Getting rid of rust on some axle shafts using rustoleum rust reformer.

I got a set of axle shafts to use as spares on the trail. These came out of a salvaged axle so they're rusty, they're fine otherwise. I'm going to try to get rid of the rust using some rustoleum rust reformer. I'm assuming it's just phosphoric acid. It was $8 at autozone.

First I'm using sandpaper to clean up some of the rust.

It already looks good, even without the rust remover product!!!

This is the product I'll be using. It says in 15 minutes it turns the rust into a black, paint-able surface.

I'm applying it with a toothbrush.

Now it's time to wait 15 minutes.

It worked. The rust definitely turned into a black surface.

Simple fix for rear brakeline rubbing against shock on a jeep wrangler JK with a 2.5 lift.

The brakeline rubs against the shock here (can see some of the paint has worn off). This might cause problems in the long term.

This scrap piece of rubber hose should fix it.

I cut it in half and zip-tied it on.

Chop the zip-ties.

Not too pretty, but it will keep the brake line from wearing out over time.

Removing axle shaft on a jeep wrangler JK, with a dana 30, without air tools.

First, loosen the nug luts. (3/4 or 19mm).

Jack up the axle anyway you like and support it.

 

I sprayed some PB blaster onto the axle nut. I know it's going to be rusty.

I wanted to make sure I could get the axle nut loose. I had someone hold the brake (can use something else to push it in) and then loosened the axle nut with a big breaker bar. It worked.

I have 1.5 spidertrax spacers. After loosing the lugnuts I beat on it gently to break it loose. Aluminum + steel interact somehow and corrode. There is probably a better way than beating on it.

Taking off the two caliper bolts. I believe they're 7/8 inch.

Secured the caliper on the control arm. Didn't want the brake line to overextend.

There are 3, 12-point, 13mm bolts holding something on (wheel hub or wheel bearing, I'm not sure). They need to come off. They were difficult to take off, even though they were taken off in the last 20,000 miles!

Axle shaft assembly should be free to come loose now. It might need persuasion with a hammer. Take off the ABS line before you pull this out.

Here it is!

I used a punch in the center of the outstub shaft and beat on that to make the wheel bearing thing come loose.

I was replacing a u-joint. A screwdriver to make the semi-circle retainer clips come off..

And then I took them out with a u-joint tool. Hammer is a better method.

Because I got a new bike hitch carrier I need to park way farther in the garage. Time to make something that will keep me from driving into things.

I'm going to tie up a tennis ball which will hit my windshield when I get too close to the wall.

Some string

Tie it around a nail.

Stick the nail into the tennis ball.

Adjust it and tie it up to a hook/screw.

No more banging into stuff.

Painting tow hooks red.

Pretty boring in black.

Too lazy to take the tow hooks off. I'll just tape around.

Primer is on. Fuzzy picture because there was a ghost.

Yay, red.

Some overspray.

Fixed and done.

Bench vise mount

I use my bench vise a lot. It's useful. I had it nailed to a piece of board though, which wasn't as solid as I want it to be . I've decided to make a dedicated little bench for it (re-using the board). Because I don't want to get a whole table for it + because I want it to be portable. My bench vise is an old wilton. Probably from the 50s or something. It's nice. Made in the USA, not china.

This is what I'll be using to mount the bench vise to the 2x12. No reason to use those anchor bolts other than that I had a bunch.

Before I do anything I want to reinforce the board so it doesn't crack in the middle. It's going to get beat on a lot. I added a strap on both ends.

Found an old wood drill bit. It should work to drill the mounting holes.

Holes are in place.

Everything fits!

Might as well clean/paint it before I bolt it up. Cleaning with simple green.

It's easy to take apart.

Self etching primer.

Some krylon paint.

Put back together and painted.

Bolted onto the board.

I want to add these legs to the board, but the thread isn't long enough so I'll have to bore out a space on top.

I marked out how deep to drill into with a marker on the drill bit itself.

Drilled a hole for the thread with a normal drill bit, then a washer + nut and it secures well.

Done. Feels pretty solid. Much better than before.