Welcome Chuck!!!

[cantab27]

Hi Chuck, welcome to the xjtalk forum!

We would love to know more about you and your Jeep. How you found us, etc...

Be sure and check out our XJ TALK SHOW! (http://podcasts.xjtalk.com) It\'s about Cherokees! It\'s like a radio talk show, but from the Internet.

Check out our sister sites, http://www.WranglerTalk.com/ and http://www.di-dah-dit.com/

[Chuck]

Thanks! I joined because the other sites seem more interested in making fun of noobs like me. You all seem genuinely interested in helping folks like me learn to enjoy their Jeeps.

I bought a 98 Cherokee two weeks ago and have slowly been getting it into shape for daily driving. It's all stock, with the exception of a camo paint job and a missing A/C system. This past weekend I broke my first rear upper shock bolts, and from what I've read around here that's like an official welcome into the world of Jeep ownership.

Thanks for having me.

[4.3LXJ]

In that case Chuck, you are officially welcome. Were you off road when that happened?

[XJ Wheeler]

Welcome to the site, Chuck. The shock bolts are one of those things that nearly every jeep chooses to make you twitch.

It a common problem for some of the other sites to chase members away. Hope ya like it better here.

[Chuck]

No, it was up on jack stands when it broke.

[4.3LXJ]

I smell a great story here. :rolleye0012:

[Chuck]

Nothing spectacular. I was planning on making a simple front and rear shock replacement. The right rear came out so easily, I made the mistake of actually saying to my girlfriend, "Oh yeah, this'll be cake." The Jeep, having heard my misplaced confidence, decided otherwise. Not a minute later the first left side bolt snapped, followed by the other shortly after. I tried an extractor with no luck, so I drilled it out. After trying to position the washer and nut with a couple pairs of REALLY long pliers through the window of the mount, and six hours into what should have taken me three (in a 20 degree garage), I went with the nuclear option and cut the cargo floor. So I guess I'm doing the front next weekend.

[XJ Wheeler]

Fronts are easy. ;)