Parking Lot Rag Joint Replacement

[3upadventures]

Things I DO NOT recommend:

Being 300 miles from home, hearing a clunk in a parking lot, and then realizing that your steering box bolts sheered and took the rag joint with them.



The good news is that it wasn't the previous night on I-15 and that I had my tools with me.

The bad news is that I'm not a mechanic and it took me 6 hours in a Wells Fargo parking lot but damn it, I fixed it. All by myself.

Full story here: 3Up Adventures: Replacing Rag Joint

[Herk]

For future reference, it's easier to just replace the assembly http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/lare ... 18340126-P

[3upadventures]

For future reference, it's easier to just replace the assembly http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/lare ... 18340126-P

Yup, I found that in my research but there weren't any in stock at the 3 auto parts stores within 2 miles of me. And since I was on foot...that's what I did.

[Tatsadasayago]

Way to go on the 'Field Expedient Repair'.
I've found that when one is immobile due to a mechanical failure, the ingenuity factor goes up proportionally to the distance from home.
Your steering box was probably loose for a long time, maybe even years and this is likely why you didn't notice the extra play. I wager you now notice an improvement in your steering.

Well done!

[lkmarsh]

Good Job getting yourself out of a bad nasty jam! You should be able to pull the steering wheel and center it. Any idea why the bolts broke?

[shimniok]

Dang. I tried to replace my rag joint several years ago. Usually I can figure most stuff out but that just had (has) me totally clueless. So, yeah, nice going fixing this not just when you have hours to mess around but when you're stranded in a parking lot. Will definitely check out the pix/writeup and maybe i'll finally get mine done before it falls to pieces.

[Stuka]

They are a major PITA. Congrats on getting the job done, and while away from home!

[Mdcptman]

Wow. Just wow. Im seriously impressed. Amazing accomplishment. Good for u!

[will e]

Good for you. Road side repairs are the norm for our old jeeps. Usually it is something a lot more simple. I liked the ratchet strap idea.

[3upadventures]

I liked the ratchet strap idea.

Holding the damn box up there while trying to line up the bolts was what almost broke me. Those ratchet straps saved my butt.

[3upadventures]

Any idea why the bolts broke?

No clue. That was honestly the first time I'd taken the FSJ any distance away from home. I've only had it since January.

[will e]

Any idea why the bolts broke?

No clue. That was honestly the first time I'd taken the FSJ any distance away from home. I've only had it since January.

That's kind of an unusual failure but anything can happen. I am glad you didn't just give up on the rig. Are you planning on hanging out with the Ouray gang this year? If you do there will be a bunch of folks who can give your rig a 'once over' (or maybe a 'twice over') and maybe spot some problem areas.

[carnuck]

A little future trick. I recently had to change a steering box in an XJ which is fun since I broke my shoulder. I screwed a threaded stud into the box's bottom hole and lifted it into place and slid the stud through the frame hole. Made it much easier to hold while putting a bolt in. I need to do it again soon with my Eagle.