Datrupr's Mod Thread

[datrupr]

OK, I am now finding out the hard way that changing the front axles on a late model Trooper are a first rate BEEHOITCH!!!!! So much for the theory of once you get the upper ball joint free, drop the brake assembly, and remove the outer axle shaft the whole thing will just slide out. I was getting frustrated, and tried to Google the process, and come to find out, that there is a C-Clip on the back side of a steel plate that is next to impossible to get to that is holding the stupid thing on. Now, I would like to do this change myself and then post up pics and help to educate everyone here, but the other side of me says take it to a shop and just pay $150 in labor to have them mess with the headache. I dunno, what do you all think? I need my truck back in proper working order.

Should I go for it? Or should I go to the shop?

 

[Scott Brady]

You have come a long way Aaron. I would recommend going for it. You will learn a lot in the process, and likely get a better result too.:sunflower

 

[HongerVenture]

I say go for it... and after this whole ordeal, pick yourself up a Factory Service Manual. You will not regret the literal hands-on education you'll get from DIY maintenance.

I tore a boot on one of my axles awhile back and pulled both axles and rebuilt them... pain in the butt the first time! Next time will be a breeze. The "all-day-Saturday" job that it was the first time is what pushed me over the brink for a Factory Service Manual.

Only downside to getting the FSM... you read through it and get the invincible "I can do it!" feeling about repairs that you probably ought to have someone else do.

 

[njtaco]

Should I go for it? Or should I go to the shop?

I would say go for it. You have so much support on this forum, in your neck of the woods, you would have a hard time getting in too deep.

I always do everything I can in the way of repairs myself. I've learned a LOT about Chevys, Fords, etc. that way. :smilies27 Of course, I haven't had to repair my Toyotas yet, just maintenance. Even at that, combined with this forum and others, I've learned a lot more than I ever could if I went to a shop instead of doing for myself.

Best of luck with it.

Bob

 

[datrupr]

OW!OW!OW!......Alright, stop twisting my arm so hard everyone, I'll do it! I'll do it! I'll post up the how too after I get it all finished.

 

[BlueTrooper]

Counterpoint...

Just to provide a little perspective (and one dissenting POV), I'd say there's no harm in taking an aspirin if you've got a headache.

For me, the joy is in the driving, and the maintenance is a means to that end. While I probably need to learn to do more work on my vehicle, I'm not going to let a stubborn need to do everything myself keep me off the road.

Shops have the tools and the environment to get the job DONE. It can be a real joy to see your vehicle up on a lift after you've been scraping your nose on greasy undercarriage parts while rolling around on a creeper.

Plus, if you've got a friendly arrangement with a shop, they might let you see what/how they're doing things.

That said...if you really WANT to do a repair/mod yourself, do so....but do what YOU want to!
:luxhello:

 

[datrupr]

Roy, I love your point of view. And, while I am at my wits end with this thing, I am really enjoying learning how to work on my own vehicle, I have never done it before, and while the learning process is a bit strenuous, I feel that it could come in handy in the future in terms of malfunctions and failures on the trail. I think it would be beneficial to me to know how to repair/band-aid certain components on my truck so I do not have to make the long walk. Especially with my family in the car. I just ordered the shop manual for my Trooper, and hopefully it will aid in future repairs, but I do not think it will be here in time for my scheduled Saturday appointment with my garage and Trooper. I have a good idea of what now needs to be done to remove the axle, and I think without the pressure of "needing" to get it back together "today" I think I can step back and look at what needs to be done with a slightly different perspective. My thought process is that if I can build a house from the ground up, then why is it that I can not fix my own vehicle? And it gives me a good excuse to not do home projects this weekend I am getting tired of home projects. I want to do truck projects.

