Are OME rear springs directional, i.e. top & bottom?

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2014 2:54 am

So this may be a stupid question but are the rear OME springs directional? Meaning is there a top and a bottom & how do you tell? I'm getting some rear suspension noise at slow speed bumps, mostly the passenger side. I thought it might have been the sway links but with the sway bar disconnected I'm still getting it. If they are directional I think I may have one or both installed incorrectly. I bought them 2nd hand so they had no directions. Just wanted to be sure before tearing apart the rear suspension again. Thanks in advance.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2014 8:12 pm

I posted a picture in the thread you asked this in originially. Buying lift products...

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:49 pm

Yeah I saw that but I can't really discern any details about the springs & their orientation on the perches from it.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Mon Jul 28, 2014 10:23 pm

My bad, I thought you were talking about the shocks the whole time.

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Tue Jul 29, 2014 7:00 pm

No worries, I'm running Iron man long travel shocks in the rear anyways.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:11 pm

I've never heard this question before.
Are you positive it's coming from the outside of the Jeep?

Scar0 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:57 am

Loose shock bolt maybe?

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Wed Jul 30, 2014 4:37 am

Well I went ahead and answered my own question... No the springs are not directional. The end loop of springs measure the same diameter on each end but I did find a slight issue that I'm not sure what the fix is. It appears the top loop of the spring is rubbing on one of the coils. I've tried re-clocking the spring but to no avail. Here is what it looks like, any ideas?

I thought it may have been a loose shock bolt but everything is nice and tight with no movement there.

Scar0 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 30, 2014 6:11 am

Boy, that is a tough one.
The only thing that comes to mind would be to block it some way. ie stick something inside the two coils to prevent the lower coil from crossing the upper coil on compression. Something like this )¯( , rotated and clamped to the springs.

Edit: Found this Pic.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:51 am

That's a great post by ScarO. Also, Are you positive that the marks weren't already there?
I don't doubt you, but something to consider.
Do you know the part numbers on the springs? The last guy that had problems with his springs turned out to be using KJ springs instead which apparently was causing some issues.

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

Just from my experience with those blocks that Scar0 posted, they create a pressure. On the springs. I wouldn't use them fix it right and you can be done with it.

Sent with the power of children's screams!!!

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:11 pm

I agree with Gage. Make sure they're KK springs. Where did you buy them? jeepin by al? If so try shooting him an email and see what he says.

Scar0 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:10 am

In a perfect world, you should replace the spring if it is making contact, and I know the spacer is not the proper way to fix the issue, but very seldom do we live in a perfect world...
If my memory serves me correct, the KJ rear springs are larger on the bottom then the top.
The KK springs are the same diameter on both ends like toy4everyseason posted above. If the used springs were for a KK to start with, then they should be fine. That is unless they were abused by the previous owner and are failing.

toy4everyseason · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:32 am

They're KK springs OME 2731 on the box & 731 marked on the springs. While I can't 100% say that the mark wasn't there before, I've since painted the bare metal spot & will go for a bumpy ride to see if it rubs the paint off again. These were bought 2nd hand from another LOST member.

Update:
I hit the bumpy roads & see no contact... I'm stumped, oh well, time to turn the radio up & forget about it. :banghead:

Scar0 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 01, 2014 2:43 am

That is good news in a way. At least you know what it is not.
Try laying under the rig and have a friend bounce the bumper. Maybe it can be heard/felt.

Are OME rear springs directional, i.e. top & bottom?

Who is online