Front Range 4x4 Upcoming Trail Runs - Add a New Trail Run

Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Member
    #1546
    Last Online
    17 Hours Ago
    Location
    Bozeman, MT
    Age
    45
    4x4
    1970CJ5 1958WillysWagon
    Posts
    3,694
    User Name
    FINOCJ
    Real Name
    James Orofino
    Thanks Given
    1,272
    Thanked 1,588 Times in 965 Posts

    Default Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    There used to be a thread somewhere that discussed checking and tightening your pieces under the vehicle. Especially with an old jeep, I try to do this quite often. Been getting a bit of a knocking sound, so checked everything I could. On the way home from my last trail run a couple weekends ago, the knocking got much louder. Time to really dig into it - think I found it....



    couple missing bolts near the top of the bellhousing that go into the block. Took some hassle (and hour plus) to get the transmission cover pan out to access from through the floor (standard jeep procedure)... Never tried to check those before. Might have to become a yearly check when I do the brake fluid (requires partial removal of the transmission cover pan). Some of the other bolts look to be missing lock washers, so that might help to get those.

    Anyway...if you drive old vehicles with lots of mechanical pieces bolted together....check and tighten your stuff...
    ___________
    James Orofino
    1970 CJ5
    1958 Willys Wagon

  2. The Following Member Says Thanks to FINOCJ For This Post:

    Patrolman (September 8th, 2015)

  3. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Member
    #1
    Last Online
    November 21st, 2023
    Location
    Port St. Lucie, FL
    Age
    73
    4x4
    4Runner
    Posts
    14,279
    User Name
    Chris
    Real Name
    Chris
    Thanks Given
    576
    Thanked 801 Times in 591 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    The original is here -> http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/...GHTEN-YER-JUNK

    But I couldn't agree more with both you and Pete's post. I've been searching for a very annoying squeaking that was intermittent and I couldn't find the source. The other day I was pulling my skids to see if they were rubbing, nope. I was putting my sway bar back on for a road trip with the trailer and I noticed my UCA appeared to be looser than I recalled. I tried to tighten the bolt but it wouldn't budge. Figured I just didn't really see anything new. It still bothered me so I kept an eye on it and, sure enough, a couple days later the bolt was a couple inches out. Turns out my bushing were shot. Much more time and the whole UCA would have come apart.

    So, yeah, check your stuff, tighten yer junk, and keep bad things from happening.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Member
    #1408
    Last Online
    September 7th, 2017
    Location
    Frederick Colorado
    4x4
    1975 Bronco Denver Edition
    Posts
    446
    User Name
    EKXJ87
    Real Name
    Steve
    Thanks Given
    96
    Thanked 69 Times in 62 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    Anyway...if you drive old vehicles with lots of mechanical pieces bolted together....check and tighten your stuff...[/QUOTE]

    X2 Ive had those same bellhousing bolts work themselves loose along with the rear leafspring bolts, thanks for the reminder I'm going to check everything before the snow/cold arrives.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Member
    #525
    Last Online
    January 10th, 2020
    Location
    Englewood, CO.
    Age
    41
    4x4
    89' K5
    Posts
    613
    User Name
    sunk
    Real Name
    Adam
    Thanks Given
    6
    Thanked 32 Times in 16 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    Lol, I think I have taken a similar photo once...

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Member
    #1118
    Last Online
    1 Hour Ago
    Location
    Aurora
    Age
    68
    4x4
    03 Ranger FX4
    Posts
    6,018
    User Name
    The StRanger
    Real Name
    Sam
    Thanks Given
    125
    Thanked 551 Times in 484 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    Luckily we have accesses to a hoist so I can check my junk often.
    ___________
    In a never ending search for the proper mix of dirt & rock !

