Anybody know whats involed with swapping out the front shocks on my 2005 libby? I bought 4 new bilstiens rear look pretty straight forward. Thanks, Gregg

The fronts are coilovers so you must remove the whole coilover assembly(some will call it a "strut",it's not).Then you need to disassemble the coilover assembly using spring compressors,need high end ones or a wall mounted version.Maybe best to take the coilover assemblies to a shop and have them swapout the shocks for you,most only charge $20-$50 to do this if you bring in the coilovers in out of the vehicle.

I got a good spring compressor any pictures of the who;e assembly..

Just be aware that most compressors will not work on the small coils the KJ uses and OE CRD coils are rated at 410lbs so they are very stiff.

So I guess it looks like loosening the pinch bolt and removing the upper mount bolts then the whole assembly can be worked on. Are there any bearings or bushings that need or should be replaced? The whole assembly reasembles a strut. I have replaced lots and lots of them.

With the vehicle jacked up does the whole assembly drop down after the pinch bolt get loosened?

The coilover doesn't rotate like a strut would so no, there are no bearings.

Take off the stabilizer bar connector bolt to the LCA so the LCA can drop a little more then normal. Then loosen up the upper clevis bolt. Take out the lower clevis bolt.

Remove UBJ nut. Use bfh or special tool to release UBJ from hub.

Remove 4x topplate nuts (in the engine bay). Wiggle clevis of shock. Take out coilover.

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Cherokee 2,5 CRD: sold - Wrangler TJ 2.5: gone - Touareg V10 TDI: new toy

Solo Liberty en Español: Jeepliberty.es

well guys thanks for helping out with your pictures and directions. I got the front shocks in yesterday I had to take the assembly to a friend of mines garage my spring compressor was to big as you stated. What a difference in the ride night and day. I'll be doing the rears this afternoon. Thanks again, Gregg

I replaced the factory springs and shock absorbers today with Old Man Emu nitrochargers and springs. It sits alot higher. For the rear a spring compressor worked well. For the front we just compressed the old in a hydraulic press, reached in and undid the nut. Swapped the top plate and rubbers and reversed the procedure. To aid the change I undid the top ball joint. Pain in the butt having to remove air filter, power steering tower on passenger side.

Would never - ever do them in a press. I've seen OME 927s take off out of a regular spring compressor before in a shop and take a huge chink out of a wall .
Did you use the 790s ( hopefully ) in front
And no need for spring compressors in the rear , plenty easy to install new ones without

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

Would never - ever do them in a press. I've seen OME 927s take off out of a regular spring compressor before in a shop and take a huge chink out of a wall .
Did you use the 790s ( hopefully ) in front
And no need for spring compressors in the rear , plenty easy to install new ones without[/quote]

Was heavy press never felt in danger understood what could slip and used block and clamp.
According to Sasquatch parts the kit is:

ARB-90009 – Nitrocharger Sport front struts, pair
ARB-2790 – OME CRD HD front spring, pair
ARB-60069 – Nitrocharger Sport rear shocks, pair
ARB-2948 – OME HD rear spring, pair

Now potentially up for sale