What suspension parts should be replaced at 220,000 miles?

[TDB55]

I purchased my 98 Sahara about 6 months ago and it now has 222,000 miles on it. I know nothing about the history on it. My mechanic checked it out and said everything is ok. He did put rear shocks on because they were leaking. He’s an old school mechanic that only replaces something when it’s broke! I did go ahead and replace the front shocks and the steering stabilizer. I had read Chris’s write up on doing the ZJ tie rod replacement and had thought about doing that. I went by my favorite alignment shop to have him check it out but he has closed his business due to health problems. Would I tell a difference by changing the springs and control arms? What else should I be concerned about?

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

How does your jeep drive? Some parts may have been replaced by previous owners.

When I bought mine, with 100k miles, it felt very loose. My plans included a lift kit that included new shocks, springs, and control arms. This really firmed up the steering response.

If you don't plan on lifting your jeep, complete OEM control arms are inexpensive, if you don't want to replace the bushings at $7 to $9 each.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56015_001.htm Lower arms are $66

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56015_008.htm Upper arms are $54

Rancho 5000X shocks are about $250.

Measure your OEM spring lengths to determine if they are sacked. Front are 12" and rear are 8".

Also check F & R sway bar bushings, and track bar bushing, they are $6 to $9 each.

If your spring are good, you can have new suspension for about $400.

 

[TDB55]

How does your jeep drive? Some parts may have been replaced by previous owners.

When I bought mine, with 100k miles, it felt very loose. My plans included a lift kit that included new shocks, springs, and control arms. This really firmed up the steering response.

If you don't plan on lifting your jeep, complete OEM control arms are inexpensive, if you don't want to replace the bushings at $7 to $9 each.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56015_001.htm Lower arms are $66

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56015_008.htm Upper arms are $54

Rancho 5000X shocks are about $250.

Measure your OEM spring lengths to determine if they are sacked. Front are 12" and rear are 8".

Also check F & R sway bar bushings, and track bar bushing, they are $6 to $9 each.

If your spring are good, you can have new suspension for about $400.

I’ve got new Monroe shocks all around. It rides and tracks down the highway good at 75 mph. It seems to have some bumping and knocking when I hit a bump or pothole. I don’t want to lift it, at my age I have enough problems getting into it stock! The bump stops are shot but I have new ones but haven’t replaced them yet. Good to know the spring length, I’ll check that. How do I know if the control arm bushings are bad? Thanks

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

The ZJ upgrade will change evrything except the Trackbar and ball joints if you get the tie rod and draglink combo. If the control arms are original they should be changed imo. Use Moog joints on everything.

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

Sounds like you have a plan. I was fortunate that my tie rod ends and ball joints were good.

 

[TDB55]

How does your jeep drive? Some parts may have been replaced by previous owners.

When I bought mine, with 100k miles, it felt very loose. My plans included a lift kit that included new shocks, springs, and control arms. This really firmed up the steering response.

If you don't plan on lifting your jeep, complete OEM control arms are inexpensive, if you don't want to replace the bushings at $7 to $9 each.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56015_001.htm Lower arms are $66

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56015_008.htm Upper arms are $54

Rancho 5000X shocks are about $250.

Measure your OEM spring lengths to determine if they are sacked. Front are 12" and rear are 8".

Also check F & R sway bar bushings, and track bar bushing, they are $6 to $9 each.

If your spring are good, you can have new suspension for about $400.

I measured the springs and they are 12” front and 8” rear. Any other thoughts about replacing them? How do I check the control arms to determine if they need replacing? And the other bushings? Thanks

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

Stock height springs should be OK. I would look at the bushing in the ends of the control arms. If they are worn, I would think s visual would tell. It's rare the actual control arm metal stamping is bad.

If your ball joints are good, the track bar bushings would be next on my list.

 

[Chris]

At 220k I would replace control arm bushings, ball joints, tie-rod ends, and everything else (assuming there is no history of it having been done before).

 

[fuse]

How do I check the control arms to determine if they need replacing?

If the control arm bushings look like the ones on top, they should be replaced. New Moog control arm on the bottom for comparison. (FYI, the Moog control arm is flipped so you're seeing the other side of the bushings.)

Same thing for other bushings, but you can also check if those bushings feel loose by holding them while a friend does some dry steering.

 

[TDB55]

At 220k I would replace control arm bushings, ball joints, tie-rod ends, and everything else (assuming there is no history of it having been done before).

What do you mean everything else?

 

[Chris]

What do you mean everything else?

Any other bushings, though I think that about covers it.