Coil spring has play

[hunterstarpley]

2000 TJ Sport 4.0L Auto

Having a lot of noises in the rear suspension. Initially thought it was the rear end going out due to some popping noises. Then fixed the popping after finding the rear brakes to be SHOT. Now, I"m having suspension related noises and it appears that the rear coils are not tight around the upper and lower perch centers. I'm getting a good bit of noise when hitting bumps and can seem to feel the rear end shifting around. Attached is a random google pic to better describe what I'm referring to if needed.

Are the tapered coil ends supposed to firmly wrap around the center of the perch, or is it OK to have room for movement in there? I have easily 1/2-3/4" of play.

My upper bump stops are also non existent, so I know those need replacing.

 

[Rubiconned]

Of course there's going to be play. There's no load because you're letting the axle hang.

 

[hunterstarpley]

That picture is a generic pic on google. Without drooping the axle, I still have quite a bit of play as mentioned above. If i rock the jeep left to right, I can hear them (or something) moving around.

 

[Unique Username]

Since I am currently under mine swapping springs, I snapped you a picture of what mine looks like. Is yours different?

 

[hunterstarpley]

Mine looks very similar to your first pic. What made you replace?

 

[Unique Username]

Mine looks very similar to your first pic. What made you replace?

I had a set of super lift springs and a set of JKS springs and I have been meaning to install the rear JKS spring.
I have a trailer I tow and I was interested in how it towed with one vs the other. Personal experiment. FYI, made Zero difference other than one rides a bit higher than the other on my rig.

 

[LONGJP2]

The weight of the vehicle should keep them from moving around.
Noise while driving could be swaybar links, shock mounts, or the trackbar mounts.
YRMV

 

[hunterstarpley]

Good to know!

Yeah, I’m still chasing the racket in the rear end. I’ve replaced all front and rear components including control arms, sway bar links, all bushings, etc, EXCEPT rear track bar. It looks worn pretty good…. Would that be a potential cause? Driving down the road it tracks straight and doesn’t wander too terribly bad.

 

[Unique Username]

Good to know!

Yeah, I’m still chasing the racket in the rear end. I’ve replaced all front and rear components including control arms, sway bar links, all bushings, etc, EXCEPT rear track bar. It looks worn pretty good…. Would that be a potential cause? Driving down the road it tracks straight and doesn’t wander too terribly bad.

Just gonna have to get under it and find out. Wiggle stuff around, have someone rock the Jeep side to side while under it and listen to what's happening.