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I just noticed even the air intake plenum looks to be pristine and in one piece, and the cabin air filter is in place!
Cleaned and shot the plenum with AlumaBalst paint. One of the spark plug wire holders on the back of the plenum has a broken tab on top. Didn’t realize it until everything was almost completely reassembled. I’m such a nut that I thought about pulling the plenum and getting a replacement one. I fought the urge 🤣
So now that I've been driving for a week, a couple of things seem like they need to be addressed.
1 - Rear suspension seems to bang pretty hard when going over curbs or big bumps. New shocks, OME medium duty springs, lower spring seats, and upper isolators. New radius arm and Watts linkage bushings too. Is it just stiff and that's the way it is? Will it soften over time?
2 - Steering seems to be soft/loose in the center - wanders easily. New steering box, hoses, drag and steering links, radius arm and panhard rod bushings. Steering started out stiff, but has since soften a bit (feels normal) - except for the "looseness' in the center. Was waiting for new tires and alignment (next week) to see if it changes, but was wondering if there is an adjustment to stiffen it up a bit in the center.
So now that I've been driving for a week, a couple of things seem like they need to be addressed.
1 - Rear suspension seems to bang pretty hard when going over curbs or big bumps. New shocks, OME medium duty springs, lower spring seats, and upper isolators. New radius arm and Watts linkage bushings too. Is it just stiff and that's the way it is? Will it soften over time?
2 - Steering seems to be soft/loose in the center - wanders easily. New steering box, hoses, drag and steering links, radius arm and panhard rod bushings. Steering started out stiff, but has since soften a bit (feels normal) - except for the "looseness' in the center. Was waiting for new tires and alignment (next week) to see if it changes, but was wondering if there is an adjustment to stiffen it up a bit in the center.
Thanks in advance.
1. Yes. Tis good this way. Doesn’t bounce around and float like a sketchy Wrangler. It will soften and drop eventually. You got any extra weight on it? Bumpers? Sliders? Winch?
2. Whenever I crack open the PS system and go to drive it for the first time it feels tight then loose at times. Maybe it’s just working air out of the system. Maybe it’s my mind playing tricks but I usually go do sweeping figure 8s in an empty church parking lot after a few brews to feel youthful and after a few rounds and daily driving it normalizes. Juke has a write up about flushing/bleeding I think in the tech section. Never done it as it usually works itself out.
Question. What’s tee’d off from the coolant elbow outlet? You seem to have a sensor there. As well, you have an inline thermostat attached to the tee. That tee set up is intriguing me as it may reduce the stress on coolant elbow outlet hose connected to my inline thermostat housing.
Do you think you could snap a closer picture for research purposes?
Everything looks amazing brother. A great example of how to do it up. One day I hope to do it up comfortably but for now Theseus’ Ship is on a 10 year preventative maintenance plan.
EDIT: After you get new tires you mentioned you are getting an alignment. Are you going to a “Green Means Go” alignment shop or more of a take your time and get it right alignment shop? Standard shop will get your Toe within specs and once it’s within Manual Specs and within the green they call it good. Pan Hard handles axle centerness, that is if you have an adjustable one. Actually if you dont let me know I have an extra 03-04 one I believe, just needs the bushings pushed out as they were pinched during installation.
Last edited by WildPackofFamilyDogs; May 31, 2023 at 05:22 AM.
