coming along really ncie

 

Last night I cleaned up the control arms, track bar, steering linkage, brake calipers, shocks and sway bar links. I gave everything the once over looking for cracks, break and any other damage. Every thing was scratched and a little rusty but otherwise good to go. I got on the phone talking with my cousin I haven't spoken to in 20 years, last night, so I didn't get much else done. I did get the axle shafts and hub/wheel bearing assemblies installed and torqued. Oh, yeah, I put the other hockey puck bumpstop on the axle, too. I went ahead and sealed the diff. cover, too. The way this RC diff. guard is shaped. there is a bar that goes directly over the fill plug. I will have to fill the diff with gear oil and plug it. then, remove the bottom bolts and install the diff guard. I'm not really happy with the way that is designed but, it will work until I can afford something better.

 

Looking Good BUCK, Besides the drama, lol

 

Yeah, seems like no matter what a guy starts a thread about, there always has to be a little drama from some random dude who thinks he knows what is better for your Jeep than you do.

The axle is pretty much put together as much as I'm going to before installation in the Jeep tonight.

 

Yeah, I just did a little review of the entire thread. This really was more of a job than I'd ever expected it to be. Of course did take my time and took lots of pics. I also gave everybody every chance to comment and share parts and practices that have worked to beef their D30s up. This thing is really starting to look like a complete axle assembly that is ready to be bolted into my XJ and go tear up Walker Valley!!!

 

Here are a couple of Pictures I took after installing the rotors and wheel spacers. If I had it to do over again, I would have waited to install the axle shafts, rotors and spacers until after I'd hung the axle back in the Jeep. Man! all that stuff made a huge difference in weight when I had to carry that thing from in the garage out to where the Jeep was sitting...

 

I definitely did get the axle installed in my XJ over this weekend. It looks really good, I think, and this was my first D30 install in the front of an XJ without using Coil Spring Compressors. I was a PITA but, I think doing it outside on the ground in the dark while it was raining contributed quite a bit to what a pain it was...LOL. I realized while test driving my Jeep just how bad the old axle was. I think it was bent and possibly broken in a few more places other than the ones I knew about. I'm looking forward to getting my Jeep out on the trail and seeing how this new axle performs where it really counts.

 

So, now I can get busy on all of the other things that I need to get done to my Jeep. Starting with a good thorough cleaning inside and outside. I also need to touch up the paint on my rock sliders, quarter panel guards and front bumper. I need to give the engine a good cleaning and degreasing. I also bought new cap/rotor/plugs for it. I also got the stuff to change the oil. I think this oil and filter has about 8K on it. I'm going to grind down the bottom lip of my rear D44 Differential cover a little so it's just above the bottom of the housing and then I have my new Bad Apple Diff. cover guard to put on it. I will snap a pic of it tonight so you guys can see what it looks like. My rear diff cover getting snagged on rocks and leaking will be a thing of the past after this is my hope. I also have an exhaust leak to address and a rattle coming from underneath when I start the engine. I just hope that isn't a bad or worn motor or tranny mount. I will deal with worn mounts if I have to but, I'd rather it was just something loose that needs tightened.

 

Last night I removed the rear differential cover and stripped all the paint off of it. Then, I scribed a line between the bottom two bolt holes and I ground off the bottom 1/8 inch of the cover. Pretty much the whole part that had been peeled up by multiple rock hits. Here are a couple pics of the new Bad Apple Fabrications D44 Diff. Cover Guard and the partially cleaned up diff. cover. I will finish cleaning the diff. cover up, 4 point it on the axle and then give the whole axle a nice new pretty paint job before I put the new Diff cover guard and grade 8 hardware on.

 

Last night I 4 pointed the rear diff. cover on the axle and gave the whole rear axle a few coats of Satin Black to make it all purdy. Then, I pulled the diff cover back off and sealed it. Then, I installed the diff cover and the new Bad Apple Diff guard with the grade 8 hardware. I think it looks really good. The important thing is that my leaking problems are over. I'm pretty sure this new diff guard will hand a rock hit much better than the stock diff cover by itself. Here are a couple of picks of the finished product.

 

Over the last couple nights in between letting paint dry did a few other things the Jeep has been needing for awhile. I swapped in a new Cap, Rotor and Sparkplugs. I also changed the oil and filter and put in a bottle of Fuel System Cleaner. I installed a new Spectre Cone Air Filter, too. I did a Redneck repair on an exhaust leak that was coming through a crack at the inlet of my muffler. Hopefully the JB weld holds...LOL. I wire brushed, cleaned and touched up the rear bumper, rear quarter guards and passenger side rock slider.

I just need to touch up the driver's side slider and front bumper and I will be ready to go wheeling. I really need a new to me driver's seat bad!!!! The driver's seat in my XJ is pretty much wasted.

 

Looking good Buck, what brand of paint did you use on the axles? I was thinking about picking up some por 15, but it's kind of expensive. It's a good thing you were able to get the jeep back together before you leave. When you get back I should have mine back together, so hit me up and we'll go wheelin!!

 

I use regular old Krylon in a rattlecan. The Satin Black really looks good I think. Flat Black looks dirty and fades too fast. And Gloss Black on suspension and drivetrain pieces just makes it look like a cheap Pimp ride.

 

Flat black looks awesome.

 

Flat Desert Tan looks even better!!