Control Arms Suspension Cycle & Bump-Stop

voodooridr said:
To be clear, this is lifting the axle straight up on both sides at once not compressing one side at a time?
Click to expand...
You want to do both. First both sides at once, check, then articulate one side up, the repeat for other side. Then, do it again with the wheels on. It's a process.
 
  • Like
Reactions: voodooridr
jjvw said:
Were the shocks too long?
Click to expand...
I don't know ...I'm sure a failure to cycle the suspension and know the mechanical limits came into play.

I realize there is no fulcrum effect going on , so my see saw theory doesn't hold water.
 
I’m stuck removing the front shocks.

I have removed front wheels/tires, unbolted lower connection of shocks, disconnected track bar, and unbolted the tie rod connections. The tie rod is stuck (I assume due to tension). Should I bang on it or do I need to position axle in a way to relieve tension? I hope after that the axle will drop enough to slide the springs out. I have the frame currently on stands
 
I will say that not every Jeep is the same here, but in my case, I'm able to leave the steering and track bar connected. In order to pull the front springs, I only have to unbolt the bottom of the shocks and then disconnect both lower control arms at the axle ends. The springs then are easily removed by hand.
 
I need a pickle fork.... I’m a noob! Gonna try pulling lower CAs and see if that gives me enough.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: SvtLdr
Wasn’t enough. I maybe running to pick up a pickle fork.
C6EF40E5-3945-47DC-9613-6137D78D2777.jpeg
CFFA531D-F61E-44EE-87A9-13542561FF95.jpeg
 
You'll also need to get the lower bump stops out of the way. Hopefully they are loose in there?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Landon
Update... checking bump needs for my shocks. My shocks bottom out 5” before lower bump stop pad touches the jounce thing. That seems like a large gap and need for a lot of bump stop. Are my shocks too long?
F5EA44E4-A710-40AF-A7B6-4152B89474EF.jpeg
 
I pulled out 5.25” of bump stop... so maybe they were set accordingly at least for the shocks.

I’ll start working on centering the bumps/axles which was the other goal for this project.
 
Landon said:
Update... checking bump needs for my shocks. My shocks bottom out 5” before lower bump stop pad touches the jounce thing. That seems like a large gap and need for a lot of bump stop. Are my shocks too long?View attachment 205801
Click to expand...
Do you have a picture of the bump stop and shock hitting at the same time?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Landon
How much shock shaft is exposed at ride height? What is the length of the shaft at full extension?

The steel cup is part of the bump stop. Raise the axle pad so that it touches the steel cup at the same time the shock reaches full compression.

Edit. Disregard most of that for Currie bump stops.
 
Last edited:
Update on the shocks/bump stop. I needed to add 3 washers or 3/8” to keep shocks from bottoming out. I also needed to shorten the sway bar links so they didn’t make contact with front fender.

Here are some pictures. I still need to center axles. Bumps aren’t making contact in the middle yet.
B82A99D6-E42E-4C35-A74A-347B47EE6C65.jpeg
C20B9696-D1EF-47FD-911E-F6654EB891E8.jpeg
 
jjvw said:
How much shock shaft is exposed at ride height? What is the length of the shaft at full extension?

The steel cup is part of the bump stop. Raise the axle pad so that it touches the steel cup at the same time the shock reaches full compression.
Click to expand...
Not sure about ride height, but 10” at full extension.
 
Landon said:
Update on the shocks/bump stop. I needed to add 3 washers or 3/8” to keep shocks from bottoming out. I also needed to shorten the sway bar links so they didn’t make contact with front fender.

Here are some pictures. I still need to center axles. Bumps aren’t making contact in the middle yet.View attachment 205810View attachment 205811
Click to expand...
That is plenty centered, in fact I would push it as far forward as it can go and not have the axle hit the trackbar and steering on mine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Landon and jjvw
Landon said:
Update on the shocks/bump stop. I needed to add 3 washers or 3/8” to keep shocks from bottoming out. I also needed to shorten the sway bar links so they didn’t make contact with front fender.

Here are some pictures. I still need to center axles. Bumps aren’t making contact in the middle yet.View attachment 205810View attachment 205811
Click to expand...

Are the Currie bumps just touching or are they mashing into each other? They will compress at least 5/8" past first contact. Meaning there should be about 5/8-3/4" of shaft showing at first contact on the bumps. Also, look at the back side of the upper bump stop. There is a recessed area that should be packed full of washers before being bolted on.
 
Top Bottom
Back