[spinnjase]

ok, so i went trail riding yesterday, and now i have a couple of problems.

Problem 1
- i've had my jeep for almost 2 years, and about 4 times the oil pressure has bottomed out, the 'check gauges' light would come on, the jeep beeped at me, and it ran a little rough. that lasted all of about 2 seconds, and then the pressure would return to normal. i got on here and looked around - my pressure has been running a little over 40, which if i remember correctly was a little lower than most people. yesterday, about halfway through the second trail, i notice the oil pressure is almost at 0. it wasn't running any differently, but there wasn't a whole lot i could do, so i just kept my foot on the gas and that kept the pressure up. our (my dad and me) guess its either the oil pump or the sensor. i did check my oil, and while not at 'full', i'm over halfway into 'safe'. since yesterday, i've driven it around some, and it hasn't bottomed out on me yet, the pressure is idling around 20. it starts out ok, but after a couple of minutes it will go down. what do you think?

Problem 2
- after we left the trail, we pulled into krystal (man i love those lil burgers!) and we noticed a squeaking sound as we were rolling. it only occurs (at least that i can hear it) at low speeds. it slows down with the vehicle. it does it even when the clutch is out. my dad got out and listened to it, and he said its not coming from the wheels, its coming from underneath the middle of the jeep. t-case? driveshaft? i hosed off everything underneath as best i could. it sounds like something needs some grease or something. any ideas?


i can just put it in the shop, but i'd like to try to do it myself, mainly for $$$ issues, but i also like to do what i can. any and all help would be appreciated, cause there's another trail ride next weekend, so i'd like to make it if i can. but obviously i won't if its not fixed. thanks.

J

[neZZr]

Could just be a bad oil pressure switch. They're not very expensive, and fairly easy to replace. That's where I'd start. Check the wiring to it too, make sure it's not damaged.

As for the squeak, you may need a professional to check that out for you. I sure as heck wouldn't want to pull the whole drivetrain out to find it! Mine has a squeaky noise only when the clutch is all the way out. Moving or not. If I even touch the pedal, it goes away. Something in the throw out bearing maybe, I dunno. Haven't really been worried about it, it's not very loud, and I only notice it if I'm in a drive-thru or driving along a wall with the windows down/top off.

[Testykalz]

On the oil pressure... I am 98% sure it is the Oil sending Unit. I have the worst luck with them. I am on number 4 since buying my jeep at the beginning of last summer. This one doesn't work that great either, I just got used to the beep and it registers most of the time.

[SlinkyTJ]

I would guess that the squeak is your front driveshaft. Try smearing grease on the cv joint and see if that makes it stop. I think it's fairly easy to rebuild if that's the problem. That's just a guess though.... It could be a number of things.

[freeze5959]

I am 99% sure its the oil sending unit, I have changed mine twice. If you didnt have any pressure you would know it the engine would be done. all you need is a 1" 1/16" wrench and some RTV.

As far as the squeak give it a good greasing and see what happens. Also try greasing one thing at a time until you find the part that it is.

[RckyMtnTJ]

Squeak sounds like the ball centering kit in the front driveshaft. You will need to get some grease into it to get it to stop. Smearing grease will do nothing. You will have to get if off your Jeep, clean it up with some WD40, and use a grease gun with a needle to get new grease in there. Do a search on "Angry Sparrows". Very common on TJ's. I am sure you will find everything you need there. A quick way to diagnose your Angry Sparrows is to disconnect the front driveshaft at the front pinion (4 bolts) and tie up your driveshaft out of the way. Go for a drive and see if that removes your squeak..

Good luck

[htownjeep]

Originally Posted by RckyMtnTJ

Squeak sounds like the ball centering kit in the front driveshaft. You will need to get some grease into it to get it to stop. Smearing grease will do nothing. You will have to get if off your Jeep, clean it up with some WD40, and use a grease gun with a needle to get new grease in there. Do a search on "Angry Sparrows". Very common on TJ's. I am sure you will find everything you need there. A quick way to diagnose your Angry Sparrows is to disconnect the front driveshaft at the front pinion (4 bolts) and tie up your driveshaft out of the way. Go for a drive and see if that removes your squeak..

Good luck

Use the 8mm wrench...don't want you to round off your hexes!

[spinnjase]

thanks for all of the info guys. i've heard of the angry sparrows, but i didn't know what it was. i'll look into that. anyone know of a write-up for the oil pressure sending unit? i haven't bought an FSM yet

J

[spinnjase]

here's another question about the 'angry sparrows', if that is the cause of my squeaking, if i replace the front driveshaft with a tom woods or equivalent, will that fix it also? thanks

J

[htownjeep]

Not if you keep your existing joints. When i had the sparrows it was the CV centering ball that was shot. If you have the tools I guess you could repack it, but I just bought a new one and replace my u-joints at the same time. Got 'em from this guy . Very easy to deal with.

[markdonnell1975]

I had this mystery squeak on my jeep that drove me crazy. It turned out to be the rubber boot that goes between the transmission and the skid plate. I would notice it at drive thrus or at idle in the driveway. I could make it squeak when the jeep was off by pulling on the tail pipe a little (it attaches to the transmission with a support at one point). I had to put a jack on the transimission so it wouldnt fall and take down the skid plate to get to that boot. There is a metal piece on the bottom of the boot that rides on the skid plate where it bolts into place. That metal to metal was the squeak. I just used some good old marine grade grease and it took care of it.....

Mark

[geauxturbo]

Originally Posted by spinnjase

here's another question about the 'angry sparrows', if that is the cause of my squeaking, if i replace the front driveshaft with a tom woods or equivalent, will that fix it also? thanks

J

Take your front driveshaft off at the axle end. Bungy it up to the frame and drive. If the squeeking stops...then its your front driveshaft. Be sure to hold the caps on with electrical tap. If it is indeed your front DS bring it by the house and I'll help ya get the center ball greased up.

As far as the oil pressure. Look on the La Offroader board and do this little trick Oil Pressure Link

Mine does that all the time...been doing it for the last 8 years. Thats right, the jeep is 8 years old and they've replaced the sending unit 3 times. Just got tired of bringing it in.

Last, did you have a good time Saturday?

[geauxturbo]

Originally Posted by spinnjase

here's another question about the 'angry sparrows', if that is the cause of my squeaking, if i replace the front driveshaft with a tom woods or equivalent, will that fix it also? thanks

J

Oh, and not needed. Two ujoints and center ball are only 60 bux max. Socket, hammer, and blind fold are free.

[spinnjase]

geez lance, you're everywhere like superman or something...

i'll try the oil pressure fix you suggested before i go get a new sensor, though they're only $25.

i'll disconnect the front driveshaft tonight and see what happens, and i might just take you up on the offer to help.

and yes, both me and my dad had a great time. and i only had to get strapped once, and i think i could have gotten out of there, but we were running late and i think jerry wanted to get going, so that was cool with me. those mud tires sure are a lot better than the all terrains

J

[geauxturbo]

Originally Posted by spinnjase

geez lance, you're everywhere like superman or something...

i'll try the oil pressure fix you suggested before i go get a new sensor, though they're only $25.

i'll disconnect the front driveshaft tonight and see what happens, and i might just take you up on the offer to help.

and yes, both me and my dad had a great time. and i only had to get strapped once, and i think i could have gotten out of there, but we were running late and i think jerry wanted to get going, so that was cool with me. those mud tires sure are a lot better than the all terrains

J

Glad y'all had fun. I had to winch twice...time for some new tires

I've rebuilt a few cv joints in driveshafts....just take me a few minutes and some elbow grease. Your jeep stayed in 4LO alright?