05 RME Slow Build

I am buying the HF joint press. I'm sick of having to rent one everytime I need it. Its only $60 and seems to have good reviews.

The tires are perfect. I finally got the balanced properly by bead balancing. The shake is not constant on the highway. it come intermittently and will go away all on its own without a change in speed. That is unless I go over 65mph. At that point it shakes and won't stop unless I slow down.

It may be a u joint in the rear shaft but that doesnt make sense. The front end is where all of the shake is coming from. The wheel only moves between 40-50mph and its not nearly as bad as it was.

I really think its the ball joints or axle u joints at this point. it could also be a caster issue as it wasn't able to be dialed in properly where the shop wanted it w/o adjustable arms.

We will see I suppose. I don't mind putting in new parts that will eventually go bad anyways.

If there is any shake at highway speeds, it's most likely a ball joint. My fiance is going through the same problems you're going through: shake at highway speeds with perfectly balanced tires. We just replaced her front u-joints, and there is only one side left to do ball joints on.

For ball joints, get a nice big breaker bar or an impact gun to get them off. You'll save yourself a lot of hassle.

I agree it is most likely a ball joint. If it wasn't so intermittent I would have though u joint. I am replacing everything though to be on the safe side. It will all be apart so no reason to skimp.

I love my Mikita electic impact gun. I have had it for years and use it every chance I get.

Ordered my Clayton rear lower shock brackets. Who wants to help me burn them in when they arrive. I don't have a welder and would love to learn.

Just finished up the rear driveshaft u joints. I purchased a HF joint press yesterday and needed an excuse to use it. I will be doing the wheel joints when the weather clears. Clay shock relocation brackets should be in today.

I really wish my parts would get here so I can start the installs. I may prime/paint the under armor components I have thus far. I am thinking of doing them in flat desert sand to match the monstaliner I will be doing soon.

Did you get the mopar adapter set yet? I have to do the same thing as you soon. Also need to order a new rear shaft next wed call me in the morning a buddy and I are goin wheeling tomorrow and you should go. We are hitting every trail we know of in the seacoast including my water hole. Call me when u get up

I am just getting out of work in about 30 mins. I really need to tear the Jeep down and figure out the shake. It is leading to depression at this point.

Looks like I may have found my issues:

UCA Axle side


UCA Diff side


I also found a little vertical play in my drivers side ball joints. Once my suspension comes in I will take care of everything.

Got my rear shock/springs in today. Only had one upper bolt break. Once I got through that, it was a cake walk. Tomorrow will I will install the front shocks/springs.

Then its off to the shop to have ball joints/UCA bushings done. I would take care of them, but I just don't have the time or energy right now.

Savvy UA and the remainder of my suspension parts should be in by the end of the week. I am looking forward to being finished so I can just enjoy the Jeep again.

dongalonga wrote:Got my rear shock/springs in today. Only had one upper bolt break. Once I got through that, it was a cake walk. Tomorrow will I will install the front shocks/springs.

Then its off to the shop to have ball joints/UCA bushings done. I would take care of them, but I just don't have the time or energy right now.

Savvy UA and the remainder of my suspension parts should be in by the end of the week. I am looking forward to NEVER being finished so I can just enjoy the Jeep again.

FIXED

I sure hope this is then end. I am honestly sick of the Jeep right now. I just want it to run well for a few weeks lol.

Front shocks and springs are in. The Jeep rides much much better. The old shocks were smoked. They were hydro shocks and when I shook them it sounded like they were half filled with water. No wonder it rode so poorly. My kidneys will thank me!

I received the tracking number for the remainder of my suspension components. Apparently a few parts were on backorder with JKS. I should have everything by the beginning of next week. The end goal is in sight now!

I also forgot to mention yesterday that the Jeep tried to take off my left index finger. I was being careless installing my trackbar and it slipped off of the jack. Needless to say my finger was wedged between the trackbar and the axle. I had to bearhug the brake rotor/knuckle and lift the Jeep to free my hand. If I wasn't wearing gloves, I would have most likely done much more damage. It turns out I just have a nice gash.

Why was I using a jack to install a trackbar and why was my hand in such a precarious position? Well, mostly because I am slightly retarded. Another reason is my trackbar is unbelievably too short due to the lift and my JKS trackbar isn't here yet. I had the Jeep on jack stands still from the suspension install so I had to jack up the axle to line up the trackbar mounting locations. On top of that I put the frame end in first for some reason so the bushing wasn't lining up. In the end I learned a valuable lesson:

Take your time and use your brain. If you rush your Jeep will take trophies!

Just picked the Jeep up. The only issue was wheel balance. It rides perfectly now. No more shimmies or shakes. To say I am happy is an understatement.

OME suspension Pre-JKS


JKS Parts Install







Goes to Elias4wd tomorrow for alignment and retorque.

Can anyone spot what I did wrong 5 out of 8 times? Once I did it was a forehead smacking kind of learning moment.

Jeep Lesson of the day: Don't rush to be done before sundown. Unless you want to work until sunup.

dongalonga wrote:Can anyone spot what I did wrong 5 out of 8 times? Once I did it was a forehead smacking kind of learning moment.

Jeep Lesson of the day: Don't rush to be done before sundown. Unless you want to work until sunup.

Adjustable end on the wrong side? Bolts in backwards?

No rear driveshaft.

CrawlingForward wrote:

dongalonga wrote:Can anyone spot what I did wrong 5 out of 8 times? Once I did it was a forehead smacking kind of learning moment.

Jeep Lesson of the day: Don't rush to be done before sundown. Unless you want to work until sunup.

Adjustable end on the wrong side? Bolts in backwards?

This is the correct answer.

Got the Jeep back today. It rides and tracks great. Next order of business MML/BL/Novak/Brakelines.

Ryan M wrote:I'll be the first to advocate for another company. Skip the whole Tom Woods/AA hype. I got my CV shaft & SYE from Adams Driveshaft/Ballistic Fab on eBay for $375 SHIPPED both with a lifetime warranty, no questions asked. The turn around time was 4 days and about 5 minutes after clicking "buy it now" on eBay I received a phone call from the shop's owner James asking what the specs on my Jeep were.

I'd recommend them over and over again. And save you $125+ for other things. Also perhaps consider Undercover Fab Works instead of Savvy for the under armor. He also makes VERY high quality aluminum products.

Same here, SYE and DS ! Quality is awesome and the price was better. Installation was pretty easy and my shovel skid is back where it belongs with no leaks or vibrations !

Rear swaybar is back in with the new JKS links. One of the mounting bracket bushings has some slop. I will replace them this weekend.

One of the many avenues my money travels down. Now back to the Jeep build.

Any progress with the rest of your build?