A clean vehicle is easier to inspect and a whole lot more enjoyable to work on. Here, a diesel-powered hot-water pressure washer made by Karcher is used to blast away dirt and grime.
A year of daily driving and countless trails has gone by and it's time for a thorough vehicle inspection to make sure everything is up to snuff. The common things we should always keep a watchful eye on are motor oil, brake fluid, coolant, and power-steering fluid. But checking the internals of your drivetrain, suspension attachment points, and brake components is a crucial part of maintenance that is easy to ignore until it leaves you broken down on the trail. Here are a few of the things that should be checked at least once a season or more often, depending on the amount of mud, water, and sand you and your vehicle encounter.
Vehicle Prep Check List
Location: Moab, Utah; Easter Jeep Safari 2007
Powerwash undercarriage
Inspect and change all necessary fluids
Inspect transfer case
Differential inspection and fluidchange; install LubeLockers
Install CTM U-joints and new outer Alloy USA axleshafts
Check all U-joints in driveshafts
Wheel bearings and hub assemblyBrakes: pads and rotors
Check all flex joints and adjust as needed
Check all welded stress areas; replace any damaged areas with heavy-duty
bracketsCheck all steering components: check steering-box mount for cracks
Check for worn or broken shocks
Check all electrical connections
Interior supplies: recovery equipment, water, food, first aid, radio, etc.
Secure interior items and arrange for quick access
Knowing what to look for when maintaining a drivetrain is important, and West Coast Differentials is a specialist that can be trusted to take care of any internal drivetrain, differential, or axle/locker maintenance or installation. | 
Putting the Jeep up on a lift is the best way to get under your vehicle to work on the differential with the tools needed to check out the internals. If using jacks, be sure to use the proper jackstands to support the vehicle for safety. | 
Frequently changing the fluid in the differentials will alleviate premature wear and is especially important if driving in muddy and wet conditions. Changing fluids also offers a perfect opportunity to inspect for chipped or cracked components, such as ring-and-pinion gears. |