bad flex

83 cj-7 258 · 06-14-2007, 12:02 AM

I have a horrible ride and don't even mention flex, or lack there of. My jeep flexs so bad that most of the time one of my wheels comes off the ground and then i'm pretty much stuck because of my open diffs. using a jack up front i can only et my tire off the ground 11 inches, with very little flex. So is that my springs are to stiff, or caould it be my bolts in the bushings are to tight.
THANKS!

slacker92104 · 06-14-2007, 12:10 AM

Do you have a sway bar disconnect? Makes a HUGE difference.

John Brereton · 06-14-2007, 06:57 AM

It could be the sway bar as mentioned, it could be your springs are too stiff, AND/OR it could be that your shackle bolts are too tight or rusted in place.

If your sway bar is still connected, disconnect it when off roading. What type of lift do you have, if any?

If it's Procomp then that is probably your problem. They have a bad rep for not flexing.

If your shackles and bushings are originals then you might consider replacing the bushings and shackle bolts. Grease them up before putting them in the spring eyes and use Nylock nuts (grade 8 bolts and nuts). Use a big washer on the bolt head end AND the nut end and only tighten them a little more than hand tight. You should be able to move the shackle by hand after tightening it down (before you mount the spring).

**jeepskate** · 06-14-2007, 09:05 AM

Too many unanswered questions here...you need to give us more specific info about exactly what your suspension setup is.

83 cj-7 258 · 06-14-2007, 05:37 PM

I have a 4inch superlift, with all new bushings, and I don't even have the sway bar on. I have greaseble schackels that have 3/4 inch lift.

Happy Joe · 06-14-2007, 05:47 PM

Are your shocks too short? or your shackle bolts too tight?

Enjoy!

83 cj-7 258 · 06-14-2007, 05:52 PM

Its got the schocks that came in the kit and i don't think there to tight. How tight are they suppposed to be?

KrazyGimp · 06-14-2007, 06:23 PM

Just a little more than hand tight. You can also use those locking washers on them to keep the nuts from backing off.

**jeepskate** · 06-14-2007, 10:53 PM

Shackles are probably too tight and you need to pry open the clamps on the springs a bit. For the shackles, use stover or nylock nuts and tighten down until the bushings just barely start to compress, then back off 1/4-1/2 turn.

4bob4 · 06-14-2007, 11:07 PM

If you just put it on it will loosen up as you go. My superlift was stiff as hell when I first put it on.

**jeepskate** · 06-15-2007, 08:36 AM

It'll loosen up a little but not as much as it will if you set the shackles as suggested and loosen the spring clamps. I've done this with several lift springs with the cheapie 'bend over' spring clamps including my own Superlift springs and it makes a significant difference.

4bob4 · 06-15-2007, 10:58 AM

Should you use any heat loosening the spring clamps or just a really strong something (screwdriver??)? How loose is too loose? Got any pics?

**jeepskate** · 06-15-2007, 12:19 PM

You can see it a little bit in this shot of the front:

I just hit 'em with a BFH & cold chisel or impact hammer with a chisel bit and open them up a bit. I know some guys who heat them, bend them up, then bend them back down with a temporary spacer in place so they aren't clamped down on the springs (looks neater than my method) and some who heat them and bend them all the way up then drill them and put in bolts with sleeves like some of the more expensive springs are setup.

06-14-2007, 12:10 AM	#2
slacker92104 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 925 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Do you have a sway bar disconnect? Makes a HUGE difference. __________________ '81 CJ5, efi 302, AX-15 5 spd, On Board Air, wrangler spring conversion, Astro van Hydro Brakes. Soon: Custom cut Dana 44 front, wide trac solid axle amc 20 rear, SOA,

06-14-2007, 06:57 AM	#3
John Brereton Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Castle, DE Posts: 136 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	It could be the sway bar as mentioned, it could be your springs are too stiff, AND/OR it could be that your shackle bolts are too tight or rusted in place. If your sway bar is still connected, disconnect it when off roading. What type of lift do you have, if any? If it's Procomp then that is probably your problem. They have a bad rep for not flexing. If your shackles and bushings are originals then you might consider replacing the bushings and shackle bolts. Grease them up before putting them in the spring eyes and use Nylock nuts (grade 8 bolts and nuts). Use a big washer on the bolt head end AND the nut end and only tighten them a little more than hand tight. You should be able to move the shackle by hand after tightening it down (before you mount the spring). __________________ What's left of a '79 CJ5 3 - 4" total lift 4.88 gears in a Dana 30 and off center ff Dana 44 with disc brakes 258 with TFI /T18 /D18 drive train with Saturn O.D. 33 x 12 DC Mud Country Radials

06-14-2007, 05:37 PM	#5
83 cj-7 258 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: knoxville, Tn Posts: 164 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have a 4inch superlift, with all new bushings, and I don't even have the sway bar on. I have greaseble schackels that have 3/4 inch lift. __________________ 83 cj-7 built Chevy 350, sm420, dana 300. Superlift 4in lift, 33x12.50 mikey thompson mtz.

06-14-2007, 05:52 PM	#7
83 cj-7 258 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: knoxville, Tn Posts: 164 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Its got the schocks that came in the kit and i don't think there to tight. How tight are they suppposed to be? __________________ 83 cj-7 built Chevy 350, sm420, dana 300. Superlift 4in lift, 33x12.50 mikey thompson mtz.