Clearing the pockets

LI_KJ · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:54 pm

I wish I knew about clearing the a-arm pockets before installing the 4.5s! Getting a nice bang on full droop on the bottom of the pockets. I'm concerned about the knicks the arms have recieved as far as weakening the metal tube. I find it strange that there is no mention of this issue on the website or the literature that came with the arms. It would be great if I could hit the pockets with a dremel or grinder with out taking the arms out. Living in NYC makes working on the jeep a bit of a task and I'm afraid I won't be able to get out to a proper driveway or garage to take the arms off before I really do a number on the tubes. Have y'all been able to grind the pocket bottoms w/o taking the arms off? It looks doable with a dremel and some finnesse? Thoughts and advice is appreciated. And I'm really loving the new suspension feel after 1000miles on the lift. Also how long till the front springs/spacers stop creaking so darn much. Sounds like a bad mattress in there. I guess this Liberty lifting thing is a learning game for me. And I sure am learning through the use of this forum.

LI_KJ · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:05 pm

Yeah. I just saw this information on the JBA page after the fact and hearing that lovely bang! I guess it's
just not advertised that the pockets should be cleared. Thanks for the response. I will try it out this weekend.

tonycrd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:56 pm

I have done it with the arms in place and Dremel tool. You do need to loosen the UBJ though, so you can lift the arm up to the max.

03Cactus · **Joined:** Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:03 pm **Posts:** 49

LI_KJ wrote:

I wish I knew about clearing the a-arm pockets before installing the 4.5s! Getting a nice bang on full droop on the bottom of the pockets. I'm concerned about the knicks the arms have recieved as far as weakening the metal tube. I find it strange that there is no mention of this issue on the website or the literature that came with the arms. It would be great if I could hit the pockets with a dremel or grinder with out taking the arms out. Living in NYC makes working on the jeep a bit of a task and I'm afraid I won't be able to get out to a proper driveway or garage to take the arms off before I really do a number on the tubes. Have y'all been able to grind the pocket bottoms w/o taking the arms off? It looks doable with a dremel and some finnesse? Thoughts and advice is appreciated. And I'm really loving the new suspension feel after 1000miles on the lift. Also how long till the front springs/spacers stop creaking so darn much. Sounds like a bad mattress in there. I guess this Liberty lifting thing is a learning game for me. And I sure am learning through the use of this forum.

I trimmed the A-arm pockets without doing anything. I was just careful with the dremel and took my time.

The creaking is annoying me as well. I have about 2000 miles on my lift and still have the creaking. It is getting better but is still there. I have heard quite a few folks talk about these creaks and noises on this forum. Its unfortunate that the frankenlift comes pre-assembled and they don't take the proper care to lube both sides of the spacer to ensure the noises arent there. I was gone when the lift got installed on mine and was pretty upset at the creaks that come from the Frankenlift mainly because the premeium price of this lift and the instructions don't mention lubing anything. When i get some time i plan to take my lift apart and take care of the problem.

Something else to mention is that my brake lines rub the bottom of the clevis when i have my wheels turned at full lock. I am going to have my brake lines extended here shortly.

My Jeep is an '03.

Good luck.

LI_KJ · **Posted:** Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:05 pm

I feel like that the creaks and squeaks is more from the springs settling into the spacers than lubrication. I tried hitting them with some lithium, but of course they sound the same. I've never lifted a vehicle so I wasn't sure how it's supposed to "sound". After a good run offroad and flexxing it out the creaks became less, but I figure it's something ya gotta live with when altering a vehicle like this.

03Cactus · **Joined:** Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:03 pm **Posts:** 49

LI_KJ wrote:

I feel like that the creaks and squeaks is more from the springs settling into the spacers than lubrication. I tried hitting them with some lithium, but of course they sound the same. I've never lifted a vehicle so I wasn't sure how it's supposed to "sound". After a good run offroad and flexxing it out the creaks became less, but I figure it's something ya gotta live with when altering a vehicle like this.

