Thank You

As some of you are painfully aware, I recently had issues with the throw out bearing crapping out on my CJ5. Since I had absolutely no experience or knowledge in how to replace the bearing, I initially had no idea what all would be involved in correcting the issue. Heck, to be honest, I didn’t even know what a throw bearing was.

So my journey on fixing this issue began.

I searched what I knew to search for not knowing sometimes what I even needed to search for.

I asked some pretty stupid and naive questions on this forum and so many of you jumped in to help me down the path of figuring things out. I quickly learned first hand how much knowledge is available and freely offered on this site.

it didn’t take me long to learn that in order to fix the bearing, I had to decouple the transmission from the engine. Totally out of my experience and comfort zone.

So after learning that, I asked a lot more stupid and naive questions. A lot more.

sometimes my questions were answered directly and sometimes those more knowledgeable than I would just offer hints or point me to other resources to investigate.

I have to admit that sometimes it was frustrating not to just get a simple step by step answer.

HOWEVER, now that I have my Jeep back up and running and using your suggestions and leads to learn how to remove the transmission, measure for a throw out bearing, using bread to remove pilot bearing, installing a clutch, learning tricks such as using long 6 inch bolts with the heads cut off to align when reinstalling the transmission, and learning how to properly adjust the clutch cable, etc., I now know and appreciate why sometimes the answers you gave were more valuable than any step by step answers could have ever been. The journey to the end result has given me more knowledge and experience than any step by step instructions could have ever provided.

Here’s to all of you who helped me and all of you who lost patience with me along my journey.


I sincerely thank you.

I hope in some way I can pay this forward.

 

Just another continuing ed course-------

 

If I helped at all, you're very welcome.

This forum is a huge wealth of information even if you're already a decent mechanic. It's certainly helped me a ton on my pile of Jeeps.

It also helps that the members and moderators keep it civil and friendly.

 

I was in the same boat just a few years ago. I knew next to nothing. But I couldn’t find someone to build my jeep. I bought some tools and a welder. Fast forward to This past spring, I put new pistons, rings and bearings in an engine. The experience, knowledge and helpful attitude here has made me into a sort of automotive hobbyist.

 

Happy to do so. If you could confirm the info for sending a donation, that would be great.

 

Thanks. Donation sent.

 

I love this Place,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

x2

 

I never heard of using bread to remove a pilot bearing.

You learn the same way most of us did, by doing it.

When I was young I had a wife, two kids, one old Chevy and a minimum wage job. When something broke I had to fix it myself because I could not afford to pay someone else to do it. At different times I rebuilt the engine and transmission in that Chevy with no more guidance than a manual I checked out from the public library. There was no Internet in those days.

 

CJ5Dale, I was not part of the discussion about the bearing issue you encountered, as it was above my pay grade - but you've found out firsthand why this is such an amazing forum. The guys here are truly out to be as helpful as possible, and don't look down on those of us with less experience or fewer skills. Many, if not most, are incredibly knowledgeable - and are more than willing to share that knowledge simply for the asking.

It's a wonderful place to hang out and learn about your Jeep. I've certainly learned a great deal over the past 12+ years from these veritable masters of the Early CJ5.

 

On top of the wealth of knowledge here on ecj5.com, many members have also been able to help out with finding/selling Jeep parts!
And friendships!

 

Yes, but which is best, White, Wheat or Rye?

 

I read about it somewhere on this site and was very happy that I did!
Only had to clean up a few bread crumbs instead of a bunch of grease.

 

French Sourdough!

 

I used plain ole white bread. Fresh, not stale, with the edges cut off