Simplest way to do the front...

TexasRock · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:19 am

I have followed the MANY install threads on here as well as on Jeepkj... most everyone does it the same, however; there are usually comments about how this step or that step could have been avoided and made it "easier".

My question is simple.

What is the BEST way, in the least amount of steps to do the front for a lift. Tommudd... I'm looking for you to reply also, as you have done more lifts on the KJ than most of us combined as well as take yours apart on almost a daily basis :mrgreen:

I appreciate any and all replies. Truly, I wouldn't be able to do this if not for the great write-ups from knowledgeable people on this forum. :2cents:

keith

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 12:03 pm

Step 1 - take it to a local mechanic

Step 2 - have them do the work

Step 3 - Pay them.

There is 3 steps. can't get any easier than that.

TexasRock · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 12:27 pm

No. I'm going to do this myself and gain valuable experience so that in turn, I might be able to assist someone else.

Besides, there are NO other lifted KJs in my city or area, for that matter, that I have seen. Trust me, I'm on the road a lot and see tons of stock grocery getters... so, my concern would be a local mechanic would have the same basic knowledge as I do, so why pay him to do what I can do?

Keith

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 12:51 pm

Did I ever send you the complete writeup? Thought I did but you know how my memory is :roll:

I think most all are the same , I mean there is so much you have to take off and put back on

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:11 pm

I really didn't think it was that big of a deal for the front

getting the front coilovers assembled for you at a shop is prob the safest and easiest way to take care of that part
disco the swaybar while it's on the ground then

get it on jackstands and stable, chock the rear wheels, get a ratchet strap or length of rope handy for each side (to tie up the rotors to keep them from flopping past the brakelines length

pop the hood, take the airbox and battery out, put a small jack under the lca and give it a pump or two to releave some tension on the assembly, zip the nuts off the upper coilover plates put them on the cowl near the windshield, disco the clevis fork (has those bolt heads with the L piece on it to keep them from turning when removing the nut, just make sure they don't pinch anything, IE YOUR FINGER

)

once the clevis fork is discoed, disco the uca ball joint from the knuckle, tie the knuckle up, lower the lca till it clears the assembly, and ease the coil over assembly out

for most people the most time consuming part is getting tension off the clevis bolts to knock them free, takes a bit of 'jacking around' with the jack - especially if you forgot to disco the swaybar before putting it on jackstands like i did, both times

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:13 pm

voice of experience
rachet straps to pull the clevis back in makes it a whole easier when by yourself :wink:

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:18 pm

i think it depends on how mad your jeep is for taking it apart

my clevis and everything went back together with no effort what so ever

i think you're supposed to talk NICE to it.. and BLEED on it for lubrication

TexasRock · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 2:54 pm

Tom... No, you never did send the write up.

Jeepin... thank you. I appreciate it.

By the way, is taking the caliper off necessary or does it make things easier as far as space constraints?

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:10 pm

remove the uca bj from the knuckle was all i did, i've actually never had my calipers off, new pads/rotors were put on before i bought it, and about 45k later i'm still 50% or better on all pads

i wouldn't say it really makes anything easier, sure, it would relieve some space constraints involving the length of the brake line and how far out you can allow the knuckle to go, but there's also a CV joint going through to the knuckle as well that you don't want to over extend and pinch the boot, so i decided to leave the calipers on since the benefit of removing it was going to be limited anyway

once you get the top studs free of the body, it's just a pivot and lean game of getting it out from under the fender well

reinstalling it is the reverse pivot game, of getting the assembly back into the fenderwell and the studs protruding through the body so that you can get a nut or two started - with one hand in the fenderwell and one over the fender with a nut, it can be a stretch

but once you have the assembly hanging, it's just a matter of lining the clevis back up, sticking the carriage bolt back through, putting the uca bj back in and torquing everything back down

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:15 pm

Taking the caliper off makes it 100 times easier, plus its like less than a minute to remove so why not :wink:

Mine likes to be torn apart Jarhead, I think it likes me touching her :wink:

I have had a few with no problems getting the clevis in, but most of them I do we try and stuff "extras" in and makes it harder.

wrap a rag around the drivers side inner boot as well to protect it, gets kind of close putting everything back together sometimes

Don't hook the sway bar up until after you drop it on the ground, then install bottom bolt and tighten, makes it easier and also will load it properly.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:20 pm

if tom says its easier , then do it

InCommando · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 3:49 pm

I second the ratchet strap. Works like a charm.

TexasRock · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 4:22 pm

I appreciate everyone's comments... so, it looks like the calipers come off! Two bolts... easy enough.

RED_KJ_666 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:37 pm

I left the Calipers on. and took the Clevis Completely out loosely assembled and out everything back in with one strut bolt holding it hanging. Then I got my buddy to pry down on the Lower Control Arm. while I lined up the lower clevis bolt. I never really got why to use the Ratchet strap.

Simplest way to do the front...

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