Strut/Shock Recommendations ?

Katmandu · **Posted:** Sun Nov 10, 2013 5:50 pm

I have a 2012 Liberty Latitude with only 7,000 easy miles on it. The front struts are totally shot!

The truck has always handled very poorly from brand new. The front end has had a vibration not too long after we bought it. Advised from pretty much everyone (dealer/forum members) was the tires were out of round. We swapped the tires out....twice. We are now on our 3rd set of tires (including the OEM POS donuts).

Knowing that dealing with the dealer and trying to get them to replace the struts was a losing battle, we didn't even waste our time.

So now it's time to change out these POS Chinese struts and shocks.

I've seen Bilsteins going for around $320 Shipped.

What do you'all recommend ? Just want a better ride and safe handling over stock.

At The Helm · **Posted:** Sun Nov 10, 2013 6:22 pm

Just get direct replacement Bilsteins. Should be around 350 total from shockwarehouse.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Nov 10, 2013 7:24 pm

I know what you are going to say right away is I don't want to lift nor do I want to spend the money
BUT installing new shocks will help only for a while
the weak springs that came on the KJs/KKs are too weak from the get go.
The weak springs over work the shocks which in turn wear both out quicker.
Just something to think about. Upgrading to say 926s in front would only lift about 1.75/2 inches (at most) but would do away with the nose diving and have way better handling etc

Bilstein or OME either one would be a good upgrade and would keep you going for a while longer

musclezmarinara · **Posted:** Sun Nov 10, 2013 9:06 pm

Atthehelm wrote:

Just get direct replacement Bilsteins. Should be around 350 total from shockwarehouse.

Thats what i had Bilsteins all around on my lift came out great.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 11, 2013 3:20 am

musclezmarinara wrote:

Atthehelm wrote:

Just get direct replacement Bilsteins. Should be around 350 total from shockwarehouse.

Thats what i had Bilsteins all around on my lift came out great.

Glad to see you're still around even after ditching the KK

Anyways, on topic, I recommend Bilsteins. I'm running them on all 4 corners and they're great, but I'm also lifted on OME springs. Honestly, I agree with Tom and say ditch the OEM springs for new 1s. I personally chose OME 927 fronts and 731 rears for the height. But if you're not trying to lift, you might find the 926s better. Tom could give the best advice there. You also won't get too much lift from the springs alone and will get a better ride, and in my opinion a better handling truck. You feel the higher center of gravity, but the Jeep only leans as much as it did stock. It also doesn't nose dive, like Tom said, under heavy braking.

DREDnot · **Posted:** Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:13 pm

After a year and 15000 miles, the Bilsteins that came with my Jeepin By Al suspension give a fantastic ride. I just had it in today to have the alignment checked after installing the upgraded upper strut mounts. Not only was the alignment still dead on, the tech said its the best riding suspension lift he's ever felt. This from a guy that is one of the top 4wd alignment specialists in phoenix.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Nov 11, 2013 11:39 pm

Seems all who are answering the OP has a lift with the Bilstiens
so its going to be a huge difference than combining them with the weaker stock springs
Just make a note of that

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Nov 14, 2013 8:49 am

Ordered the Bilstiens front and rear last night. Was thinking of replacing all the springs while I am into the project. I can get Moog replacement ones at a reasonable price. OME ones are kinda pricey. :cry:

Not trying to lift it much. Hopping new springs and gas charged shocks will give me a little lift to run 245x75x16 with no problems.

For anyone who has been down this road, what springs are best!

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:04 am

Sadly none unless you upgrade to OME/ Ironman etc
Moog/ OEM etc are all the same as far as rating and at 310 lb for the fronts its not enough for a heavy vehicle like the KJs/KKs are
May cost a little more but in the long run the ride / handling and plus the fact they will last a lot longer its best just to upgrade

Katmandu · **Posted:** Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:13 am

WWDiesel wrote:

Ordered the Bilstiens front and rear last night. Was thinking of replacing all the springs while I am into the project. I can get Moog replacement ones at a reasonable price. OME ones are kinda pricey. :cry:

Not trying to lift it much. Hopping new springs and gas charged shocks will give me a little lift to run 245x75x16 with no problems.

For anyone who has been down this road, what springs are best!

Where did you buy from ?

I believe your last sentence was actually a question. Right ?

Personally, I would like a lift, but it's the wife's DD rig and certain she wouldn't want that.

