Today I took Jeepy to U Wrench It Auto in Palmyra, NJ. I brought along way too many tools for too many projects. I had 6 hours in the bay but nothing comes easy on a 2008 that has had 16 years for bolts and nuts to corrode and fuse together.
I did get to work on my Jeep on a lift for the first time ever. That was awesome!
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I tried to replace those rear shocks from 2012 but admitted defeat when my electric impact, the shop’s air impact, and my breaker bar and breaker bar extension would not budge the bolts. I had an induction heater and got the bolts red hot, but not hot enough apparently. I will need to take it to the professionals who have stronger methods of persuasion.
The lower shock bolts did eventually come out but it was a fight.
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The upper shock bolts refused to budge. I got them free from that outer section under the bolt head, (paint now missing due to the induction heater) but not where they went into the frame.
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The sway bar links and bushings were on the docket for today but I never got to them. I reassembled the lower shock bolts and nuts so that I could drive home for now.
The day was far from a total loss though! I did a Mobil-1 oil change, lubed all the grease zerks on the JBA lift components, did a tire rotation, and fixed a bad electrical connection to my drivers side front blinker. I am happy with that.
Next weekend I will be back at U Wrench It Auto to do a water pump, thermostat, and fan clutch. I learned my lesson and will only bring one project at a time!
PS, the owner of the shop, Matt, was awesome to deal with. He was also super helpful and I learned things about working on my Jeep from him today that I didn’t know before. His shop is spotless and organized and the tools that are there are of good quality. I highly recommend this place if anyone (
@sota ) is in the neighborhood and needs to work on their rig.