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Fixing up the Jeep seems to be a never ending project. Every time we fix one thing we'll find at least two more problems... I'm going to try to keep track of the maintenance and replacements on the Jeep from now on. This is what I've done so far...
(June 2009) We replaced the power steering pump, since it was leaking fluid and starting to make funny noises. Plus at low speeds, for example while parallel parking, the power steering would cut out. We also replaced the power steering gear/box at the same time. All the parts were purchased from NAPA auto parts, and we paid one of the workers there to take off the pitman arm from the box and place it on the new steering box. We also replaced the power steering hoses, since they were starting to show some age.Parts list to replace the steering pump, box, and hoses: Item Number: NSP8139157
Product Name: P/S Pump w/ Reservoir - Remfd
Item Number: NSP88278076
Product Name: P/S Gear Box
Item Number: NPS72745
Product Name: P/S Pressure Hose - OEM
Item Number: NPS72400
Product Name: P/S Return Hose - OEM While replacing the power steering pump we found an interesting problem on our car... Some bolts were missing! We bought some equivalent grade bolts to replace them. Bleeding the power steering system was a little problematic. It actually took several days of normal driving to completely bleed the system (since the fluid continued to drop in the reservoir after driving it every day). The steering is now extremely light and great. Except our alignment is now a little off and we're still noticing a lot of play in the steering. We should get an alignment soon to realign the steering wheel by a few degrees and we'll have to check if the play is something we can fix. It's possible the preload on the steering box is wrong on the new box, else it might be the tie rod ends. I also found an interior console plastic panel on a jeep in a local junkyard to replace one that had cracked in my jeep. Installation was quite interesting since I had to take the entire interior dash apart just to reach it. Luckily I now know how to take it apart when I have to do it again later, which I'm sure will happen.
(July 2009) We finished doing some maintenance on the brakes. The rear rotors were seized due to rust and we couldn't remove them before. The front was easy and came off without a problem. The left rear rotor was loose after 1 hit with a hammer and went great. The right rear rotor on the other hand was a different story. After some heat, a big hammer, and WD-40 we were about to give up and finally we got it loose. Replacement NAPA parts (some more expensive ones because they were cheaper than the normal replacements due to rebates):Item Number: UP UP7358AM
Product Name: Brake Pads - Front, Semi-Metallic Ultra Premium
Item Number: UP UP7502BM
Product Name: Brake Pads - Rear, Semi-Metallic Ultra Premium
Item Number: NB 48880444
Product Name: Rotor - Front - Premium
Item Number: NB 4886451
Product Name: Rotor - Rear - Premium The caliper slides on the balljoint knuckles that the caliper brackets rest on are showing some wear though. The wear and tear probably mostly from vibrating is starting to beat into the slides causing. They're no longer straight and are somewhat deformed. I think if we fill the slides with some weld and file it down it might be better. The rubber breather caps on all of the cylinders are starting to crack so hopefully I can find some replacement ones at a junkyard soon. We also cleaned the IAC and throttle body in hope of fixing the low idle, but it seemed like it fixed it for 30 seconds until it restored the IAC to the original setting. Maybe it's a vacuum problem, as I found some oil in the intake which was an issue before... More on that later!
The replacement power steering pump ended up being broken to begin with. The power steering reservoir was barely leaking at first but has started to leak profusely. NAPA will honor a replacement but this will take several hours of labor to replace. The steering play has also increased. We're planning on looking into whether the tie-rod ends are worn out or whether it's another problem. |