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The cross caster shown on the printout is a bit on the high side, especially considering that the higher caster is on the left. This increases the "pull" to the right, and would be even worse if the negative camber on the left side wasn't counteracting the caster. That is, the greater camber on...

I can only repeat here what I tell my wife: "It's just money, I'll make more." Also, you can't have too much power, just plan for the breakage.

I just came in from doing it's first hand wash. I have had it since October of '22, but have only taken it through drive through car washes until this evening. When I installed the hood lift struts last week I got to go thinking that it was time to wash it under the hood. So I decided to do...

I tried to retire back in 2014, but didn't quite do it. I was laid up after my second shoulder surgery for three months and dying of boredom. The service manager called me and asked me to come back, even if only part time. I said how much more money it would take and I would do two days a week...

Exactly my point. The dealer that created the original problem is the one that needs to fix it.

I would look for a new engine from the dealership in this case, especially if it is a 2.0 four cylinder. Swapping out a complete engine is not really a big deal, I have swapped countless engines. What I would NOT want is a "repair" for an engine operated without oil. When I say repair I mean...

I finally got around to installing a set of hood lift struts. But it is done, and given the cost of modern Jeeps the hood lift struts should be factory equipment. I guess Jeeps are the modern day equivalent of the old Fox body Mustangs, a vehicle that is sold 5/8 to 3/4 complete. So you have to...

There is still a valve in the PCV valve, but in normal operation it would rarely need to close to stop oil from coming into the intake manifold. This is because the right exhaust camshaft has a centrifugal oil separator on it near the PCV valve. It spins out liquid oil, so only crankcase vapor...

Fun. It is amazing how much abuse some engines can take. I tried to kill a Slant Six around forty years ago. It wouldn't die. Had a coworker who could blow Slant Sixes to pieces, rods through the block and bent almost into pretzels. I guess downshifts from third to first at nearly 100 mph, but...

Alright, we have at least two sets sold now. Just need someone to start production. Once people see how cool the VVL valvetrain is in action, everyone will want a set. Several years ago, I had to replace a Pentastar in a Wrangler. The valve cover was off on one side, but I didn't bother...

Good riddance! If my Gladiator had come with an engine cover, it would have been gone shortly after signing the papers. The cover used on earlier Gladiator 3.6 engines wasn't big enough to cover much, and I it couldn't have contributed to a quieter engine. It was only there so Jeep would have a...

Supposedly the Charger will eventually get the Hurricane, unless Stellantis decides to let Dodge die for lack of products that their fan base actually want. I have no problem with electric cars for people who want them (full disclosure, I won't buy anything that is BEV), but Dodge has spent...

I'm not looking forward to when, not if, the Hurricane strikes (pun intended). Right now they are still new enough that major problems haven't really been seen, most issues at present are software bugs that are being worked out with new flashes. But that was the case with the Hurricane's father...

Haven't thought about Plastigauge in years. I've used it, but I always preferred to measure with micrometers (inside and outside) when building engines.

Nice Gladiator. Now that you have broken the seal (made your first mods), it's too late to say it is finished. A better saying might be, "It is started."

Nice! Glad to see that you are going into the Jeep adventure understanding that the money WILL flow. I didn't plan on modding my Jeep, but found that I wanted to. Enjoy your Jeep.

Properly performed maintenance has never done any harm to any vehicle, even if it is done earlier than recommended. Maintenance that is skipped, or done after a too long interval, has created problems that could have been avoided. An old school example is transmission servicing. Many people...

I know what you mean. Back in the day, most American cars were hard to kill, barring accidents. I had a Dodge Charger that taught me a lot about what I could and couldn't do, and it survived my abuse and was traded for a Plymouth Barracuda convertible. For me, the ultimate un-killable car was a...

A teenager NEEDS only three qualities in a first vehicle: reliability, safety, and disposable. Reliability, because you don't want to worry about the teen getting stranded (especially a daughter). Safety, this means good tires, brakes, suspension, lights, and air bags. Finally, DISPOSABLE. This...