Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Marc, hope you didn't consider my response a criticism? If so, I
apologize. I sure didn't intend it that way.

Dave

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 16:55:57 -0500, "Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net>
wrote:

>Thanks for all of the advice (and criticims - I wasn't feeling quite bad
>enough, but you fixed that. thanks). I have only had time to adjust the
>tire pressure - it was off a couple of pounds and getting them exactly
>matched seemed to noticably help. Also, as suggested, there was apparently
>some breakin softening, even if only during the 45 highway miles I got to
>drive. It initially felt like the rear end was jumping sideways about 6
>inches, when only MILDLY letting off or on the gas when on a gentle highway
>cruve (at 60mph). And "mildly" was as gentle and I could possibly work the
>pedal. I was hopefull to get to the woods tomorrow, but that's not going to
>happen now...(below)
>
>When I had the powertrax put in, I also had the manual transmission fluid
>changed. Fortunately, they noticed a metal part on the drain plug and saved
>it for me. It looks like a roller bearing or pin, about 1/8th inch dia (by
>eye) and about 1.5 inches long. One end is machined, the other was
>obviously snapped off. I had about 13K miles left on the warranty, so I got
>it into the dealer the next day. They just started taking it apart today.

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Marc, hope you didn't consider my response a criticism? If so, I
apologize. I sure didn't intend it that way.

Dave

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 16:55:57 -0500, "Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net>
wrote:

>Thanks for all of the advice (and criticims - I wasn't feeling quite bad
>enough, but you fixed that. thanks). I have only had time to adjust the
>tire pressure - it was off a couple of pounds and getting them exactly
>matched seemed to noticably help. Also, as suggested, there was apparently
>some breakin softening, even if only during the 45 highway miles I got to
>drive. It initially felt like the rear end was jumping sideways about 6
>inches, when only MILDLY letting off or on the gas when on a gentle highway
>cruve (at 60mph). And "mildly" was as gentle and I could possibly work the
>pedal. I was hopefull to get to the woods tomorrow, but that's not going to
>happen now...(below)
>
>When I had the powertrax put in, I also had the manual transmission fluid
>changed. Fortunately, they noticed a metal part on the drain plug and saved
>it for me. It looks like a roller bearing or pin, about 1/8th inch dia (by
>eye) and about 1.5 inches long. One end is machined, the other was
>obviously snapped off. I had about 13K miles left on the warranty, so I got
>it into the dealer the next day. They just started taking it apart today.

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Dave, No problem. I was grinning, but still feeling bad at the time for an
expensive "upgrade" that wasn't acting like I had thought it would on the
highway and I had had no chance to use it offroad.

The best thing to come out of this (so far) has been the broken part found
when the transmission fluid was drained. For the price of my original
extended insurance and the $59 deductable, I'll be getting a general
transmission overhaul. I heard today that the shop had ordered about $1,400
in parts, mostly seals. That should prolong the transmission for several
years. That makes the cost of the insurance basically a wash.

If they also find the cause of a slow coolant loss, then that will be like a
free repair. I had not thought MUCH about adding a quart or so when I
cheched fluids at oil change time. But after reading news group posts about
a cracked head causing a mysterious coolant loss, I though I'd have them
check that also. I called after they had started on the transmission, so
they'll have to get the transmission back in, then try to find the coolant
loss.

All the while I'm busting to get to the woods and try out the Powertrax. I
may not get my Wrangler back until Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day -
then a week or so before I can try it out.

--
Marc.L.Masnor@usace.army.mil


"David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:16bej0dvi0p7dcugqbte6n09akgnu32186@4ax.com...
> Marc, hope you didn't consider my response a criticism? If so, I
> apologize. I sure didn't intend it that way.
>
> Dave
>
> On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 16:55:57 -0500, "Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net>
> wrote:
>
>>Thanks for all of the advice (and criticims - I wasn't feeling quite bad
>>enough, but you fixed that. thanks). I have only had time to adjust the
>>tire pressure - it was off a couple of pounds and getting them exactly
>>matched seemed to noticably help. Also, as suggested, there was
>>apparently
>>some breakin softening, even if only during the 45 highway miles I got to
>>drive. It initially felt like the rear end was jumping sideways about 6
>>inches, when only MILDLY letting off or on the gas when on a gentle
>>highway
>>cruve (at 60mph). And "mildly" was as gentle and I could possibly work
>>the
>>pedal. I was hopefull to get to the woods tomorrow, but that's not going
>>to
>>happen now...(below)
>>
>>When I had the powertrax put in, I also had the manual transmission fluid
>>changed. Fortunately, they noticed a metal part on the drain plug and
>>saved
>>it for me. It looks like a roller bearing or pin, about 1/8th inch dia
>>(by
>>eye) and about 1.5 inches long. One end is machined, the other was
>>obviously snapped off. I had about 13K miles left on the warranty, so I
>>got
>>it into the dealer the next day. They just started taking it apart today.
>

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Dave, No problem. I was grinning, but still feeling bad at the time for an
expensive "upgrade" that wasn't acting like I had thought it would on the
highway and I had had no chance to use it offroad.

