Tampa: need mechanic for FZ birfield repack

[theadrock13]

Can someone in the Tampa bay area (Clearwater, Palm Harbor) recommend a mechanic who is familiar with the FZ? I need my birfields repacked again, and the last 2 guys who did it were sh!t leaking within a year. One was a 4X4 Jeep shop and the other was the dealer, so I'm looking for someone reliable. Its not supposed to be rocket science, but apparently some guys can't manage to do it right although they charged me enough.

I'd be happy to let a local enthusiast to it, as long as you do it right and give me a fair price.

Recommendations are appreciated.

 

[Mdej3]

In in Tampa, and a friend of mine is the only one i trust this job.. But he is in Naples tho.. He have done 4 of my 80's and more than 15 that i can remember.. He is really MY 80 mechanic.. If you want his info, pm me!

 

[cruisermatt]

Hold on, what's actually leaking, grease or oil?

 

[theadrock13]

Hold on, what's actually leaking, grease or oil?

Take a look. I think it was leaking grease, but I don't know. At this point it looks dry to me and chittering at me when I drive it. Last time it behaved this way the dealer mechanic said the joints were bone dry (within a year of a Jeep mechanic repacking them), so I'm going to guess thats the case here and probably need new bearings this time around as well. But I dont know.
I've had this rig for 12 years, and this will be the 4th time that I've had this repack done... does that seem about right because I'm under the impression that a proper repack should last longer than 3 years.

 

[super40]

The only thing mechanical ive ever done was chane my motor oil.. but I did my front axel rebuild my self in about 6 hrs. no leaks. 1yr in and all is well . do it your self. super straight forward.

 

[cruisermatt]

That really doesn't look THAT bad for a daily driven AWD vehicle... did you say you're getting actual noise? How many miles? Your birfeilds may actually be worn out in which case re-packing them with grease won't really help anything.

 

[FloridaCruiser813]

Open the top and add grease !!

 

[cruisermatt]

Yeah, if you just want to add grease there's a plug on the
10-11 O'clock position on the knuckle, stick a grease gun in there.

 

[FL cruiser]

That really doesn't look THAT bad for a daily driven AWD vehicle

I agree. It doesn't look that bad.

 

[Sputnik40]

Can't imagine birfs going dry unless your putting on tens and tens of thousands Mike's per year.

Curious to narrow down the chittering noise you're hearing.

Whatever you paid, doesn't look like the felts and backing retainers have ever been replaced - I'd do that too, but that's just me.