ESPO Spring Problems

[C. Poole]

I ordered new leaf springs from ESPO for my 1988 Grand Wagoneer since the back was sagging - NOW, the front sits up even higher than the back. Doesn't look good at all!!!!!!

I bought new rubber bushings, U-Bolts, and bushing bolts - spent $550. I trust the mehanic - great 4-wheel drive guy - he was just as disappointed as me.

What gives? Has anyone installed a complete leaf spring set (all four corners)? I am going to call ESPO tomorrow morning, but was hoping I could find out something to calm me down in the meantime.

Thanks,

Craig

[C. Poole]

I wante to make clear that I replaced the leaf springs at all four corners.

Craig

[Bob Barry]

Hmm, I left the old rear main in when I did my 2" ESPO springs, but I was suspecting that the rear wasn't given as much arch as the front. Interestingly, however, when I measured front-to-back at a determinate point on the body (i.e. top of rocker, crease at top of door), the truck did measure level or within a 1/4", even though it looked like it was drooping out back.

Because of the small rear wheelwells, anything other than a slight forward rake looks like the rear is sagging. I solved the "problem" by adding a 2" rear block, so now it looks JUST right. smile.gif

[YAKFSHR]

i just put mine on 2 weeks ago and i feel the same way. looks like the rear is lower than the front. i think the lines and wheel wells in the back make it look that way. i'm going with the 2" lift blocks in the back to raise it a little more. at least you didn't get the poly bushings. i hate them noisy suckers.

[C. Poole]

I can tell that the front is higher than the back by looking at the roofline - about a 10 degree slope towards the back. You can also feel the angle in the driver's seat. Spend $550 on the parts and $200 on the install and it looks worse than it did before!

However, it does ride better - the body does not "roll" side to side as much.

Craig

[talntar]

i did 2" lift with espo and it looks great. thers even a slight forward rake/it might be that the front springs are a 7 leaf and need some time to settle.i went with the poly bushings and have no noise,you have to make sure you use the lube that comes with poly or it will be noisy.spent over a grand with them and have no complaints whatsoever.

[Bob Barry]

I checked; the roofline does get closer to the waistline as it goes toward the back. It's just the way Jeep designed it, with a slight downward curve to the drip-rail. I didn't believe it until I measured it myself.

[Heimeken]

I'm in the market for new springs and was really considering the ESPOs. Does anyone have pics of the 2 inch springs installed. I want to see the arch on the springs with the full weight on there.

[Tony Rio]

I am in the same position, looking towards espo for 4 new springs for my '87.

Is it possible to go with 2" springs in the rear, and 1" in the front to give it the forward rake?

[talntar]

i will try and get some pics of my 2" on this afternoon. they have been on for about 6 months

[talntar]

heres some pics of the springs side (http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/talntar/PB050252.jpg) front (http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/talntar/PB050253.jpg) rear (http://www.fullsizejeeps.com/jeeps/files/talntar/PB050254.jpg)

[YAKFSHR]

'm hapy with my espo springs but for the price of the springs and the poly bushing i could have gone with a 4" skyjacker lift but i didn't want that much at the time. hindsight, grrrrrrr

[C. Poole]

I drove the Jeep for a while last night. The front springs have indeed sat down a little more. However, the front still sits higher than the back. I called ESPO and verified that I had the correct part numbers. They said the springs were original equipment replacements and perhaps my Grand Wagoneer is heavier in the back than others - not too sure about that one. They were willing to re-arch the rear springs - if I sent them back. The mechanic suggested I add a leaf to the rear springs - he also said that would help get the lower spring further up off the "helper" spring (the short, thick spring that handles overload situations). I think I may pursue this rather than adding a lift block in the rear.

Thanks for the replies!

Craig

[talntar]

drive it some more and see what happens.loosen all bolts{shackel and spring}with the wieght on it and jump on the bumper,they may be binding,and then re tighten,then see what it looks like.

[Peter Matusov]

Craig, there's nothing wrong with a 1" lift block in the rear.
there's nothing very wrong with a 3" lift block in the rear, either.

peter

[Heimeken]

talntar, thanks for the pics, that looks good good me. I can see that the front ones look pretty much like the original thickness and 7 leafs = smooth ride.

[talntar]

i have the poly bushings as well.does stiffen it up a bit.and the coil overs while great for camping are pretty stiff when empty.but i can load it up with gear four 5 to go camping for 3 or 4 days without a problem.