Ok, did some more work on it, and still have issues, but might have cleaned some of them up.

1) the lower end of the track bar was loose. I remember now I didn't tighten it all the way when I installed it because I didn't have the lift yet.
2) the tires were hitting the brackets that hold up the sway bars when you disconnect them when I went over bumps, so I just removed those, I'll figure out where to put them later. so no disconecting sway bar for now, but not a big deal.
3) adjusted the rear drums, and re bled the brakes. They A LOT better, but still not perfect. I notice just a touch of sag in them when I'm holding them, so maybe still some air in them? I don't see any leaks. I may just need to upgrade them to a later booster, I know they upgraded the brake booster in later years, but takes some modification to get it to fit.
4) still a ticking noise, only when I'm moving, and most noticeable when accelerating. I'm guessing a bad ujoint.
5) I might also have bad wheel bearings, I notice a hsshsshsshss sound when turning left. I'm guessing that's a bad wheel bearing.
6) still does not like going over 2000rpm, starts to bog/buck a bit. could this be a cps?

 

 

If I had to guess - driveshaft u-joint.

 

based off the noise and where it is coming from, I think it's the ujoints in my CV, I tried to see if there was play, but couldn't find any, BUT they do look pretty rough. I bought a "rebuild" kit, for the front axle

 

Proof that prayer + swearing works miracles:




CPS bolts, somebody else must have tried to replace the cps before me... I have brand new ones in order.

 

Glad mine did not look like that in my '00 when I did the CPS.
Came out easy enough too once I figured out how to get up in there to get at them.
But in anticipation of having a problem like that ordered new one before I did the job anyway.
Figured for just under $7 rather have them and not need them then the other way around.
I could have reused the old ones without a problem.
Sad thing is that for my Jeep pretty sure that they are not available anymore new.

 

I found some New old stock on ebay. they were $8 shipped.

 

I wonder if it really matters. If you could just use stuff from the hardware store.
I poked around a bit about it but since they were still available just figure safer to buy the right hardware.
The CPS lining up properly was what I wondered about.

 

they have a shoulder on them, I didn’t know if I could find something like that at the hardware store.

 

Ok, so went out this morning to do some work on the jeep, Installed a new tps sensor since the previous one struggled to show a correct reading, also pulled out the old CPS, since I uninstalled the bolts, but never actually removed it, put the new one in place, and the old one's wire was crunchy with some melted bits in the middle, so if it is not a source of issues for me now, it would be soon. Also threw in a new o2 sensor, and rebuilt my front drive shaft. I couldn't reproduce the noise spinning the drive shaft by hand and none of the ujoints showed excessive wear, but all of them had their zerk fittings broken off and a few caps were really dry with little to no form of lubrication. So again, if it is not the source of my issue, it would be soon. I have a Brake master I need to bench bleed, and I cannot drive the XJ till those bolts show up for the CPS. I am also a dumbass, and might be chasing my tail for no reason. I found when I went to put the new TPS on that the tube going from the airbox into the TB was completely not hooked up to the air box, I left it undone after installing the front shock absorbers. I didn't catch it when I was trying to adjust the old TPS, nor when I was checking my vacuum lines to make sure nothing else was unhooked. But right now I've caught a cold (not covid, no fever, no cough, still have taste/smell, just sinus pressure, a runny nose, and a blinding headach), so back to bed for me.

 

 

Got my bolts for my CPS, and got that installed up, ran differently so it didn't rest against the engine... and now my engine won't rev past 2k rpm. Went to test the fuel pressure and here's the video from that:



so yeah, did you hear that pop? is that a plugged cat? I had some people mention that, but I had just passed emissions less than two months before I bought it, and I haven't run it enough to cause an issue with the cat... at least I thought.

 

I would have to check, but I think that fuel pressure may be a little low, but maybe just within spec.

Give the cat a few taps and see if you hear something moving. The core may be breaking apart. Perhaps it may be time to replace it if you are not sure how long it has been there. Also, how is the rest of the exhaust?

 

Well.... after talking to cruizer and a few other renix experts, and coming away with few recommendations beyond "the cat is plugged", I disconnected the exhaust pipe at the t-case/before the cat and had exactly the same issue. I'm out of money and I'm out of patience, so I'm going to Clean up the garage, Get a new gasket for the exhaust, put it back together and park it for a while. I can only assume it's something I did. Either the injectors are bad, or the spark plugs, Or I've fried the ECM or some sensor somewhere. but I'm done for a bit. I'll get back to it when I feel better (sick with covid, got a positive test this morning), and have some money again. Feeling a bit defeated.