suspension shot?

FineDining · **Joined:** Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:17 pm **Posts:** 21

My suspension seems worn out, or maybe I just need new shocks. Are there there suggestions for suspension upgrades short of getting the OME lift?

Fine Dining

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:29 am

Just keep in mind the CRD's front suspension is heavier then a gasser kj.

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:23 pm

Stock stock ball joints are not as good as the Moog replacements. When mine that were replaced under recall at 25K are gone, Moog is going to sell me the new heavy duty lower ball joints. With the extra weight of the CRD, stress on the lower ball joints is greater.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:43 pm

What do you mean "worn out"? Springs, shocks, joints, what exactly is worn out?

FineDining · **Joined:** Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:17 pm **Posts:** 21

LibertyCRD wrote:

What do you mean "worn out"? Springs, shocks, joints, what exactly is worn out?

Once again, it is because Chryslers accessories are not on par with the VM Motori engine, I have to turn to the collective wisdom present on this site for help figuring out the next modification this beast needs. I know for sure that my shocks are worn out and that they need replacement. I'm wondering if I should replace the springs as well? If I replace the springs what size should I use? Is there anything else that I will need to buy.

I would like to increase the hauling and towing capability because I am planning on using it to launch my drift boat.
Right now I'm running 245/70/R16 General Grabbers HTS and will need to buy winter tires also.I'm interested in the Frankenlift but I think it will be too tall and cost too many MPG.

Fine Dining

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:05 pm

your choice in springs are limited to stock and OME length
OME's are better.

however if yours aren't sagging fulltime - i.e. while it's sitting still - you don't have a spring problem.

shocks - were bad from the factory and were of value to hold the wheels on while shipping.

personally I'd try Bilsteins, they'll work with stock or OME length springs (actually all the front shocks are the same length)

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:17 pm

Well let me give you a hint. I just replaced my stock shocks/springs up front with OME springs and Bilstein shocks. Overall...my ride quality did not improve drastically. This is with 93,000 miles on the Jeep. So personally, I still don't see where people think the stock equipment is so pathetic.

When I hit a dip in the road, or cross railroad tracks, the Bilsteins top out and there is a loud clunk. At other times, the springs are more bouncy than the stock setup was. In general, I do like the Emus and I'm glad I went with the 790s that some members here suggested. But if you are looking to totally change your front suspension... don't get your hopes up too far with the Emu/Bilstein setup. It's an improvement, but not much of one. At first I was ecstatic to have new springs. After I drove on them for a while I realized they weren't the pot of gold some people see in them.

To answer your question though... yes if you are going to change the shocks up front I would definitely go ahead and do new springs of some type while you are at it.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:07 pm

2 easy ways to test your suspension..................

Go to each corner(one at a time) and bounce it up/down as hard as you can a few times then let off(really man handle it,get it bouncing hard).If it settles within once bounce and stops moving your shocks are good,if it keeps bouncing more then once(even the smallest bounces) your shocks are worn.That is your shocks sole purpose in life is to control the compression/extension of the spring.

For your coils get out that handy tape measure,measure front the center of each wheel to the bottom outside edge of each flare.Depending on actual options your KJ has you should be sitting between 18"-19" on a flat level surface,18"-19" is for a new KJ with no miles on it.

Now the rest of the suspension is based on movement/play like your balljoints and tie rod ends,there should be no play.

Now if you choose to go the OME coil route just putting in the new coils(and shocks) is not completing the job as most will tell you(even ARB).You need to add extended bumpstops,longer shocks for the rear,and extend your rear brake lines.Those 3 things are a must and it is a very good idea to add JBA's UCA's for less issues with coil contact and alignment issues.Also you must make sure everything is torqued with the weight of the vehicle on the tires,issues with clunks and noises will occur,and those swaybar end links need to be very tight,more then what there advertized torque rating is(most common issue after lifting,loose swaybar links).

TJ2 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 03, 2010 8:35 am

My front springs were sagging when I bought the CRD last spring at 69k miles. I measured just to be sure, but it wasn't really necessary. It was obvious just looking at it.

Almost bought a lift kit last fall, but decided to wait. . . until I'm sure this thing is going to hold together. What I did do to level it out was a clevis lift. I didn't use any spacers. As tjkj has pointed out they don't really support anything. I ended up with a 7/16 clevis lift which gave me about a 7/8 inch height improvement up front. It sits just about level now and the cost was zero. I figure $50 for the alignment as a maintenance cost.

regards

VAdave · **Posted:** Fri Dec 03, 2010 11:28 am

@tjkj2002...
If a stock suspension is 18-19" from center of the tire to the flare then would an OME lift be 20-21"?

VAdave · **Posted:** Fri Dec 03, 2010 11:28 am

@tjkj2002...
If a stock suspension is 18-19" from center of the tire to the flare then would an OME lift be 20-21"?

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Fri Dec 03, 2010 1:57 pm

I've got Bilstein shocks up front, and OME 790 springs ONLY. And just that setup is giving me 22" from hub to fender. It might settle in to 21.5 over time... I hope. But I don't know.

This is certainly the maximum I would go without some more serious modifications to the KJ front suspension though.

suspension shot?

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