Do you inspect your Jeep after Wheeling?

[Digger]

In your opinion, what are the 5 most important things you inspect/check/clean on your JEEP after a day of Wheeling?

[Wind_Danzer]

1. Steering bolts
2. Control arm bolts
3. Trackbar bolts
4. Look for leaking fluids from diffs/oil pan/steering box/radiator/t-case
5. Wheels for rocks in beads and lost weights.

[CaptainMorgan]

In addition to those things above I check U-joints in th drive shafts for any slop.
Also look for bent/dented parts.

[shaggy914]

radiator.

loose tie rod or drag link.
loose ball joints.

[macinyart]

It may sound a bit strange, but I use a rubber hammer under the jeep. If it moves with the rubber hammer when I pound on it, it needs attention. I do this before going out also. I look for new scuff marks and just in general shake and pound under there. Visible fluid gets a lot of attention also. So far my YJ doesn't leak anything, at least for very long. Life is good.

[ORIGoodyear]

possible bent tie rod and other rock damage tires and side walls

[Digger]

How often do you check air filter and how often do you lube your jeeps? What type lube and where? (ex: high heat lube)

[Stu Olson]

The welds on your rear upper control arm brackets.....I welded mine three times before I changed to a different suspension setup.

http://www.stu-offroad.com/suspension/arm2/ucab-2.jpg

[azcharlie]

I also check for cracks along welded areas.

Edit:Stu beat me to it.

[1eagle]

After every run, front to back or back to front.

[shaggy914]

How often do you check air filter and how often do you lube your jeeps? What type lube and where? (ex: high heat lube)

air filter should be replaced every 60K
checked every oil change (hey youre in there why not?)
oil every 3K
full synth mobile 1
yes i knot 5K but i really want to be sure i come from running air cooled engine where oil is done every 1500-2k and when i sat 3k i mean as soon as its 3k its when i get around to it.

tranny every 15k same with t-case
mobile 1 again synth.
diffs at 15 k usually too.
mobile 1 synth.
radiator at 15k too.
premium brand synth. halvoline usually.
brake flush when i do pads.
dot 3 best brand i can find.

i check zerk fittings and stuff at every 15k add when needed.

i wouldnt go to goofy goob.
have alot of morons working there with one hand up their *****.
if you want it done right do it yourself.
but a jack and a few stands and a couple sockets.
nothing special.
get a drain pan. checker will take all fluids.
and oil (oil aft gear oil) and put the brake fluid in with the antifreeze.

[lancetkenyon]

air filter should be replaced every 60Kchecked every oil change (hey youre in there why not?)
oil every 3K
full synth mobile 1
yes i knot 5K but i really want to be sure i come from running air cooled engine where oil is done every 1500-2k and when i sat 3k i mean as soon as its 3k its when i get around to it.

tranny every 15k same with t-case
mobile 1 again synth.
diffs at 15 k usually too.
mobile 1 synth.
radiator at 15k too.
premium brand synth. halvoline usually.
brake flush when i do pads.
dot 3 best brand i can find.

i check zerk fittings and stuff at every 15k add when needed.

i wouldnt go to goofy goob.
have alot of morons working there with one hand up their *****.
if you want it done right do it yourself.
but a jack and a few stands and a couple sockets.
nothing special.
get a drain pan. checker will take all fluids.
and oil (oil aft gear oil) and put the brake fluid in with the antifreeze.

WOW! My trail rig has a K&N, and I clean and re-oil about every 10 runs, which is about 100-200 miles. It is filthy each time. I change the airfilter in the tow rigs at around 15K, and in my wifes Stang around the same. Each time, the filters are full of crap.

[TanTJJim]

I try to keep track of what I smack underneath if I can so I hit those spots first. After what I already know to look for here's my top 5

1. Oil pan, tranny and diffs for scrape marks or fluid leaks
2. Any skid plates to see if they got bent badly or did damage to what they're bolted to.
3. Steering components for any bent or loose parts.
4. Suspension components for bent parts or cracked welds at the brackets (I already found one on my front lower control arm bracket)
5. As many misc body mount bolts, gearbox bolts, etc for looseness and any body damage I might have missed.

[lancetkenyon]

My top 5 things I check are:

AZ pinstripes
body damage
bashed/scratched undercarriage
windshield glass
torn/ripped softtop

[YJunk]

In your opinion, what are the 5 most important things you inspect/check/clean on your JEEP after a day of Wheeling?

five things? that would mean there were 20 that were loose... the best advice I've gotten on this was from wildcat... "you need to get your ***** under that rig once a month and check EVERYTHING... which I do; even with that I still vibrate stuff loose in between, but I don't have quite as many scary things... like the time I crawled under and the gas skid bolts on the inside were all gone and the thing was just floppin off the rear mount...

