The Mud Pit > Wrenching
XJ Refurb
kirksjeep:
The XJ "refurbish" is going ok, but has given me a few problems. The first was simply getting the oil filter off. I tried two strap wrenches, punching a screw driver though it, and eventually got it off by beating a few notches in the edge of it and tapping it off. The rubber seal was smashed on their pretty good. The valve cover gasket is a lot different then the one on my YJ, it took a while, but no problems. The spark plugs were ok, but the coil rail was a PITA to deal with. The transmission fluid, transfercase fluid and rear diff all went pretty quick.
The coolant change had a little surprise for me. Since the radiator is not the original, I am guessing that at one point the P.O. poured some stop leak into the over flow tank??? I found a 2" thick gunk at the bottom of the over flow. I ended up pulling to over flow out and scraping out as much as I could and then rinsed it out until it was clean. I used compressed air to blow the lines clear.
Next up is front and rear shocks and all new brake fluid. After that I'll save the worst for last with the front axle U-joints. So far it looks like the P.O. had the fluids changed. The worst looking was the brake fluid, it looked like oil.
I still have the interior, stereo, "new" rims, and some exterior work. I sold the beater Jetta today for $250 so I have a few more $$ to fix up the XJ.
PaulW:
seems like a lot of work, but seems satisfying.
Tsunami:
good luck bro, sounds like you got yur werk cut out... and i saw it...!
kirksjeep:
Today I knew I wouldn't have much time to work on the XJ since I promised my kids I would take them to Sub Fest (bracelt day). I decided to tackle the rear shocks and 10 minutes into it, I had snapped all four of the upper shock mount bolts :'(. I did a little searching on JeepForum and I guess it is pretty common. I just knocked out the welded nuts with an air chisel and picked some new grade 8 nuts/bolts/washers up from Home Depot on the way home from Sub Fest. I Fished some bailing wire through the holes and out the access slot, attahced a bolt with a washer on the wire and pulled it back out the hole. After I put the shock in place I slid anouther washer on and then a nut. On the drivers side the access to the top of the nut is longer then any wrench I had so I used a pair of channel locks to hold the bolt end while I tightened the nut. The passenger side is easier and I could get a wrench on the bolt head.
It was a pretty easy fix for a OH SH** moment ;). I also tried bleeding the rear brakes to get some fresh fluid down to the wheel cyclinders, but the brake bleeders are gummed up. I pulled them out and they look pretty bad. I'll go buy some new ones tomorrow.
PaulW:
i've had those rear shock bolts snap more then once. it really is common. g;ad the fix is pretty easy huh?
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