Messages

So, long story short, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that I need a new front driveshaft. I am getting ready to order one and I went out to the garage this morning to pull my current one and to take measurements. Figured since I was ordering a new one, why not just go ahead and pull the old one off while I was out there before I end up with serious issues if the current shaft just fails completely, right? WRONG!

The bolts at the axle, although blue Loctite-ed, came off without a problem. I had a good angle at them and they were easy to get to. 2 minutes and they were off. The bolts at the transfer case were a new issue altogether. After bending myself into some interesting circus contortionist positions, I was able to get a nice little 5/16" socket onto the first bolt behind the CV joint and with a little doing, finally broke it loose and got it out....3 more to go. I examined the bolt for any thread mishaps and noticed yellow Loctite....great! After messing with the next 3 bolts for 2 hours and not getting them to budge what-so-ever, I managed to strip two of the heads, so they're nice and round now, and I bent a 5/16" box end wrench to a 90 degree angle (literally).  ::trout::  After continuing to try and come up with ideas of how to get these Loctited bolts out without being able to see what I am doing, not being able to get much pressure on them because of the confined space, and not being able to get a wrench or socket to bite on them anymore, I finally gave up and put the 5 bolts that I managed to get out back in.  :evil:

So my big questions follow:

1) Why is the Jeep manufacturing plant so obsessed with using Loctite on everything?? Seriously...are they personally trying to piss me off?

2) How much do the Jeep design engineers make to come up with goofy ideas like putting the bolts for the front driveshaft back behind the CV joint in the most impossible place to get to and in such a confined area that you can hardly even fit a wrench in there...let alone get a big enough wrench on the bolts for enough torque to break free yellow Loctited 5/16" bolts.

3) Should I sue for a new 5/16" combination wrench?

4) Does anyone have an amazing idea on how I can get these rounded bolts out now? I've tried smaller combo wrenches and sockets, tried some vise grips, etc. without any luck.

5) Does anyone feel brave enough to give me a hand in getting these bolts out and getting the new driveshaft installed once it arrives?

I am so frustrated at this point that I am considering just taking it to a shop once the new shaft arrives and letting them deal with it. I just hate when things like this beat me.  :evil:

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 ::ouch::

What's the best way to get rid of those winter blues?  Need an escape from Tax Season?  

Let's go play!

A couple of years back a handful of us took a weekend and went to West Branch to go camping and exploring some new trails with our sons.  Unfortunately, on the way home I was messing around with my then-new GPS and deleted all of our tracks.  I am going to plan a day trip to West Branch to try and find some of those trails again, I enjoyed our run on the last Sunday of February last year and plan to do it again this year.  Nothing formal, no serious plans, just a day to go poke around in the woods.  A little snow might make it interesting.  

Same rules as last year - you need tow points at both ends, and bring your sense of humor!

If I can get my driveshaft issues straightened out and get my CB working, I am in. I could use some "therapy"!  

That's impressive right there!

im thinking of heading to the mounds feb 5th anyone up for it? i know cody said he should be but....anyone else?

I would be, but I have some major repairs that need to happen first before another wheeling trip is going to transpire. Thanks, though.  

Same *tear*

Same here.   :cry:

When: Jan. 9th 2010 @ 6PM upstairs

Where:
All-Stars Sports bar
4312 South Dort Highway
Flint, MI 48507
(810) 422-5061

Why: Talk about Jeeps, tech, mods, wrench-fests, etc.

Come early to grab a bite to eat and talk to a great group of off-road enthusiasts!

Sorry....gonna miss this one. Have tix to the last Lions game of the season.

nah i think i will just get it repainted and leave the paneling off ...

Everything's finer with bed liner!  

Not bad....I'm a bit jealous. Looks like you need some new wood panelling, though  

Just remember, no swapping YJ parts for a J Truck body that won't bolt up to your Wagoneer frame, or any other new and uncharted swap territory.  

K.I.S.S.   ::ouch::

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

well looked at it last night and was surprised how much torque they had. more then a silverado and it was pretty imaculate my bud brandon was surpirsed how clean it was

Let me know how this works out. I may be interested if you are not.  :lol:

i am looking for a waggy!!! never thought i would want a vehicle this big but i want something that has offroad capabilitys, reliable, and decent mileage.....and they meet all this, and the silverados i have looked at get really bad mileage....lol.....also sry i havn't been to the meetings or on here alot i have just been really busy with studying for exams and homework up the wazoo lol

Funny should say that....I dropped the same exact bomb on Melissa this morning as I was walking out the door on my way to work this morning. I have always had good luck finding nice ones on Craigslist and eBay. Of course there is always WagonMasters....if you are willing to drop $30,000 on one  

//www.wagonmasters.com/

And yet another Google Freebie, a holiday swag package! free!

https://services.google.com/fb/forms/parentcarepackage/

These are already done...they redirect you here now:
//teachparentstech.org/

Sorry...I have one, but I use it for my bikini top in the summer. I have another, but I use that one for my full Bestop for the winter. I thought I had a third, but no dice.  ::ouch::

I am going to try....will know better a little closer to the date. If I do go, I will probably meet you all there.

Yep...  Lincoln Park - rail splitters.  I dont get it, but that's what they are.  Moved to LP since it was the only spot where I knew someone in the Metro Area.  I moved there for my job.  The area I live in is really nice.

Saginaw - yes!  I'll pass on your sweet sounding vacation home.  My wife and I usually stay with my parents when we head up there.

Little north of Detroit huh?  Richmond is way out there!

I'll try to make it to one of your meetings soon.  It might be hard until maybe March or April though.  Second baby is on it's way and due in February.

-Adam

Congrats on the youngin'!! Shoot me a PM next time you are heading to Saginaw, we may just be there as well. Sounds like a good excuse for a beer to me!!