Posted: Sep 28, 2005 3:08 PM
Got the fuel pressure gauge hooked up and secured to the windshield wiper. FPR tested fine, 40psi at idle, 48 with the vacuum line disconnected. Took it for a spin and floored it, fuel pressure jumped to 50psi, then 60psi as boost came on. OK, now to find some bigger roads so I can test higher speeds and higher revs. Go to the nearest highway on ramp (it's long and uphill, perfect!), wait for traffic to clear and take off. Shift second and floor it and all of a sudden WHAM WHAM WHAM!! from under the car. Much nastier than any kind of wheel hop I've ever experienced, so I let out and hear exhaust. Slightly confused but knowing something has gone wrong at this point, I pull over to find my differential spilling gear oil all over the place and I can see the differential and rear exhaust practically sitting on the ground. !@#$
Post mortem revealed that the diff mount bolt stayed attached, however it ripped the attachment point clean off the underside of the car.
The slamming that ensued from the unsecured differential popped the exhaust free at the front at the slip fit from the downpipe. The slamming of the differential into the pavement (I saw the marks on the asphault) caused the oil drain fitting to break clean off, hence the dumping of the gear oil.
I'm hoping the half shafts and differential survived unscathed. Let this be a lesson to others. It was posted on another board here recently, but I'll say it again since I wish I'd done it. If your chassis has high mileage or has been subjected to hard use, pull the rear seat and inspect the mounting points for the subframe studs. I don't know where you'd get access to it, but also check the spot where the subframe bolt attaches for any signs of fatigue. My car had been autocrossed often by the PO, and at 240k miles, I gues putting 300ft-lbs of torque to the ground was just too much for it. Poly filled diff mount might have relieved some of the stess on that one attachment point.
Hopefully I'll have it fixed and ready for the Bavarian show this weekend. I really don't want to drive the Jeep up there for a second year in a row.
Jeremy
Post mortem revealed that the diff mount bolt stayed attached, however it ripped the attachment point clean off the underside of the car.
The slamming that ensued from the unsecured differential popped the exhaust free at the front at the slip fit from the downpipe. The slamming of the differential into the pavement (I saw the marks on the asphault) caused the oil drain fitting to break clean off, hence the dumping of the gear oil.I'm hoping the half shafts and differential survived unscathed. Let this be a lesson to others. It was posted on another board here recently, but I'll say it again since I wish I'd done it. If your chassis has high mileage or has been subjected to hard use, pull the rear seat and inspect the mounting points for the subframe studs. I don't know where you'd get access to it, but also check the spot where the subframe bolt attaches for any signs of fatigue. My car had been autocrossed often by the PO, and at 240k miles, I gues putting 300ft-lbs of torque to the ground was just too much for it. Poly filled diff mount might have relieved some of the stess on that one attachment point.
Hopefully I'll have it fixed and ready for the Bavarian show this weekend. I really don't want to drive the Jeep up there for a second year in a row.
Jeremy
