Need to vent!!!

Jeepin Al · **Posted:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 7:43 pm

I just spent about 6 hours under the KJ trying to replace my steering rack today (this is what I get for working on the Lord's Day). I don't know if I am stupid -- just plain dumb -- just getting plain to old and worn out or a combo of all three, but what a PITA just getting the rack out. You need to remove the front diff, to get the rack out (based on the KJ book). I just remove one of the diff mounts and the oil filter to twisted the thing out. I am really PO'd right now. I am almost ready to go SFA, I am so ticked. Six @#$^%$^%& hours and I was just able to remove the rack. Now I got to put the thing back in. It was easier to lift the front with the spacer I have.

The way my lift is set up, I am thinking of mounting the rack under the cross member , lengthing the steering column. Than I will need to modify the skid plate.

I was so PO'd when I can in from the garage, I was going to post the #$%^ KJ in the "for sale" section!

Sorry I needed that. Now for a nice hot shower, and afterward a glass of wine, or two or three! 24 is on tonight, that will take my mind off of things for a while.

Al

unixxx · **Posted:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:33 pm

The front end components are really tucked up in there. I guess there are consequences to the clearance and protection benefits. Hopefully it'll be easier getting the rack re-installed. Don't sell the KJ

I've got to remove the front diff next weekend and will accompany you in the pain....

Neatus · **Posted:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 9:27 pm

No! Al's Jeep can never be for sale! Hang in there Al...a new day awaits you.

LiLredLibby · **Posted:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:17 pm

Well Al....I just want to say ...I can relate. I did one at work one day last week and told my boss if he wanted to keep me as an employee,not to EVER give me another one! I work a 10 hour day and spent 5 hours getting that one out.The only thing that kept me from quiting was that the first rack the partshouse sent me was the wrong one and couldnt get the right one for 2 days....lucky me...or my boss. But I still think the worst job I was ever handed in my 24 years was a heater core in a split dash corvette. :cry:

FastTRX · **Posted:** Sun Jan 14, 2007 10:42 pm

I hope you feel better Al!

I can also relate...while it may not be as stressful...I planned on replacing a part of my windshield washer resevoir this weekend....well come to find out....from the knowledge of the "bright" parts guy at my local dealer....even after questioning and TRYING to look at the microfiche to SEE if it was the right part....he ordered me the WRONG part. So the job that I PLANNED on this weekend could not be done....I will have to take the $140 part BACK and then PAY a 25% RESTOCKING FEE (yea this PI$$ES me off...) and then REORDER the part and probably have it here Tuesday so I can work on the jeep next weekend as I have NO time to tear off the front bumper and reinstall the new parts and bumper in ONE night alone since the KJ is my daily driver. So yea....I wasn't very happy w/ the parts guy and he will get a piece of my mind when I go back to the dealer tomarrow night. :evil:

OzLtd · **Posted:** Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:57 am

Jeepin Al wrote:

I just spent about 6 hours under the KJ trying to replace my steering rack today (this is what I get for working on the Lord's Day). I don't know if I am stupid -- just plain dumb -- just getting plain to old and worn out or a combo of all three, but what a PITA just getting the rack out. You need to remove the front diff, to get the rack out (based on the KJ book). I just remove one of the diff mounts and the oil filter to twisted the thing out. I am really PO'd right now. I am almost ready to go SFA, I am so ticked. Six @#$^%$^%& hours and I was just able to remove the rack. Now I got to put the thing back in. It was easier to lift the front with the spacer I have.
The way my lift is set up, I am thinking of mounting the rack under the cross member , lengthing the steering column. Than I will need to modify the skid plate.
I was so PO'd when I can in from the garage, I was going to post the #$%^ KJ in the "for sale" section!
Sorry I needed that. Now for a nice hot shower, and afterward a glass of wine, or two or three! 24 is on tonight, that will take my mind off of things for a while.
Al

I think SFA is staring you down the barrel Al...............I know it is for me but I just cant bring myslef to start cutting up the front end of my <12month old KJ CRD LTD !!!!

unixxx · **Posted:** Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:56 am

SFA is every Libby's dream....

wendell · **Posted:** Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:21 am

You are pressing your luck, working on the Lords day, ranting plus drinking. Now that it's monday, just repent and ask for the Lords help and you'll have that baby back together in an hour or two ha ha. I have found that when you get aggervated, it's good to walk away for a while, maybe have a beer or a glass of wine, get relaxed, then hit it agaain. cool heads prevail, good luck on the the rest of the install.

gopherbeats · **Posted:** Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:21 am

I hope you felt better after watching 24! o man.. 2 more ours tonight.. I think I might wet my self in anticipation

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:37 pm

Quote:

....he ordered me the WRONG part. So the job that I PLANNED on this weekend could not be done....I will have to take the $140 part BACK and then PAY a 25% RESTOCKING FEE

Why should you pay the restocking fee? I'd tell the dlr to eat that one if they wanted to keep me as a csr. Also mention the fact that you belong to a KJ club w/over 3500 members and you'll put them in the "Dlrs not recommended" section (we have one of those, right?) might get some response. :wink:

moose_1978 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:37 pm

So is it back together yet Al?Hope to see ya this weekend at paragon

Jeepin Al · **Posted:** Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:26 pm

Two night meetings and a trip to Harrusburg Pa. has halted all forward progress on putting the KJ back together. I am very hopeful I will see some of you on Saturday at Paragon, but at this rate it is very unlikely. I still need to remove the right side lower arm, and diff mount, slide the rack in and rebolt everything back together!

Calgone take me away!!!!!!!

Al

PS 24 what can I say WTH my goodness, this season is going to be torture

moose_1978 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:15 pm

So are you all fixed up Al?

Jeepin Al · **Posted:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:26 pm

No not yet. I got the rack in last night, installed the tie rods. and went to bed. The steering is still not hooked up , I need to attach the rod boots, and the two discs are pointing into each other which means a tape measure wheel alignment. So I figure I have about another 3-4 hours to go.

Al

moose_1978 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:39 pm

Good to here that you are almost done with you rig Al.Are you gonna make it to paragon?

Need to vent!!!

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