U twisted bro.

 

Lol

 

Ok, so I changed my name a little (formerly known as GodlessArcher) and began a new account as I was being ignored in other places due to the possibility that my name was unapproachable.....perhaps. This isn't the place for me to openly expound my religious or political opinions, so I'm going with my other usual handle, consequently the name of my bow which ties into the whole XJ gig, RazorX.

Anyway...
the new tie-rod ends arrived today but I am still waiting on the rest before I start anything. My first objective is to change the upper control arm bushings because they seem to be the most difficult to get to. I just came in from spraying my target bolts with LiquidWrench in hopes for a pleasurable removal next weekend - provided all my pieces come in.

I am an electrician and limited on my vehicle savvy, and equipment, so I will probably post here for local support, encouragement, and validation in my decisions....so be gentle! Well, gentle at first anyway...

Oh, and if Y'all are into beer -a friend of mine just began as brewmaster at Valley Vineyards here in Morrow, OH. I have no problem trading beer, electrical favors or whatever for know-how and help!

Cheers!

 

That's cool I do like the new name better, imo.

 

Thanks.

I listed your name when I re-registered. Not sure if it gets you anything, but yours was the one I could remember....

 

Lol no clue what that's about, maybe ill get free parts lol so your starting with your upper bushings on the axle?

 

Hello there fellow sparky.

 

It asked for a reference name and yours stood out..

Both upper bushings, or all 4. figure I'm in there I may as well hit all i can.

I ordered all new bushings and tie-rod ends - pretty much anything with a bushing or wearable part. The upper control arm bushings seem to be the most difficult to get to just because they are all up in there. I will replace the rest as time permits, or at the same time; I can't tear it all apart because I need the thing to get around town. The only parts I didn't find were track-bar bushings, unless I get a new track bar and if I do I'd go with a HD adjustable one and that's not in the wallet for now.

I don't know how realistic my ideas of off-roading are but I do want to have a stable base and solid stock seems like an economically viable option. I've not looked into the ball joints yet, but they seem solid. i guess I'll find out more when I get 'er in the air.

I've tinkered with vehicles my whole life and nothing is super-new, but without a decent facility and back-up tools I am a little anxious about dickin' with something as important as the steering and suspension of the entire front end...

 

Well.....there goes trading lektrix for Jeep work. Guess it's all about the beer now, eh...

 

In all reality its cake, the bushings in the top of the axle just beat them out and beat the new ones in, I've never replaced the body side of the uppers I'm sure they are the same way, tre are easy too, count your threads before you take the old ones off so you know how far to screw the new ones in, and the balljoint part I always back the nut off till its flush with the top of the stud and smack it with a hammer to unseat the tre. Simple as pie,

 

Great idea on thread-count! Thanks!

 

No prob

 

I'm always willing to help, beer is a plus though. I part time at an alignment shop when I get laid off from my "sparky" job.

 

What flavor of electric are you into? I'm commercial/industrial mostly with residential experience. Currently on a manufacturing plant in Florence, KY and about to begin planning on a shut-down for a steel mill/industrial pipe manufacturer. My background is mostly commercial and light industrial. Mostly in the tri-state area. Been doing it for 22 years and it's worked out better than my AA in psychology that I worked on while laid off a few years ago.

I am totally in need of an alignment!! Which has prompted all the bushing changes.

How do you align the XJ with a solid track bar? It seems that my front end is off, to the right, about an inch, and the only axle adjustment is with the track bar but there doesn't seem to be any east/west adjustment ability. Am I missing something simple?

 

I'm into the automotive flavor, been at it for 22+