A great start to 2004.

[JEONLYEP]

Great start to the new year.

Had my first ever break down on the trail today. It was the rear u-joint on the rear drive shaft. The worst part is I wasn't driving (kinda explains the break however) I decided that I'd let my son drive (he's 13).

It wasn't an over tricky uphill, but he did put a lot more skinny pedal to use that I would have. Just as we're getting started up the climb, bang, forward motion stops. So we back up, thud thud thud. Stop, get out, look. Rear of rear drive shaft on the ground. Not good.

Pull out the spare u-joint. Grab drive shaft from Jeep. (still a slip yoke Xj) Beat spare u-joint into place. Remove clamps from axle side of u-joint. Notice another problem. The ears or tabs that hold the u-joint centered on the axle side are now both missing. Reassemble clamps anyway. (gotta get home) Find that clamps are stretched, caps will fall out if given the chance. drive shaft won't stay centered. Two nickels at each cap wrapped with allot of duct tape, helps hold caps and drive shaft somewhat centered. And then with speeds of not more that 10 mph. Drive the (mostly) dry riverbed back to town and slowly creep home.

Not a bad start to the year!?!?

Maybe last time son drives for a while.

If you want pictures of the taped together drive shaft I'll have some available soon.

[LBEXJ]

Nice story Jeonlyep ... sounds like you were prepared and handled it pretty well.

Happy Wheeling! :thumbup:

Les

[JEONLYEP]

Thanks, but I still have the the broken tabs/ears to figure out. Looks like a trip to the yard. Salvage that is.

[LBEXJ]

I take it you need to replace your pinion yoke ... At least you and your son did not have to walk out.

Your story was kinda ironic for me ... I was coming home for lunch Tuesday and noticed some bad vibration. When I let off the gas I heard that un-mistakable rattle sound. I limped into the next small town (only a mile or so). I had lost the cap on the rear drive shaft back by the pinion. Unlike you though, I did not have a spare with me. I had some tools with me (enough to remove the drive shaft) but I did not have what I needed to remove and install a joint. I would not have been able to even remove the slip yoke, if necessary, so I could have driven it. I was fortunate enough that one of the "sister plants" for the company I work for is in that town and they have a shop there. I was able to get a ride to (another larger) town that has a NAPA Parts store and get a U-Joint. The shop had to tools I needed to replace the joint in the shop.

It made me realize I could just as easily have been stranded ... I was just very lucky. Needless to say, I will be putting together an adequate tool box with some spare parts for my ride.

Much better to say "Happy Wheeling" vrs. "Walking" ...

Les

[motorman]

Don't give up on your son so quick. It is the only way they learn is by watching and DOING.

Life lessons come with a price. This one doesn't seem very high, plus a good story is always a dividend.

From one dad(20yr old boy/19yr old girl) to another.............trust me, it is all worth it!

2004 will be a great year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[JEONLYEP]

I did find a pinion yoke at a yard today $25.00. New U-joint, straps and bolts. and I'll be ready to go again. If I ever get my old yoke off. In retrospect a good lesson at not too much of a price.

As for trail spares, I've decided that an extra pair of straps and the bolts that hold them on would be a wise move. I hadn't thought of that. And putting the bent and stretched ones back on was a challenge.

I'm still betting that 2004 will be a good year. Hopefully for me and all of you.

Daryl