JeepNoob
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Pueblo, Colorado
Thanks, I'll look into them. I was looking into a Bluetorch Fabworks diff cover earlier. They look beefier than a slaughterhouse and the price doesn't seem that bad for an aftermarket diff cover. They also have "weld-it-yourself" kits that are cheaper than the assembled covers, but I don't trust my welding skills enough to weld it up without messing something up (undercutting the metal, warping it, etc)
I pulled the brake drums tonight... that was fun *roll eyes* and informative. Passenger side was full of brake dust and mud. Thought the linings might've had a bit of life left on them, but I didn't even bother measuring since, upon closer inspection, both were cracked. Also noticed the star wheel tab wasn't putting any tension on the star wheel and the cable that runs from the top post was loose. Cleaned everything and put it back together. Driver's side was more interesting... Confirmed my theory that if Jeeps were people, everybody who's ever worked on one would be in jail as they frequently require a reminder of who's actually boss and the best way to do this is by hitting them...Drum didn't want to come off the hub, despite numerous soakings in Kroil. Ended up hitting it with a big ol' Craftsman soft-faced hammer and was then was able to pry it off with a screwdriver. Noticed that there was some REALLY hard rust or something in the groove around the end of the hub when I got the drum off and I think that was what was making it stick. Chipped it off with a screwdriver and wire brushed it with the Dremel just to be sure. Front shoe on the driver's side was more worn at the top than the bottom. I'll have to check my books, but IIRC, this is due to the sizes between the drum and shoe being incorrect (drum basically needs to be cut more to match the curve of the shoe) It looked pretty clean, except for some gunk around the axle shaft which I'm guessing is due to a shot axle seal. Again, cleaned everything and put it back together. Also adjusted the parking brake cable nut. Now when I give it a good, quick, hard jerk, it goes almost but not quite all the way to the top and stays put on an incline.
I knew going in that it was gonna take a lot of time and money to get everything right, but at least I have the satisfaction of knowing that I rescued this rig from the trashy shitheads and wannabe-techs (not even gonna use the word "mechanic" even though I probably should. REAL service techs know why...) that are all over the place where I currently reside and never would've given the ol' girl the care and attention she needs...
I pulled the brake drums tonight... that was fun *roll eyes* and informative. Passenger side was full of brake dust and mud. Thought the linings might've had a bit of life left on them, but I didn't even bother measuring since, upon closer inspection, both were cracked. Also noticed the star wheel tab wasn't putting any tension on the star wheel and the cable that runs from the top post was loose. Cleaned everything and put it back together. Driver's side was more interesting... Confirmed my theory that if Jeeps were people, everybody who's ever worked on one would be in jail as they frequently require a reminder of who's actually boss and the best way to do this is by hitting them...Drum didn't want to come off the hub, despite numerous soakings in Kroil. Ended up hitting it with a big ol' Craftsman soft-faced hammer and was then was able to pry it off with a screwdriver. Noticed that there was some REALLY hard rust or something in the groove around the end of the hub when I got the drum off and I think that was what was making it stick. Chipped it off with a screwdriver and wire brushed it with the Dremel just to be sure. Front shoe on the driver's side was more worn at the top than the bottom. I'll have to check my books, but IIRC, this is due to the sizes between the drum and shoe being incorrect (drum basically needs to be cut more to match the curve of the shoe) It looked pretty clean, except for some gunk around the axle shaft which I'm guessing is due to a shot axle seal. Again, cleaned everything and put it back together. Also adjusted the parking brake cable nut. Now when I give it a good, quick, hard jerk, it goes almost but not quite all the way to the top and stays put on an incline.
I knew going in that it was gonna take a lot of time and money to get everything right, but at least I have the satisfaction of knowing that I rescued this rig from the trashy shitheads and wannabe-techs (not even gonna use the word "mechanic" even though I probably should. REAL service techs know why...) that are all over the place where I currently reside and never would've given the ol' girl the care and attention she needs...
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