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February 2015

January 2015

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Jeep recalls from NHTSA this month

15V-115—Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokees manufactured September 17, 2010, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6-, 5.7- or 6.4-liter engine, and 2012-2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured January 18, 2011, to August 19, 2013, and equipped with a 3.6- or 5.7-liter engine. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump relay inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM-7) may fail, causing the vehicle to stall without warning. A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump relay with one external to the TIPM. The recall is expected to begin April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler’s number for this recall is R09. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 14V-530.

Window Tracks
I have an ’89 Cherokee and this winter caused a lot of problems for it. I’ve corrected most of them but the driver’s side front window fell out of the channels because of the freezing weather. When I examined the window I found that the channels were pretty much dried out and worn. Where can I find new ones?
Alex Crossman
Baltimore, MD

Alex, if you’ll follow this link (http://www.omix-ada.com/), you’ll find diagrams from which you can determine which tracks you’ll need to repair your window. Omix-Ada is also the parent company of Rugged Ridge should you decide to enhance the performance of your Cherokee.

Power Steering
Something weird has started happening with my TJ’s power steering. It works OK on the road but gets hard to turn on the trail and when parking. The power steering seems tied to the engine RPM; above 1,000 RPM and everything works. Below 1,000 and I can hardly turn the wheel. The odometer just turned over 100,000 miles.
Alan Chase
Tallassee, FL

Your power steering pump needs the higher RPM to pump the fluid through the system. It’s becoming worn out. You may have to replace the pump; however, I’d suggest trying Lucas Oil power steering stop leak additive first. If the power steering pump isn’t too badly worn yet, the Lucas additive may correct the problem. If it does, you’ll still want to think about replacing the pump in a few months.

Power Windows
I recently bought a 1990 Cherokee Laredo. It has all the bells and whistles; power door locks, power windows, electronic compass and temperature, air conditioning and an automatic radio antenna—which doesn’t work by the way. The driver’s window is intermittent. It doesn’t work all the time and I can’t tell when it’s going to quit or keep working, and it doesn’t matter when it quits whether it’s up or down. Do you have any ideas? Is it a loose wire, bad ground, or worn out motor.
Brad Fletcher
Austin, TX

While it could be a loose wire or bad ground, Brad, I don’t think so. I’m afraid you’ll have to pull the inner door panel and replace the electric motor—be careful with the vapor barrier and don’t tear it. If you Google Cherokee window electric motor, you find vendors and replacement instructions.

Loose Steering
I quit driving my ’85 CJ7 for a while. My husband had to replace the radiator. When I went back to driving it, I realized that its steering had become loose over the years without me knowing it. I guess I had just gotten used to it. Now that I know it’s loose, and something creaks up front while turning or climbing rocks and ledges. What’s up with it?
Margaret Todd
Cheyenne, WY

It could be a number of things or a single thing, but I think it’s a combination of minor problems. The creaking is probably from the leaf springs moving on the shackles, or it could even be the springs scraping on the axle spring pads. I think you need to start at the U-bolts and tighten up everything: the U-bolts, the spring shackles and hinges, and the tie rod ends. You should also check the steering gearbox mounting bolts through the Jeep’s frame. Also, if you do a lot of off-roading, I suggest you install a gearbox brace; it braces the bottom of the gearbox from the opposite frame rail and almost eliminates the wear that causes the gearbox’s mounting frame holes to enlarge.

Front Axle
I’ve gone for years without breaking axles in my ’82 CJ7 but now every time I visit Farmington, New Mexico, I break an axle in the Dana 30. I’ve broken two short-sided axles and one long-sided axle. I’m tired of using up used axles from a junkyard. Do you have any suggestions?
Murray Kaplan
Amarillo, TX

I have several suggestions, Murray. First of all, you could replace the OEM Dana 30 differential with a Dana 44, namely a Dynatrac ProRock 44 (re: http://www.off-road.com/jeep/project/jeep-jk-unlimited-dynatrac-dana-44-rcv-axle-install-53200.html) or a Currie-built Dana 44. Either one of these differentials would more than likely last the rest of your life without breaking or causing you any distress. However, you’d have to add the price of a locker to the mix. An alternative would be a pair of lifetime warrantied RCV axles which use constant-velocity joints in the front axles (re: http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/swapping-jeep-wrangler-dana-30-for-rcv-axles-53578.html) or Alloy USA alloy steel axles. By retaining the Dana 30 front differential you also retain its locker, if you have one installed.

Rear Axle
My CJ just snapped a rear axle. At least I think it snapped. There’s a hub on the end of it and the hub just spins on the axle shaft now. How do I fix this?
Gary Clinton
Little Rock, AR

The AMC 20—also known as the Model 20—rear differential has two flaws. Even though its ring-and-pinion set are larger than a Dana 44, its two-piece axles are its major flaw. What you suffered was a broken Wentworth key, which mates a slot in the axle with a slot in the hub. When the Wentworth key gives up, the hub spins on the axle shaft. Replace the two-piece axles with one-piece replacement sets. Several companies make replacement axles, and I find it strange that it has taken you so long to break one. I also suggest that you have a good fabricator build you a truss for the Model 20 because its other flaw is weak axle tubes. Strengthen the axle tubes and the axles and you’ll have a rear differential that’ll see you enjoying many miles of off-roading trails.

Deep Scratches
I recently moved to Casa Grande from the Northwest and I’m not used desert trail riding yet (but I’m really liking the warmer weather!). No mud (the dust is a lot easier to clean off) but the pine trees didn’t leave the deep scratches that desert plants do. I’ve heard them called “Arizona pin striping” and I’d like to eliminate them.
Jerry McKnight
Casa Grande, AZ

For invisible paint repairs, Jerry, a perfect color match is essential. The Automotive Touchup website provides access to a very comprehensive library of OEM colors. It also features detailed videos demonstrating a range of paint techniques and other useful info. For more information, call 888.710.5192 or visit http://www.automotivetouchup.com/ or http://www.microfinish.com/.

Differential Gasket
My friends have given me conflicting information about working on differentials. I’ve been told to use a gasket and to use silicone when reinstalling the differential covers. Which is right? I don’t want to keep repairing it or seeing it leak all over the garage floor.
Raymond Cruz
Carlsbad, NM

You’re in luck, Raymond, a well-known company, Permatex has just released a video that answers that question. The instructional video shows how to use the Permatex “PowerBead” Applicator Nozzle, to show customers how to use it properly. The video demonstrates a step-by-step procedure for using the applicator, which is used on the 7-1/2 oz. the Right Stuff Gasket Maker can. The video demonstrates the proper techniques for cleaning and preparing the application surface and applying the gasketing material. It also shows how to use the PowerBead Applicator Nozzle to control the flow of gasketing material in order to make an accurate gasket with minimal waste. It can be viewed by visiting www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhicVBrL5Bs. Permatex’s Right Stuff is a long-lasting, elastomeric, formed-in-place, rubber gasket material that seals instantly and allows the part to be returned to service immediately. The Right Stuff can make custom fit gaskets to any shape or size for different applications, such as thermostat and pump housings, gearboxes, valve covers, machine tools, oil and transmission pans, compressors, and more.

I have a request of all the readers out there. Send us your questions. For some reason the questions have fallen off, and I know we haven’t answered all your Jeep technical questions. There are no dumb questions; only unasked questions. Send them in and try to stump us.—Jim Brightly

As usual, each month, I’m shouting out a huge THANK YOU to Paul Schupp at Rock Lizard 4x4 in Kingman, Arizona, for his invaluable assistance in answering many of the Jeep Creep questions.