The reason i mentioned it as lubing the poly spacer is that was what was suggested to me as a comparison was made between my KJ Lift and my wife's JK lift during a meet about a month ago. I know a comparison between the two is not exactly the best comparison to make but both lifts are OME and the major difference between the two was the amount of lube/grease on the spring side of the poly spacer on my wife's JK and the lack of noise where my lift was completely dry and squeaks, creaks, and as you put it, sounds like an old mattress.

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:22 pm

Dont recall, but before you cut them, I think TJKJ had to re build someones pockets due to excessive axel drop if I re call correctly. Maybe he will chime in.

LI_KJ · **Posted:** Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:05 am

Yeah I've read that thread already and I was concerned about CV binding if the droop is too severe. I think the thread was about a larger lift than the Franky though. I don't think it's good to have the arm banging the edge of the pocket to bend it back. After a search it seems like many have cut the pockets without other problems from too much droop.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:58 am

I’m not making a recommendation, but there are several of us (included tjkj2002) who have not grinded our pockets and let the natural wear and tear form new pockets. After awhile, you wont have the problem. :lol:

1996xj · **Posted:** Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:58 am

03CACTUS, Im sorry but the frankinlift I installed on Towstaps KJ was poorly designed and put together !!! The upper plate where the two poly bushings come together are not able to keep the strut shaft from contacting the upper strut plate causing noise . Also the poly spring insulator's seem to have a noise issue aswell, I tried lubing up the poly insulators and the noise became worse ! I tried adjusting the upper poly bushing's and tighting the strut nut, still poping and creeking. Also the front end sat over an inch higher than should of been and would not settle ! even after weeks of driving and some off roading trying to settle it .

I was told it will settle you just have to hit a lot of bumps and wheel it hard to get it to settle! NO ! I don't think a new set of springs should settle over and inch, and I don't believe you should have to beat the hell out of you'r jeep, just to get your suspension to settle! As much money as this lift cost this should been addresed and resolved before being sold to the public !!!!! :evil:

I ended up tearing the front end apart and installing the 927 OME spings along with the RSX stuts and factory insulator's and mounts. Also installed two clevis rings per strut and the noise's went away and the jeep sits right and handles like a dream !!! :wink:

Bend you'r brake line on your calipar towards the the calipar and it should give you more clearnce.

stevewashko · **Posted:** Sun Nov 15, 2009 1:28 pm

I have had my new suspension for about 3000 miles with no problems...have the jba 4.5 arms with ome shocks and springs, right after install of suspensions and tires the right front arm would come into contact with the top of the pocket...caused a nick in the a arm...pockets had been grinded down prior but still had minor contact during minimal packing, ie speed bumps, pot holes, etc...this occurred for about a week until i was able to get up to Rausch Creek for a trail ride. Since then my arms settled right in to form their own pockets....there is zero contact anymore during daily driving and the stock bump stop is doing its job.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:07 am

stevewashko wrote:

I have had my new suspension for about 3000 miles with no problems...have the jba 4.5 arms with ome shocks and springs, right after install of suspensions and tires the right front arm would come into contact with the top of the pocket...caused a nick in the a arm...pockets had been grinded down prior but still had minor contact during minimal packing, ie speed bumps, pot holes, etc...this occurred for about a week until i was able to get up to Rausch Creek for a trail ride. Since then my arms settled right in to form their own pockets....there is zero contact anymore during daily driving and the stock bump stop is doing its job.

Do you have a pic of your pockets?

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:08 am

I cut my pockets out when I installed the 4.5 arms over 35,000 miles ago now and no problems, cut as much as I could from the lower and upper part. No nicks in the arms or any propblems :wink:

stevewashko · **Posted:** Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:04 pm

Do you have a pic of your pockets?[/quote]

This is right after install with a little grinding on the bottom...i will take a few new ones tomorrow showing where i was getting contact and where I opened up more.

dirt pig · **Posted:** Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:53 am

Are you sure it's not the Stabilizer bar?

If the front stabilizer bar is not torqued tight enough, you can get the same symptoms.

Clearing the pockets

Who is online