Jerm S. Roll-Over...

[WillySLC]

All,

Jerm's Dad here. The good news is that he is not hurt.

Yesterday around 1:00, Jeremy rolled his beloved (and my dreaded) XJ. I'm thanking God for his protection over him yesterday. This happened on a busy U.S. Highway (89) in Brigham City Utah. When approaching a stop light, his left front wheel locked and sent him across both on-coming lanes of traffic (no cars there at the time, first miracle). The car went up about a 20' embankment and rolled. Jeremy literally walked away from the accident. He was wearing a SEAT BELT. The car ended up upside down and he managed to exit the car through the window. Withnesses insisted that he ramain still and so on. EMT's insisted on transporting him where he was treated and released within an hour.

To look at him, there is NO EVIDENCE of a car accident. He really got away with that one. The XJ is a loss, although he just wants to chop the top off and keep on going. It's not what I would like to see happen.

The moral of the story is WHERE YOUR SEAT-BELT and BELIEVE IN YOUR GUARDIAN ANGLES :angel:!

WillySLC :)
NAXJA

[Rev Den]

Thanks for the news....glad to hear he is OK. Pass along our best wishes to him.

Rev

BTW dad. Don't fear the top removal, removing the top REQUIRES a proper roll-cage...so the XJ will be safer than before.

[Eagle]

The Jeep gods were watching -- along with the Big Guy in the sky.

I'm glad Jerm is okay. Best wishes to all of you.

[SeanP]

Roll cages should be at the top of the list in any modified heep.

COunt blessings, move forward!

SeanP

[Jump This]

Has this single brake lock-up situation been common? That is kinda scary.......after he changes his shorts...maybe he can let us all now the 'how' of the lock up. If he can find it.
Glad he is alright!
And this is from a guy who rolled and DID NOT manage to walk away...more like fly away on Life-Flight!

[Ghost]

Glad to hear he si ok.

[woody]

Glad to hear Jeremy is good to go...

Great excuse for a topless XJ with ROPS now?

What does he need to make the XJ happy again?

[Jerm S.]

Thanks all for your comments. To answers some of your questions. I was aproaching a light that had just changed from green to yellow. I was going about 50-55 and lightly taped the brakes to slow down i was still 1/4mile from the light. as soon as i put any preasure on the pedal the driverside front tire locked solid. My immediate response was to let go of the brakes. but the wheel didn't I think the problem was sand in the wheel bearings on that side. I a few days before sunk that side in a hole full of water and very fine silt. Earlier on the trip i thought i heard some noise from that side that sounded like a bad bearing but it went away so i didn't think anything more of it. needless to say what happened, happened and there isn't much i can do about it now. I'm still not sure if i'm going to keep the rig or start over. If i do keep it, it will need etensive body work (chop top;) ) and a new front axle (D44). The D44 i had in the front ended up 10 yards away in 3 pieces. The ball joints broke and the knuckes seperated from the tube. It wasn't fun and i don't wish to do it again nor do i wish it on anyone else. At the moment i'm still trying to figure away to get it to my house. it is still in the towing companys yard. does any one that lives in the northern utah area have a trailer that i could use for a day? I have a vehicle capable of towing it but not a trailer.

TIA

Jerm S.

[Lincoln]

Fix it. Jeeps can be fixed, but the memery's can last a lifetime. At least you'll have a cool campfire war story to tell.

I can hear it now:

Did I tell you about the time.....

Glad to hear your okay.

Later,
Lincoln

[Flowers]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jump This
[B]Has this single brake lock-up situation been common? That is kinda scary.

I've had it happen, out of the blue, but my result was Death Wobble. The brake caliper locked up on a 2 lane highway.

Flowers

[MaXJohnson]

:eek: Glad to hear you're alright. I rolled one years ago and it gets your attention for sure. You should think over your reactions during the event and see what you can learn from it.

Like everyone else, I'm curious about the post mortum info. You mention having a D-44 in the front. Is it possible that when you hit the brakes something in the front axle bracketry let go, causing the wheel to shift backwards a bit and jam into the wheel house? Maybe a review of the axle attachment would be in order. Was the axle narrowed for the install? Your mention of the knuckle coming off prompts that question.

good luck on getting it back together and make sure to thank the big guy in the sky

[Kejtar]

Damn.... glad to hear that you're ok..... Definately try to salvage the jeep :D

Kejtar

[WillySLC]

Originally posted by Jump This
Has this single brake lock-up situation been common?

