Front Suspension Damage

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:12 pm

Almost got myself high-centered yesterday in the middle of nowhere.
Went down a forest road and got to a spot where there were ruts on each side, and a strip of hard, icy, snow in the middle.

I was too far away from a turn around point, so I decided to go forward to get to an area I could see where I could turn around and get the heck out of there.

I didn't know what to do, so I chose to try and punch it pretty fast hoping the momentum would keep me from getting high-centered. It worked, but I am concerned that I might have damaged something. There were potholes in the ruts, so I nailed a few and and came slamming down on to the ice a couple times hitting my skid plates.........at least I am guessing that's what I hit.

What should I check to see if I did any damage? I was hitting the potholes real hard, and could hear the bottom scraping the whole time. By the way....I will never do that again.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:21 pm

Just look underneath and make sure that nothing is leaking, falling off or completley damaged! Most likely if you have full skids you just hit them and when you do that it sounds like the whole underneath is being torn out from under the Jeep when in fact its not. You are probably OK thats part of the FUN ! Go out and do it again !

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:23 pm

you are probrably okay, tah is what the skids are for. they are on key potential impact areas. Ice will not hurt them. Next time trake your tire tool or a shovel and try to break up the ices before crossing it. that gives you a better look at what is under there and might lower the height some. and for sure don't "Gun-It"

Best advice it check everything. But also DON"T TRAIL ALONE!!!

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 2:34 pm

Quote:

Best advice it check everything. But also DON"T TRAIL ALONE!!!

Agreed,never go out alone unless you are very prepared for anything(and have a winch at least).

Go and keeping testing your KJ,you'll be amazed where it can go.

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:32 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Quote:

Best advice it check everything. But also DON"T TRAIL ALONE!!!

Agreed,never go out alone unless you are very prepared for anything(and have a winch at least).

Go and keeping testing your KJ,you'll be amazed where it can go.

I was impressed with how easily it climbed back up the hill after I got turned around. I wish I would have gone slow because I think it would have made it without my gunning it. Unfortunately I was alone.......like I shouldn't have been on that road.........and I was in panic mode. My heart was beating 1000 times per minute. I just wanted to get out of there really bad.

I'm gonna go crawl under there and take a look. I just thought the front suspension would be more susceptible to damage since it is independent suspension, so I kind of wish I hadn't abused it like that.

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:14 pm

Well I didn't see anything screwed up. Not that I know what to look for anyway. I do have a problem where radiator fluid seems to be leaking out from the pressure cap though.

It's been just dribbling out for a few weeks not. I figured it was just slightly overfilled, but it seems to be getting worse. I could see quite a bit of it under the jeep ready to drip onto my face.

I'm still under warranty, so I'm going to take it in to have that checked out.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:19 pm

Quote:

I'm gonna go crawl under there and take a look. I just thought the front suspension would be more susceptible to damage since it is independent suspension, so I kind of wish I hadn't abused it like that.

That wasn't much for abuse,I know that USAFCOP and myself have abused our suspension alot more and still are going.

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:27 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Quote:

I'm gonna go crawl under there and take a look. I just thought the front suspension would be more susceptible to damage since it is independent suspension, so I kind of wish I hadn't abused it like that.

That wasn't much for abuse,I know that USAFCOP and myself have abused our suspension alot more and still are going.

That's good to know. I know nothing about vehicles, so I have no idea what is abuse and what is not. I just know I nailed 3 potholes in a row, went slightly airborne, and came down hard. Went 90 all the way home though, and it seemed normal, so that's a good sign.

And I now know it's not a good feeling to almost get stuck on a remote road in Oregon in winter. Not one of my brightest ideas

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:51 pm

Sounds like you lost the equalizer defibrillator. Give the Jeep to me immediately.

Rush345 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:37 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

Sounds like you lost the equalizer defibrillator. Give the Jeep to me immediately.

Are You sure it's not the Flux Capacitor :twisted:

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:39 pm

No, no no no. He needs new piston return springs and cross-drilled brake lines.

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:16 pm

I need a lift.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:46 pm

JohnnyCash wrote:

I need a lift.

Exactly.

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 12:00 am

JohnnyCash wrote:

I need a lift.

yeah you do and some 30" tires and a winch :idea:

im sure u didnt hurt anything though thats what those skids are for. heck i use mine all the time. you should see them :twisted:

sounds like you had a good time though.

Neatus · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2008 1:47 am

The KJ can take a lot of pain:) I am so amazed that my front suspension is still working after some of the hits it has taken......

Front Suspension Damage

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