By: Rick Boiros

Has everyone seen their share of breakage on the trail this year? I sure have, but a well built vehicle and an array of spare parts can get you out of the woods and home. Here’s a list for the more extreme who want to be prepared, be able to fix their own vehicles. Most of these are onboard my own Jeep CJ. Tools and knowledge on how to make the fix are a given!

Spare Tire – This is a club requirement! Also, tire plugs can seal punctures on the vehicle including sidewall punctures. Just look at my spare’s sidewall with FOUR plugs jammed in it!

Driveshafts – Front and rear assembled are often quicker and easier than changing just a u-joint. Also, a lot of driveshaft tubes are actually weaker than the u-joints, particularly if dented. (At least carry a quality U-joint or two.)

Locking hubs – Particularly CJ 5 bolt hubs. They WILL break. A spare is an easy fix.

Rear Axle shafts – Got a C-clip rear? Carry spares or keep tire size down and/or do an eliminator kit. Even Dana 44 owners need to maintain bearings or carry a spare setup with bearing installed.

Tie Rod and Draglink – Sometimes they can be bent back, sometimes they break. Spares are cheap and easy to replace. May save a long ride home with bad handling or accelerated tire wear.

Rubber Brake lines – Can easily get damaged from branches or over-extension, again cheap to carry spares. Also, you can buy inverted flare plugs for blocking off connections if a steel line is lost. Do NOT use compression fittings on brake lines.

Starter – Often fail from mud contamination.

Alternator – Can get damaged from mud or hard use (winching). A bad regulator could overcharge and damage a battery.

Oil Filter – 6 cylinder Jeeps are notorious for puncturing oil filters. Check your motor mounts and overall clearances to avoid this.

Model 30 Axle shafts – Big tires and small parts do not mix! Often if a front axle joint is broken, it will take out the shaft yokes with it. It is MUCH easier to replace the entire assembly. Upgraded to a Dana 44 front? The weak link is now the outer axle end! This short shaft will fail before the u-joint. Not a crippling break, but would have to be changed to restore four wheel drive.

See you on the trails! Hopefully in, not under your 4 x 4!

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