I'm trying to round up some parts for when I get a weekend off (hopefully soon). My Samurai is getting a little too noisy so I thought I would replace a few things. Its got around 135k on an 86 stocker and missed some maintenance on the drive train I'm sure.

I was thinking  of the following work:

Replace all u-joints. Autozone says $9.99 each. PDQ brand.

Repack all the bearings front and rear. If they need replaced, $13.99 for timken or 37.99 for Beck Arnley (Spell check?) I think I'll service the hubs if there is such a thing.

Front and rear diffs, Change fluiid but one or both may be noisy because something sounds kind of like I'm running on flat tires. not sure if this is the source. If I have to pull the axles out to do the bearings, I may want to change the fluid afterwards.

I've already got a transmission and transfer case on the way to throw on while I attempt to rebuild the one's I have. I need to know the best bang for the buck on clutch kits. I do very little off-roading with my schedule and am notoriously easy on a clutch but thought I should replace it since I'll be in there. I am also going to get the flywheel turned. Not sure if there's a bushing seal or bearing besides the pilot to replace while I'm in there so if there is, someone please let me know.

This vehicle is getting out of hand so I may have to pick up a beater and just garage it to start the work. Am I better off going straight to Suzuki for a bunch of the bearings and seals? Where do I go and what do I buy for all the other parts.

 I'm not really sure where to begin. I think I have to put in a couple more 72 hour weeks before I can get a whole lot done but if I can get a beater, I may do some exploratory surgery. That would be ideal.

Suggestions and advice most appreciated.

-Adam

Well for starters do not ever use the nine dollar u-joints from usa. get some twenty dollar ones from trail tough if you don't want to buy the fifty two dollar ones,second, as it gets warmer the x-fer case will get noisy so start there with some mystic gear oil(about four bucks)and then do your rear axel bearings and grease the fronts, the u-joints will get hot if their bad so drive it a few miles and then put your finger on all of the caps that will give you a good starting point with out breaking the bank.

Rocky roads got the $50.00 ones. What's the difference between the Rocky Road $50.00 ones and the Trail Tough $20.00 ones? I wonder where the stock u-joints fall in for performance and price?

I've got some Lucas in the transfer case, haven't tried Mystic yet. I'll try it. I'm pretty sure the transmissions load and since it leaks in-between the halves I'm going to swap it out. I haven't decided which kit though since the Rocky Road kit is around $200.00 and they say the less expensive kit's are incomplete. How confusing! I also need to do the sloppy fix on both and don't know whose to buy or how complete the kit needs to be.

I'm not sure where to get the wheel bearings from either. I've always been leery of the autopart store discount parts on anything.

-Adam

If it's completely stock and had all those problems, you may want to spend your time finding a good deal on a samurai with no problems.  Less than three months ago I paid $1000 for a an 88.5 samurai with no scratches and absolutely no oil leaks or problems which is a good sign of on road only use.  Well OK the tub is a bit rusty and under the fender flares is starting to rust but and the front wheel bearings on one side were gone.  I've been able to put my time and effort into cool mods instead of tinkering with problems which will certainly add up.
  Just my 2 cents

Well, my body and tub are rust free, and the engine has no leaks. Runs smooth. I think if I pump a few hundred and some time, I'll be o.k. I have the transfer case and transmission I picked up for about $220.00 combined + shipping. I'm going to install them and rebuild mine. Then maybe resell them or the ones I rebuild to recover what I spent on them. Also gives me an excuse to buy a shop press which I wanted for a long time. All I have to do is skim another $75.00 off my next check, and it will magically appear in my garage without my wife ever knowing how much I spent. Hee Hee!! I'm also parting out some John Deere push mower parts on Ebay so I should be o.k. on the bucks pretty soon.

I mostly need to know which bearing, rebuild kits, clutch kits etc. to trust. I ruled out the $10.00 discount u-joints, but haven't decided if the $50.00 ones are worth the money. Not sure on the $20.00 ones. I'm totally confused on the clutch kits. Transfer and transmission rebuild kits as well.


If anyone wants to share their experience with these components, you're welcome too. I mostly need to get the u-joints, clutch, and bearing sets first. I think. I still need to pull my wheels off. I just know I hear some grinding or something. I want to have some parts ready or atleast know what I want to get when I start finding what all is bad.

-Adam

Well on the lucas I have never had good luck with it, oil or gas (try bobtheoilguy.com)treatment,petroworks has a great clutch for about 215.00 bucks, the 20.00 u joints have held up well for me but the 52.00 stock ones are the best, it all depends on where you are putting them and what gears you are running, the back drive shaft will see the most abuse on u-joints, I buy most of my stuff from trail tough, they will not sell junk.

I'll take your advise and try the trail tough. Are their transmission and transfer rebuild kits overkill. I see the $80.00 ones on ebay vs trail tough high dollar sets.  I'll just work some more overtime if I have too ( ) and buy the better parts.  As far as the Lucas, does the oil guy say it's bad? The little demo thing they have seems pretty convincing.

-Adam