Nate's 2002 TJ, Not so simple anymore by gst95dsm

4 minute(s) of a 391 minute read

I decided to drive the Jeep around town today to run some errands and hit the freeway since I have not been at freeway speeds yet since the stretch. It drove good on the freeway but there was a somewhat rhythmic high frequency vibe around 70 mph. It was there before the stretch but didn't seem as prevalent. It felt like a driveshaft vibe..... and I believe it is. I've got some considerable play in the splined portion of my front driveshaft. I think when I pulled the t-case and pulled the front drive shaft apart on accident I failed to orientate it the same way during reassembly. I'm not blaming the wear on that, (I blame the lack of a boot, grease, or any maintenance over the years on that particular part) but I think it may be why the condition is more prevalent than before. I'm actually not sure how much play in those splines is acceptable, I assume NONE, like my new rear shaft is. Just to clarify, by play I mean you can grab the shaft where the two pieces connect and feel movement where the splines are not firmly engaging each other. Can anyone go out and grab their DRIVEshaft and see if it's got any play in it?????  

It figures I spend all of, and then some, of the Jeep money I've saved up the last couple months and end up needing a general maintenance repair! Haha. Oh well.

I just noticed this pic in my photobucket.... didn't even remember taking it. I thought it was a pretty cool shot!

10-13-2013

Great time wheeling today. I'm making a little video right now. I climbed and did some obstacles that I either wouldn't do before or that I never felt much confidence on. Needless to say I am VERY pleased with the rig right now. The stretch has really just transformed the rig into a great climber with a great departure angle... I never drug the rear going up or down anything today, and comfort and stability especially with my suck down winch was better than it's ever been. It was eye opening!

Good times.... 

10-14-2013

Drew up a fairlead mount for my new Barnes bumper and cut it out today. Should work out good. Just waiting on the UPS guy... dude is running late today.

This new bumper is pretty sick IMO. A lot more detailed in it's design than I thought it was. My fairlead worked out perfect and looks pretty at home I think. I'm going to work late tonight and try to wake up to a nicely painted (dry) bumper to stick my winch on and call it done.  









The interior of the bumper is a lot more elaborate that I thought... it's got a nice gusset in the center.





Overall pretty pleased, especially for the reasonable price.