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Member
    #1546
    Last Online
    17 Hours Ago
    Location
    Bozeman, MT
    Age
    45
    4x4
    1970CJ5 1958WillysWagon
    Posts
    3,694
    User Name
    FINOCJ
    Real Name
    James Orofino
    Thanks Given
    1,272
    Thanked 1,588 Times in 965 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    The StRanger previously posted:
    "Luckily we have accesses to a hoist so I can check my junk often."

    need a hoist eh?
    ___________
    James Orofino
    1970 CJ5
    1958 Willys Wagon

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Member
    #1589
    Last Online
    July 7th, 2023
    Location
    Lakewood
    Age
    50
    4x4
    2017 JKUR Recon
    Posts
    2,946
    User Name
    dieseldoc
    Real Name
    Brandon
    Thanks Given
    1
    Thanked 397 Times in 351 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    All I can say is a 30" extention w/ lock on the end and a good whabble impact scocket is you friend.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Member
    #853
    Last Online
    December 23rd, 2023
    Location
    Highlands
    4x4
    2006 Jeep LJ
    Posts
    7,483
    User Name
    Java
    Real Name
    Paul
    Thanks Given
    2,070
    Thanked 1,788 Times in 1,261 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    I actually like doing this, I check my Jeep before each run. I keep a set of ramps around and have a mark of my floor for them, it's faster and easier than jacking it up and you can slightly overfill your diffs with the added angle.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Member
    #1192
    Last Online
    October 10th, 2018
    Location
    Westminster
    Age
    41
    4x4
    1995 jeep Grand Cherokee
    Posts
    580
    User Name
    Adaa60
    Real Name
    Rob Gonzalez
    Thanks Given
    26
    Thanked 37 Times in 29 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    I almost lost an X-Joint on the drivers front Control arm thing of my Xj a few years ago from not checking my stuff, the set screw had worked itself out and the entire joint assembly came apart while on HWY 36 in the snow. but this taught me 2 lesson's:

    1. Check your stuff Before and after beating on it
    2. I <3 Blue locktite

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Member
    #1546
    Last Online
    17 Hours Ago
    Location
    Bozeman, MT
    Age
    45
    4x4
    1970CJ5 1958WillysWagon
    Posts
    3,694
    User Name
    FINOCJ
    Real Name
    James Orofino
    Thanks Given
    1,272
    Thanked 1,588 Times in 965 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    Got it back together and took for a quick errand - seems as though that should solve the problem (at least for a while).
    ___________
    James Orofino
    1970 CJ5
    1958 Willys Wagon

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Member
    #750
    Last Online
    August 31st, 2019
    Location
    Thornton
    4x4
    1978 Bronco
    Posts
    2,771
    User Name
    Cr33p3r
    Real Name
    Sean
    Thanks Given
    418
    Thanked 145 Times in 116 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    This is something my son Brandon is learning with my old ranger. Since he wheels it harder than I ever planned on doing myself, he's been breaking parts from not checking them after wheeling. I think he's finally figured it out now that he has to replace the steering gear box.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Member
    #1028
    Last Online
    4 Hours Ago
    Location
    Longmont
    Age
    72
    4x4
    '12 Jeep Wrangler Sport 2.5" lift, 33s, winch
    Posts
    5,074
    User Name
    Tom
    Real Name
    Tom
    Thanks Given
    2,400
    Thanked 1,234 Times in 933 Posts

    Default Re: Tighten your stuff...if you can reach it



    I like the 'if you can reach it' qualifier. Seems to imply that if you can't reach it, it will eventially fail so bad that you will be able to reach it.
    ___________
    Tom
    -.- . ----- .-- - -.-.

Similar Threads

  1. TIGHTEN YER JUNK
    By Brody in forum Tech How To
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: April 26th, 2016, 06:44 PM
  2. FS: Cherokee Stuff
    By Shadowmaker in forum For Sale, Wanted, Trade, Free
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: September 8th, 2015, 05:38 AM
  3. New Stuff!!
    By Serious Offroad in forum Vendors
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: December 5th, 2012, 09:24 AM
  4. Just A Reminder...Tighten All your Junk!
    By Brody in forum General 4x4 Tech Topics
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: May 31st, 2011, 06:46 PM
  5. First Aid/Med stuff
    By Pathrat in forum General Topics
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: April 21st, 2008, 06:08 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
BACK TO TOP