Coil springs replacement time ?

[pcn1]

Just thinking out loud here, is there a point in a 4x4's life where you'd say the factory coil springs are past there best. I'm thinking an age/mileage combination. I know this can be a "how long is a piece of string" question.

I'm planning on doing some pre-emptive work on my 12 year old, 90K mile Grand Cherokee this summer. It seems the plastic spring mounts can start to fail at this age, plus some are finding rust on the metal spring locators underneath.
So while the springs are off I'm wondering if I should replace them. If I knew the factory height I can measure them and se if they are suffering any sag as an indication.
I'm planning on keeping the Jeep for a few more years.

[TooMany2cvs]

Replace springs when they break. Not much point before that, unless there's a marked visible sag.

[richs2891]

See above in regards to coil springs, though I would be tempted to look at the rubber bits of the suspension and swap out any that look past it / excessive movement, and have a look at the shocks.

Edited by richs2891 on Saturday 20th February 15:21

[Darrenxj]

Here read this, wj' s have a lot of rubber bushes that are probably past their best replacing upper/ Lower control arms and rear a fame bushes will improve ride no end.
Old man emu do a 1.5 " lift kit will give you better quality ride.
Have a read of this http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/suspension-brake...

[pcn1]

I have recently been fitting Super pro poly bushes and Bilstein shocks plus the Addco rear sway bar so its getting plenty of TLC on that front.
Just wondered if the jeep coil springs suffer from sag after a few years of use.
Opinion seems they should be ok and I'm happy with that !

[Darrenxj]

Did you get the 1" rear addco arb
If so did it make that much difference ?
As I recon that you remove play from the bushes it would be a lot toughter on the road with out it.
Did the poly bushes increase road noise at all ?

[pcn1]

Darrenxj said:

Did you get the 1" rear addco arb
If so did it make that much difference ?
As I recon that you remove play from the bushes it would be a lot toughter on the road with out it.
Did the poly bushes increase road noise at all ?

Yes I fitted the 1 inch bar, and it made a noticeable difference. Example, when you drive around a corner, or mini round about the jeep keeps more level.
The poly bushes I fitted to the rear control arms also firmed up the ride, it took a lot of the "side to side" movement out of the rear end.
Personally I didn't feel any noticeable increase in road noise, or made the ride harsh by any means. I prefer it now to the wobbly ride it used to have in stock form.
The Bilstein shocks I fitted had the least noticeable effect on the ride actually, and I suspect that was because the original items were still in good working order even after 11 years and over 80K. Id heard the factory items were good quality.

[Darrenxj]

I agree they are very well damped, I was thinking of going for up rated lower control arms as in article as I don't notice too much roll it's the side to side wobble on country lanes I want to get rid of.
Is yours a crd or v8 ? Poly bushing the original control arms would be cheaper.

[scrwright]

Factor in replacing the rubber spring cups if thinking of doing the springs, they squash when old and can cause 1/2" of sag. Personally running IRO springs, DT shocks, IRO HD front LCA and an Adcco rear ARB, drives better than stock, much less wallowy despite the 3" lift.

[pcn1]

Darrenxj said:

I agree they are very well damped, I was thinking of going for up rated lower control arms as in article as I don't notice too much roll it's the side to side wobble on country lanes I want to get rid of.
Is yours a crd or v8 ? Poly bushing the original control arms would be cheaper.

Mines the CRD. Yes the Super-pro poly bushes in the rear control arms did a good job of reducing the side to side wobble.

Try http://www.4playjeep.com/ for the parts and advice.

Long term I want to replace the front control arm bushes, or even upgrade to adjustable lower front arms to help set the alignment better

[pcn1]

scrwright said:

Factor in replacing the rubber spring cups if thinking of doing the springs, they squash when old and can cause 1/2" of sag. Personally running IRO springs, DT shocks, IRO HD front LCA and an Adcco rear ARB, drives better than stock, much less wallowy despite the 3" lift.

Steve, Just what I was thinking for the summer to replace these items. Also to check underneath them as I've read on US forums about rust taking hold on some jeeps, but maybe they have seen a lot of off road/water use?

http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g469/ChrisHage...

[scrwright]

yep, I wire brused mine, sprayed with red oxide then grease, hopefully won't get any tin worm