The Adventures of Fiona - '08 JK Rubicon 2-Door

Got started on installing the EVO Rock Stars that have been sitting in my garage for months... Figured I'd install the coil spacers and control arms while I had everything apart.

Well, all was going well with that plan until I went to swap in the first lower control arm. The jam nut is so fucking tight that I couldn't get it loose to adjust the length. I don't have anything in my garage to hold it while I try to get a breaker bar on the wrench so I tried with it on the Jeep but the Johnny joints flex too much. 😠 To top it off, I had a pinched nerve in my back that affected the muscles in my arm so I'm not at 100%.

I don't suppose anyone has any ideas on how to get these things loose or anyone local have a good shop setup that could give me a hand?

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
 
BaddestCross said:
Got started on installing the EVO Rock Stars that have been sitting in my garage for months... Figured I'd install the coil spacers and control arms while I had everything apart.

Well, all was going well with that plan until I went to swap in the first lower control arm. The jam nut is so fucking tight that I couldn't get it loose to adjust the length. I don't have anything in my garage to hold it while I try to get a breaker bar on the wrench so I tried with it on the Jeep but the Johnny joints flex too much. 😠 To top it off, I had a pinched nerve in my back that affected the muscles in my arm so I'm not at 100%.

I don't suppose anyone has any ideas on how to get these things loose or anyone local have a good shop setup that could give me a hand?

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
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You need a big ass adjustable wrench. The one I use is about 2 feet long. It says China on it but hasn't failed me yet. As much as I wanted to get a quality brand, they're extremely expensive. Here's the one I got:

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And here's a random web pic I found of someone holding one. They're huge but they work.


P1010761.JPGLg24InchAdjWrench.jpg
 
What happens when an Irish Pollack tries to install EVO Rock Stars? A lot of cussing, blood, and whiskey, that's what! 😂😂

After a week of intermittent work, they're finally installed! Part of the trouble was me being an idiot, but the rest was some really fucked up LCA brackets that needed A LOT of grinding and bending into submission before I could get the new sleeves to fit and everything lined up.
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While I had the rear apart, I took advantage of it and reinstalled the 1.75" coil spacers, replaced the adjusters on my Rancho 9000XLs, and flipped the shocks 180° so the fucking knobs shouldn't break off again. 👍

I found that the joints on the sway bar links are shot, so I'll be needing a new set... How is the sway bar supposed to be lined up to the frame? About 5° off like the front? If so, I'll need to get longer ones.

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
 
Clutch said:
Good work! They are a pain to install but it's a nice addition.


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WJCO said:
Looks good. :thumb:
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DH2002 said:
Nice [emoji106]


US Army Combat Vet. Afghanistan 2010-2011
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JKbrick said:
Looks good, I like the red!


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Thanks guys. 🍻

Yeah, "a pain" is an understatement. I love how Eddie's write-up makes it look like a 10 minute job. 😂😂

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
 
Nice work! The rockstar look bitching! I know you had those for awhile cause we were going to put those in back months ago when you came out to my place for the install party! Finally!

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dillard09 said:
Nice work! The rockstar look bitching! I know you had those for awhile cause we were going to put those in back months ago when you came out to my place for the install party! Finally!

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Right? Finally! Yeah, same ones I had back then. 😂😂

Now that the bday party is off maybe we should go run the Miller Jeep trail before they close it for the winter so I can test out the upgrades. 😎

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
 
Really fucking happy with the results of all the work I put into her... I haven't taken her to the rocks yet, but I did get to blast down some shitty washboard roads tonight. Same road before I had to go 45mph or less otherwise it would rattle the teeth out of your mouth. Now, with the axle off the bump stops I could soften the Ranchos a couple notches and she rode like a cloud at 65-70mph over the same road! 👍

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Build Thread - Adventures of Fiona - https://wayalife.com/showthread.php?t=47407
 
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