[Washington_XJ]

WOW! My trail rig has a K&N, and I clean and re-oil about every 10 runs, which is about 100-200 miles. It is filthy each time. I change the airfilter in the tow rigs at around 15K, and in my wifes Stang around the same. Each time, the filters are full of crap.

Yeah I agree, replacing the filter every 60K does NOT apply to offroad applications nor backroad arizona driving where alot of debris gets kicked up. I moved down to AZ with 25K on it and the filter looked brand new. After 37K the filter was literally all dirt. I pulled it out and it was caked. Worst filter I've ever seen in my life...

That was it, switched to airaid the next day.

[Rogue XJ]

top 5?

hmmm,

1. check for fluid leaks/levels underhood and condition of hoses/belts

2. check tire pressures (if they're abnormally low, it signals a puncture and necessary repair)

3. check steering components for looseness/breakage (there can't be much more frightening than losing the ability to steer while jamming down the freeway)

4. check suspension for loose bolts/cracked brackets, especially those components that hang low/get smacked on rocks.

5. clean the windshield... sounds trivial, but after a good dusting, you'd be surprised how bad the glare can be driving into the morning or evening sun.

none of these set in concrete of course, and extra attention should be given to areas that you KNOW you smacked on the last run... and the weird noise you've had ever since. :cool:

[cdhowell]

I don't believe there is a 5 point check in safety! I have not heard any mention of lugnuts, wheel bearrings, Brake lines, or rag joints, etc.... Bottom line is check everything before and after a run. It may save a life.

[BeaterXJ]

i check the jeep after every run, i'm spoiled because i have a hoist to use:).
i just check to make sure everything is tight, no leaks, no damade(well not too much damage) and sometimes i take a rubber malet to things, a few taps to make sure everything is ok.:D

[CooL_DaD]

I check the fuel gauge......

[Hivemind]

check for fluid leaks/levels

COOLER

[Hunter]

Oh, maybe its just the fabber in me, but make sure you check all the brackets for cracks or signs of failure.

Worst Offenders...For TJ's

Front axle, lower control arm mounts.
Rear frame, upper control arm mounts.
Rear axle, track bar mount
Front Frame, track bar mount

XJ's, can be same as above, but got to keep an eye on the power steering box area.

I have had to fix more than few of these over the years after the person had a failure out on the trail. Most of the time though, I can tell that failure had been progressive for awhile. Rust, rubbing, paint wear, etc.

[Digger]

Thanks for all the good input. I asked for 5 because if I had asked "what do you check after wheelin" I would have received many "what don't you check" answers. I posted this question to get expert opinions from some genuine and serious wheelers in hopes of gaining "know-what and know-how" knowledge to keep my rig rollin safe. I haven't been able to find a published list on this topic, and from what I read in technical posts on this forum I believe my best bet to find expert advise is from the members of AZVJC. I just don't seem to have much luck when I post a point blank question for help I am seeking to questions. Again, I would like to thank all for helping me generate this "after wheelin check list".
One more subject I would like to hear some opinions on is: After wheelin spraying off dirt/ mud underneath jeep to perform inspection. And the re-lubing routine that is recommended by "jeep keepers". (being a jeep keeper is my way of saying "love my jeep") :cool:

[tywilson88]

the thing that is making noise

[Hivemind]

Here is a consolidated list from the posts so far:

I try to keep track of what I smack underneath if I can so I hit those spots first \\ Bottom line is check everything before and after a run. It may save a life.

the thing that is making noise
check for cracks along all welded areas
check all the brackets for cracks or signs of failure.
check steering components for looseness/breakage

Worst Offenders...For TJ's:
Front axle, lower control arm mounts.
Rear frame, upper control arm mounts.
Rear axle, track bar mount
Front Frame, track bar mount

XJ's, can be same as above, but got to keep an eye on the power steering box area.

Steering bolts:
Control arm bolts
Trackbar bolts
Look for leaking fluids from diffs/oil pan/steering box/radiator/t-case
Wheels for rocks in beads and lost weights.
loose tie rod or drag link.
loose ball joints.
lugnuts, wheel bearings, Brake lines, or rag joints, etc....
Oil pan, tranny and diffs for scrape marks or fluid leaks
Any skid plates to see if they got bent badly or did damage to what they're bolted to.

check for fluid leaks/levels under hood and condition of hoses/belts
check tire pressures (if they're abnormally low, it signals a puncture and necessary repair)

Fluid/filter change:
air filter should be replaced every 60K
oil every 3K
tranny every 15k same with t-case
diffs at 15 k usually too.
radiator at 15k too.
brake flush when i do pads.
i check zerk fittings and stuff at every 15k add when needed.

