Suspension Guru's

Kinja'd!!! "CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
09/04/2014 at 13:42 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!0 Kinja'd!!! 26

So the Jeep seems to be sagging...

Kinja'd!!!

About a month ago my boss put a 3.5" lift on his (mine is 2.5" suspension with 1.25" body so theoretically 3.75") at that time his sat about 1/4" higher than mine.

Now his sits about 3/4" higher. I have since added full steel bumpers and a winch (about 80lbs to each end) but I don't feel like that should be enough to load it down 1/2".

Now the suspension I got was on the cheap side (entry level kit that I got for a ridiculously low price, roughly the equivalent of two tanks of gas...), so I wouldn't be surprised if this was a normal thing, and part of me says "just upgrade to proper stuff". But the kits only been on since Christmas time, and has about 9k miles on it.

I understand how springs work and all that crap, but what I am wondering is, could I have worn out the springs somehow to cause them to sag? Is this possible?

I did have my axle so criss crossed on the trails this past weekend that I was pocketing my tires into my fenders... which also makes me want to upgrade the lift a bit for more clearance, but I'm not in the mood to drop $1800 today...

Suggestions, ideas, name calling (bro),

Thanks


DISCUSSION (26)


Kinja'd!!! It's a "Porch-uh" > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 13:46

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It happens to all of us as we get older.


Kinja'd!!! Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 13:47

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Your springs just have a low load and rate. Springs will settle a little bit, but it sounds like you just have a case of cheap springs.


Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/04/2014 at 13:47

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Do they make viagra for suspensions?


Kinja'd!!! Party-vi > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 13:49

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What's your body lift look like? Are the mounting points pushing up through your tub? Take a peek at the body lift kit and then worry about the springs. Also, I would think a winch and steel bumper weigh more than 80lb. I understand coil springs relax after install, but that should have occurred months ago.


Kinja'd!!! Nibbles > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 13:49

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Perfectly normal, especially with cheap kits. Expensive ones actually lift over the intended height so, when the components settle, you get what you pay for

Think a 6'' lift that comes in at 7.25'' (or so) when initially installed, then "sags" down to 6 after break-in.

A less expensive kit may give 6'' of lift initially, so down to say 5.25'' after break-in.


Kinja'd!!! MATTLEE! > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 13:50

Kinja'd!!!1

I had this issue on my 02 TJ after adding a front winch / bumper. I am on cheap (rough country) springs that I got for dirt cheap. I contacted them directly and they recommended a higher spring rate or bigger spring. IE 3.5" spring in the front to make up the almost 1 inch of sag. After 30k miles on it really seems the springs are shot. I don't have the winch on right now, its getting rebuilt and taking it off only brought the front back up 1/4".


Kinja'd!!! Racescort666 > Nibbles
09/04/2014 at 13:51

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^^^ This. Lift kits tend to settle. All of my buddies who have installed lift kits have experienced this.


Kinja'd!!! MonkeePuzzle > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 13:53

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perhaps some form of bumper sticker is required?

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Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
09/04/2014 at 13:55

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actually the load was high which is part of what drew me to them as I tend to load down for overland trips (3-400 ish lbs of equipment). I have never measured sag before as, well, im loaded down so... the kit does have a lifetime replacement warranty so I am sure I could get new springs for free, but if this is just going to happen again in 8 months, it's not worth it to me.


Kinja'd!!! It's a "Porch-uh" > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 13:56

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Yes, but it's expensive. And your penis may shrink as a result.

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Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > Party-vi
09/04/2014 at 13:59

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Yea it definately settled a while ago. the bumper is way light for what it is, wouldnt say much more than 50 lbs. the winch weighed in at 38. Ill check the body points, but they are pretty well reinforced and there are 12 points, so having all 12 sink evenly 1/2" is unlikely.


Kinja'd!!! Party-vi > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 14:00

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Then it's likely the cheap springs as others have suggested.


Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > MATTLEE!
09/04/2014 at 14:00

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Thats what these are, RCs. I've run them on my trucks before and never had issues. Kinda sad that they are this bad after 8 months.


Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > It's a "Porch-uh"
09/04/2014 at 14:02

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ehh its cool. I don't actually use the thing even thought I tell all my bros about how I get laid at least twice a day...


Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > Party-vi
09/04/2014 at 14:03

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Yea that's what I am figuring too, just hoping it was something else. When I bought them I kinda figured this would eventually happen and I bought them knowing this was a throw away kit... I just had hoped they might last more than a year.


Kinja'd!!! Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 14:04

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Just because they advertise them as high, doesn't mean that they are...


Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
09/04/2014 at 14:05

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point.


Kinja'd!!! MATTLEE! > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 14:12

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I noticed a slight sag right away and it got out of hand as the miles racked up. The RC rep on Jeepforum.com basically told me to pound sand after I sent pictures in. I am planning to go with different springs (most likely Old Man Emu) that offer higher rates for the front to prevent this from happening again. Haven't done it yet because money.

Are you using the stock shocks or the RC shocks? The ones in the kit are absolute garbage all four of mine had to be replaced. My rear shocks would actually move freely 1-2" before doing any shock-like absorption.


Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > MATTLEE!
09/04/2014 at 14:23

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I have the full length 2.2s They aren't the greatest but by far better than stock with extensions.


Kinja'd!!! Garrett Davis > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 14:34

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What brand and model is the suspension lift? Same for his lift?

How long ago did you do your lift compared to your boss's?

With the springs settling in combined with the added weight, I'd say 1/2" is pretty standard — especially with softer/cheaper springs. 80lbs on each end is certainly enough to make a bit of difference. For instance, go out and rest about half your body weight on the front bumper and watch it sag down.

Springs are relatively cheap, even for a decent set. If it becomes a problem down the line, that isn't a bad upgrade to do just the springs as long as everything else is holding up.


Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > Garrett Davis
09/04/2014 at 14:37

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Mines an RC his is AEV, mines been on for 8 months (so should have settled) his had been just installed at that time (about a month ago). So logically one would expect his to get closer to min rather that the other way around.


Kinja'd!!! Garrett Davis > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 15:07

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Ah, well with softer springs I'd say half an inch is pretty believable with 80 lbs on each end. Like I said, try leaning half your weight on the bumper and see how much it sags.

For reference, in a few years here is how much a nicer set of springs would cost you:

http://www.4wheelparts.com/ProdDetail.asp…

http://www.4wheelparts.com/ProdDetail.asp…


Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > Garrett Davis
09/04/2014 at 15:19

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Yea I am between buying a set of RK 2.5s for $400 (199 per set) or just coughing up the cash in a few months and buying a mid arm 3" kit.


Kinja'd!!! HammerheadFistpunch > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 16:36

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my 2.5 inch kit settled almost an inch in the first few months, of course I put it right to work with weight but its definitely down. Granted when I put it on it sat at about 75mm gain instead of the advertised 50mm.


Kinja'd!!! CAR_IS_MI > HammerheadFistpunch
09/04/2014 at 16:46

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Yea. I went 2.5" so I didn't have to worry about exhaust / drive-shaft clearance, now im thinking Ill jump to a high quality 3" so if it settles a 1/2" I still have rood to pack it out.


Kinja'd!!! Garrett Davis > CAR_IS_MI
09/04/2014 at 17:35

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Mmm, a nice mid arm kit would be the best in the long run.