Knitty Gritty - Yarn Cruisers 1990 FJ80

[Yarn Cruiser]

@DomOfTheDead I am so lucky to have you.

 

[DomOfTheDead]

buttoned up the front axle this weekend. Full seals and bearings kit, new rotors, studs, calipers, pads, Slee brake lines, 555 tie rods and a HD link I got from a fellow club member. Started to wrestle out the old damaged high pressure power steering hose (upper right in the pic) but it looks like the radiator might have to come out to let that happen

 

[IoN6]

You can def get the steering lines out without pulling the radiator. The paper clip can come out too if you are not planning to reuse it / are careful to bend it and not kink it.

 

[DomOfTheDead]

thanks @IoN6, I was able to squeeze the HP line back in without too much issue, it looked worse than it actually was.

Power washed the engine and undercarriage. The truck was pretty nasty from the power steering leak.

I found some used brake hard lines on ebay to replace the old ones I damaged accidentally.

 

[Cruisertrash]

I just fixed my power steering leak as well! A scraper ended up being the best tool for cleaning haha. It was really caked on there!

 

[DomOfTheDead]

I just fixed my power steering leak as well! A scraper ended up being the best tool for cleaning haha. It was really caked on there!

A scraper ended up as my go to also, I tried using a wire wheel cup on a drill but that method made a huge mess. My hypothesis is that the PO continued to drive this poor truck around as it barfed all of its power steering fluid out and then parked it to sunbake the grime into a clay like consistency. I scraped and wire brushed this crap to loosen it up and then out came the power washer to finish the job.

 

[DaveInDenver]

@DomOfTheDead, Zep Purple degreaser or the Purple Power! stuff from the NAPA I think is the same thing. That stuff is great at loosening the goop. Not quite as good as a parts washer but close.

 

[DomOfTheDead]

Finally got the power steering pump and reservoir installed @Stuckinthe80s so generously donated way back when we first got the truck. The reservoir filter screen was free of debris so the whole thing was just cleaned and installed. Ah crap, clear amateur install, caps backwards

 

[DomOfTheDead]

Question to the 3FE peeps: what does the spacer in the power steering tension bracket look like?

I cannot locate this part in my disassembly tray of bolts I removed. Maybe i lost it in the abyss of my chaotic garage, maybe it never had one. I found spare bearing that fits the groove of the pump mount but it isn't quite thick enough, gap is roughly 2.9mm vs my spacer is 2.75mm, causing slight deflection on the bracket.

I found this on mud but am having trouble locating a part #. Thoughts? @DaveInDenver @jps8460
@DanS

 

[DomOfTheDead]

Finished off the 555 tie rod kit and #3 of 4 Slee brake line. Front wheels are on for realz! On to the rear axle....

 

[DomOfTheDead]

Installed the power steering pulley and belt. Also a red top courtesy of @Eyepain

Retapped one of the rear lower shock mounts and new hardware. Reinstalled the shock.

I noticed that the lower rear links on this truck are thicker than my FZJ links (43mm OD vs 34mm OD) but same OE rubber bushings and length of links. No identification stickers or tags if they are aftermarket.

Working through some brake fitting issues trying to replace the last soft line in the rear frame to axle. Slee braided lines have slightly shallower fitting throat and I cant get the hard line at the frame to thread.

I had a few braided lines on hand to try but all had the same issue with fitment. Upon comparison, the OE front soft line (2nd from right) is longer than the rear and the appropriate fitting style, so that's probably the route we will go and order a new one

 

[KC Masterpiece]

I remember those brake lines being a real PITA. Looking good!

 

[Johnny Utah]

Samsies on the brake lines. I did the three frame to axle lines a couple weeks ago and it was pretty frustrating with all of the brake fluid dripping down my arms and in my face.
I remember that Slee line wasn’t an OEM style fitting for me either, but I just did the best I could and snugged it down. So far so good. But this was on my FZJ80, not sure if Knitty Gritty is the same or not.

 

[DaveInDenver]

@DomOfTheDead

If I was to guess it's 90560-10068 "Washer, Plate" as description. The 90119-10204 didn't come up in web search but 90119 are usually bolts and 91651-60820 is for sure a bolt and subs to 90080-11271 now. Then in front 90105-10220 also seems like an unusual part number that doesn't hit in a search but also seems like a bolt,

The EPC diagrams aren't too helpful here and if I was to suppose it's NLA even if it ever was. It wouldn't be the first time a mechanic stacked a few washers to get belt alignment right...

 

[DomOfTheDead]

Samsies on the brake lines. I did the three frame to axle lines a couple weeks ago and it was pretty frustrating with all of the brake fluid dripping down my arms and in my face.
I remember that Slee line wasn’t an OEM style fitting for me either, but I just did the best I could and snugged it down. So far so good. But this was on my FZJ80, not sure if Knitty Gritty is the same or not.

I didn't have an issue with the 7 different soft lines on my FZJ but this FJ only has 4 total soft lines; 3 up front (calipers to axle, frame to axle) and rear is frame to axle. The troublesome one is at the rear frame hard line location, maybe the flare wasn't done exactly the same and the fitting threads aren't engaging. My hand were cramping and I gave up after struggling with it for over an hour. I will make a second attempt before I purchase another hose

 

[Cruisertrash]

I didn't have an issue with the 7 different soft lines on my FZJ but this FJ only has 4 total soft lines; 3 up front (calipers to axle, frame to axle) and rear is frame to axle. The troublesome one is at the rear frame hard line location, maybe the flare wasn't done exactly the same and the fitting threads aren't engaging. My hand were cramping and I gave up after struggling with it for over an hour. I will make a second attempt before I purchase another hose

Sometimes when the flare nut is tightened down too hard it causes a deformation in funnel-shaped piece on the hard line. You can get the hose off but getting a new one on over the deformed fitting is impossible. It feels like it goes in part way, but not enough to grab any threads. I really should replace those when it happens, but I usually stuff something in the hole of the hard line and start filing around the circumference of the funnel-shaped part until the hose will slide on smoothly.

 

[DomOfTheDead]

Finally swapped the rusty old hatch and tailgate for this set we acquired through the club, thanks to the help of @damon
scraped off some crusty obscure snowboarding stickers and unfortunately the Sombrero and 4WD emblems we removed by a PO

rear drums, shoes, springs, wheel cylinders replaced.
Long term, we plan to full float rear swap the truck but for now the semi will be fine.

the old battery connections were trashed and too blown out to clamp. Cheap and beefy new ones and ring crimps. Yellow paint pen for easy polarity identification during low visibility situations. I plan to re-do this whole setup but this should suffice for now

bled the steering and brakes, the 3FE got a much needed engine oil and filter change and we drove it around the block a few times. Brakes need some more bleeding to firm up that pedal but she's feeling good

 

[allen.wrench]

Kicking ass Dom!! I love it!

Allen.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Suspicious in the lack of photos showing the owner doing this work. ;-)

 

[allen.wrench]

Dave! My man! Shots fired!!

Allen