HD Rear Leaf Springs

[jtmerc]

I've read thread after thread about the "saggy" rear ends on the cherokees. I finally went out and purchased the Heavy Duty springs from Quadratec and my first reaction after all said and done was "holy crap" I couldn't believe the lift it gave the rear end. Before the rear was 1.5 inches lower than the front and now it is 2 inches higher than the front, changed a whole 3.5 inches. I didn't expect that, but am pleased with the outcome. I'm sure after awhile it will settle a bit, but it looks alot better. Hopefully this answers any questions anyone had about these springs.

[Hellbent]

what brand? how's the ride? i think those were the same springs i was looking at in a 2" lift version.

[cracker]

They'll settle about 1" or so.

[jtmerc]

They're just the stock heavy duty springs they offer. They offer the regular leaf spring and the heavy duty. The ride, well I don't really notice a big difference from before. If they settle about an inch, that will be just right.

[ricot83]

how warn were your old springs, it may not have actually given you 3" of lift but rather just brought u back to about 1/2" - 1" above stock ride height, I have the same springs and they are good

[AlohaBra]

They're just the stock heavy duty springs they offer. They offer the regular leaf spring and the heavy duty. The ride, well I don't really notice a big difference from before. If they settle about an inch, that will be just right.

Is their price for two springs?

[otto]

http://www.quadratec.com/products/56010_11.htm

$69.95 EACH.

[jtmerc]

They were about 140.00 for the pair. Before the change I was "sagging" about 1 inch below the front, so it brought me 3 inches up, sitting now 2 inches above the front. If it does sag about an inch over time, they will be just about right.

[caspergotaz28]

Did you also buy the "Shackle End Leaf Spring Bushing" and "Main Eye Leaf Spring Bushing"? Or were the stockers reusable?

[jtmerc]

Yes I did get new bushings

[AlohaBra]

Are the new bushing hard to press in?

[Kittrell]

They were about 140.00 for the pair. Before the change I was "sagging" about 1 inch below the front, so it brought me 3 inches up, sitting now 2 inches above the front. If it does sag about an inch over time, they will be just about right.

Assuming the front end was where it should be? Measure from the wheel center to the bottom of the flare on the front and the back and come tell us what you get.

[Fred85]

^^ i imagine a vice and some pb blaster would make easy work of it

[Anthropy]

Are the new bushing hard to press in?


I went the same route. I smeared the bushings with anti-seize and used a length of 1/2 inch all thread and some rather large fabricated flat washers and pushed them in.

BTW if you want to use a ring to push them in. On the larger diameter bushing, get yourself a 2 inch pipe coupler and it is just the right size to press on the outter sheet metal ring.

To get them started, I just used the large flat washers I made out of some 1/2 inch aluminum plate.

[Lew360]

I put the bushing in the freezer for 24 hours, greased them with wheel bearing grease and beat them in with a rubber mallet. It wasn't that bad but it takes a lot of power behind the mallet and a piece of 2x4 sometimes to make sure they go in square.

[XJING]

The leafs from Quadratec are from crown, I have the heavy dutys with a tera-flex shackle and after settleing its right at 2 1/4" above stock, Seeing that the shackle gives me 1.5 the leaf is givng me 3/4" Most of the people have said that the leaf has given them 1/2" after settleing. I wonder if the back half is a little lighter on my 2 door? givng me that big 1/4" lol.

[Anthropy]

You will notice a new spring to your drive. I just drove mine home this afternoon and with the new Reflex shocks and springs, it sure feel different.

[bghrny]

Where did you get new bushings?

[Anthropy]

I bought the rubber ones from Quadratech as well. They list them as being sold seperately but are very easy to order from them.

FYI, if you have an Chrys 8 1/4 diff and get new u-bolts from them, the nuts they sell will fit those u-bolts as well. Their website shows the nuts are only for the Dana 35 so I did not order any, then it turns out the new u-bolts I got for the Chry 8 1/4 are 12 mm x 1.75. I emailed them letting them know the error on the page.

[gjxj]

Quadratec is not cheap by the time you have to pay both ways shipping on all the wrong parts they ship.

Give these guys a try. (same Crown parts at QT)

http://www.rigidsteel.com/y131pC3tIGk0.html

[Blaine B.]

I'm not sure, but is the Cherokee supposed to be level, or slightly higher in the rear (a rake?)

The front fender flares are higher than the rear flares.......Are the gaps supposed to be the same, or slightly less in the rear?

Anyway, my rearend was sagging 1.75".....smallest and bottom most leafs were cracked on both sides. So I bought some 2" AAL's from Rusty's, it leveled the rear end's gap out with the front end's gap......gives the jeep a slight forward rake. The full length AAL's for $50 or so do not give a harsh ride; it actually feels quite normal!

[bghrny]

I've seen it posted 17 1/2 front and 17 rear for stock new

[jtmerc]

A few more questions I'll answer. No, the bushings I didn't feel were difficult to "press" in. I used a bench vise and "LOTS" of lube. (wife reminded me to replace what I used :) ) I went and measured from the center of the wheel and bottom of the fender, reads like this...Front is 18 inches and the rear is 191/2 inches. I've not touched the front end and installed the HD rear leafs in the rear. So if the new springs settle a inch like stated on this forum, it should be just about right.

[Blaine B.]

My front and rear are both 18" from center hub to bottom flare...

Before I put in the 2" AAL's in the rear, front was 18" and rear was 15.75".