Neglected Jeep (Suspension)

funJ · 04-07-2007, 08:43 PM

Hey Everyone,
I bought a house a couple months ago and my poor jeep has been heavily neglected. After I went for a ride in January I noticed that some of the rear leaf springs were broken. I am pretty sure it still has the original shocks and leaf springs. Well, I thought I might as well change out the leaf springs and shocks now. I also think the ball joints are in need of changing.

I am getting $1000 dollars from the insurance because my babies at school keyed my car. I thought I'd live with the scratch (fender to quarter panel!) and change the suspension.

I recently put 31" by 11.5 and they rub in the front a little when I turn all the way. I think it's lifted some because the tires fit but just barely.

What suspension should I look for? I am not planning on getting bigger tires any time soon since I bought these a few months ago. I use the car as a commuter and go out for gentle (for now) rides.
Let me know what you think. I lam ooking to get something used and hopefully soon.
- jason

Matt87YJ · 04-07-2007, 08:49 PM

Try the 2.5" Old Man Emu kit, I haven't heard a bad thing about them and from what I hear they ride great.

ufatbastehd · 04-07-2007, 08:52 PM

Your rubbing when turned to full lock may be
corrected by putting a washer or two on your steering stops

A good lift that will fit 31's is OME or Rubicon Express. BDS also makes good lifts not sure if they offer a 2.5

Make sure you really want to stay with 31's.
Everyone myself including seems to always want more.

funJ · 04-07-2007, 08:58 PM

Will it look stupid? Or more importanty function wrong on a 4" lift?

funJ · 04-07-2007, 09:42 PM

What about this set up http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/pts/304236278.html ?
What else would I need?

sprngrider · 04-07-2007, 10:08 PM

If your springs are bad replace the springs. The shackles will not help. You need a kit with springs, shocks, and maybe brake lines. Hope that helps.

RoverJeep90 · 04-07-2007, 10:16 PM

Go with the Old Man Emu lift. It's good stuff.

yJ rod · 04-07-2007, 10:25 PM

BDS all the way. Got to love the life time warranty if any thing breaks.

goatboy · 04-08-2007, 09:34 AM

What ball joints are you replacing?

funJ · 04-08-2007, 06:34 PM

front upper ball joints. That's just what I was told when I try to get my alignment done. But I looked under there and didn't see anything wrong but it does sound like something is cracking underneath there when I brake!

goatboy · 04-08-2007, 06:47 PM

Tell ya what, Jason...If I took my solid axle Jeep to an alignment shop, and they told me I needed upper ball joints, I'd find me another alignment shop and never do a lick of business with them again!!! YJ's don't have ball joints...they have steering knuckle bushings!!! Ball joints are normally found on independent front suspensions on two wheel drive vehicles, although they show up in other places too!!! Were I you, I'd take my Jeep to a place with a little more expertise in four wheel drives... Can't venture a guess as to what's causing the noise, but maybe somebody else might have an idea that would help ya...

Jeepwheeler2 · 04-08-2007, 07:14 PM

Umm, goatboy, yj's use balljoints, as well as just about every other vehicle except certain D60's that have kingpins.

Ryanpowell167 · 04-08-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatboy

Tell ya what, Jason...If I took my solid axle Jeep to an alignment shop, and they told me I needed upper ball joints, I'd find me another alignment shop and never do a lick of business with them again!!! YJ's don't have ball joints...they have steering knuckle bushings!!! Ball joints are normally found on independent front suspensions on two wheel drive vehicles, although they show up in other places too!!! Were I you, I'd take my Jeep to a place with a little more expertise in four wheel drives... Can't venture a guess as to what's causing the noise, but maybe somebody else might have an idea that would help ya...

Good luck finding an alignment shop...

Not sure i trust a vehicle to go rock crawling if it had "steering knuckle bushings", or bushings on any type of high stress assembly such as steering...

JAM56 · 04-08-2007, 08:22 PM

I had the same noise coming from my 92 YJ. Just had the u-joints replaced, not a sound, and now I have no worries about putting it in 4wd. Jeep fix $64 u-joints, $200 labour.

Ryanpowell167 · 04-08-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAM56

I had the same noise coming from my 92 YJ. Just had the u-joints replaced, not a sound, and now I have no worries about putting it in 4wd. Jeep fix $64 u-joints, $200 labour.

WOW...I think you got raped....Just the front two replaced or all 6?

04-07-2007, 10:25 PM	#8
yJ rod Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 120 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	BDS all the way. Got to love the life time warranty if any thing breaks. __________________ 3.5' BDS, 33'/12.50' BFG M/T, Herculined tub, Cobra CB, Homemade 1/4 inch bumpers, TJ flares with trimmed fenders, Homemade trunk box, No sway bar, no track bars. Daily driver. My Jeep is in the June issue of Petersens 4 wheel and off-road! Page 14 under Urban Wheeling. [url]http://gallery.greatestjournal.com/albums/up7/271/1421271/normal_DSC01168.jpg[/url] [B][SIZE="3"]Screw mud. Got rocks?[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][/FONT][/SIZE][/B]

04-08-2007, 07:14 PM	#12
Jeepwheeler2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mid. Suffolk, NY Posts: 146 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Umm, goatboy, yj's use balljoints, as well as just about every other vehicle except certain D60's that have kingpins. __________________ '96 XJ 4.0 AW4, 3" Homebrew lift, homebuilt tree felling bumper, warn x-case skid, roof mounted spare and hi-lift, lots of custom bent sheetmetal.