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Help me service KJ front end!!
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=61649		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  XJMA [ Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:29 am ]
Post subject:  Help me service KJ front end!!
Hi, I know I've posted Qs here from time to time about upgrading the wifes KJ...well, the suspension is still stock with 170K on it, and the thing is it still rides well!! I think one of the front bearings is starting to get loose and I finally need to do some front end work on this beast. It's barely been beaten on, mainly only driven by her, so it's in good shape. I'm not afraid of the 170k on the motor/tranny because we change the fluids and such and things have been good so far (knock on wood).

It had the lower ball joints replaced under the recall at about 70-80k. I have no reason to believe they have play right now but I do need to check everything out.

I'm thinking I'll need both front bearings (ouch), and I'll do both front struts...keeping it stock though...apparently we have enough lifted/highly modified jeeps and off-road vehicles already, haha. I'm thinking monroe sensatrac complete strut assemblies, and then I should probably do the upper A-arms, no?? If I don't have any play, should I keep the stock A-arms?? I hate how they have the built in ball joints.

What's the deal with the sway bar up front. Just replace the bushings on it, or should I leave them be?

Out back I think I'm going to try to replace the PITA upper ball joint and throw new shocks back there.

I've never done much work on KJs so I just wanted to run this by people who do wrench on these things a lot and see if this is a logical plan. Anything not necessary, anything I'm leaving out? Oh, tie rods....the steering is tight....keep running them until they wear??

Thanx in advance for your help!!
Author:  XJMA [ Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help me service KJ front end!!
nobody has any input?
Author:  jay21 [ Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help me service KJ front end!!
I am no where near your mileage, but your list looks pretty complete. IMHO it really depends on what you see when you are under it. The closest thing I can compare to is my old GMC 1/2 ton. At about 170K miles, i replaced every bushing, ball-joint i could find reference to. I first tried only replacing what was "worn" and that just seemed to highlight other pieces that were failing/failed. Hope this helps at least a little. Even though it is has been fairly low impact driving, look at springs also. While costly to do a full suspension replacement, 170k miles it has earned it, the cost per mile is negligible.
Author:  tommudd [ Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help me service KJ front end!!
No use replacing shocks if you are not replacing the springs as well all around
Also I'd check the ball joints real close, they may have been replaced but they don't last forever
Author:  BugginKJ [ Thu Jul 21, 2011 10:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Help me service KJ front end!!
Keeping it stock I would still go OME springs and Bilstein shocks all around. Pick your flavor in spring rate. At 170,000 miles and no attention paid to your front end, or suspension for that matter, how deep is your wallet? Do a complete inspection and replace as needed or soon to be needed, if ya can't do it yourself take it to a trusted mechanic. If ya don't like the factory uca and lack of being able to lube, then by all means go with JBA upper arms as they do offer the arms for factory rides. If you think it rides well at 170,000 and no maintenance, imagine what a fresh suspension system would feel like. My :2cents: :JEEPIN:
Author:  tjkj2002 [ Thu Jul 21, 2011 12:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help me service KJ front end!!
For the price of the "quick struts" alone you can pretty much get a OME lift with new shocks all the way around.Don't have to get the HD coils,the light duty will work with only about 1" added lift and a ride a 100% better then stock ever was.
Author:  XJMA [ Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Help me service KJ front end!!
tjkj2002 wrote:
For the price of the "quick struts" alone you can pretty much get a OME lift with new shocks all the way around.Don't have to get the HD coils,the light duty will work with only about 1" added lift and a ride a 100% better then stock ever was.


Really? How much for OME 1" for KJ?? Springs and shocks?!?!? I think the coil on struts are like 130-150ea??

Thanx for the replies!! It actually does ride pretty well, although not quite as good as the one I drive every day with only 75k now, but it's in pretty decent shape and I'd like to keep it that way.

Not that the front end has never been touched, it's been aligned every time it gets tires and it's on it's third set - AT2s since ~130k and they've got probably 50%, maybe more, life left in them.

I do have a set of low mileage stock coils that I could use...I was thinking of maybe just swapping out the rears and doing the strut w/ coils up front?? Lots of money!!

I'll probably do everything but the alignment myself....it's just parts, haha.
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