first truck

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first truck - 9/25/2008 12:16:10 PM

01Jimmy

Posts: 6
Joined: 9/24/2008
Status: offline

Hi Folks,

Got an 01 Jimmy 2D 4WD SLS 96,000 km. Excellent condition, everything works, only problem was the commom "driveline clunk" during shifting and engagement of the AT. Figure out it was the rear U-joint by getting under the car and budging the truck back and forth with my foot. Able to reproduce the exact clunk sound, with the driveshaft immobilized and the back wheels driving the rear diff, exposing the problem at the U-joint. Read alot on the Net about problem possibly being due to slip yoke wear, no way in my case. My friend, the previous owner, told me he had consulted his dealer about the problem, and was told that this was nothing to worry about and not a safety or functional issue. I guess breaking a U-joint and dropping a driveshaft on the road is no biggie?

Anyways, dropped the driveshaft and got help from a dealer (they''re not all bad) to press out the worn U-joint. Would have been impossible to do it myself, by hammering or using a ball joint/U joint press (I tried). Guy at dealership had to use a 10 ton press to break it free, after telling me I should be able to do it using a shop vise and various sockets. For some reason, the dealer wanted $300 for an OEM U-joint, I just ended up putting in a Neapco from NAPA. Anyways, gotta say I got a good impression from the dealer in terms of helpfulness and advice/knowledge.

Did my own oil change too. There was enough oil left in the old filter for me to "rustproof" the truck frame underneath, lots of surface rust beginning to show on the frame surfaces, diff housing, leaf springs, etc. I haven''t worked on vehicles before, so the U-joint repair was "fun." Didn''t know changing sparkplugs on the Jimmy will be so much fun too (haven''t done them yet). Things pretty crowded under the front hood, that''s for sure. Anyways, plan to keep the truck stock, and drive it gently and enjoy things. Windshield is pretty nicked up, seems some cars are more susceptible to stone chips than others (previous Hondas I''ve owned have been pretty resistant). Wanna hook up a sub and amp to the Bose stereo system, trying to figure out how. Other than that, will want to do regular maintenance and safety improvements without going overboard, i.e. better headlamps. Hope to enjoy some outdoors and 4 wheeling with Jimmy, although it will mainly be used as a bad weather and utility vehicle in the city.

Look forward to good info and discussions on this site. Keep up the good work and interest!

Post #: 1

RE: first truck - 9/25/2008 1:06:16 PM

Blazin NC

Posts: 270
Joined: 4/1/2008
From: Huntersville, NC
Status: offline

Welcome to the forum!! A tip for changing the plugs. Put the front on jack stands and go thru the wheel wells, gotta take the wheels off first of course.

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