The Jeep Guru – Page 74 – Jeep Performance Improvement Ideas

April 15, 2011April 15, 2011

Using dd-wrt to convert a Linksys router

When I got my MiFi device to replace my satellite modem, I had to figure out a way to share the internet signal with the other computers on my home network. At first I thought I could just use the UBS connection on the MiFi and then use the desktop computer as a gateway for the other computers. Well, I never could get the USB modem software to run on my old XP computer.

I then thought I would just buy a wireless USB device to plug into the desktop. However the cost of these at Wal-Mart was more than I wanted to pay. I started to order one from Tiger Direct but then I found a different solution.

I found that I could convert my router that I no longer needed into a device by running it in “Client Mode.” Unfortunately my Linksys router did not support client mode.

A few more Google searches revealed that I could replace the firmware with some from dd-wrt.com and make it run like I needed it to.

At first I was scared from the dire warnings that I could easily convert my router into a paper weight if I did not carefully follow the instructions. But I eventually decided to give it a try.

I found my router listed in the wiki and printed out the instructions. I downloaded the appropriate files. I then reset the router just like in the instructions. I actually used a stopwatch to make sure I held the button down for the correct amount of time.

Holding the button down while disconnecting and reconnecting the power was the hardest part of the job for me. Well that and the waiting five minutes between changes near the end of the procedure. If I had not used a stopwatch I am sure I would not have waited long enough. I got very impatient, but I read where not waiting was the most common error people make in installing the software, so I waited it out.

The instructions were very easy to follow. I just checked off each step along the way. Everything worked like it was supposed to and my Clint mode ran first time. The router automatically syncs up with the MiFi whenever I turn it on. It runs in secure access mode so I don’t have to worry about my neighbors using up my bandwidth.

See http://dd-wrt.com for more info on the router modification.

April 15, 2011April 15, 2011

Goodbye Hughesnet; hello Verizon MiFI

While there are a lot of great things about living in the country like letting the dog run free and having 4×4 trails in the back yard, having access to high speed internet is not among them.

I am about a mile from the end of the Charter cable run and several miles from the nearest DSL capable phone line. For years the only option I had was Directway. Directway eventually evolved into Hughesnet.

The satellite internet seemed really cool at first. Connection speeds were much faster than dial up. And it was also more reliable. It was always on and I never had to worry about busy signals when trying to connect the modem. The savings of dropping AOL and the extra phone line pretty much paid for the Satellite service at first.

However over the years the price went up and the service went down. First they added download limits. And they did not tell anyone, they just secretly started limited speeds if you went over a certain amount. It took some folks in a broadband forum to figure it out and write a program so you could monitor your download sand not go over the limit and be penalized for going over.

In the past few months, the system has become virtually unusable as the connection speeds during peak use times are unbearably slow. The system works fine during the day and late at night; but from 4pm to 10 pm it is useless.

I reluctantly tested the Verizon 3g connection at our house. Cell phone coverage is pretty good there but not perfect. I suspected the data transfer would be spotty at best. However, I was surprised at the speed of two different devices I tested. They worked great and got better signal than my phone.

So, I finally cancelled the Hughesnet service and got the Verizon MiFi 3g. 4g had just come out but it was much more expensive for the device so I decided to just get the 3g.

The box arrived by FedEx and was very easy to set up. All I had to do was connect using the wireless card in my laptop computer. I have not run any actual speed tests but the feel is much faster. I can actually play Car Town on Facebook. That was next to impossible on the satellite.

The trouble came about when I tried to connect it to the desktop computer. The USB connection simply refused to install. I saw in some forums that others were having similar issues using XP like I was. I decided to just stop fighting it and use a wireless connection for the desk top as well.

The trouble was, I needed a wireless device for the desktop. See the next post for how I modified my Linksys router to connect to the MiFi.

April 12, 2011June 4, 2013

Rally Tires for sale – SOLD

Rally Tires for sale _SOLD
Kumho R700 205/60R15

For sale 4 used Kumho Rally Tires. They have about 70% tread left on them. They would be good for stage rally or rally cross.

Currently they are mounted on Jeep wheels. I can include the wheels or pull the tires depending on what you need. The wheels are 5 on 4.5 with fits the Mitsubishi Eclipse and many other cars as well as the Jeep.

I also have one brand new Kumho Rally tire on a new wheel for sale separately.