 

[datrupr]

OK, since my shop manual probably wont be here for a couple more days, I had a friend who has access to ALLDATA send me a diagram of the front axle assembly for the Trooper. I know now what the problem is and how to get to the c-clips that are holding the axle on there. I think it is going to be a project, but it will be good to know how to get it done in case the need arises. And I am sure it will as the right axle will probably give up on me soon too:smilies27

 

[HongerVenture]

OK, since my shop manual probably wont be here for a couple more days, I had a friend who has access to ALLDATA send me a diagram of the front axle assembly for the Trooper. I know now what the problem is and how to get to the c-clips that are holding the axle on there. I think it is going to be a project, but it will be good to know how to get it done in case the need arises. And I am sure it will as the right axle will probably give up on me soon too:smilies27

The satisfaction at the end of the job will more than make up for all the trouble. That shop manual will pay for itself in no time...

What you should do is get a quote from the service shop for doing the work... then, keep a tally of all that you spend on this project. Now, subtract the costs of the project from the cost of the shop doing it and see if you paid for the manuals. =)

I've tried this little trick with my wife...
I've tallied up the savings of doing my own labor and sourcing discount parts. Next, I tell her how much I saved and ask her if I can have that savings in cash to buy stuff for the truck... it never works. Worth a try though.

 

[datrupr]

The satisfaction at the end of the job will more than make up for all the trouble. That shop manual will pay for itself in no time...

That is kinda what I was thinking.

What you should do is get a quote from the service shop for doing the work... then, keep a tally of all that you spend on this project. Now, subtract the costs of the project from the cost of the shop doing it and see if you paid for the manuals. =)...

That is an excellent idea, I think I will do that. So far I have spent about $40 on tools and other necessary equipment, $24.00 on the shop manual and $75 for the axle. I think this will surely reflect a substantial savings.

I've tried this little trick with my wife...
I've tallied up the savings of doing my own labor and sourcing discount parts. Next, I tell her how much I saved and ask her if I can have that savings in cash to buy stuff for the truck... it never works. Worth a try though.

As much as I like that idea, I know it will not go over well. Her argument will be that because of the mods, and the off road driving the axle broke, so why should I put more $$ into it so it will break even more often. Silly logic, I know, but that is the way she thinks sometimes.

 

[Zaphod]

Where on earth did you find the shop manual for only $24?

I, like an idiot, actually paid Helm $100 a year ago for their stupid CD-ROM. Last week I got sent to a link with a perfect PDF conversion of the manual, which I am now printing, little by little, at work, double-sided. I'm still kicking myself about that damned disc!

 

[datrupr]

On this thread there is a link to the shop manual source.

 

[Zaphod]

Is that any different than the Workshop manual I got?

The one I got is this one: http://foto.afn.kz/x/Trooper/00%20Year/

This one is for 2000.

If what you got goes beyond this, then I'll get it, but this one is pretty seriously detailed.

 

[datrupr]

I am not sure yet, as I have yet to recieve it, but I will let you know. I gotta tell ya though, I am in need of some serious help, I can not get this stupid half shaft off to save my life. I removed my 4WD modulator, could see a snap ring, could barely get to it, and when it was released the stupid half shaft would still not budge . I am at a loss, and am planning on taking it to a shop this week. If for nothig but to learn what needs to be done to release the stuipid axle. This has got to be the dumbest set up for a half shaft I have seen.:smilies27

 

[datrupr]

Zaphod, on the shop manuals site link I posted they do have a shop manual for the '01 Tropers.


OK, now, my frustration has reached a peak! I was calling around to get pricing for changing the axle and found out that it actuallyrequires the suspension (read A arms) to be removed, the differential and front axle shaft to be partially dropped, and the 4WD modulator and assembly to be removed form the axle. Only after that, can the CV axle be removed. It sounds to be to be a real PIA, and a bit on the pricy side. I am looking into finding a shop that will let me photograph the process so it can be seen. Since I am going to be taking it in to have the work done, I am also going to replace all of the front ball joints and also the right CV axle. I am picking up the right axle this afternoon.