Wrenchfest in Brentwood...October 16

[Cottontail]

Hi y'all

I am planning to do some major work on the XJ in 2 weeks and would appreciate a few helping hands.

At this point I know, High2By and PacificEd plan to come over, but could still use a few more!

Here is the deal:
Saturday October 16...want to get started around 9 am.

The tasks at hand, in no particular order:

1. pull my rear axle and replace it with an 8.8 4.10
2. install a ZJ tie rod
3. pull my front axle (LP 3.55) and replace it with a HP 4.10.
4. pull the shafts and knuckles from the LP to use in the HP
5. replace all the U-joints (front and rear shafts and both axle shafts)
6. bleed the brakes after install
7. depending on time, try to trace a suspected vacuum leak

Ed was thinking with 5 or 6 sets of hands that we could have it compeltely knocked out in about 3-4 hours or so.

What I know for sure I will need....a second set of jack stands, a set of sockets for the 12 point nuts on the knuckles, something to get the old U-joints out...

I'll have donuts, Diet Coke, water and Beer (if you want to drink at 9 am), with Powerblock on Spike on the garage TV. Probably order in some pizza about noon if we are still going strong.

I would apprecaite any help anyone could give. I am looking forward to a little wrench time with y'all. I am sure we can get this knocked out in no time.

For those of you familiar, I am in Brentwood off of Concord Road, very near the termination of Edmondson Pike. Anyone that might be interested in some garage time, PM me, and I will send you directions and my sincere appreciation!

 

[PacificEd]

I'm in.

 

[High2by]

I'm in toooooooooooo.

 

[Mr.Shrek]

I'll see what I can do Dirk.

 

[Cottontail]

Looking forward to it y'all. Ed/Mark, don't forget the blocker plate for the disconnect off Mark's old axle! :repair:

Thanks, well in advance.

 

[wingnutooa]

as of now. IN

9am beer? no. but by 10? who knows

and i dont want to rain on your parade but these things never go as planned.

question on the 8.8

do you have all of the brake lines and everything you need to make it work.

we had to do a lot of scrounging and custom stuff to get glenn's rolling.

i'm assuming other than that its a ready bolt in.

upper and lower ball joints can pose a small problem too since Ed's ball joint press is bent....(thanks ED!!!)

other than that i have almost a full service auto shop in the back of my jeep along with some air tool capabilities.

air hammer with pickle fork/ impact, etc....


but as of now i think that i have that weekend open so count me in!

 

[PacificEd]

I must have been smoking something good when I said 3-4 hours. It will take all day to get them swapped and most of the major stuff in place.

I have the jack stands, disc housing, and tools I can bring. Anyone have a ball joint press? Mines bent.

 

[High2by]

I'm just bringing myself.

 

[thechief86]

if i can help you with anything the day before, i'd be happy too, but the 17th is my first anniversary, and the wife and i will be leaving town for a couple of days. let me know if you want a hand with any prep work, or getting the garage cleaned up for a long day of wrenching.
EDIT: i don't know exactly when we're leaving town, but i'll letcha know before it's too late, lol.

 

[Cottontail]

do you have all of the brake lines and everything you need to make it work.

i'm assuming other than that its a ready bolt in.

upper and lower ball joints can pose a small problem too since Ed's ball joint press is bent....(thanks ED!!!)

other than that i have almost a full service auto shop in the back of my jeep along with some air tool capabilities.

air hammer with pickle fork/ impact, etc....


but as of now i think that i have that weekend open so count me in!

The 8.8 is set up with brake lines. TrailRate has 60Drivers XJ at his place. He is going to do some more work to that one (including having to redo the axle) so, he is going to pull 60's axle out and we'll put that one (complete) into my XJ and the one I dropped at Trailrate's he'll rebuild for 60Drivers.

The ball joints in the front are already pressed in. I had a local machine shop take care of that. For the front, all we need to do is swap the shafts, brakes, and knuckles...and I want to put in new U-joints since we have them out.

Also, I have one set of jackstands, a mostly decent set of tools and a 60 gallon compressor with an impact wrench, air hammer, and air ratchet. I'll have the front on jackstands a couple days early hitting everything with PB Blaster a couple times a day leading into that Saturday morning.

 

[wingnutooa]

Well lets just call you mr prepared!

 

[wingnutooa]

i my try to dive into wiring my TJ flare side markers into the stock lights. we'll see how it goes. if i have to pull lights or header panel i'm gonna put it on the back burner.

 

[watrousmark]

I'm working that weekend but if someone should need a ball joint press in the future give me a shout. I also have a MIG and stick welder and a great big sledge hammer. Do you still need a tubing bender or flaring tool?

 

[wingnutooa]

oooh those goodies sound good.

 

[thechief86]

^that would be why they are goodies, my friend.

 

[watrousmark]

The sledge is my favorite.

 

[PacificEd]

Should be a fun time. I need some wrenching for sure.

Mark has the axle with the block off plate and seal retainer and we will get the parts removed in preparation for the new axle. You might have to pick up a new seal. Be prepared for that. Good news is we have the old seal and National number.

 

[Cottontail]

I already have the cork seal that came on the axle that is in real good shape. I am hoping we can reuse that one.

Are you and Mark coming up together?

See you around 9. You ok with directions?

 

[PacificEd]

Is there an auto parts place, preferably an O'Reillys, close to where you live?

 

[bigalpha]

I hate all of you with your spacious, enclosed wrenching areas.