It just happened!

Painted the front driveshaft, then cut a factory brake line and re-flared it to stop a slight leak. While there, I installed new soft brake lines on both front lines.

20221211_143852.jpg


20221211_143538.jpg
 
The last thing for today was an oil change, with a new experiment. I mixed two quarts of Classic Castrol 20W-50 high zinc with four quarts of Castrol 10W-30 and AT 205. I've got a small RMS leak I'd like to see if I can slow. I plan to replace the RMS in the Spring, so figured I'd see what happens with the mix.

20221211_154459.jpg
 
The weather was 82° in VA today, so I took the LJ out for a short drive. It has now only seen 146 miles since December 10th. I haven't even driven it enough to see if my concoction worked, but there is still a small RMS leak. Also, there is a large pile of parts piled up. They are waiting for me to decide what I'm going to do. :rolleyes:
 
RMS was dripping oil all over the floor. Cut the downpipe to make getting the pan out easy. Will reattach it with a band clamp, so it can be removed easier in the future.

View attachment 406243

View attachment 406244

I agree, last time I was underneath the Jeep I realized the rust I’ve got on the oil pan. Cutting the exhaust makes the swap less daunting
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman and Irun
Got a couple hours in today. Installed a new RMS, Melling oil pump,, installed the oil pan, then put the exhaust back on. When the band clamp arrives tomorrow, I'll finish up..

20230311_171020.jpg
 
Last edited:
Used a Mopar RMS this time. Let's see if it holds up longer than the last couple of Fel-Pro versions. There is a very slight exhaust leak at the cheap band clamp I used. It's one I had already, but will be replaced with a Walker clamp, when it gets here.

20230312_113620.jpg


20230312_110609.jpg
 
Does your exhaust not a disconnect point after the 3rd cat? Or, were you avoiding dropping the skid?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Irun
Used a Mopar RMS this time. Let's see if it holds up longer than the last couple of Fel-Pro versions. There is a very slight exhaust leak at the cheap band clamp I used. It's one I had already, but will be replaced with a Walker clamp, when it gets here.


IMG_6125.JPG

You're not the first.. a year ago while installing a new header and adding a flex pipe, I did the same in order to work easily on the pan in future..
guess what, just did some lower works such oil pan gasket and RMS and it was so so easy thanks to this !! :love: :love: ;);)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Irun and Wildman
I'm unable to do anything strenuous for the next week or so, but that doesn't mean I can't supervise. I made a call to a buddy who came over and helped me replace the front pinion seal. While he's not typically mechanical, he likes to learn and follows instructions extemely well. Truth be told, I'll admit I was laughing a little as I sat in the chair and had him crank on the crush sleeve. To do that I ground the outside of the old pinion nut, which he used to set the preload to 30 in lbs. Once he had that set, I had him use the new nut and torque it down to spec. We ended up at 190 ft lbs.

FWIW, I'd normally use a Spicer seal, but the one I had was damaged and we didn't know it until we opened the package. We ran down to NAPA and picked up an SKF seal. It turned out to be a better quality seal, with a metal cover plate over the front. Unless I find out otherwise, this will now be my standard replacement seal for the Dana 30 or 44.

Napa Part #: 15525 Dana 30/44 Pinion Seal
Yukon Part # YSPCS007 Dana 30 Crush Sleeve
Omix Part # 16584.04 Pinion Nut

20230315_115240.jpg


20230315_181613.jpg


20230315_115114.jpg
 
While my buddy was over today, I also had him remove the temporary cheap "Made in China" 2.5" OD butt clamp that was installed on the cut down-pipe. In it's place went a Walker 36530 exhaust 2.5" OD butt clamp.

If anyone else ends ups cutting their pipe, to make doing the RMS and oil pan gasket replacement easier, this is the clamp to use. I ordered several other clamps, including a Walker 33240. However, the 36530 clamp is far superior. The primary reason being, it has two clamps, an inner and outer, resulting in a stronger and tighter seal.

20230315_122559.jpg


20230315_122715.jpg


20230315_122725.jpg


20230315_122738.jpg


20230315_132101.jpg