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Daystar lifteed KJ question. Shocks ripping off?
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9454		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Crazygade [ Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Daystar lifteed KJ question. Shocks ripping off?
Just got the lift kit installed. Looks great but just need some reassurance! :?:

I had my buddy at the local dealer install it. It raised the clearance between the fenders and the tires by 4 inches! Surprised by that... For those using this lift: I had to replace the rear isolators on top of the coils because the front was way higher than the rear after installing the lift.

My buddy told me that the rear shocks (and the fronts) were totaly stretched out to thier maximum length and if the wheels would drop in a huge pothole it "could" literally rip the shock apart?!?! :shock: What do you guys think??? I have heard of no problems like this and I have been searching these forums for 6 months now... I know the lift will use up the shocks quicker but what he told me?!?! Scarry. :?:

Took it out for a ride and it does make clanging sounds like most here have said. So what do you guys think about the shocks?

BTW... 95% on the road with little off-road.
Author:  JJsTJ [ Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Stock shocks in rear? If so, get some Ranchos (#17004) and you will be fine.
Author:  jason thompson [ Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
i am not realy trying to be obnoxious ,well maby a little, but seriously what do you think is holding the front passenger tire up right now?
Image
it is for sure not the spring or the control arms that leaves only one thing
i will tell you this i have been in spots like this more than once and have never seen a shock rip a part thats just crazy talk
Author:  Crazygade [ Mon Jun 12, 2006 11:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ranchos (#17004).... sounds good! Should I change the front ones or that can wait?

This KJ may ride a bit rougher and clang a bit but it is worth it to see the faces of my buddies who did not believe that I could lift what they call the "Cheap Liberty".... 8) That along with my motocross bike hanging off the motojack rack off of the rear hitch makes everyone look twice! :twisted:
Author:  OzLtd [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:12 am ]
Post subject: 
If you have just done a spacer lift and not replaced shocks, you are going to have trouble, big time, especially if your KJ raised up 4" on where it was before.

Get longer shocks like OME front & rear, or Rancho, whatever, or you'll pay the price mate.
Author:  Crazygade [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 8:12 am ]
Post subject: 
4" does eem rather high.... anyone know why it would go up so high? :?
Author:  Se7enLC [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 9:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Crazygade wrote:
4" does eem rather high.... anyone know why it would go up so high? :?


Show us some photos of what it looks like under there, maybe somebody will see what the problem is.

Also, what year do you have?
Author:  Crazygade [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 10:43 am ]
Post subject: 
Will take some pics tonight. Rode it for a couple hours today... so far noise is only coming from drivers side up front. Best description I can give is: Sounds like a loose piece of metal. Clanks when hitting dips in road. The rest seems smooth. As for the 4" lift... the mechanic most likely mesured it right as he took it off the lift. Maybe the suspension did not settle.

BTW its a 2005. :D
Author:  DarbyWalters [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 11:49 am ]
Post subject: 
I wonder if you got one of the "OLD" Daystar Kits that really had a front puc that measured 2.5"...They discovered (after a few of us told them) that you only need a front puc of 1.75" or so to achieve 2.5" of lift. Also, make sure that the installer set the clevis correctly and did not hike it up a bit.
Author:  KW AV8R [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 3:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've run a Daystar lift now for about 25k miles and found that replacing the shocks and struts is a must. I ran the stock shocks and struts for the first 20k miles. In the 1st 3k miles I busted 3 struts without even making it to the trails. One of the struts I broke took out the strut top plate as well which left the spring able to be moved by hand. If you hit a big pothole at speed, there is a very good chance you will break something. DISCLAIMER: My lift was installed wrong to start off with which may have contributed to the strut breakage.

I never had any problems with the shocks, though, they did limit the travel alot.
Author:  Crazygade [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
For some reason I knew I would be "the one" to have problems... Drove it all day today. It sounds like a trailor! Rattling from both sides up front. Sounds like loose metal. It happens when the wheels travel downwards. It clanks and clonks all the time. Plus when I put it in 4WD I seem to be hearing a sort of rattling from the midsection of the Jeep...

I bought the kit off of somebody from Ebay. The front spacers seemed very high...


Just called Daystar. My mecanic installed new bolts to keep the top plate in place instead of using the factory studs. Supposedely a very small loose in this could cause all the clunking. We will see. Will post pics in a few...
Author:  OzLtd [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Crazygade wrote:
For some reason I knew I would be "the one" to have problems... Drove it all day today. It sounds like a trailor! Rattling from both sides up front. Sounds like loose metal. It happens when the wheels travel downwards. It clanks and clonks all the time. Plus when I put it in 4WD I seem to be hearing a sort of rattling from the midsection of the Jeep...

I bought the kit off of somebody from Ebay. The front spacers seemed very high...


Just called Daystar. My mecanic installed new bolts to keep the top plate in place instead of using the factory studs. Supposedely a very small loose in this could cause all the clunking. We will see. Will post pics in a few...


BTW mate, your clunking noise is most likely coming from the spring coming into contact with the inside edge of the upper control arm - commonly found with high lifts. The control arm runs on too tight an angle for the spring/strut to move up & down freely. Check out Mutts pics for the spring rubbing on control arm.
Author:  Mutt [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
OzLtd wrote:
Check out Mutts pics for the spring rubbing on control arm.


Yep, JeepinbyAl A arms in my immediate future.

J....................ust
E....................mpty
E....................very
P....................ocket
Author:  Crazygade [ Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just went outside to check it out. I can litterally grab and shake the spring/strut assembly. The whole assembly (clevis bolt area) under it seems loose! WTF?!?! :evil: According to the guy at Daystar it should all be tight. Hopefully it is just that!

Back to the dealer tomorrow!
Author:  KW AV8R [ Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:46 am ]
Post subject: 
Crazygade wrote:
Just went outside to check it out. I can litterally grab and shake the spring/strut assembly. The whole assembly (clevis bolt area) under it seems loose! WTF?!?! :evil: According to the guy at Daystar it should all be tight. Hopefully it is just that!

Back to the dealer tomorrow!


That sounds like the exact same thing that happened to me when I had mine first installed. I strongly advise you take a very close look at your top plates and invest in some aftermarket struts.
Author:  Crazygade [ Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:57 am ]
Post subject: 
The dealer did not install the metal washers in the right spots from what I can see and the strut popped down. I spoke with Don at Daystar and I suggested that he make a very big and precise diagram of how everything fits together in his kit for all futeure clients and internet users to have access to. Thier instructions are no good... wait and see... :?
Author:  dog_party [ Thu Jun 22, 2006 3:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Instructions? Those weren't instructions. Ha! Those were pathetically loose guidelines.

Sorry you're having troubles Crazygade. I hope everything turns out okay.
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