Why are spacer lifts bad and ******* upper ball joints? Several things wear a ball joint out, age, letting them droop to much when off road. Then we have the spacers lifts, there are several different types, the ones that preload the spring, that changes the factory rating , but you're still running stock shocks that were made for a 310 lb springs ( plus in most cases worn out).
Some have a top mounting plate that drops the shocks down, but also with a preload on the springs so you have double the issues. Pre loading a spring like I stated changes the spring rate, while leaving the shock that was built to control a 310 lb spring. When driving down the road with worn shocks and springs and spacer lifts it puts a tremendous load on the UBJ, When you hit even a slight bump/ ripple in the road the shocks try to control the spring but can't so the whole front suspension sort of flutters bouncing somewhat and puts more wear on everything. With a properly set up suspension like OME the springs and shocks are tuned for the KJ.
So when you hit a bump the suspension absorbs it and none of the excessive wear like you get from a spacer style lift. Now as we have seen some will argue about the tiniest things, but I will suggest maybe instead of arguing and trying to make someone else look bad, please do your self a favor, type in " how does a spacer lift cause upper ball joint wear " .
Its not just a KJ thing, Toyota owners, GM owners all with IFS have issues when using spacer lifts. A spacer lift maybe ok for a while , but for example my first OME lift on my 04 KJ ( installed at 19,500 miles ) was on there until it 120,000 miles, then we installed it on a friends KJ , that had a spacer lift on it before .
A well designed suspension kit will flat out last way longer and give a much better ride.
NOW please argue all you want, call me names, whatever , heard it all before and doesn't bother me one bit due to I just consider the source. OH by the way I'm sure some expected me to answer last night, although I'm retired from one job I still have other jobs I work at. Have fun and argue with each other, I won't have time. Also I understand not everyone has the money, but I saved for 3 months to do the first lift on the KJ. Lift on the 03 was bought wheeling and dealing extra Jeep parts. So it can be done
Some have a top mounting plate that drops the shocks down, but also with a preload on the springs so you have double the issues. Pre loading a spring like I stated changes the spring rate, while leaving the shock that was built to control a 310 lb spring. When driving down the road with worn shocks and springs and spacer lifts it puts a tremendous load on the UBJ, When you hit even a slight bump/ ripple in the road the shocks try to control the spring but can't so the whole front suspension sort of flutters bouncing somewhat and puts more wear on everything. With a properly set up suspension like OME the springs and shocks are tuned for the KJ.
So when you hit a bump the suspension absorbs it and none of the excessive wear like you get from a spacer style lift. Now as we have seen some will argue about the tiniest things, but I will suggest maybe instead of arguing and trying to make someone else look bad, please do your self a favor, type in " how does a spacer lift cause upper ball joint wear " .
Its not just a KJ thing, Toyota owners, GM owners all with IFS have issues when using spacer lifts. A spacer lift maybe ok for a while , but for example my first OME lift on my 04 KJ ( installed at 19,500 miles ) was on there until it 120,000 miles, then we installed it on a friends KJ , that had a spacer lift on it before .
A well designed suspension kit will flat out last way longer and give a much better ride.
NOW please argue all you want, call me names, whatever , heard it all before and doesn't bother me one bit due to I just consider the source. OH by the way I'm sure some expected me to answer last night, although I'm retired from one job I still have other jobs I work at. Have fun and argue with each other, I won't have time. Also I understand not everyone has the money, but I saved for 3 months to do the first lift on the KJ. Lift on the 03 was bought wheeling and dealing extra Jeep parts. So it can be done
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