suspension help--how to get the smoothest ride?

[chrisl757]

The suspension on my 1996 Jeep Cherokee (4.0L 2wd, 172K) is making the ride almost unbearably bouncy/jerky.

1. Leaf springs (suspect they are original) are sagging and the rear is low. I suspect that they need to be replaced or another leaf added.
2. The front end takes any bump pretty harshly. Shocks are 30K miles old. I don't know about the coils.

I don't need/want a lift, but I do want the smoothest ride that I can get out of this jeep. I don't plan on offroading.

I guess this means two things:
Replace shocks and leaf springs at the same time. Any suggestions on the cheapest way to do this, or if this is the best way to go at all?

[fredjacksonsan]

You can re-arc the rear and add a leaf. That would probably be the cheapest option, IF you can find a spring and alignment shop that can do the work.

There are also a LOT of replacement spring kits on the market; check out 4wd.com, quadratec.com, and others for a wide assortment of new stock height springs.

When you say the front end takes bumps badly, what do you mean? Does it shake and rattle, or thump heavily? What does it do?

[chrisl757]

as for the front end, there are two issues there. Maybe they are related, but I don't have enough knowledge of suspension to diagnose this:
First, when braking from 45+mph the steering wheel will "shimmy" shake. The harder I brake, the harder I shake--I suspect this is a brake rotor issue that is causing the shake because it only happens during braking.

Second, when I hit a bump the whole jeep gives the feeling of "bottoming out." I think you called it a heavy thump, and I feel it in the front and rear. The rear is almost certainly due to the leaf springs.

How much would I expect to pay a spring shop to add a leaf?

Thanks for your excellent advice

[fredjacksonsan]

Last time I had a leaf spring added, it was about $200, but it was years ago. You might be better off just getting a new set from a supplier, with new bushings and a new set of shocks, and that'll make your rear end much nicer.

The shimmy under braking definitely sounds like your front rotors; I'd go to a brake shop and have them turned (resurfaced). After 172K they need it.

As far as the front end thumping over bumps, you can have the alignment checked (does it pull left or right, either when driving or braking?) and also check to make sure that the shocks - you said 30K old - are tightly mounted. I once had a shock that was just a little loose that made a lot of racket.

[chrisl757]

Sir,
Thanks for the help again!
While riding to work today, I listened closely for a better description. The majority of the problem seems to be coming from the rear which is bouncy and does not absorb road shock well at all (sounds like every little bump is bottoming out the rear).

That being said, because the rear is so bad off, the front end may not have any problems. I guess I can fix the rear first and then see how the drive goes.

Do you have to replace the front suspension parts when you replace rear leafs?

This is a really stupid question, but are there shocks on the rear? I didn't see any on my 96 cherokee.

Also, when I get the rotors turned, do I need new brake pads too? Any idea on how much a rotor turn costs?

Thanks again. I am very excited to restore the ride to my Jeep.

[fredjacksonsan]

If the rear is THAT bad, I'd try to quit driving while waiting for the new parts. There should be some shocks on the rear, if there aren't, that's a large part of the problem! You can usually get overnight service for a lot of parts, if you're willing to pay the shipping costs.

Good idea to fix the rear first, then reevaluate. If there's nothing wrong with the front, then you won't have to do anything to it....although once you have the rear all "new" you may notice the front is a bit sloppy in comparison; but that's down the road a bit.

I recently had my rear rotors turned for $30 each(Grand Cherokee). You may or may not need new pads - but when having the rotors turned it's usually a good idea to replace the pads as well, especially on the front.

Sounds like you could take the Jeep to a shop, have them turn the front rotors and put on new pads while you're waiting for the springs to arrive and picking up a set of shocks. They might install the suspension parts for you, so in a couple days I imagine you'll be back on the road and lovin' life again.

[AlohaBra]

OK...Chris...your truck is...
1996 Jeep Cherokee (4.0L 2wd, 172K)

1. Put new pads and rotors on...about $125.00 that will rid the shake and wobble
2. don't worry about the coils...try new shocks..about 40 bucks if you have too much "bounce"...should bounce once over a bump
3. For rear sag...let's address that later...there are many solutions
4. FYI..I have the original spings on the back of my 97 and it sits way High...see avitar....it is actually higher now (with the spring clips removed..again talk later..).

[chrisl757]

Thanks,
Should I have the shocks installed, or is this something I can do myself?

I was riding in the Jeep yesterday, and wondered the exact same thing--should I go for the shocks first, and then the springs?

I have another question about which shocks to buy, but I should start up another thread on that...Thanks