A-TJ-J.D.
TJ Enthusiast
This is about all I did to my TJ today, so far.
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Nice work...Those are on my list of things to do as well hahaI got tired of looking a scratched, rusted, and dull handles today
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This evening look great. What did you use on them and did you remove them or mask them off?I got tired of looking a scratched, rusted, and dull handles today
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Gave her a good wash and did some grill inserts. Need to know what u guys thing before I make them permanent. Don't mind the blue tape, just what I used to temporarily install them. View attachment 18157View attachment 18158
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This evening look great. What did you use on them and did you remove them or mask them off?
Installed the rear to complete the Rubicon Express Adjustable arm kit on my 2002 sport
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Don't tell me RE uses the same design of a threaded washer to contain the bushing...? Per the RE website :
A threaded steel insert allows adjustable preload and easy maintenance.
I could tell you a pathetic tale about that type of 'threaded insert' on a control arm...
Rough Country used the same type of 'threaded insert', really just a threaded washer, to adjust the preload on the bushing and contain it in the arm end. They supply a spanner wrench to turn the insert/washer to adjust...I put RC rear upper control arms on my previous TJ X, which I sold to a friend. Never got a chance to off-road that Jeep really before selling it to him. All was well with those control arms until my friend took it to Ouray, CO last summer. After wheeling for a couple days, he developed a distinct clunk somewhere in the suspension. He finally took it to a shop to see if they could diagnose the clunk. They did. I took him to the shop to retrieve his TJ (we planned to fix whatever was wrong ourselves), and they told us you could grab one end of the ps rear upper control arm and move it around, resulting in the clunk. The next weekend, we got under there to check. Sure enough, the threaded insert had simply been forced out the side by lateral forces generated by off-roading on rock ledges and such in Colorado. The threaded insert did not unthread (they use a set screw to prevent the insert from threading out), it just got forced out. Apparently the threads were not enough to retain the insert under enough lateral force. The insert was toast - bent, threads messed up, unusable. The arm end was ok.Go on - im intrigued now...[emoji848]
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Rough Country used the same type of 'threaded insert', really just a threaded washer, to adjust the preload on the bushing and contain it in the arm end. They supply a spanner wrench to turn the insert/washer to adjust...I put RC rear upper control arms on my previous TJ X, which I sold to a friend. Never got a chance to off-road that Jeep really before selling it to him. All was well with those control arms until my friend took it to Ouray, CO last summer. After wheeling for a couple days, he developed a distinct clunk somewhere in the suspension. He finally took it to a shop to see if they could diagnose the clunk. They did. I took him to the shop to retrieve his TJ (we planned to fix whatever was wrong ourselves), and they told us you could grab one end of the ps rear upper control arm and move it around, resulting in the clunk. The next weekend, we got under there to check. Sure enough, the threaded insert had simply been forced out the side by lateral forces generated by off-roading on rock ledges and such in Colorado. The threaded insert did not unthread (they use a set screw to prevent the insert from threading out), it just got forced out. Apparently the threads were not enough to retain the insert under enough lateral force. The insert was toast - bent, threads messed up, unusable. The arm end was ok.
I did order a new threaded insert, which turned out to be much thicker, with more threads, but my buddy said the heck with it and got oem style control arms, which we installed. When we installed the oem style control arms, it turned out the ds control arm was well on it's way to the same fate. The insert was beginning to push its way out laterally also, but had not come all the way out.
End of story? Nope. I contacted RC about this, and it seems they have redesigned their X-flex joint to eliminate the the threaded insert altogether. One side of the arm is smaller than the bushing, so it cannot push out that side. Then comes a flat washer, the polyurethane bushing half, the steel ball/sleeve, the other bushing half, another washer, then a snap ring. I can't see this one coming apart like the version with the threaded insert.
By the way, RC sent me two new complete control arm ends, with all the new components, at no charge, to replace what I had. Haven't needed adjustable rear upper control arms, so they're sitting in a box on the shelf currently. If I go to a CV drive shaft in the future, I will install these to be able to adjust the rear pinion angle...I know I'll catch flack for even considering using them since the are RC, but at this point in time they are free, so why not give them a go...? The other option is to replace the ends with johnny joints.
Sorry for the novel...
This is about all I did to my TJ today, so far.View attachment 18279
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Took it to the Top of the World trail in Moab. ( on a small camping/National Park road trip and found time to do at least one trail )
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Came down on a ledge hardIt will probably buff right out
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Those are the blackest and shiniest fender flares I've seen! How do you keep them looking that good?I had to give mine a good bath, then waxed it completely. I work at a steel mill and the dust gets all over it. if don't keep in some what clean it will embed into the paint. Also replaced the front bumper and am getting ready to replace the rear bumper. Still need to get a winch for the front, but for now tow straps will work.
Geeeez.....you guys don't know how lucky you are in the states...That's just stunningTook it to the Top of the World trail in Moab. ( on a small camping/National Park road trip and found time to do at least one trail )
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Came down on a ledge hardIt will probably buff right out
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