Dumb things you've done while working on your Jeep

[ArmyRN]

Fess up. We've all done something dumb while working on our Jeeps. I'll start.

I drove over my creeper with the tires after working under my Jeep. Crushed it (wooden creeper). Had to buy a new one.

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[Ratbert]

Stripped the bolts while attempting to install a Next Venture Motorsports front diff skid over an AEV diff cover. That happened a week before we were scheduled to head west to do the Rubicon Trail.

Fortunately my local shop came to the rescue and saved the day.

 

[Centurion07]

This weekend I completely installed my spare delete, and then found out I had swapped the license plate and 3rd brake light wires.
I was tired, but I disassembled and rewired it. Reassembled only to find I had done the SAME THING.
The third time was thankfully a charm...

 

[Blckdog]

Just today, dropped the T40 bit reattaching the front door perfectly down in the space of the front fender sill. There is a 1/4 inch gap and it fell all the way down to the bottom curve. No way to retrieve it without pulling the sill and fender. So there It will stay. Have to get new T40 sockets. Off to NAPA.
Need jack stands too.

 

[ArmyRN]

Was working on my TJ. Had the transfercase apart (still attached to the tranny, just had the back half off) installing a Terreflex 2WD low kit. Kit came with a new fork with three pads on the fork, one on each end, and one in the middle. Not an easy project, but doable.

So I got it all back together, filled it with fluid, and there on the floor was the middle fork pad. Damn. I refused to take it back apart again. But it bugged me, so a month later on a day off from work I pulled it apart again to replace the fork pad. Fortunately since this wasn't my first or second time in the transfer case it was only a little more than a half day job.

 

[Bill_P]

Not my JL, but I managed to snap the lower thermostat housing bolt on my son's TJ. It's sitting in the shop right now to get the bolt pulled

 

[Terrymo]

Drove a trail this weekend and tires looked like they were coated in cement. Did a 5 tire rotation and cleaned each tire while off the Jeep. I left the spare off to go drive through the car wash to get the back window and bumper better. Halfway back home I realized I had no rear license plate (which mounts on the spare) and have never installed the front. I think, what could possibly happen, I’m almost home.

Sure as shit Murphy’s Law is real. A cop pulls me over for no plates and to make sure the Jeep’s not stolen. Once everything checks out, I start with “ok once I explain I think I’ll get the dumbass of the day award”. I explain, he laughs and says, “so far you do win the dumbass of the day award”. Since I’m a few blocks from my house he just walks back to his patrol car shaking his head and lets me leave.

 

[JPAloha]

Need jack stands too.

What gap did you drop your stands down??

 

[NyRey87]

Changed my oil and when I added the new oil in I forgot to put the plug back in

 

[JPXR]

I have a slopped drive not steep but enough…

Installed my lift on it, def sketchy.

Rotate my tires and forgot I should probably block the front wheels. When I jacked up the rear it started to roll back towards me.

 

[NyRey87]

I have a slopped drive not steep but enough…

Installed my lift on it, def sketchy.

Rotate my tires and forgot I should probably block the front wheels. When I jacked up the rear it started to roll back towards me.

Yikes!!

 

[Stuckinthesand]

Putting a new lift on. Forgot to turn the torque wrench off of 190lbs and was tightening the UCA to frame until I snapped the bolt. Luckily it was easy to drill out.

 

[icebrrrg]

Whilst installing a 67designs phone/gear mount system, I dropped the allen wrench down the defrost dash vents by the windscreen. Tried a magnet bendystick but no joy. There that allen wrench shall stay, until the end of time ...

Jeep was less than 200 miles old.

 

[JJ_WA]

When we were measuring for brackets to hang the sway bar I carefully measured where we'd drill the holes. Driver and passenger sides were considerably different due to the undercarriage. After drilling, my friend carefully marked both brackets so we would not get them mixed up.

Of course I did. (Insert flimsy excuses here - it was hot, uncomfortable and the damn nuts wouldn't go on right, etc.) Sure as anything I put the Pax side on the driver's side. Too tired to try to get it right, so we mounted the pax side and used a file to shape it to the right location. Real PITA. But it's done!

Oh...I must have a blood sacrifice whenever I work on a car/truck/Jeep. It's my way to atone to the automotive gods. Scrapes, scratches, and gouges are just part of the process. No?

 

[OminousSkitter]

I cross threaded the fittings on a brake line when changing to longer/stainless. That and a few buy twice, cry twice purchases.

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