Need advice on my suspension

maxtj

maxtj

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Feb 16, 2022
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Sacramento
I'm relatively new to Jeeps and could use some advice on next steps for my suspension. Most of my current setup (adjustable arms, track bars) is Metalcloak. I now know that it's not forum approved but some of it is from the PO and some from the time I didn't know better. Anyway, water under the bridge but I feel like my rig is squirrely and unstable specially when turning - the back seems to want to swing out. Moreover, while wheeling the Jeep feels unstable and ready to tip over when off camber. This could be a driver problem - maybe I just need to get more experience behind the wheel.

Now, on to the current setup, I have short adjustable MC arms with 4.5 inch coils and a 1.25 inch body lift for a total of 6.75 inches. I now know that this is over the recommended amount of lift for 35s which I am running. I'm also aware that MC coils have a reputation for providing more lift than they advertise but I measured them around 16.5 inches which sounds like they are providing the 4.5 inches that they are supposed to.

Is running too much lift contributing to my problems? Would it make sense to swap my coils for the 4 inch Curries? Heavy duty or regular?
 
No reason to be any taller than necessary.
So, in a way it is contributing to it leaning more than necessary.
New springs would be ideal.
A cheaper fix would be to remove the body lift if it isn't needed for other modifications.
 
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Pull your control arms one at a time and inspect the bushings. I also have MetalCloak arms (early adopter :cry:) and have to replace one or two of the bushings every year.
 
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:D

20210508_145056.jpg



What shocks do you have in the rear? Is the sway bar hooked up?
 
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IPerkWVU said:
A picture of the steering will help folks chime in. What shocks you running?
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Camdenst said:
Hi and welcome aboard. Post some pictures of the front end and the suspension, I’m continually amazed at what these guys can zoom in and find.
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Thanks, photos attached. The shocks are Rancho RS5000X that I installed an year ago. Specifically:
  • Part Numbers RS55255 and RS55256
  • Set of 4 Shocks for vehicles w/4-5" front lift and w/4-5" rear lift; Incl. Rancho RS6501 or RS6504 Systems

One of the rear shocks did get banged up on the rocks and is on the list for replacement.

PXL_20230302_164531430.jpg


PXL_20230302_164520460.jpg
 
tworley said:
:D

View attachment 404294


What shocks do you have in the rear? Is the sway bar hooked up?
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zackcj7 said:
Pull your control arms one at a time and inspect the bushings. I also have MetalCloak arms (early adopter :cry:) and have to replace one or two of the bushings every year.
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The rear shocks are RS5000X and the sway bar is hooked up. I will pull the arms and inspect the bushings. Any advice on what I should be looking for? Play and obvious damage/seepage?
 
Regarding the sensation of the back wanting to swing out - I have a Swayloc rather than the Antirock that you have, but when the larger anti-sway bar portion is disengaged, some have said that it provides a similar amount of anti-sway as the Antirock. What I have found is that when disengaged , I get a real sensation of the rear suspension moving in a manner that feels like it is stepping out, as you describe. When I engage the Swayloc so that maximum anti-sway is applied, the sensation is greatly reduced to the point of almost being eliminated. Which is a long-winded way of saying that the small amount of anti-sway provided by the Antirock might be contributing to the sensation of the back stepping out.
 
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Good Hope said:
Regarding the sensation of the back wanting to swing out - I have a Swayloc rather than the Antirock that you have, but when the larger anti-sway bar portion is disengaged, some have said that it provides a similar amount of anti-sway as the Antirock. What I have found is that when disengaged , I get a real sensation of the rear suspension moving in a manner that feels like it is stepping out, as you describe. When I engage the Swayloc so that maximum anti-sway is applied, the sensation is greatly reduced to the point of almost being eliminated. Which is a long-winded way of saying that the small amount of anti-sway provided by the Antirock might be contributing to the sensation of the back stepping out.
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This is the reason I stayed away from the antirock and went swayloc instead. I read that the antirock road manors aren't great.
 
It’s not the antirock. I drive mine like a raped ape and it handles great on the road. I feel very comfortable taking corners at high speed. I won’t say the sway lock isn’t better for road manners, but I would be looking elsewhere for his described issues.

I’d start with all the control arm joints as that is a known issue
 
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maxtj said:
The rear shocks are RS5000X and the sway bar is hooked up. I will pull the arms and inspect the bushings. Any advice on what I should be looking for? Play and obvious damage/seepage?
Click to expand...

Tworley's post above shows some perfect examples of worn out bushings. But you want to check for any cracking in the rubber or play in the center sleeve the control arm both passes through.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
Antirock road manners are fine, I have been running them on two TJs since 2001 or so.
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I hear ya, but my ass-o-meter certainly feels a difference when I flip the lever on the Swayloc. There are many different ways to set up a Jeep, and then there are the TJ/LJ differences…lots of variables to deal with. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Antirock feels different on different vehicles. I will also say that despite feeling like the back end is stepping out, I haven’t noticed any real handling problems. It just feels funky when the Swayloc isn’t fully engaged. My real point has nothing to do with the Antirock specifically, but rather the impact of having less anti-sway at the front axle in general.
 
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Good Hope said:
I hear ya, but my ass-o-meter certainly feels a difference when I flip the lever on the Swayloc. There are many different ways to set up a Jeep, and then there are the TJ/LJ differences…lots of variables to deal with. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Antirock feels different on different vehicles. I will also say that despite feeling like the back end is stepping out, I haven’t noticed any real handling problems. It just feels funky when the Swayloc isn’t fully engaged. My real point has nothing to do with the Antirock specifically, but rather the impact of having less anti-sway at the front axle in general.
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I have definitely noticed more sway after installing the antirock from my JKS disconnects. It seems more stable on the rocks but with more body roll on the road.
 
maxtj said:
I have definitely noticed more sway after installing the antirock from my JKS disconnects. It seems more stable on the rocks but with more body roll on the road.
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That was going to be my comment, try a stock swaybar and see if that is more your driving style. I think antirock is an butt feel item, different for everyone.

Steering is the right system, don’t change that.
 
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Good Hope said:
Regarding the sensation of the back wanting to swing out - I have a Swayloc rather than the Antirock that you have, but when the larger anti-sway bar portion is disengaged, some have said that it provides a similar amount of anti-sway as the Antirock. What I have found is that when disengaged , I get a real sensation of the rear suspension moving in a manner that feels like it is stepping out, as you describe. When I engage the Swayloc so that maximum anti-sway is applied, the sensation is greatly reduced to the point of almost being eliminated. Which is a long-winded way of saying that the small amount of anti-sway provided by the Antirock might be contributing to the sensation of the back stepping out.
Click to expand...

IIRC from my Brit Roadster days, increasing front sway bar force increases under steer. Understeer is tendency for front end to resist turning and continue straight ahead to a point. Most cars are designed to have some under steer because it’s easier for the typical driver to handle. Less or no front understeer causes the driver to feel the rear end sliding out on turns. Doesn’t cause oversteer just makes it more obvious.

An Anti-Rock has less sway bar effect so you’ll feel like the rear end has more of a tendency to swing out. I’ve always preferred less under steer to be able to swing the rear end out in more fun driving. Reducing front sway bar force allows more body lean when cornering.

I’ve got a SwayLoc which gives the benefit of a stiff and minimal sway bar. Really haven’t noticed oversteer but then oversteer is built into my driving style. Find driving in the lesser setting like Anti-Rock ok. Body lean isn’t much of an issue but side winds are more apparent. With the SwayLok in the stiff position, Jeep handles like stock.
 
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