SOLD

April 11, 2011April 11, 2011

Adjusting Pinion Preload on a Dana 30

Jennifer’s Jeep Cherokee has been riding a bit rough lately. It has had a growl and a vibration at speed. We tried swapping drive shafts and rotating the tires but the noise and vibration was still there.

A close inspection showed some play in the pinion shaft in the front axle. I knew form the experience with my Jeep that this could cause a vibration.

She really did not want to spend a lot of money fixing up this gear set since she will be installing a set of 4.11s in the next few weeks. She needed just a temporary fix to get by.

I looked in the factory shop manual for the preload adjustment procedure and it mentioned a crush sleeve. I thought that I could just crush the sleeve a bit more and take out the slop. I put a big pipe on my pull handle and cranked on the nut. The nut turned but the end play stayed the same.

A bit more research made me realize that there is no crush sleeve in a XJ Dana 30. I am not sure which front axle the shop manual was referring to. But, I was sure I had succeeded in stripping the nut.

When I later pulled the nut, sure enough, the threads of the nut were nicely embedded in the pinion. I was glad the nut stripped and not the pinion. It took a few minutes with a pick, but I was able to clean the threads.

To adjust the pinion preload, I began by removing the wheels and tires. Next I removed the brakes and the center axle nuts. I could have left the axles in the hubs but it was easier to handle them separately. I used my sacrificial bolts to separate the hubs from the knuckles.

I then removed the hubs and axle shafts. I then separated the tie rod on the driver side and let it hang down out of the way. I then removed the cover and drained the fluid.

I removed the carrier bearing cap bolts and after noting he marks, carefully removed the caps. I was getting ready to set up the spreader on the case to remove the carrier when Jennifer who was removing the drive shaft tapped on the pinion. The whole carrier fell out almost on my foot! So much for needing a spreader. I guess all the bearings are pretty worn. The carrier as well as bearing s will be replaced when the new gears are installed so I just reused all the parts anyway.

With the drive shaft out of the way, I removed the pinion nut. Sure enough it was stripped. With the yoke off, I tapped the pinion out the front. I pried out the seal and collected he slinger, bearing and shims.

I set the pinion back in place and removed a .010 shim. It was still too loose. I pulled another shim and it was still too loose. With .030 shim gone it felt about right. With any less shim, it was way too tight, so I settled on a shim pack and put it al back together.

I made sure it all felt OK with the axles back in before I installed a new pinion seal. The seal and the gear oil were the only expenses for this job. I used an old pinion nut from a spare axle behind the barn.

I used black silicone for the front cover seal and left the tie rod off until Jennifer had refilled the housing with gear oil before putting it back in place.

A quick test drive showed much less vibration and the dragging growling feeling was gone. Hopefully the bearings will last a few more weeks.
[phpbay]dana 30, 10[/phpbay]

April 6, 2011December 8, 2014

Replacing Bumps stops on the Jeep Cherokee

The bumps stops can take a lot of abuse on the Jeep Cherokee. Evan a street driven Jeep may need to have the bump stops replaced after a few years. It is important to keep good bump stops in place because the suspension can over travel without them. In the front, the axle can damage the transmission cooling lines and in the rear, the leaf springs can become damaged.

The rear bumps stops are very easy to change. Usually there will just be a steel plate bolted to the unibody frame rail where the rubber has broken away. This plate is held in place by two bolts with 13mm heads. If they are rusted in place, it may help to spray penetrating oil inside the frame rail. If the bolts break off, you can simply weld the new bump stops in place.

New bump stops are available in a variety of lengths to compensate for larger tires. The stock length bump stops are available for around $10 each.

In the front, the bump stops are located inside the coil spring. This means the spring must be removed to access the bump stops. On the AMC built XJs the bump stop screwed into the tube inside the coil. On the Chrysler built Jeeps, the holder is welded to the tube and the new bump stop slips into the cup. To install the new one, I found that lubricating it with hand soap makes it slide in easier. If the spring is removed, you can use the weight of the Jeep to press the bump stop into place.

Longer front bump stops are available, but I have had better results using the stock sized bump stop and placing a spacer at the bottom of the spring seat. Spacers can be made of wood or plastic. I have even seen tennis balls placed inside the spring to lengthen the bump stops.

Bumps stops should be inspected before and after each off road trip to ensure that they are in present and in good condition. Having the proper bump stops in place will help your suspension work properly and keep your tires from rubbing the fenders.