Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Project Snowshoes

My run yesterday at 3psi seems to have helped soften the sidewalls a bit. Can actually see a fold when I take the valve stems out now!

5psi:
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3psi
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2psi
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1 psi
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0.5 psi (give or take)
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flat
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Compared bead retention of the new tires vs old here:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/i-measured-the-force-to-debead-a-tire.83215/post-1700413

Not only do they come off much easier (old tires @3psi = new tires at 7.5psi!), they're MUCH harder to reseat! On the old tires the bead would only come off half-way around the rim and it wouldn't take much at all to seal and build pressure.

New ones come completely off and even though they're wider they pull the bead away from the rim. I have to put a ratchet strap on tight, prop the tire up horizontally, and put my full weight on the rim to start building pressure.

Think I'll pick up a can of ether...
 
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After my no-crank scare up the mountain and no available factor starter, @Wildman suggested cleaning it. I've never really worked on an electric motor, but figured now's a good time to start.

Started with pressure washing the Jeep in the pouring rain, trying to spray the gunk off before crawling under. Yay! Figured I was inches away from doing this job in a snow bank so I have no excuse for not doing it in the comfort of my driveway, even if it is raining.

Bottom starter bolt was a corroded bitch to break loose. Ended up standing on the ratchet while pulling on the rock sliders, feeling like something was close to breaking. Will definitely use anti-seize when it goes back together!

Top bolt is harder to reach but came off fine. If it was stuck like the bottom I don't know how I'd even get on it.

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dirty starter
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Better clean the grease off before opening it up. I don't have a shop sink, just a hose which I decided not to use. The rain let up, but there was ground water flowing everywhere and for some reason I decided to wash it in the ditch like a fucking raccoon. We'll call this prepping practice.

Better.
1742222003002.png


Pulled the 2 bigger bolts. Found out they held the gearbox on. Wasn't necessarily planning to dig in there but it looks dirty, guess I should clean that part while I'm at it. Saving that task for later.

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I'm a fan of taking lots of pics as they can be very helpful when it's time to put things back together.
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Pulled the motor cap. Dirty.
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Cleaning as I go...
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Pulled the brush assembly. This doesn't look right. Think I may have found the problem!
1742222467575.png


When this piece fell out the end of the rotor shaft I first thought it was just gunk. Anyone know what this is and where to get a new one?
1742222593640.png


Poked at the brushes and got the stuck one to come out. Cycled it until is started moving freely.

1742222710815.png


Wife called me for dinner so this is as far as I got so far. Where do I get starter parts?
 
After my no-crank scare up the mountain and no available factor starter, @Wildman suggested cleaning it. I've never really worked on an electric motor, but figured now's a good time to start.

Started with pressure washing the Jeep in the pouring rain, trying to spray the gunk off before crawling under. Yay! Figured I was inches away from doing this job in a snow bank so I have no excuse for not doing it in the comfort of my driveway, even if it is raining.

Bottom starter bolt was a corroded bitch to break loose. Ended up standing on the ratchet while pulling on the rock sliders, feeling like something was close to breaking. Will definitely use anti-seize when it goes back together!

Top bolt is harder to reach but came off fine. If it was stuck like the bottom I don't know how I'd even get on it.

View attachment 601670

dirty starter
View attachment 601672

Better clean the grease off before opening it up. I don't have a shop sink, just a hose which I decided not to use. The rain let up, but there was ground water flowing everywhere and for some reason I decided to wash it in the ditch like a fucking raccoon. We'll call this prepping practice.

Better.
View attachment 601673

Pulled the 2 bigger bolts. Found out they held the gearbox on. Wasn't necessarily planning to dig in there but it looks dirty, guess I should clean that part while I'm at it. Saving that task for later.

View attachment 601675

I'm a fan of taking lots of pics as they can be very helpful when it's time to put things back together.
View attachment 601676

Pulled the motor cap. Dirty.
View attachment 601678

Cleaning as I go...
View attachment 601679

Pulled the brush assembly. This doesn't look right. Think I may have found the problem!
View attachment 601680

When this piece fell out the end of the rotor shaft I first thought it was just gunk. Anyone know what this is and where to get a new one?
View attachment 601681

Poked at the brushes and got the stuck one to come out. Cycled it until is started moving freely.

View attachment 601682

Wife called me for dinner so this is as far as I got so far. Where do I get starter parts?

Get some electrical cleaner and clean everything. Also go read some of the winch rebuild thread or people who did one in their thread for ideas. And get some grease for those gears.

As far as parts I'd see if there is a electrical motor rebuild shop locally. If not then look for starter rebuild online. And that piece looks like some type of bushing for the armature which could have also been why it wouldn't start but the stuck brush seems a lot more suspect.
 
Figured out the little bushing thing came from the other end, in the gearbox.
I dug deeper
1742265843664.png


This doesn't look great...
1742265900476.png


Well, that'll explain why the starter is so dirty. I thought it was from the brushes wearing, but this makes more sense.
 
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Figured out the little bushing thing came from the other end, in the gearbox.
I dug deeper
View attachment 601805

This doesn't look great...
View attachment 601806

Well, that'll explain why the starter is so dirty. I thought it was from the brushes wearing, but this makes more sense.

Yep, I think I'd replace it at this point.... WHO that is a LOT of gunk & junk inside there...
 
Yep, I think I'd replace it at this point.... WHO that is a LOT of gunk & junk inside there...

I should have taken a pic when I first pulled it off. This is AFTER I wiped it a bunch with several paper towels. It was a basically smooth but dirty cylinder. I started wiping and found there was space between the magnets.

I wonder how hard it is to find replacements. Looks like it's just bend tabs that hold them in.
 
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I should have taken a pic when I first pulled it off. This is AFTER I wiped it a bunch with several paper towels. It was a basically smooth but dirty cylinder. I started wiping and found there was space between the magnets.

I wonder how hard it is to find replacements. Looks like it's just bend tabs that hold them in.

I don't know, I'm surprised they can be replaced but it does look like that's all that's holding them in. If it was 20-30 years ago I'd say it'd be easy to find parts but now?
 
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Reactions: lBasket
I should have taken a pic when I first pulled it off. This is AFTER I wiped it a bunch with several paper towels. It was a basically smooth but dirty cylinder. I started wiping and found there was space between the magnets.

I wonder how hard it is to find replacements. Looks like it's just bend tabs that hold them in.

Bro,it may be rural oregon... but we don't work on lawn mowers at 3am anymore!
 
I took it by the repair shop to see if he had parts. He had brushes and bushings, but no magnets. Said they can be swapped out if you have the magnets.

Ended up getting a rebuilt unit from oriellys. It cranks quicker for sure. I'm pretty sure that magnet has been broken for some time.
 
Been working on covering my trailer. I'm planning on making a cover, I just threw the cheap poly tarp on to get a feel for it.
7'3" of headroom like this. Will pack down for highway travel.


View attachment 615177

Are those fiberglass tent poles? Why does it seem like a trailer that looks like a covered wagon fits you
 
Are those fiberglass tent poles? Why does it seem like a trailer that looks like a covered wagon fits you

I'm a simple man and like simple solutions. Goal is to retain utility trailer functionality and be able to camp in it, too.

Basically, yeah. But since the hoops are 16' long I didn't think regular poles would be strong enough so I upsized a bit. One got away from me yesterday and launched a short piece straight into the stratosphere. I swear it went as high as Katy Perry did.
 
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Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts