'Da Chief . . . So it Begins again

[polarfire]

And the "surprises" continue ... Hmmm

So, figure I can get home early enough to do some work on the pending brake rebuild .. then- Start to pull the hub.. Hmm, what? can't seem to get the drive flange off? That's strange... fiddle with it for awhile, can't figure it out.

Take a closer look, and the WARN hub cap says "Lock-O-Matic" ? What the heck is that? Find a hidden snap ring, but it still won't come off. Ooops, dark is here. So no real progress.

Now I have to do some research on these weird locking hubs? Some kind of manual / automatic hub design? I've never heard of this before. That's strange.

I did figure out the Jeep has a Milemarker part time kit.... had to get the bolt off the axle shaft, but it kept spinning. So - start the Jeep, engage the hubs, flip the vacuum switch.. and Waa-la! All locked up. So I guess the t-case is working. Good.

Of course, none of this matters as I cannot drive until I get the rotors off to fix the brakes. Hmm

I found this online about the Lock-O-Matic: http://forums.off-road.com/jeepster-...explained.html

I'm not sure if that helps or not. In the past I've been very impressed with Warn's customer service and tech support even with old, used parts I bought off craigslist.

[polarfire]

Absolutely not! This one is going to be a slow work in progress in my home garage. I will be farming out some paint work, local rust and paint repair. Other than that, I want to do a lot of the work myself and show what can be done with the basics.

For now the basic plan is to do what I can at home.. until I decide to do bigger things. I actually want to enjoy this thing on the road a bit as the build plan evolves. this is planned to be a weekend cruiser of sorts. Time will tell of course . . .

And .. I am looking for good 3 pc chrome bumpers.. when I get some, you can certainly have the front bumper. I want a stock look on this one.

Sounds like a great plan! I'm excited to watch it come together either way!

Definitely keep me in mind in regards to the bumper and I will keep my eye out for 3pc chrome one for you. Thanks.

[cu4whln]

I found this online about the Lock-O-Matic: http://forums.off-road.com/jeepster-...explained.html

I'm not sure if that helps or not. In the past I've been very impressed with Warn's customer service and tech support even with old, used parts I bought off craigslist.

Oh.. that was good reading! Warn "Lock-O-Matic" hubs. Funny, have never seen or heard of them. Finally got them off tonight.. geez.. NOT easy to do?? Stubborn buggers to get off when you have no idea of how they go together. They seem to be in fine shape, but....

I am definitely NOT going to reuse these things.... I will be buying some plain old, regular, not complicated, normal locking hubs. no need for fancy, simple is good for me. This Jeep will never see snow anyway.

[cu4whln]

Notice: Empty winch bumper now..

Story here is this: A young man has rebuilt his YJ for 2 years with some minor help and a LOT of instructing from a buddy of mine. He basically did a frame off on the YJ, and then painted his own Jeep. So cool to see a youngster working on his Jeep like mad..

Sooo ... I "sold" him a working 8000 lb WARN winch, with fairlead, for almost nothing. BUT, I am happy to help a new Jeep guy along the path...

Again, I don't want a winch on this Jeep, no need.... trying to return to stock looks .. sort of.

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[cu4whln]

What I am starting with for the interior.... front seats :

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back seat:

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Miles: 63,000 or so.

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Notice the rear bumper.. it IS a 3 pc, but somebody painted it black? Darn it. Need a chrome rear bumper as well .....

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[crazydog]

Brakes !


So - hubs with a Q trac? Figure there must be a Milemarker kit installed in the t-case? The hubs spin the prop freely when engaged.. so it must have a 2WD mode. Hope it's the overdrive one! not sure how to tell if this has the kit or which one. Previous owner had no idea.

When I got my Cherokee, it had hubs and the transfer case was full of ATF. I was thinking it had a Milemarker, but was not working like it should. Tore it open and it had some ruined cones. But, no problems with the Dana 300.

[cu4whln]

So - some progress...

Today Dave dropped the rotors off for a skim cut. lots of metal still there. Seems these may have never been turned before? Hmm. Oh well, I'll take it. Also put in all new seals, washed the original bearings down, packed them.. and ready to go . . . except I forgot to get the small inner axle seal.. Oops. Tomorrow.

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Then there's this U joint.. I "think" there may have been a problem ?? Can you tell? So a new driver U joint installed......

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The pass U joint has been changed and felt great, so I left it alone and added some grease.

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[cu4whln]

When I got my Cherokee, it had hubs and the transfer case was full of ATF. I was thinking it had a Milemarker, but was not working like it should. Tore it open and it had some ruined cones. But, no problems with the Dana 300.

Well, I hope mine is ok? So you installed a Dana 300? was the prop ok with the off center pig in the rear?

Also today - ordered a WARN locking hub set. Normal manual unit. Simple. Solid, not complicated.

[threepiece]

I probably have a chrome three piece bumper that you might find interesting. Let me know if you would like to see it, I am in Canton at least once a week.

I also have factory wagon wheels for the wide tracks but those will need paint.

Is this one yours yet?

[cu4whln]

I probably have a chrome three piece bumper that you might find interesting. Let me know if you would like to see it, I am in Canton at least once a week.

I also have factory wagon wheels for the wide tracks but those will need paint.

Is this one yours yet?

Hi Dan ! Oh yes.. I want to come get that bumper! and check out your latest projects of course. PM me your cell... I am off tomorrow..

And yes! The tan one is mine.. I really wanted another 2 door... that's why the "White Wonder Jeep" went down the road... it was SO clean and nice, but had one extra door.

[cu4whln]

Christmas already ! ? ?

Well, ordered hubs from Summit yesterday.. std shipping. They were waiting for me when I got home today! Nice.

And - I had a great conversation with BJs off road.. and have a LOT of goodies on the way. Santa is coming in May I guess!

BJs off road is always helpful on those strange tech questions... Love it.

Took tomorrow off .. have all the stuff ready to reassemble the front axle and brakes.. then start tearing apart the rear drums.. that's always an adventure!!

[red mistress]

Hi Dan ! Oh yes.. I want to come get that bumper! and check out your latest projects of course. PM me your cell... I am off tomorrow..

And yes! The tan one is mine.. I really wanted another 2 door... that's why the "White Wonder Jeep" went down the road... it was SO clean and nice, but had one extra door.

It's not YOURS until you BLEED ON IT

[cu4whln]

It's not YOURS until you BLEED ON IT

Ha ! He lives! Finally recovering from that crazy cross country Jeep shopping trip. eh ? LOL

Strangely, I have yet to bleed much yet. Only a slightly skinned knuckle!

[cu4whln]

And in Todays News:

Front axles : Some assembly required . . .

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Lots of new and cleaned up parts . . .

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[cu4whln]

Just to remind myself next time I do a hub . . . I took some pics of the assembly sequence. Must admidt, I didn't remember clearly here! Skip this post if you know this already !

First: axle shaft in ... then the hub assembly. Be sure to install the inner seals FIRST [Oops !]

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THEN the backing plate .. did this twice as well.... Nuts go over the backing plate, and don't forget the 1 attaching bolt at the front of the disk shield.

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AND - remember to paint the hub outer housing.. it will show. I forgot, so made up this quick, high tech paint mask...

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THEN slide your cleaned and freshly greased hub assembly. I replaced every seal.... why not? It's all apart.
Use the first bearing nut with the pin facing outwards [ pin at about 12 'O clock position here before tightening]... tighten down, spin, loosen, tighten, spin, loosen, then very lightly snug it down.
Bearing is now ready to "Roll" [ Pun intended ]

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Next, find the groove, line up the retaining washer, and slide the slotted retaining washer into place.. the pin MUST line up in a slot! See it at the 6 o'clock position?

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Then, install the locking ring with the 3 Allen screws. I marked the 2 holes for tightening with a Sharpie. Tighten lightly, screw the Allen screws down.. they too must fall in a slot. this locks everything down so the retaining nut cannot unscrew. OK - ready for hubs . . .

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