issues with RE 4.5 lift pack

[Zombie]

so I have found a interesting issue trying to replace the rear springs in the back of the jeep the other day.
for one, they were a pain to actually get in as they were much shorter, so getting the shackle on was fun to say the least.

secondly they gave way more lift than I had expected, something like 6 inches or slightly more(I plan on actually getting a specific measurement but it was about 3-4 inches higher than I had wanted)

I had a 3 or so inch aal and a 2 inch block in the back that I was replacing.
I figured it would have a little sag in the back so the 4.5 would be ok. way wrong so far.

and last but most annoying, I can not get the drive shaft in now because the rear axle is much farther forward than what it should be(the shocks look as if they are leaning forward now), so the drive shaft is too long.
when the drive shaft in as far in to the tcase it is still about an 1/8th of an inch too long.


arg!!!

I would assume this is not a normal thing.

[vantagetes]

Ok to start off with, did you go to a Slip Yoke Eleminator and CV driveshaft?

You replaced the springs and shackles with those supplied with the kit? Do you have the leaf springs the right way around (look at photo 3, the larger bushing goes to the frame and the smaller one connects to the shackle).

Did you reconnect the rear swaybar?

[cLAY]

Yep, sounds like you got one or both of the springs in backwards. The "center pin" is not actually centered on the XJ leaf packs.

[apeman]

odd cuz your drive shaft should be too short and cause problems?  just be rid of those hokey lift blocks and see if you maybe have your leafs in backwards..

[Zombie]

they are in the right way, no lift blocks are in. and no i didn't go with the SYE, I didn't think that I would of had to with the lift that the jeep had allready it was not too bad and everything fit fine.

I took the sway bar off in hopes to have some better flex in the rear.

I took a quick measurement and it looks like it had given me about 6.25 inches of lift over stock wit about 200 pounds of stuff still in the back.


right now dues to the huge lift, I can't even get the jeep out of the garage without taking the roof rack off(or dropping the tires down.)

I am so lucky that the inlaws do not mind me having the jeep in their garage.

[hps4evr]

did you check the part number on the leaf packs, or can you still check it? they usually have them on the pack some where. match it up to be sure you got what you ordered.

[Zombie]

I think I did get the right part.
I was just very suprised that I was having issues and that they lifted it so high. I really didn't want it to be that high as I can't drive it like that.

I was expecting to see a lift as what it was supposed to be, but it sure was not.


and the drive line issues are really odd, maybe it was just a little bit out, enough to make it not fit.

just frustrating that I can't drive it right now.

[BlackYJ]

I think I did get the right part.
I was just very suprised that I was having issues and that they lifted it so high. I really didn't want it to be that high as I can't drive it like that.

I was expecting to see a lift as what it was supposed to be, but it sure was not.


and the drive line issues are really odd, maybe it was just a little bit out, enough to make it not fit.

just frustrating that I can't drive it right now.

Leaf springs out of the box are typically 1-1.5" taller than stated.  But after breaking them in they will settle to the stated height, so give it a bit of time.  I think that Alcan has a break-in procedure on their website for leaf springs

[Zombie]

the big issue besides the height(which is still an issue) is that I cant even get the drive shaft back it.

oh well, I am working on solution though, I will keep all informed, if you care that is.

 

[vantagetes]

Whats the part number on the springs you have? In the 4.5" kit you should have gotten 3.5" rears which is RE1463. If you had trouble getting them on the shackles the only thing I can think of is the leafs are wrong somehow.

[Zombie]

ok, well the big plan to try to fix the jeep was to purchase a set of used springs that were still going to give me enough lift, without lifting too much and causing other issues.

well that is not what I got.

I picked up a used set of RE 3.5 spring packs, I had been told that they were still giving about 3 inches of lift, well not for me, I got about an inch, and found that out after I put everything back together.
so back apart it came and I put back the lift blocks that I was trying to replace(I was also trying to replace the broken AAL too)
I put the lift block back in(it was about 1.5 inches) and put it back together again with the shim(which I think is about a 4 degree shim)

well with the shim and the block it ended up pushing the the pinion too high and again apart it came to remove the shim.and back together again.
dropped it back down, and it looked ok(I had about a 2-3 degree difference between the drive shaft and the pinion, or as good as the little angle finder could do), cleaned up and took it for a quick trip to try and have everything settle together .

and hello major vibes when accelerating.
off of the gas they went away, I only got to about 90 or so as I didn't want to destroy anything.  got home and had another look, tightened the ubolts again and looked at the angles and they were almost lined up in a straight line.

i also noticed that I was getting alot of clunking while switching from reverse to drive and back, along with the back of the jeep moving up and down while I was doing so(maybe 2 inches, a little more on the drivers side than passenger I think).

the spring also look a little off, as they are not straight and kinda look like they are a little wavy.

my guess is that the springs are too soft and might be twisting under load to the point that it points the pinion way to high.(not that the lift block is helping, but I had them in before with a broken aal without these issues)

any help would be helpful as I am just getting frustrated at this point, almost to the point that I would rather put the stock springs with the busted aal back in to get rid of the issues.

to top it off, it is still about 1-2 inches lower than what I was wanting.


arg


sorry, really long, just needing to vent and get help I guess.

thanks

Steve

i didn't want to do any damage so I didn't drive it much after that.

I have replaced the u-joints so I hope that is not the problem.

[apeman]

okay something just doesnt sound right...is the jeep driveable? Why not bring it over to my place and i will have a look...if worst comes to worst bring both sets of leaves, old and new and we can figure out the proper leaf pack, or i can get the new ones in properly...my 4.5 pack went in with no problems, but i did get some vibes, thats why im putting my SYE and cv driveshaft in...

[tubby]

my 4.5 pack went in with no problems

It was a PITA taking those springs out Aaron.

I'll agree with Aaron on this one Steve. Something is not right. It's in your best interest to have somebody who has done this mod to take a look at what you have done to your XJ. It's hard for people to pinpoint your problems online. What part of the city are you in?

[apeman]

It was a PITA taking those springs out Aaron.

Lol.. yes i agree removing my original spring pack was a PITA..but since i had slobbed anti sieze on everything, the install on the 4.5's was quick..
And Noel has a point...bring it over and im sure i can work it out one way or another..without a torch, and without blocks..(blocks are baaaad)
Give me a shout and we can get you up and running..im sure Noel has the time to lend a  hand too...(cuz he cant resist lending a helping hand).

[Zombie]

I know tracking stuff down on the internet is not easy.

I have been trying to do some research on the naxja site and I think some of the clunks may be from a somewhat dry slip yoke(I hope that is all)

I might have to take you up on the help. I am just getting annoyed with the jeep right now.

I think I buggered up the ubolts by tightening them too much, live and learn I guess.

I will have to make another trip and get replacements for them too, I am going to try and work out some issues likely later this week, as I will be working evenings for a few days.
I will likely take you up on the offer for help later on though.

and I know blocks are bad too, I didn't want to use them and that is why I was trying to replace the springs with higher ones so I could get rid of them. I was just wanting to get it going again.

steve