Tranny Problem? Please help

[timbow]

I just put a 2" suspension lift on my 02 Wrangler. My tires are GF 31x10.5.

After the lift was put on I noticed a strong torque or shiffitng feeling on quick acceleration from a dead stop. It is coming from the back of the jeep.

Is this normal? Or Do I have a problem that can be easily fixed?

Thanks

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by timbow

I just put a 2" suspension lift on my 02 Wrangler. My tires are GF 31x10.5.

After the lift was put on I noticed a strong torque or shiffitng feeling on quick acceleration from a dead stop. It is coming from the back of the jeep.

Is this normal? Or Do I have a problem that can be easily fixed?

Thanks

Im not clear on what "strong torque or shifting feeling" is. Is it possible that what you are feeling is a vibration or shaking when you accelerate? That is often a side effect of lifting. My wifes 99 has 2" of lift and has a slight shake when starting off. I havent bothered to fix it as its barely noticable and hasnt hurt anything. If this is what you are talking about, Id say its fairly common after lifting. Depending on what drivetrain you have, even with a small lift, the driveline angles can be changed enough to cause vibes.
If its an actual "shifting" of the rear axle, thats not common and should be addressed.

Is the lift a spacer lift or does it have new springs?
Do you have a trackbar relocation bracket in the back?
Why do you think its a tranny problem?

[timbow]

Yes its a vibration shaking feel....my lift has both spacers and shocks. I've been researching it and it appears I might need to drop my tranny a bit to take it away. If I do it the cheap way with washers and new bolts...will I have any shifter problems? Its an automatic.

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by timbow

Yes its a vibration shaking feel....my lift has both spacers and shocks. I've been researching it and it appears I might need to drop my tranny a bit to take it away. If I do it the cheap way with washers and new bolts...will I have any shifter problems? Its an automatic.

As I figured. I should have asked if you had an automatic, they seem to be more particular when lifted than the manuals do. You should be able to drop the tranny a little, no more than 1", and not have any problems with anything. I would recommend starting off with 1/2". That should take care of it. Whats happened is that youve changed the pinion angle, its pointed upwards more. You need to change the transfer case output shaft angle to match so they are parrallel, point it downwards more. There are other solutions that are better but also more expensive such as a slip yoke eliminator and CV driveshaft or adjustable control arms. There is also a concentric kit you can get for the upper control arm bolts that allows for some pinion angle adjustment. I dont know too much about them. The most common, and cheapest, fix is a t-case drop.

[timbow]

Ray....Thanks for the info. I am gonna try the t-case drop. I'm hoping it won't take much like you said 1/2 to 1".

Thanks again
Tim

[csparks78]

Originally Posted by Ray H

My wifes 99 has 2" of lift and has a slight shake when starting off. I havent bothered to fix it as its barely noticable and hasnt hurt anything. If this is what you are talking about, Id say its fairly common after lifting.

Hey I got my lift in - the 2" spacers, and I was going to ask you (because I remembered this post) I also have a slight slight vibration, and I was wondering if this is something that needs addressed or if I will be ok to leave it alone. By reading this it looks like I'll be ok but just thought I would double check. Its not going to weaken anything or make something wear out quicker?

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by csparks78

Hey I got my lift in - the 2" spacers, and I was going to ask you (because I remembered this post) I also have a slight slight vibration, and I was wondering if this is something that needs addressed or if I will be ok to leave it alone. By reading this it looks like I'll be ok but just thought I would double check. Its not going to weaken anything or make something wear out quicker?

My wife has been driving her 99 TJ w/auto and 2" lift for over 70000 miles with a slight shake during acceleration from a stop with no issues. It doesnt shake at all while driving, just when taking off from a stop.
The only problem this may cause is a leaky pinion or output shaft seal from the shaking driveshaft. Those tend to leak on Jeeps anyway so theres really no telling if the shakes are the cause or not. I would say that if its not bad enough to bother you, its probably not going to hurt anything. If you feel like it, you could put new ujoints in the rear driveshaft. Ujoints can develop a wear pattern over time. When you lift, you change their pattern. This could be the cause of some vibes. New joints may help this some.

How did the spacer install go?

[csparks78]

Ok cool I'm not going to worry about it, and its exactly the same - only on acceleration 1st. and a little in 2nd. then its fine.

The install went pretty good I rented compressors for the springs and I didn't need them on the back 2 but I did on the front I had a hell of a time with the drivers side front but I got it in, looks good. I'm going to get 31's by the end of the week.

I actually had another question while we are on the subject - The rear bump-stop cup is 2", and the spacer is about 2 1/4 with the little flange thing the spring sits around. When I tightened the bump-stop cup down it squished the flange thing down, is this normal or did I do something wrong. It to me doesn't look safe, but I asked a couple people and they said I have nothing to worry about. What was your experience?

[Ray H]

Hmmm! Im not sure what flange you are talking about. You have a rubber isolator, and the spacer (doesnt really matter which goes on first, then the cup bolts up in the middle, then the rubber bump stop goes in. Could it be that plastic liner thingy that is between the rubber isolator and the top spring seat that you are talking about? If it is, I dont think that thing is even needed. Best thing I can see that is for is to keep the rubber isolator from sqeaking against the metal of the spring seat.
I cant recall, maybe that plastic liner is at the bottom. Is that what you are talking about?

[csparks78]

I say "flange" for lack of better words but on the spacer it has an indented side and a raised side, the raised side is the one I'm calling a flange. Go to http://www.rocky-road.com/jeepbudget.html for reference to what I'm talking about, you can see it in the picture. You gave me a good idea though I could just remove the stock insulator on the spring cup thing and that would give me the extra room to tighten it down. The bump-stop cup doesn't add security for the spring popping out does it, I don't know it just doesn't look right.