Glad to see you are healed up enough to spin the wrenches again Bion!
I'm a little pressed for time as we leave for a Southern trip on the 28th and only have next Wed & Thurs to finish up the EX and TT jobs. Besides a ton of yard and garden work I managed to replace the 3 rear axle brake hoses with the Russell ones, had the rotors cut, cleaned and lubed the slide pins, installed new Hawk LTS pads and installed a set of speed bleeders Tuesday and last night after work. I would have liked to get a coat of paint on them but there just isn't time, maybe during the Summer.... I'm hoping to get the rear bled and then get at least one front done tonight and finish up Friday before the rain starts. Then I just have to do an oil and filter change, lube the Ex and TT and wax about an acre of panels between the two. I'll be good and ready for vacation by then!

 

So I was washing the EX the other day and decided to power wash underneath. I found that the hangers behind the muffler have rusted through and there are large holes in the pipe. I bought a pre-bent 45* and hopefully will get it spliced in today.

I think its been this way for a while, I noticed the soot inside the tailpipe was being cleaned off. I guess water was getting in there and blasting it off jet style.

I have the MBRP 4" and will be replacing it with a Banks w/Power elbow. Im going to eventually have the turbo off to change the impeller and intake housing so I'll do it then. Always had good luck with the Banks stuff.

 

I removed the front sway bar last night. Can't keep bushings in the right side for some reason. EX rides nice without it though so I'm going to keep it off for the time being. Also installed an Aero 4040XL muffler in place of the straight pipe. Really liking the quite and I'm sure the wife will too. Trying to kill some drone when pulling the TT. Fingers crossed it works.

 

where are the end links on the frame mounted?

with your lift, do you have extended length links? or did you flip the frame mount to under the frame rail? see picture below for what I'm talking about. It's possible you have too much static stress on the sway bar and that's causing the issue.



normally that frame mount is located inside the frame rail. with about 4" of lift on one of my X's I had to flip that mount to get proper sway bar alignment

 

I was taping off a room for painting. Sliding along the floor on my knees taping the trim off. Someone forgot to mention they spilled a box of needles on the carpet earlier and didn't pick them all up.

 

That's how they were mounted. It was always the right side too which never made any sense but so far so good with it removed.

 

Yours too? mine has started clunking again after only about 15k miles...

 

I keep an extra set of bushings (and bushing strap bolts/clips) on the shelf. Usually use Moogs as they seem to last the longest for the money. Bolts and clips because, well, Michigan.

Install, wash hands, order.....

 

I wasn't aware this was an option, I thought it just bolted directly to the frame. I'll have to give this a try as my lower bolt lines up exactly with the leaf spring and I also have nasty clunking all the time.

 

There is NEVER enough time. And I feel your pain about the wash and wax. but It is a little better nowadays for me. A few years ago I bought one of those rolling scaffolds and a random orbital buffer. My back thanked me a million times after doing the Ex and trailer with them. Hope you get it all ready. Camping trips are the best!

Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance.

"Car and home ownership means having something to do every weekend for the rest of your life" - My Dad.

 

That may be the most accurate thing I've ever read in my entire life.

 

Sounds like a very wise Dad!

 

Turns out the muffler was shot too. Straight pipe for now.

 

Replaced the front axle u-joints with Spicer grease blessed ones, XRF ball joints and new Timken unit bearings both sides.

 

Great choice in parts.v XRF are awesome. Do you mean the greasable U-joints? That's what I went with.