Yeah, I should have thought to check simple stuff like this before pulling my entire diff apart but oh well.
Did you end up buying the RJ tool to press the joint together for the snap ring or did you rig it up some other way?
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Did you end up buying the RJ tool to press the joint together for the snap ring or did you rig it up some other way?
It happens. Again - if that's the worst that happened and you made it home, lesson to learn from like I did. We all make a mistakes.
I picked up the RJ tools in the larger and smaller sizes. I figured that everyone says they need regular lubing so it is a long-term investment like any other quality tool.
There are plenty of ideas out there to use sockets, threaded rod, and what-not to fill in for the RJ tool. Honestly, I was doing 16 joints on the CA alone, plus any other parts that have the JJ. So it wasn't worth the headache of a 'make at home' tool vs the quality RJ tool.
RJ tool is so easy - it becomes an assembly line with that tool.
Since I've only got the larger JJ's I only bought the larger tool. I'll make sure to bring it with me to Moab since I've already popped one snap-ring and who knows since I haven't given it a good once over since the shakedown run.
I vote for buying to tool... If you plan on keeping your JJ's for any length of time it's worth it.
I vote for buying to tool... If you plan on keeping your JJ's for any length of time it's worth it.
Okay yeah. I did watch the video from RJ for the tool and it looks super easy with it. Since I'm just trying to set one snap ring for now I may try with all thread and defer that 150$ a little bit longer. Much more worth it when rebuilding all the joints forsure.
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It's a great long-term tool but you have an immediate need so look around on the forums for how to build a homebuilt tool.
I think a 2 ton arbor press is the size I used and they are relatively cheap, especially if you luck out and find a used one on FB marketplace. Just make sure the distance is enough to press out the joint. Made quick work of mine when I borrowed one for a friend. And you can use for other things. Something like this, but hopefully on FB for under $75
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3HDH83F?tag=wranglerorg-20
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Not to be understated, and the reason I bought the tools for maintaining my joints, is the fact that no matter what method you choose, you have to hold on the damn joint somehow. Figuring out how to do it with a couple sockets and a press or some allthread is a good idea for a trail repair, but the tools are very well thought out, and come with vice flats on them, so you can very easily clamp the tool in a bench vice and work on the joint without needing a third hand. The force required to press the urethane is not insignificant.
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Ahh. Well, I'll give er the ole college try tonight but I guess I won't agonize over it, I'll order the tool if I can't get it in a reasonable amount of time. Might as well
Off Topic, but the pucker factor in your ride of the month photo is impressive.
Haha!! Thank you!!
It was funny, we had stopped on Hell's at the carwash area to wait for a group in front of us to do some repairs. I decided to putz around while we waited, I've gone into this bowl many times before but I came at it in a weird angle and had to radio someone to come help me. I think @taylormade73 wife Mika was the only one still in a jeep to hear me asking for a spotter
it was easy to drive right out of it but I was nervoussssI think Mike_H's point was that, for maintaining your JJs, where you'll be disassembling every one of them, it gets old very quickly using a janky set-up on a press to do the work. It would take a lot longer to do it. With the tool in a vice, it goes very quickly. My mid-arm isn't even installed, yet, but when I found out that JJs are not lubed very well from RockJock, and that they need to be disassembled to grease them (argghhhh!), I bought the two tools I needed and greased them all. I have two presses and all kinds of drivers for it, but I did not want to spend hours doing that work.
If you're only servicing that one joint, you won't save hours. You'll save minutes. Delaying purchase of the tools would make sense to me...
Okay yep this is the impression I got too. Very worth it when you're rebuilding 8 arms with 2 joints each... Maybe not as necessary just to re-set a snap ring, even if it might be more of a PITA.
If I didn't know I already had all thread laying around maybe I'd be more motivated to get the tool too
I'm stoked my diff was ok so I want to get this fixed and driving so I can commit to Moab as soon as I can
Haha!! Thank you!!
It was funny, we had stopped on Hell's at the carwash area to wait for a group in front of us to do some repairs. I decided to putz around while we waited, I've gone into this bowl many times before but I came at it in a weird angle and had to radio someone to come help me. I think @taylormade73 wife Mika was the only one still in a jeep to hear me asking for a spotter
I remember walking over and laughing at you
I kinda deserved it for getting stuck right there, honestly
Great song reference! That one brings a tear to my eye everytime!Shouda’ seen it in color…
I was going to say the same thing
Didn't realize that was even a song, went and listened. Are we just kids trying to save each other? Good song, like the reference
Good song, like the referenceSimilar threads
