At any parts store they have these sockets that have a reverse corkscrew inside. Makes them tighten down onto a stripped bolt. They've saved me many times. They have them in all sizes and they're not too expensive.

 

Hmmm interesting. I'll have to take a look, thanks man

 

I just went out and crawled under my MJ to verify something. The large bolts that secure the tin cover for the flexplate are bolts and nuts. Shouldn't be an issue.

 

You're right. Those aren't the bolts that are the problem for me, though. I can get those out just fine. It's the small, bottom-most bolt that's stripped for me. That one doesn't have a nut on it.

I think I'm going to try something like this:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-14-pi...1&blockType=G1

 

Okay.

 

you can get the extraction sockets at Sears, craftsman brand has worked for me again and again. Bud got an Irwin set, 2 fails right out of the box, sent the set back, I got him a sears set and merry christmas he's no problems either since. when working on old jeeps, those extractors are sent from heaven, i've used em with impact also.

 

Got it chief!

 

Yes it seems like one bolt is without a nut.
Anywho, good luck, those things are pita!

 

I thought of you doing this in Sweden outside as I worked in my heated garage yesterday afternoon.

I don't envy you.

 

Haha thanks!
Actually not bad this morning, about 3 degrees Celsius and rain... So I got the front of the jeep into the garage.

Well after some swearing I finally got the cover bolts off! Oh, im not missing any bolts, i was wrong.
But the flex plate bolts... Jeez they are STUCK! Almost rusted in there. So I did not fight them off, the ticking got to be something else, if it still ticks. Taking her for a drive soon.
The cover is shining though

Other thoughts of possible issue if it still ticks underneath the engine?

 

The flexplate bolts are LocTited in but still come loose. Yours are good to go, I see.

Appreciate the weather report and glad to see you had such balmy conditions to work in.

Ever use a screwdriver, wooden handle, or mechanic's stethoscope to find noises?

 

Yep they were not loose whatsoever..

Took a drive, no tick. Turned her off and drove home 30 min later, no tick until we got home. Then I heard it tick a bit.
It's like tick-tick then quiet for a second then tick, quiet again and so forth.
So it's weird when it's not ticking constantly...

I have never used any tools to diagnose noises, Im a newbie at car mechanics

 

Sounds like a sticky lifter then. What oil and filter are you using?

Have you ever shone a light down into the oil filler hole to examine the amount of sludge?

 

Hmm filter is just a cheap no brand I buy from eBay Germany. Uhm oil... Some semi-synthetic 10-30w i believe..
Changed the oil a few weeks ago and have used the same kind of oil and filter for almost 2 years, about 4 changes.

I have never looked down there no.
But could it be a lifter? The ticking is not from the top of the engine.

 

Did you tighten your starter bolts when you were down there? I had a bit of noise and it turned out my top starter bolt had come off and the starter was just hanging by the bottom bolt (very loosely). I made a noise becuase it was moving from side to side!

Good luck. Sunny here in Canada today!