I messed up my lift

[gmarblestone]

So, i am attempting to put on my 4 inch lift i bought used here. I was able to jack up the left side remove the springs and shocks. I then tried to put the new ones on... but i couldnt figure out how to line up the nipple on the top of the springs to the axle..... tell me the trick i am missing!

Here are some pics of the issues... pin is too far forward..

drivers side... bad!
http://lh6.google.com/image/gmarblestone/RgiG9Y7IDtI/AAAAAAAAAtg/BvikZA68V3M/s400/P1060032.JPG

Passenger's side... better.. still bad..
http://lh6.google.com/image/gmarblestone/RgiG_Y7IDuI/AAAAAAAAAto/aiQL4YIbxjg/s400/P1060034.JPG

passengers side again
http://lh6.google.com/image/gmarblestone/RgiG_Y7IDuI/AAAAAAAAAto/aiQL4YIbxjg/s400/P1060034.JPG

[j20brett]

On the side where the pin is too far forward...flip the spring around and it should fit. Edit: Measure the distances to the front of the perches to make sure the axle hasnt moved first. Another way to tell if the springs are backwards is that the driveshaft will no longer fit.

And i would try loosening the ubolts and rotating the axle until the perches fit flat to the spring.

[KaiserMan]

Just loosen the u-bolts up and play around with the axle until you get the spring pin heads to fit into the perches. Lift it up, rotate it, move it from side to side, what ever it takes to make a one side drop into place. Once one side is set right tighten the u-bolts up enough so it won't move and do the other side. Small pry bar may help. Just takes patience.

[Tad]

All of the above suggestions will help, one more here:
Use a small floor/bottle jack under the output on the front diff.
Use it for a little leverage so you are not try to muscle the entire assembly by hand.

[gmarblestone]

Thanks guys... i will try that... I dont know why i wasnt trying to move the axle.... I was just trying to move the springs... and man was that a PITA!

I will try tonight... but i have to get a compressor... cuz by hand is very annoying once you have tasted the easy life!

Grant

[Headhoncho]

I've used a come-along with great results. Alot has to do with how you're supporting the vehicle too. If it's too far off make sure both springs are facing the right direction although that's hard to mess up. Small bushing to the front and large to the rear.


JR

[gmarblestone]

I paid great attention to the spring direction to make sure i didnt mess that up.. i am off by less than an inch on both. I think my problem was trying to move the springs instead of the axle. And the come-along or racheting system would probably work really well.... Maybe i will just tie the axel to my truck and revers the jeep until it lines up? Too dangerous?

Grant

I've used a come-along with great results. Alot has to do with how you're supporting the vehicle too. If it's too far off make sure both springs are facing the right direction although that's hard to mess up. Small bushing to the front and large to the rear.


JR

[KaiserMan]

Maybe i will just tie the axel to my truck and revers the jeep until it lines up? Too dangerous?

I wouldn't try that.

Just man handle it. Really, it will move pretty easily.

[customcj7]

I would take the spring plates and ubolts off completely. Detatch the sway bars too if you have to. That way things will be easier to move around. I just took mine off!:thumbsup:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/nhodierne/MVC-005S.jpg

[gmarblestone]

Ok...

So loosen the nuts on both sides and move the axle into place on one side using prybar or something... then repeat on other side... I dont have to jack anything up or down right?

Thanks,
Grant

I wouldn't try that.

Just man handle it. Really, it will move pretty easily.

[srobertsfsj]

Do you have the driveshaft unbolted from the diff? I found it helps alot when trying to move the axle.

[gmarblestone]

No i didnt remove it... i was hoping it wouldnt be an issue.. but i can if i need to...
Thanks for the suggestion!
G

Do you have the driveshaft unbolted from the diff? I found it helps alot when trying to move the axle.

[srobertsfsj]

You dont need to remove the whole driveshaft, just unbolt it on the diff side. Should just take a few minutes. Keeps the axle from rotating when jacking it up or down.

No i didnt remove it... i was hoping it wouldnt be an issue.. but i can if i need to...
Thanks for the suggestion!
G

[gmarblestone]

So...

Finally got it....
Tried to remove rear bolt and then the pin fit... But then I couldn't get it back... So I finally undid the whole thing and put it back and it fit....

Thanks for yalls help... Now the rear......

I hear its harder

Grant

[j20brett]

So...
Now the rear......

I hear its harder

Grant

haha...yessss...gotta drop the tank. fun stuff right?:D

[gmarblestone]

HOPE i dont have to drop the tank... just the skid plate, but we will see! At least thats how stacey did it on trucks!

Grant

[FSJeeper]

HOPE i dont have to drop the tank... just the skid plate, but we will see! At least thats how stacey did it on trucks!

Grant

The last Cherokee I swapped the rear springs on I had to drop the tank.

[gmarblestone]

CRUD!!!

The last Cherokee I swapped the rear springs on I had to drop the tank.

[Lazarus]

if you do have to drop the tank or move the skid plate, you should weld the nut back to the frame before unbolting the spring so you wount ever have to deal with it again...

[janie]

Grant,

We've done 3 suspension lifts in this household and did manage all of them without dropping the gas tank. Be patient and take your time. It is a tight squeeze but do-able.

[HeyNels]

The tank is strapped to the skid plate. However, you can get away with dropping everything just a few inches, and not actually disconnect the tank hoses, wires, etc. Just try to make sure the tank is pretty empty before you start moving it around.

[gmarblestone]

I hope so! I have little girl hands so hopefully i will be able to pull it off without pulling it off! I just filled the dang thing too!

Grant

Grant,

We've done 3 suspension lifts in this household and did manage all of them without dropping the gas tank. Be patient and take your time. It is a tight squeeze but do-able.

[krek]

I just filled the dang thing too!
Just drive it around the block, that ought to pretty much empty it. :D

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Just drive it around the block, that ought to pretty much empty it. :D

Or let it idle in the driveway for about an hour...:rolleyes:

[BLiP]

No joke Heavy Metal If I even think about starting mine I have to refil my tank lol.

[gmarblestone]

For the rear passenger side i had to undo the e-brake line bracket to get an extra inch of rearward travel... Is this normal?

Thanks,

Grant