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The Muddy Ruttzz Gazette

Adventures | How -To | Gear Reviews


Proven Xventure Trailer Wheel Upgrades: Steelies & Lug Nut Fix
When you’re deep in the backcountry, the last thing you want to find is that your tire iron doesn't fit your wheel. During my recent project—matching my Xventure trailer wheel upgrades to my Jeep Gladiator fleet—I discovered a safety issue that every Jeep owner needs to see.
9 hours ago8 min read


Jeep Steel Wheel Fitment: Solving Critical Clearance and Hub Ring Issues
By Muddy Ruttzz Affiliate Disclosure: This post is unsponsored. To support the studio, I use affiliate links from Amazon and eBay . If you click and purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you So, after shelling out cash for some top-notch steering parts to fix that annoying death wobble, a lot of folks hit a bit of a snag when it comes time to put everything back together. Those heavy-duty tie rod ends from your fancy steering kit are usually way bigger t
4 days ago7 min read


Jeep Death Wobble Fix: The "Nuclear Option" Victory and Final Alignment
The Richter scale of 7.0 shaking is officially a thing of the past. After a marathon of installs, "Alignment Day" at B&G Total Alignment in New Mexico served as the final nail in the coffin. A successful Jeep death wobble fix isn't just about throwing money at parts; it’s about restoring the geometric integrity of the front end.
5 days ago7 min read


Is the MetalCloak Steering System Install the Ultimate Death Wobble Cure?
A successful MetalCloak steering system install is about more than just beefy parts; it’s about restoring the steering geometry and eliminating the "cumulative slop" we’ve been researching. As we found with the upper control arms, every pivot point matters.
Apr 76 min read


My $162 Jeep U-joint Replacement Mistake: A DIY Reality Check
How deep into the rabbit hole are you willing to go to find a ticking sound? Is it better to ignore the noise and risk getting stranded, or do you tear it all down and pray you don't make things worse? This is my story of trying, failing, and opening a $162 can of worms that cost me more than just money.
Apr 66 min read


Don’t Force Your Axle! How to Reset the Jeep FAD Shift Collar Properly
If you’re pulling the passenger-side axle on a Jeep Gladiator (JT) or Wrangler (JL), you’ve probably realized there is a major "gotcha" waiting for you inside the axle tube. It’s called the FAD, or Front Axle Disconnect.
Many DIYers treat the passenger side like the driver side—just pull it out and shove it back in. But if you do that, you’re going to hit a wall. Or worse, you’ll ruin an expensive inner axle seal. This guide, born out of my extensive "Death Wobble Nuclear Op
Mar 297 min read


Jeep Death Wobble Fix: Dynatrac Ball Joint Install (Nuclear Option Part 6)
If you are battling the dreaded front-end shimmy, a Dynatrac Ball Joint Install is often considered the "Nuclear Option" for a reason. Unlike standard factory units, these ProSteer heavy-duty joints are built to handle the added leverage of larger tires and off-road abuse. The beauty of this system is that they are rebuildable on the vehicle. Once you press them in this time, you’ll never have to use a ball joint press on those knuckles again.
Mar 249 min read


MetalCloak Track Bar Install: The Nuclear Option for Jeep Death Wobble
When you’re dealing with a Jeep Gladiator or Wrangler shaking itself apart, sometimes you have to stop chasing small fixes and go nuclear. That is exactly what I’m doing in Part 5 of my Death Wobble series. Today, we are performing a MetalCloak Track Bar install to replace the thin, hollow factory unit with something that actually has the "beef" required for heavy off-road use.
Mar 238 min read
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