The Patient - Pre Op

gtommec · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:15 pm

a few years ago I had to replace the rack on my 02 Sport and I think the new rack cost me around $700.00 with new inner and outer tierod ends at the local Chrysler dealership. It was a very simple install on my 2WD (2 bolts, 2 lines and the nuts on the outer ends) but I believe on a 4x4 you have to remove the front differential to remove the rack.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:38 pm

tOnKaTrAcKeR wrote:

a few years ago I had to replace the rack on my 02 Sport and I think the new rack cost me around $700.00 with new inner and outer tierod ends at the local Chrysler dealership. It was a very simple install on my 2WD (2 bolts, 2 lines and the nuts on the outer ends) but I believe on a 4x4 you have to remove the front differential to remove the rack.

No you don't
it can be removed with out doing all of that :roll:

gtommec · **Posted:** Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:13 pm

tommudd wrote:

No you don't
it can be removed with out doing all of that :roll:

Sorry My bad, that is why I said *I think*; I haven't looked at it I just read on here that you had to remove the front diff. I guess I will stick to what I know from now on.

Pote · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:44 pm

tommudd wrote:

tOnKaTrAcKeR wrote:

a few years ago I had to replace the rack on my 02 Sport and I think the new rack cost me around $700.00 with new inner and outer tierod ends at the local Chrysler dealership. It was a very simple install on my 2WD (2 bolts, 2 lines and the nuts on the outer ends) but I believe on a 4x4 you have to remove the front differential to remove the rack.

No you don't
it can be removed with out doing all of that :roll:

well...its done....Tom, why can't you be my permanent mechanic. :rockon:

They did tell me what a b!tch it was to do....and I think they did move the front diff etc out of the way, you know, blah blah blah it was a pain, our guys got it done, we are your hero, yada yada....I dropped it at 8 am, they finished at 3:15. Luckily I do like this shop, they have always done right by me, but I guarantee few know the tricks of the Liberty trade like Mudd...anyhow, time to go pick the beast up. They said she is all good to go, aligned (second of the week - nice huh) and I can come get her.

Mudd and Hart, remember how we were talking about a clay bar taking that running rust stains off my door bottoms? The guy at the shop told me I should check with Chrysler on the rust protection that these Libertys had. He couldnt remember if it was 7 or 8 years for them. I called jeep and they needed my VIN to check which I dont have handy, but there may be hope there's something they can do for those spots on the bottom of my passenger doors that are causing the stains...I'm never that lucky as this whole thread shows :ROTFL:

but I will be calling them back tomorrow to see if its still covered. I'd be in year 8! :shock:

So alls well that ends expensive...I mean well. Came to $999 bucks with parts, labor, alignment, and rental for the day....lets see, add that to the cost of the suspension parts, first alignment at Sears, incidentals, taxes due :shock:

Might have to sell a kidney this week. :ROTFL:

Tom, I think I'll be holding off on 5 tires for a while...these sonsabitches will be bald first. LOL

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:48 pm

Man I feel bad for ya

But its done now and no worries right?
Become your full time mechanic?
mmmmm not sure if I could keep up with ya! :ROTFL:

Pote · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 2011 3:50 pm

tommudd wrote:

Man I feel bad for ya

But its done now and no worries right?
Become your full time mechanic?
mmmmm not sure if I could keep up with ya! :ROTFL:

ahhhh, it happens....to ME! LOL

hey, btw, all that pretty black you and chris have your underside coated with...what did you guys use? also, you and chris will have mail coming to ya this week... :wink:

BrendonR · **Posted:** Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:00 pm

Jeese the BUILD pictures are good.... but c'mon.... where are the money shots?

Pote · **Posted:** Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:17 pm

BrendonR wrote:

Jeese the BUILD pictures are good.... but c'mon.... where are the money shots?

I know I know...I will get them up here soon...been a shite-storm here at work, taking the jeep back for a huge fix, weather has been crappy...excuses galore, but your point is valid nonetheless. I will get it out this weekend and snap some poser pics - I promise.

