Blasted auto repairs, really
Finished the rh upper balljoint in the sploder in like ten minutes. The LH can’t be much worse,l right? WRONG.
On the rh you can just replace the unit. On the lh you have to do the whole upper control arm. Dumbasses.
Monday 10 Nov 2008
That’s why I think American engineering is defunct. They can’t design things that are easy to replace. Back when I had a ’78 ‘Stang II, you couldn’t remove the oil filter without removing the control arm. The simple solution was to use a smaller diameter oil filter and fit it through the gap between the control arm and the engine. Then I moved up to a Civic and everthing was within easy reach and access. Life was good. Then year 1996 came and things started getting complicateder. My 2001 Tacoma I still haven’t figured out. I can get to 4 out of 6 spark plugs, but the last 2 are under a bunch of wires and other things. I haven’t attempted to replace my plugs yet, but when I do, it’ll be an adventure! Then there’s this OBDII bullshit and sensors out the wazoo. Geez.
Orange: You get to the other plugs through the wheel well. Trust me on this one.
Ah, this is why I love my Jeeps (pre-insanity models–2001 XJ Cherokee and 1990 Wrangler).
I recently had the joy of putting an entire 2000 TJ Wrangler suspension/steering system back together from a pile of parts and it was simple enough that I could do it without even checking my Haynes manual for more than torque specs. Very straightforward and well designed.
Oh, but corrosion. Chrysler just loves cheap bolts. Standard operating procedure on my NY-for-five-years Cherokee is to snap the bolt right off and buy a better one. Maybe use anti-seize this time.
Of course, Jeep made its worst decision ever discontinuing the XJ Cherokee for US sales, and has never made a good one since. I won’t buy newer than 1999–wish I knew that when I got my 2001, natch.