Leaf spring replacement?

[joe8918]

Thanks your input. That's what I was told by a guy who's pretty knowledgeable. Quadratec tech also said the same thing.

[AlohaBra]

Here is something else you might be interested in....to extend you shocks a little and the make the top mount sturdier.

http://www.rocky-road.com/xjbarpin.html

[wagonbldr]

Found this website that had a good cheap option for a 4" lift. www.lunghd.com

[joe8918]

Please bear with me...I'm almost done with this topic. I have the parts from Quadratec and need to understand something.

1.) The leaf springs come without the bushings installed. Is there any difficultly that I will experience with putting them in? I was helping my dad with some bushings for a inner tie rod on Saturday and that was a little bit of a challenge. Any tricks? We used a bolt and washers and nut to draw the bushing in. Anything easier?

2.) I heard that the front bushing attachment fastener is something you definately do not want to break because it's a weld nut with no access if it breaks. I live in MI so we have a good amout of rust possible. Should I just drench it with PB Blaster? If it breaks what do I do besides freak out?

3.) (Non-Jeep related but still a question that you experts might know) I just got a few muffler and when they installed it the bend is in such a way under the current limp spring that when the new one is on it will definately hit the tail pipe. Is there any trick I can do with heating up the muffler and kind of bend it myself? I'm assuming no but I'm just trying to save some bucks if I can. Please advise. I do not have easy access to an aceltelyne torch or anything to really put direct heat on it other than a blow torch. Plus it's really close to the gas tank so I don't want to risk a "thermal event". Please advise.

Thanks for your support so far.

-Joe

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by joe8918

Please bear with me...I'm almost done with this topic. I have the parts from Quadratec and need to understand something.

1.) The leaf springs come without the bushings installed. Is there any difficultly that I will experience with putting them in? I was helping my dad with some bushings for a inner tie rod on Saturday and that was a little bit of a challenge. Any tricks? We used a bolt and washers and nut to draw the bushing in. Anything easier?

The bushings should be tight. I use a bench vice and assorted sockets to squeeze them in. Grease them up, they will go much easier.

Originally Posted by joe8918

2.) I heard that the front bushing attachment fastener is something you definately do not want to break because it's a weld nut with no access if it breaks. I live in MI so we have a good amout of rust possible. Should I just drench it with PB Blaster? If it breaks what do I do besides freak out??

Just dont break it. Thats the best advice. I think I would steer clear of air tools while trying to remove them. By hand you have alot better feel for what is going on. I have confidence you wont break them so Im not going to the trouble of looking up a writeup to fix it yet.

Originally Posted by joe8918

3.) (Non-Jeep related but still a question that you experts might know) I just got a few muffler and when they installed it the bend is in such a way under the current limp spring that when the new one is on it will definately hit the tail pipe. Is there any trick I can do with heating up the muffler and kind of bend it myself? I'm assuming no but I'm just trying to save some bucks if I can. Please advise. I do not have easy access to an aceltelyne torch or anything to really put direct heat on it other than a blow torch. Plus it's really close to the gas tank so I don't want to risk a "thermal event". Please advise.

Thanks for your support so far.


-Joe

Youve got a metal tank, as opposed to the newer plastic tanks, so I wouldnt worry about melting the tank and exploding. Just kick and push until the exhaust clears everything. If that doesnt work, take it to someone with a torch. Shouldnt take them more than a few minutes to get it done.

[AlohaBra]

On the exhaust clearance..where is it going to hit?

You could move the hanger over or flip it. Or you can cut it off with a cutoff tool and clamp a new one in place. Or even the same one...you can take it to a muffler shop and they have a spreading tool to make it a larger diameter so that it will slip over the old part.