Pote · **Posted:** Fri Apr 01, 2011 11:07 am

My woes continue....I need new U Joints - and in fact, we all knew this when we did the lift, just forgot to address it when there!!! It just started yesterday and I suspect having gone into 4 Hi from the snow storm just maybe acted it up quicker. Basically From a start at a stoplight, my jeep vibrates/shudders all over like a mofo until I reach about 30 mph and then its smooth as can be. It also has a pronounced groan/creak in the rear on occasion right before it smooths out like the u joints are just metal on metal...not always getting the sound, but starting to hear more and cant get it in until monday morning. My mechanic instantly said it sounds like the U-joints when I gave him the symtoms... It also has a strange feel when I shift into reverse, feels like the backend is pulling down slightly to engage...I looked under and boy are my U-joints dry and rusty...I'm 99% positive (after a little offline advice here from the expert of experts

) that its these Ujoints. More money outta the pocket - at least not horrible. At least I'm rebuilding my jeep from the inside out. :-)r

I have a slight drip from the T-case as well (arrrrrrgh) that I may just have to have done too....WTF. Serenity NOW!!! :furious:

Man this sucks!! The lift sure looks and drives good though when at highway speeds... :ROTFL:

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

Pote wrote:

:banghead:

My woes continue....I need new U Joints - and in fact, we all knew this when we did the lift, just forgot to address it when there!!! It just started yesterday and I suspect having gone into 4 Hi from the snow storm just maybe acted it up quicker. Basically From a start at a stoplight, my jeep vibrates/shudders all over like a mofo until I reach about 30 mph and then its smooth as can be. It also has a pronounced groan/creak in the rear on occasion right before it smooths out like the u joints are just metal on metal...not always getting the sound, but starting to hear more and cant get it in until monday morning. My mechanic instantly said it sounds like the U-joints when I gave him the symtoms... It also has a strange feel when I shift into reverse, feels like the backend is pulling down slightly to engage...I looked under and boy are my U-joints dry and rusty...I'm 99% positive (after a little offline advice here from the expert of experts

) that its these Ujoints. More money outta the pocket - at least not horrible. At least I'm rebuilding my jeep from the inside out. :-)r

I have a slight drip from the T-case as well (arrrrrrgh) that I may just have to have done too....WTF. Serenity NOW!!! :furious:

Man this sucks!! The lift sure looks and drives good though when at highway speeds... :ROTFL:

Ya might want to also check your dragging a prius, honda or some other "green" vehicle. With the new heights your at I know it is difficult to see those little buggers so far down there :jester:

Pote · **Posted:** Sat Apr 09, 2011 10:28 pm

well it wasn't the ujoints. It was the rear upper ball joint connector (that attaches to the axel) that went bad. Its the small part that connects the ball joint to the axel....the hole that accepts the bolt that attaches to the ball joint was out of round and the bold was so loose, my axel was moving. they tried a larger bolt and it was still so loose he could shake the axel by hand...I was under the lift with him as he showed me everything. so get this. Jeep deems this part as a non wearing part. They don't sell it....aftermarket doesnt make it. Well a day later they found me one from their regular salvage yard and hooked me right back up. My shop is really cool. Since I was just in for the R&P, they didn't charge me for the labor and gave me the part at their cost. all is back to normal...well, except for my small Tcase drip. :ROTFL:

Hart...I'm experiencing a little something something with that right front caliper/brake/pad. not sure whats going on, but I think I might get it looked at. I'm getting a little chirping when I break and its clearly from that right front we had all that trouble with at lift time. Not sure if I need to get that rotor turned, or what but its only with light break pressure...nothing wrong, brakes just fine, no sounds under driving conditions, just a rotational chirp when braking. I sprayed some lube on the components of that caliper today to see if something was sticking and it all when away and hasn't returned...maybe its just my rusty luck...I'm probably due for a brake/caliper job anyhow. can't even remember how many miles I have on my last brake job.

And yes....I've been saying, pics are coming..they are. But since I've had nothing but headaches since the lift, I've been scrambling to and from to get my Libby back on track...and none of it is fault of the lift...just coincidental BS that is my luck.

Oh and I threw a new roof basket on...man does it look way better than what I had. I like the build of this Rola Vortex. very stout and fills out to the rails much better. I've had it a while and wanted to install that too before pics. Getting the black widow off was a pretty funny story being its been rusted for about 2 years and the bolts were not going anywhere - no way no how and I dont own a cutter/grinder....that's a whole other hilarious story....lets just say bolt cutters were involved in its removal. Rola on and looking sweet....its no Boiler rack, but its certainly well done for the money.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 09, 2011 11:40 pm

Boiler rack who has one of them,
Rock lizard :JEEPIN:

NewOldTimer · **Posted:** Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:45 am

tommudd wrote:

Boiler rack who has one of them,
Rock lizard :JEEPIN:

I will in about 3 - 4 weeks.....................

The Patient - Pre Op

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