I personally think Jeremy is more on track with the incident involving sand / silt a few days prior. I think that perhaps some silt got into the brake calipers and seized it at a most unfortunate time.

However, I also wouldn't want to rule out the possiblity that the axel shifted. Jeremy had done a complete modification of the front suspension (of which he is really NOT qualified to do).

As his dad, I really did not feel the car was safe on the highway, but after his numerous insistances that it was fine and many safe returns, I let down my guard. He actually took the Jeep to Bear Lake with my approval perhaps even encouragement.

Frankly, my feeling is much like the earlier comment. Keep it stock, why mess with a perfect car?

WillySLC

[Kejtar]

lol WIllySLC... look at RevDen's pic to see what he means by keeping it stock :D

In any case, you said a trip to big bear lake... you mean Big Bear Lake California?

[Rev Den]

Willy....he is asking questions here....that is a good start. We will help you to guide him to building a SAFE and reliable Jeep. As his dad...YOU have our unwavering support, we will not encorage him to proceed without your support. You are an amazing father to post here about your sons accident and seek our input, you have my total respect sir.


Rev

[WillySLC]

Originally posted by Kejtar
lol WIllySLC... look at RevDen's pic to see what he means by keeping it stock :D

In any case, you said a trip to big bear lake... you mean Big Bear Lake California?

Wow, I guess I missed on that one! Stock, yeah right...

The Bear Lake I'm refering to is Bear Lake Utah/Idaho. Sorry, we are not SoCal folks, not that I have anyting against California. I'm actually native Cal. Our Bear Lake is on the Northeast border of Utah and splits almost down the middle with Idaho. A trule beautiful place if you ever get the chance.

WillySLC

[mbryson]

Originally posted by Rev Den
Willy....he is asking questions here....that is a good start. We will help you to guide him to building a SAFE and reliable Jeep. As his dad...YOU have our unwavering support, we will not encorage him to proceed without your support. You are an amazing father to post here about your sons accident and seek our input, you have my total respect sir.


Rev


Both Jerm S. and Willy are totol trouble makers and should never be trusted........:D:cool: :D

Did you guys get a stretcher to bring it back yet? I'm headed that way in a few hours, but don't have a trailer attached.

[Ed A. Stevens]

Originally posted by WillySLC

However, I also wouldn't want to rule out the possiblity that the axel shifted. Jeremy had done a complete modification of the front suspension (of which he is really NOT qualified to do).

WillySLC


Good to hear Jerm is in good health (with a sense of humor :) ).

Take a close look at how the tie rod and track bar are bent. If they look twisted, rather than simply bent, then consider the axle tube twisting out of the pumpkin. This can be a problem on high mileage D44/D60 front ends, under early 70's Blazers and Surb's, and later model rustbelt EB's. A tap on the brake twists the tube in the housing, and everything goes ... no turn control, no steering. The three piece result after the roll is a tip-off.

Let him build it again, or work with a new body shell. I would expect the attention to detail on the next project will be rewarded from the experience.

[WillySLC]

Originally posted by mbryson

Did you guys get a stretcher to bring it back yet? I'm headed that way in a few hours, but don't have a trailer attached.

Still looking. Posted on Jeep-SLC list. I'll just see what happens. We may have to rent something...

WillySLC

[Jerm S.]

To answers some questions. all of the bracketry seems intact, however the hiem joints broke where the metal ring turns into the thread portion. When i say the axle broke into three parts, this is what i mean. It hit hard enough to break the ball joints. all four ball joints broke where the ball portion of the stud is inside the knuckle. it doesn't seem to me that the tubes moved in the housing. but i could be wrong.

thanks all for your support.

Jerm S.

[DeadEyeJ]

Wow, glad you are OK Jerm! That last descent out of Sardine canyon is an ugly place for a brake problem. I'll bet those full-width axles didn't help either. Lotsa leverage to pull the vehicle to the side.

If you guys want my advice, make a non-street legal super crawler out of it. Trailer queens are ok in my book. You still have a lotta good parts there and now you can beat it to death on the rocks and not feel bad about dents. GET A ROLLCAGE as these fine gentlemen suggest. Better safe than dead.

BTW, he means Bear Lake. It rests across the Idaho/Utah border near the northeast corner of UT. Beautiful, beautiful lake. Crystal blue with loooong sandy beaches. Almost worth a rollover for a trip there.