[06TJWRANGLER]

Well since my Jeep is a 06 and only has 28k miles, I dont really inspect anything that much. I got a extended warranty til 75k miles lol!! Actually when I get done wheeling I usually wipe the inside of my Jeep out with some pledge since I have contacts. Then I look underneath see what I banged up today then after that I usually get my bottle of Simple Green. Spray the whole underneath down, also in the engine compartment. Shove a rag down inside the air box and spray the engine and underneath the frame with the water hose. I get my oil changed done at Avondale Lube and Oil, I know the owner he has a bad***** rock crawler. He usually charges me 30.00 and I get my oil replaced new oil filter, all my fluids are checked and refilled if need(they even clean the inside of my windows as well as out and vacumn the jeep out). I get everything grease underneath. Im sure you guys are wondering well how do you know if there doing it, well I carry my 45 auto in my Jeep so im out there watching my Jeep makin sure they dont take it as im watch them grease my Jeep fittings. I have a Airraid aftermarket air filter which I usually clean that about every 4k miles. Im coming up to my 30k mile marker on my Jeep where most fluids need to be changed according to the Jeep manual. So I bought some Diff Guards down at ORI earlier this week, figured since they where gonna install them might as well swap fluids. So I bought 3 quarts of Royal Purple oil for the axles and swap the fluids. I bought 3 more quarts of Synomesh synethic oil im gonna put in the tranny and t-case come, monday. This way I run the good stuff I dont need to swap fluids til about 75k miles on the Jeep. I also bought new spark plugs and got some throttle body cleaner. Every 10k miles I put a bottle of injector cleaner in my gas to help keep the carbon build up on down. I bought new Brake rotors and pads about 5k miles ago so I know im good. So yeah Jeep is still too new to even really worry about everything.

[tywilson88]

Fluid/filter change:
air filter should be replaced every 60K
oil every 3K
tranny every 15k same with t-case
diffs at 15 k usually too.
radiator at 15k too.
brake flush when i do pads.
i check zerk fittings and stuff at every 15k add when needed.


i do airfilter at 15k, tranny at 30k, and diffs at 60k

that is what is reccommended

[Digger]

I do all Manufacture Reqs. on time, oil change every 3,000 miles. I am looking for the extra needed from 4 wheelin to keep my jeep healthy. Mud seems to find me all the time. Well maybe I go lookin for it, but its got be brutal on moving parts, mud acts like an abrasive paste, it's full of tiny stones that just grind into everywhere. I'm trying to avoid major problems from these extreme conditions.
I know how to take care of my vehicles under normal conditions. I still drive my Chevy Van I bought new in 1982, yep my Van is older the most of you guys and it still runs good and looks good for her age.

[Digger]

Well thanks to all of your input, I was able to find and fix this real loud noise I picked up in the front end after wheelin 2 weeks ago. Loose nut

[KennethS]

Looking at the picture, it appears that loose nut is behind the wheel... :D

[BeaterXJ]

the thing that is making noise


so you gotta look @ alot huh?:D

[AZJeeps TJ&XJ]

I use to check everything under the Heep, Now I just check to see if it made it back. I might look if a new sound starts or if I think I might of did something to break something. Getting lazy is a bad habit, but I'm lazy...

[Frisbie]

:DRight after it comes off the flatbed towtruck!!!:D ALLWAYS CHECK BEFORE!!!!

[Digger]

yes KennethS you are right :D hehehehehehe

[RokNRich]

I check mine out BEFORE wheeling. Most of the time I figure if I got back to the trailhead, I'll make it home. Usually do a quick eyeball of things whilst airing up, checking the things that have loosened up on me before.

My prewheeling checklist is pretty thorough though........

[tywilson88]

Looking at the picture, it appears that loose nut is behind the wheel... :D

what??? and by the way in that pic... NICE swaybar links

[Fire Ball]

Missing,dripping, smokin or broken :D

I always check welds, bolts, new drips, and bent steering or other parts.

[Lonnie]

Always check for (1) cracks around the track bar brackets and welds.
(2) bad or damaged track bar bushing and or loose bolt, especially on the front.
(3) upper and lower control arm bracket mounts front and rear.
(4) if you wheel a lot think about how many hours you idled down that 20 mile trail, you may want to change your oil a little more often sometimes its not the miles its the hours.
(5) Loose/missing parts.

The day after wheeling I usually take it to the car wash and start on the underside and clean it up real good, get rid of excessive greese and mud and other stuff. That way when you get home the inspecton is a lot easier to do and to find those problem areas.

[Digger]

Couldn't believe all the noise was from that 1 loose nut. The noise was very loud and sounded like a rusted up spring, noise was mostly as I started into turn. Everything I have in front end has grease fittings, so this noise had me stumped.