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View Full Version : Very frustrated; advice sought

incocknito
07-31-2003, 03:35 AM
When I bought my 91 GW it rode really rough. Lots of bumps and bangs front and back. To date I have replaced:

1. tires
2. shocks
3. springs (ESPO stock)
4. shackles and spring bushings
5. wheel bearings (front and rear)
6. tie rod
7. drag link
8. ball joints
9. stabilizer bar bushings
10.steering damper
11.front axle u-joints

After #'s 6,7 and 8 I had a full alignment and the specs are OK for toe in, camber and castor.

After all this, the thing doesn't ride any better than before. I was meticulous with each installation and with this site and a Hayne's manual, I am sure that all components were installed properly. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
joe
07-31-2003, 03:42 AM
How are the body mounts? I've seen rigs with worn out mounts and rusted through mount bolts where the body is literally just sitting/floating on the frame. Yup lotsa bad jolts, groans, bangs etc also.
incocknito
07-31-2003, 03:46 AM
Body mounts appear to be OK. They are all intact and while the rubber is cracked in places, it doesn't flake or peel anywhere.
billyrb
07-31-2003, 03:47 AM
Eddie, what kind of shocks did you buy? Also, with new springs, they need to be stressed a few good times before the "settle in", giving the normal smooth ride. Also, as Joe mentions, body mounts make a huge difference.
incocknito
07-31-2003, 04:00 AM
Shocks are Monroe LT in the rear and Napa "somethings" in the front. The springs are ESPO stock height and they have been in since November of last year. I assume that whatever settling occurs would have happened by now.
LRRH
07-31-2003, 04:10 AM
the names Monroe and NAPA don't instill a lot of confidence to me.

The best riding shock you can buy is Old Man Emu. Not sure if this would make the difference....
Max Power
07-31-2003, 04:26 AM
how 'bout the motor mounts/front shock mnounts and the t-case/tranny mounts??
Bridge
07-31-2003, 04:41 AM
Just yesterday I finally achieved satisfaction after going through the same process as you. Turns out that my U-Joints were out of phase (not on the same plane - check archives). Yep, I could look and tell that they were off, but wasn't sure about the whole "balanced driveshaft/U-joint alignment" subject or how much credence to give to it.

The driveshaft was "one spline off". Took it apart, rotated one spline, and what a difference.
incocknito
07-31-2003, 05:15 AM
LRRH, thanks for the input. I might try some other shocks.

Colonel Angus - the motor mounts are fine and I replaced the tranny mount. I haven't checked the shock bushings. I'll do that.

Sounds like body mounts are the likely culprit.
PhilSine
07-31-2003, 05:53 AM
Originally posted by incocknito:
Body mounts appear to be OK. They are all intact and while the rubber is cracked in places, it doesn't flake or peel anywhere.Don't go by appearance alone. Even though the body mounts may look good they may still be compressed and lending themselves to your rough ride.

Go with a nice Rancho shock too.
DieselSJ
07-31-2003, 07:11 PM
Originally posted by PhilSine:

Go with a nice Rancho shock too.Forget Ranchos, they are way stiff when compared to some of the other brands. I swapped a set of RS5000's for some ProComp ES3000's on my CJ and it made a huge improvement in the ride quality. I had also used RS9000's on my XJ and had to keep them on their softest setting and they were still way too stiff. I agree with LRRH about the OME's.