necessary) and bounce hard while you watch the control arm ends (if you leave the joint apart like that, you can probably watch that joint and see it move to the side.) Either that, or pull the springs and cycle the suspension - not fun outside in the cold where you're at. Come on down to Texas - it's 75°F as I type this!

I keep telling myself I moved to the mountains voluntarily so I need to learn to ignore the cold, just throw another layer on

 

[sab]

It is also a good idea to tap the ring into the groove to ensure it is fully seated.

I forgot about something to point out related to this. You have to install the snap ring with the JJ assembly under load (in the vice) because there is some compression of the rubber when it's installed. If you didn't compress it, then you didn't have the snap ring completely seated.

 

[sab]

I keep telling myself I moved to the mountains voluntarily so I need to learn to ignore the cold, just throw another layer on

When I lived in Roseau, MN, I changed oil on my vehicles outside in the driveway at -20°F more than once. I feel for you...

 

[lBasket]

I forgot about something to point out related to this. You have to install the snap ring with the JJ assembly under load (in the vice) because there is some compression of the rubber when it's installed. If you didn't compress it, then you didn't have the snap ring completely seated.

Yep see picture
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/baskets-build.53940/post-1655149

I can't imagine how you'd get the snap ring in without squeezing it somehow haha

 

[jjvw]

I forgot about something to point out related to this. You have to install the snap ring with the JJ assembly under load (in the vice) because there is some compression of the rubber when it's installed. If you didn't compress it, then you didn't have the snap ring completely seated.

I'm thinking the snap ring wouldn't be seated at all because the groove would be hidden behind the race.

 

[lBasket]

When I lived in Roseau, MN, I changed oil on my vehicles outside in the driveway at -20°F more than once. I feel for you...

It does kinda suck but also, my fault for procrastinating in July-August when it was nice out

 

[Wildman]

It does kinda suck but also, my fault for procrastinating in July-August when it was nice out

We both seem to have this problem... While there was a time I could lay out in the snow and work on a rig I prefer not to anymore. I've got to check all my joints and see if I had any that might have popped after the shakedown run.

What direction thread are the joint you're having issues with? And what size is the shank?

 

[lBasket]

We both seem to have this problem... While there was a time I could lay out in the snow and work on a rig I prefer not to anymore. I've got to check all my joints and see if I had any that might have popped after the shakedown run.

It does suck a little. I bought a rubber backed mat to lay on and it helps alot.

What direction thread are the joint you're having issues with? And what size is the shank?

Good ol' lefty tighty righty loosy

 

[lBasket]

The mangled snap ring after being spit out twice:

So, what the heck is this thing inside the joint? I thought a Johnny Joint was a 2 piece urethane bushing, this is some 1 piece rubber bushing?