As some of you may know, I've been spending the last month trying to get Tilli fixed to get her back on the trail.

I took her to the dealer in the middle of Dec. because I heard terrible noise coming from the front end. I told them that something wasn't right and to go thru the front suspension. They came back and told me that Tilli's upper ball joints were bad and they were going to replace the upper A arms.
I thought cool problem solved...no. Noises still there, front end still doesn't feel right. So I baby her thru the holidays and take her back this week. The dealer calls me to let me know that everything is fine in the front end, that the noise I hear is coming from a loose bolt in the rear shock mount. They tell me they can't tighten it because it's an after market shock and if they do they will have to charge me. I tell them never mind and I picked her up.

The next day I take her to the shop that installed my lift and they said they would take care of it. I go that afternoon to pick up Tilli and they show me that there is no loose bolt, but a bad shock bushing and that the not "right feeling" in the front end are my stock struts that are no longer. At less then 23000 miles my struts are history.
Needless to say I have an appt. with Quinn next week for new shocks and struts.

You're probably thinking...holy cow is she done ranting. Actually this leads me to my thought.

What if we were to have every few months like safety/service classes/parties? So that we can become more familliar with our KJ's. Just the basic things to look for, feel for. To make sure our KJ's are in top mechanical shape. Suspension, tire wear, belts, hoses, etc. I know I for one would love to learn about that, so I can know what to look for and what could and could not cause problems.

Before our runs we have the saftey officers check for saftey equipment ie. fire extinusher, first aid kit, straps, hi-lifts and etc. We carry safety equipment with us, but do we all know how to use it properly?

The CPR class was a great start and a step in the right direction. Let's try and keep moving forward.

We all love to wheel but without a safe vehicle someone could get hurt. And I think maybe be if we can find some way to intergrate saftey and servicing in our KJ's we would feel more comfortable with them. And then in turn be able to wheel them to the best of theirs and our abilities.

Thanks for listening,

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Annette

LOST JEEPS So-Cal
Just a Jeep
named "Sammy"

Annette, i think this is a great idea and hope the safety guys jump all over this. This is a great way for folks to learn about their jeeps and then to make good decisions on what to do with out a dealer or shop maybe leading them down the wrong path. Why did you wait so long to bring this up. hehehe. Great idea. later...Clint

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http://lostkjwest.com
http://www.azlostkj.com
http://lostzj.com
KE7JLP

I agree Clint. Annette, I was thinking the same thing today, while waxing my dented up hood. Having all this stuff is one thing, but knowing how to use it is another. And also, if someone could show me how to change the fluids in my diffs, I'll buy them dinner.

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- Burchie

Maybe we can incorporate some of this in the training day run.

_________________
Take the road less traveled.

I second this. I can help with heavy lifting

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DIRTY KJ :: flickr photostream
"Primitive life is very common and intelligent life is fairly rare ... some would say it has yet to occur on Earth" --- Stephen Hawking

hey Mark, I'll show you how to change the diff fluids. First roll the jeep on it's side and remove the axle. That is the best way to get all of the fluid out Sorry I had to! No seriously I am all aboard holding a safety class and a little Jeep mechanics crash course. I am sure I have a few books lying around here from my ASE certifications.

Brian

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Everyones entitled to be stupid but you are abusing the
priviledge

ya know, the funny thing is, while the jeep was on it's side, I did notice how much easier it was to check things. The guy who wielded on my muffler should be fired

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- Burchie

Hey I have an idea. I'm a genius. For the safety day, we could flop it back over and then demonstrate how to right an over turned TJ. And then that way, LOST can pick up the tab to get it fixed. What do you think Clint?

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- Burchie

Ok, lets hear it....What is it that you want to learn about.

Keep it short and simple and we'll see what we can do.

The birds and the bees. Finally.

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Matt Townsend
Sebastopol CA

02 Red Libby w/Frankenlift, Full armor incl AllJ stuff, 245 MTRs on Cragars, ARB locker, custom rack, K&N FIPK, 8000lb winch, RE rear LCAs, Optima Yellow Top, RL Rear Bumper, Custom Front Bumper
98 TJ w/5.5" RE Long arm lift, ARB front/rear, 35x12.5, Borla, Warn winch, Teralow, etc., etc..

I'll step up to the plate here. I think the best maintenance you can do to your vehicle is change the fluids. The oil is no problem. I can do that or pony up the 30 bucks. But when it get to the other juices, that's were it get expensive. The Diffs don't seam hard, and jeep wants them don't every 12K. I waited until 50K. Is this a bad thing? I don't know. What about the tranny? I'm hearing prices of up to $250? And how often am I suppose to do that? Is this something I can do, or should I let a shop do it? And (this is the last thing, I promise) what should be done at 25K, 45K, 60K miles with these newer jeeps. It was easy with my '91 chevy truck, but now everything is a computer. I can't even see the spark plugs on the KJ.

Thanks

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- Burchie

I second the changing of all basic fluids and a ball joint check.

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Nanette

03 Freedom with some neat stuff done to it that I learned about here.

In addition to the fluid change & ball joint check, something along the lines of how to properly/safely use a Hilift Jack, winch and/or strap. How to extinguish an engine fire. Maybe a general idea on how to upright an overturned Jeep (we can even do a hands on using Burchie's Jeep).

It may be that we would have to have 2 different classes. One for maintenance and one on how to properly use all that emergency equipment stashed in the trunk.

Ed

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Take the road less traveled.

We had expected to go though the use of the hi-lift /shakles,tire repair kit, winch,snatch block, ect...but not vehicle maintenance.

As for the fire extinguisher....there are instructions on the label.

Changing the Diff fluid and Trans fluid , T-Case fluid are pretty basic operations that you could find instructions in a shop manual or a google search.


Ball Joint check is posted on the board...step by step instructions

ok....got any others ? ...man I love it when a plan comes together !

Ok Mr. Wiseguy....
The reason I brought up the fire extinguisher is that at least my fire extinguisher does not tell you how to put out a fire under the hood.
Do you open the hood and allow more oxygen to enter the engine compartment? are there good access points for putting out the fire without opening the hood?

Guess I'll have to do some research.

Ed

_________________
Take the road less traveled.

I'd just run away and call my insurance company !! A burnt car is never the same

Nice

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- Burchie

I should know better than to argue with you.

_________________
Take the road less traveled.

No...Ed's right

Opening your hood when there is a fire under it can cause a flash over from the added oxygen available to the fire.

I really don't know what exactly is the correct thing to do...Open slowly while shooting the fire extinguisher seems like the right thing to me (other than grabbing my CD's and walking away

Take a look at a fire triangle. Oxygen, fuel source and heat, those three items and you got yourself a nice fire. Take one away and its out. If its worth it unlatch the hood slowley open it while some one else is using the extinguisher or water hose. The extinguisher is ment to remove one of the three items that create the fire. http://www.cqnet.com.au/~user/solley43/ ... riang.html