'02 TJ with i4 -- Mid Life Crisis

[jaysenodell]

Arie, I'll get back under it tonight and get a full list of things (need battery and still torturing myself on the aveo).


sMike, I remember that. It seems worse to me now than when you pointed it out. I'm still hearing the noises I mentioned. I'm going to drop the skid and pull the DS tonight. Is that skid needed for DD? As much as I hate myself for saying this I really hope the problem is just the front pinion screwing with the DS.

[Nick]

When in doubt throw a Arnold Palmer can in there for a precision spacer!!

[M4wdFab]

the skid is the crossmember that supports your transmission and Tcase, yess you need that.  i think you can pull the shaft without pulling that.

[Wingman]

You should be able to access the bolts that hold the shaft on without removing the plate.

[jaysenodell]

Ok the tcase yolk is different than the rear. That one has bolts holding DS to tcase output. Can't find bolts for front tcase output. Disconnected front yolk. Shaft stuck in tcase.

Hints?

[KingtheZJ]

there are two bolt heads that i circled. 4 total.

[jaysenodell]

Crap. Can't see those from any angle unless I shove y phone in there. Those 5/16? Get them from the back?

[jaysenodell]

No way to get those out without air ratchet or something. Can't get any leverage. Not muscle in my girly hands to break them free with short 1/4 drive. 3/8 drive would get on the bolt thanks to tcase.

How bad would it be to drive without the DS in there? Might be able to get local shop to pull it for me.

Which brings me to saying "I need to listen to sMike". With front disconnected seems that the cv is shot. Much worse now and was "sloppy" with only tcase connected.

Pinion movement is more in/out. With DS disconnected I can move pinion shaft about 1/8 up/down and about 1/8 in out. Attaching DS makes it worse. Not looking good.

[Ryan]

Put it back together. Take it to get fixed correctly.

[Ryan]

A trail rig is one thing. A daily driver is not something to practice on.

[jaysenodell]

It's back together. Calling my local guy to see if he'll pull the shaft so i can get it to Fleet pride. Hope he can get it tomorrow night. I'm guessing that driving with no DS for a few miles is ok.


If I can get the turd (aveo) back up and running for less than target I will likely just gear front and rear. or at least park jeep till I can get gears done.

[Wingman]

You can run without the front shaft indefinitely (pinion yoke repaired).  In fact, I have disco'ed the front shaft at the pinion yoke and tied it up to the frame near the upper control arm to gain eem pee gees and eliminate vibrations (sloppy splines).

Get it somewhere and get it done right.  Those bolts probably have Loc-tite on them.

[rejeep]

2 foot extension and a wobble and you can get the yoke bolts

[jaysenodell]

My normal guy will put MLC on the lift and pull get those bolts for me. That will let me get the DS to fleet and put that problem to rest.

[mr.mindless]

pinion bearings are more pressing. you can do this for years:

I have disco'ed the front shaft at the pinion yoke and tied it up to the frame near the upper control arm to gain eem pee gees and eliminate vibrations

but the pinion still spins.



If you have a BIG socket set try to tighten the pinion nut. If you can move it without your eyeballs popping out, it's probably loose and has lost its preload. Whether it's loose or the bearings are bad/going, it's a bigish deal on a DD. Would suck to grenade the front diff on the way to work.