Jeep

Episode 1

in ,

It’s been a long time since I put out a wheeling video. I’m relatively happy with this one, however I’m still working on my game. I really need to plan out my story line before I start capturing footage. What I’m talking about is the need for each video to have three intentional parts: 1) a beginning, 2) a middle/challenge and 3) an ending/resolution. This keeps the viewer’s attention and is just more satisfying. Interesting perspectives, camera angles and B-roll sequences make the film even better, but if you haven’t got a basic story line, the video doesn’t really go anywhere and just ends up being a series of unrelated clips. I’m gettin’ there. Another thing that I really need to do is to start using my DSLR. I have an amazing Sony A7 III that I use primarily for stills. This camera performs exceptionally for film making and I just need to start using it. GoPros are great; they’re handy, simple, easy to use and can be mounted virtually anywhere, but their fixed focal lengths don’t allow for creative control and filming at shallow depths of field with that nice buttery bokeh.

Nevertheless; I give you my most recent wheeling video. And with it comes my venture into episodic pieces on my YouTube channel. Although this isn’t my first video, I’m calling it Episode 1 and hopefully there will be many more to follow. Enjoy!

Grease your ball joints

in ,

Squanchy was putting out an ominous creak about two weeks ago. It was a very loud pinging/creaking noise coming from the front left knuckle of the Jeep during turns. Boy was it driving me nuts! Without a helper to turn the wheel while I got up close and personal with the steering components, I was helpless to find the squeak source on my own. Naturally I thought the worst… Geez, how much is this gonna’ cost me? But, as with anything in life; there’s no sense in sweating over an issue without assessing the facts first. A quick search online pointed me to the likely culprits and with a friend turning the steering wheel, I was able to pinpoint the squeaky ball joint. After a quick trip to NAPA and $30 later, I was wiping down zerk fittings and filling boots with Valvoline grease. Problem solved.

Keeping components greased via the zerk fittings helps maintain the effective life of your steering and suspension ball joints. Stock Jeeps have no zerk fittings. But, if you’ve upgraded your undercarriage, chances are that your performance upgrade components have zerk fittings and can be greased. How often? Most sources that I reviewed online say to grease these at least at every oil change (Every 5,000 miles in my case). Before you start be sure to wear your safety glasses, wipe off any dirt from the zerk fittings and also wipe off any excess grease after you’ve finished filling them. Fill through each fitting until you see the boot expand and grease begin to seep from the boot. A quick run through my ball joints, drag link connections and driveshafts has left Squanchy squeak-free and ready to rock n’ roll.

Overnight in Lake Placid

in

I’m attributing this trip to the Luck o’ the Irish! When I was asked to visit a facility in the mountainous playground they call the Adirondacks, I was only too happy to comply. Yes please! It’s not every day you get sent to the mountains on business. So, I loaded up the Wrangler and pointed her north. The drive from Philly, up through NY was fantastic. My hotel for the night was my rooftop tent. Just another day in the office.