Upgrading coil springs

WesChapman · Jan 24, 2011

Returned the incorrect coil spring compressor to Kragens and talked to a different counter person. I told him I needed an external compressor, but was told by the other person, that they don't carry one. He said, I just saw it this morning, let me get it. I was excited, maybe the Jeep wouldn't be down until next week. He brought out the compressor and..... it was missing a safety pin so they couldn't rent it. Bummer. Asked if I bought a pin, could I rent it? They said sure. Sweet! Went down the street to Napa Auto; the only place that might have one and they are closed on Sundays now. Bummer.

rockymountain · Jan 24, 2011

WesChapman said:
Returned the incorrect coil spring compressor to Kragens and talked to a different counter person. I told him I needed an external compressor, but was told by the other person, that they don't carry one. He said, I just saw it this morning, let me get it. I was excited, maybe the Jeep wouldn't be down until next week. He brought out the compressor and..... it was missing a safety pin so they couldn't rent it. Bummer. Asked if I bought a pin, could I rent it? They said sure. Sweet! Went down the street to Napa Auto; the only place that might have one and they are closed on Sundays now. Bummer.

rockymountain said:
My advice is to get a good shop lined up to do the front coil assemblies. Call them ahead of time and make sure they know what you are doing. That is, unless your're doing it yourself :freak3: and have done them before. too.

:badger_1::badger_1::badger_1::badger_1:

WesChapman · Jan 28, 2011

Quote:
Originally Posted by rockymountain
My advice is to get a good shop lined up to do the front coil assemblies. Call them ahead of time and make sure they know what you are doing. That is, unless your're doing it yourself and have done them before. too.

Yeah, you are right. I was on a business trip all week, but my wife made some calls. Local tire shop will do it for $20. Trying to get motivated to remove the other side, but didn't get home until 1am. Also drank more this last week, than I have in the last 2 years. Seattle has some great wine bars.

WesChapman · Feb 2, 2011

done!

This project is done! Very pleased with the results. Center of wheel to fender is 22.25". Gained about 3" of lift over where I was before. Got an alignment done and now it pulls to the left. Before the new springs, the steering tracked straight. Took it back this morning and the tech says the camber is maxed out and there is no adjustment they can make. He thinks it is tire wear causing the pull. They cross rotated the tires and said it seems Ok now, maybe a slight pull to the right. Does that sound normal?
I took pictures, but my Vista machine says the device is corrupt and won't load. I'll have to use my XP computer in the garage to upload.

tommudd · Feb 2, 2011

Should not have any pull at all
unless you do have a tire problem

WesChapman · Feb 3, 2011

Here's some pics:

Coils ready to install. Tire shop had a massive coil spring compressor. There is no way I could have done this with the cheapy rental one from Kragens.