The best thing to come out of this (so far) has been the broken part found
when the transmission fluid was drained. For the price of my original
extended insurance and the $59 deductable, I'll be getting a general
transmission overhaul. I heard today that the shop had ordered about $1,400
in parts, mostly seals. That should prolong the transmission for several
years. That makes the cost of the insurance basically a wash.

If they also find the cause of a slow coolant loss, then that will be like a
free repair. I had not thought MUCH about adding a quart or so when I
cheched fluids at oil change time. But after reading news group posts about
a cracked head causing a mysterious coolant loss, I though I'd have them
check that also. I called after they had started on the transmission, so
they'll have to get the transmission back in, then try to find the coolant
loss.

All the while I'm busting to get to the woods and try out the Powertrax. I
may not get my Wrangler back until Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day -
then a week or so before I can try it out.

--
Marc.L.Masnor@usace.army.mil


"David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:16bej0dvi0p7dcugqbte6n09akgnu32186@4ax.com...
> Marc, hope you didn't consider my response a criticism? If so, I
> apologize. I sure didn't intend it that way.
>
> Dave
>
> On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 16:55:57 -0500, "Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net>
> wrote:
>
>>Thanks for all of the advice (and criticims - I wasn't feeling quite bad
>>enough, but you fixed that. thanks). I have only had time to adjust the
>>tire pressure - it was off a couple of pounds and getting them exactly
>>matched seemed to noticably help. Also, as suggested, there was
>>apparently
>>some breakin softening, even if only during the 45 highway miles I got to
>>drive. It initially felt like the rear end was jumping sideways about 6
>>inches, when only MILDLY letting off or on the gas when on a gentle
>>highway
>>cruve (at 60mph). And "mildly" was as gentle and I could possibly work
>>the
>>pedal. I was hopefull to get to the woods tomorrow, but that's not going
>>to
>>happen now...(below)
>>
>>When I had the powertrax put in, I also had the manual transmission fluid
>>changed. Fortunately, they noticed a metal part on the drain plug and
>>saved
>>it for me. It looks like a roller bearing or pin, about 1/8th inch dia
>>(by
>>eye) and about 1.5 inches long. One end is machined, the other was
>>obviously snapped off. I had about 13K miles left on the warranty, so I
>>got
>>it into the dealer the next day. They just started taking it apart today.
>

Re: Just got a Powertrax rear diff, 2000 TJ... NEED ADVICE
 

Dave, No problem. I was grinning, but still feeling bad at the time for an
expensive "upgrade" that wasn't acting like I had thought it would on the
highway and I had had no chance to use it offroad.

The best thing to come out of this (so far) has been the broken part found
when the transmission fluid was drained. For the price of my original
extended insurance and the $59 deductable, I'll be getting a general
transmission overhaul. I heard today that the shop had ordered about $1,400
in parts, mostly seals. That should prolong the transmission for several
years. That makes the cost of the insurance basically a wash.

If they also find the cause of a slow coolant loss, then that will be like a
free repair. I had not thought MUCH about adding a quart or so when I
cheched fluids at oil change time. But after reading news group posts about
a cracked head causing a mysterious coolant loss, I though I'd have them
check that also. I called after they had started on the transmission, so
they'll have to get the transmission back in, then try to find the coolant
loss.

All the while I'm busting to get to the woods and try out the Powertrax. I
may not get my Wrangler back until Tuesday or Wednesday after Labor Day -
then a week or so before I can try it out.

--
Marc.L.Masnor@usace.army.mil


"David C. Moller" <dmoller@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:16bej0dvi0p7dcugqbte6n09akgnu32186@4ax.com...
> Marc, hope you didn't consider my response a criticism? If so, I
> apologize. I sure didn't intend it that way.
>
> Dave
>
> On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 16:55:57 -0500, "Marc Masnor" <Masnor@cox.net>
> wrote:
>
>>Thanks for all of the advice (and criticims - I wasn't feeling quite bad
>>enough, but you fixed that. thanks). I have only had time to adjust the
>>tire pressure - it was off a couple of pounds and getting them exactly
>>matched seemed to noticably help. Also, as suggested, there was
>>apparently
>>some breakin softening, even if only during the 45 highway miles I got to
>>drive. It initially felt like the rear end was jumping sideways about 6
>>inches, when only MILDLY letting off or on the gas when on a gentle
>>highway
>>cruve (at 60mph). And "mildly" was as gentle and I could possibly work
>>the
>>pedal. I was hopefull to get to the woods tomorrow, but that's not going
>>to
>>happen now...(below)
>>
>>When I had the powertrax put in, I also had the manual transmission fluid
>>changed. Fortunately, they noticed a metal part on the drain plug and
>>saved
>>it for me. It looks like a roller bearing or pin, about 1/8th inch dia
>>(by
>>eye) and about 1.5 inches long. One end is machined, the other was
>>obviously snapped off. I had about 13K miles left on the warranty, so I
>>got
>>it into the dealer the next day. They just started taking it apart today.
>