Perhaps go with a different manufacturer of stock springs would help ???

I'm just rally pissed that I'm looking at a $400 - $1000 in new parts plus at least another $400 Labor costs ($800 - $1400) to fix a problem on a vehicle that only has 8,000 miles on it! Especially when money is pretty tight! Not happy!

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Nov 14, 2013 10:46 am

Any "stock " springs are rated the same so they would all last about the same
400 labor, :shock:

of course New York area etc I've heard 650-700
And to think what we do it for here :roll:

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Nov 14, 2013 12:51 pm

Quote:

="Katmandu"
Where did you buy from ?

I believe your last sentence was actually a question. Right ?

Bought them from ShockWarehouse.com, a little over 300 + some change. :BANANA:

Plant to do all the labor myself, I have the spring compresser tools for the struts/springs. Save a lot of bucks

What I need to know are the Moog springs worth buying? I have used them in the past on trucks/vans with good results.
Or, should I spend the extra bucks and opt for EMU or Ironman springs? They are about twice the price. :evil:

Katmandu · **Posted:** Thu Nov 14, 2013 1:41 pm

tommudd wrote:

Any "stock " springs are rated the same so they would all last about the same
400 labor, :shock:

of course New York area etc I've heard 650-700
And to think what we do it for here :roll:

Front end only I guess.

I can do the rears in my driveway with jack stands.

Not real thrilled with the idea of doing the fronts on jack stands in 20 degree weather. :roll:

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:22 pm

My garage is about 65 or so degrees
but 125 miles north of ya!
Plenty of spiked hot chocolate :wink:

Katmandu · **Posted:** Thu Nov 14, 2013 4:34 pm

tommudd wrote:

My garage is about 65 or so degrees
but 125 miles north of ya!
Plenty of spiked hot chocolate :wink:

Cool! What would you charge to install the springs/struts/shocks ?

Just remembered....I do have access to an inside lift at WPAFB. Part of my Retired military benefits. I keep forgetting about that since it's 30 miles away.

PM or Email me ....... Labrat0116(AT)gmail.com

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:19 pm

tommudd wrote:

My garage is about 65 or so degrees
but 125 miles north of ya!
Plenty of spiked hot chocolate :wink:

I'd be at your doorstep right now if you lived that close to me and I had a problem. :ROTFL:

Katmandu · **Posted:** Sat Nov 16, 2013 2:27 pm

Ok, went ahead and did some more tests before I leave for work this afternoon.

1) Vibration noticeable from 60-90 MPH. Most pronounced between 70-75 MPH.
2) Shifting into Neutral between 60-90 MPH doesn't change a thing.
3) Shifting in/out of 4WD at any speed doesn't change a thing.

Jacked the front wheels off the ground

1) Grabbing wheels and shaking, pulling, yanking shows no looseness in the wheel bearings,

2) Grabbing the wheel and rocking (the steering) side to side shows a significant amount of play in the rack and pinion! Rocking it real slow, the play is not significant, but when forcing it quickly side to side does show a very significant amount of play.

Keep in mind, this vehicle only has 8,000 miles and has been vibrating for at least 1/2 that mileage. Yes, we were fighting tire/balancing issues that whole time. NOT thinking components could be defective and/or worn out.

What is considered "normal" when testing the rack and pinion and/or inner tie rods ?

Katmandu · **Posted:** Sun Nov 17, 2013 11:38 pm

Stopped by the dealership's used cars and took measurements of the (2) Libs in stock.

1) 2011 w/43k....... 18 1/2" from center of hub to bottom of wheel lip

2) 2012 w/32k........ 18 1/4" " "

3) Mine w/8k.......... 17 7/8" " "

Both Libs had firmer struts (bumper push-down test) than mine

Katmandu · **Posted:** Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:32 pm

I just got back from the dealership. 90-95% of the vibration is gone. They claim the simply rebalanced the wheels and the vibration was gone. :rolleyes:

I did explain that we are on our 3rd set of tires and we did the rebalancing rotating thing multiple times and it did NOT take of the vibration.

I also told them about the front end bouncing and that it sits 3/4" lower in the front than the 2 Libs on their lot.

They DID replace (under warranty) both front struts though. :smileup:

The ride and handling has improved immensely! Much better than when we drove it off the lot new! I also remeasured the front end and it now sits up at 18 1/2"! Raised it up almost 3/4"!

I believe the struts were defective from the get go.

Strut/Shock Recommendations ?

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