Mite whoes

[Bill H.]

Went out this morning for a little Mite jaunt. I'm 30 miles in the middle of the desert and start hearing a clunk in the front end and it is a heavy clunk at that! CRAP!

Okay, I limped it home and got the front jacked up and on stands. The front left backing plate was lose as a goose! But something else I noticed while jacking it up. I placed the floor jack on the front differential and when I started to jack it up the Mite didn't move but the engine sure did Long story short. The front motor mount, broken! The right rear motor mount, broken! YIKES! I pulled the axle shaft and the brake drum and found one of the four backing plate studs was gone (from it's hole) and wedged between the brake shoes and the backing plate. It is all chewed up like a beaver was snacking on it. I have a spare differential so I robbed a stud and nut and put it all back together. I took it for a test drive and all is good, as far as the clunk and brakes go! I called Paul at Surplus City Jeep Parts and I'll have all three motor mounts early next week. I'm glad it turned out to be an easy fix.

And they lived happily ever after!

PS, I think my Mite has seen the last of any rock crawling!

[Mark Tombleson]

Doing this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vUfaNNo ... re=related

along with all the time you were driving in the desert and snow has taken its toll, Bill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h3IHpKP ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qe2LiK1 ... re=related

Maintain your Mite, my friend

[BigBlock]

Bill,
You should probably stop jacking the front diff. Here is the warning from page 8 of the service manual:

WARNING: No hydraulic or mechanically operated lifting devices (jacks) are to be used under the front differential to raise the vehicle, as the use of such tools will result in damage to the front engine mount. If possible, the vehicle lifting shackles located on the front bumper should be used to raise both wheels off the ground. If necessary to raise one wheel only to make the repair, locate the jack under the suspension arm just forward of the trunnion or under the front bumper.

Glad you made it home ok.

[Bill H.]

Mark, what the hell? Come on man! I'm not afraid Mark! I don't drive it like that all the time. Those mounts were OEM baby! 50 years old!

Steve, I did know not to jack it up there but I'm glad I did. If I hadn't, I may have stumbled around looking for my noise

BTW, when are you planning your trip out here?

[Eddie Holland]

I think jacking up the diff. cracks the housing to the front drive shaft.

[Bill H.]

Eddie, I'm sure there a few things that could happen. I have stopped that practice now so I should be good And I know better

[rodusmc1962]

Eddie is correct, that housing is aluminum. Russ Jones warned me of this a few years back.

[Eddie Holland]

just letting you, know i leaned the hard way.