OME Leaf Sagging

Markos · May 9, 2009

After about 1.5 years, my Old Man Emu leaf is sagging on one side. It's only a half inch, but it's definitely noticeable. The drivers side measures 19.5" from wheel hub to fender flare. The passenger side measures 19".

So what are my options? Do nothing/ Wait for the driver's side to sag? My leaf spring bushings are fairly shot already, so that may have something to do with it.

Boostwerks.com · May 10, 2009

Do you have the light, medium or heavy duty packs? What shackles?

Markos · May 10, 2009

Bryson said:
Do you have the light, medium or heavy duty packs? What shackles?

I'm running JC1B's. This is generally considered the soft 2" leaf. I'm also running factory shackles. If each side sagged equally, i'd be fine. Maybe if I swap sides they will even out.

builder · May 10, 2009

Swapping sides will work, since the pass side is the torque side. will take a little time to settle.

kenny811 · May 10, 2009

I would second that, swap sides should help.

Markos · May 11, 2009

builder said:
Swapping sides will work, since the pass side is the torque side. will take a little time to settle.

Good to know. Thanks!

Blaine B. · May 11, 2009

OME bushings failed early too? I thought it was only a Rusty's thing!

My rear is sagging probably 2" due to not really having any bushings whatso ever.....besides the nice Poly bushings that my TNT boomerang shackles have...they are still perfect! Zip on the 4 leaf bushings though.

Markos · May 11, 2009

Blaine B. said:
OME bushings failed early too? I thought it was only a Rusty's thing!

My rear is sagging probably 2" due to not really having any bushings whatso ever.....besides the nice Poly bushings that my TNT boomerang shackles have...they are still perfect! Zip on the 4 leaf bushings though.

I was running omix ada "OEM" bushings. These bushings were a major PITA. The bolt hole is too big for the bolt, causing a lot of slop. They were also extremely difficult to install (I had an offroad shop install the bushings).

I plan on replacing the bushings when I swap the springs out. If OME makes bushings, I'll get them. I am not looking forward to removing the old bushings at all. It will probably require the recipricating saw.

Blaine B. · May 11, 2009

The OME leafs don't come with bushings?

I just bought a set of RE bushings for my Rusty's leafs. Not looking forward to the replacement either.

Markos · May 11, 2009

Blaine B. said:
The OME leafs don't come with bushings?

I just bought a set of RE bushings for my Rusty's leafs. Not looking forward to the replacement either.

Believe it or not they don't. I'm guessing that Dirk pre-installs them for his kits. I picked up my leafs from a local shop, and brought in the crappy bushings that I purchased. Lesson learned.

Blaine B. · May 11, 2009

I thought for sure OME would have bushings. Like the Jeep OEM ones. My OEM bushings lasted about 180,000 miles and 12 years. Rusty's bushings about 6 months....what the fub?

Their control arm bushings don't look much better. Sleeves starting to seperate from the collars after about 8 months of usage. Only 2 bushings though, not all 6 luckily.

Gojeep · May 11, 2009

I live just around the corner from the factory, and my niece works there at ARB, and no, they do not make bushes for the XJ. They do for other models but say they cannot get bushing as good as those OEM to give the comfort and durability.

Markos · May 11, 2009

Gojeep said:
I live just around the corner from the factory, and my niece works there at ARB, and no, they do not make bushes for the XJ. They do for other models but say they cannot get bushing as good as those OEM to give the comfort and durability.

Hi Marcus:

Can you recommend any bushings for the OME leaves? I'm not opposed to poly bushings, but I am looking for a smooth ride. So far I've been a bit disappointed with the clunking and squeeks comming from my lift. I'm sure I could use an overall bushing upgrade on the entire jeep. I didn't really notice it in Phoenix since the roads are so smooth. The roads are very bumpy in the Seattle area.

Kittrell · May 11, 2009

Get some OEM ones.

Mtb Jak · May 11, 2009

switch the leafs and make sure you torque your u-bolts right! I bought the bushings i used on my leafs from quadratec or something, cheapest i could find too.

Markos · May 11, 2009

Kittrell said:
Get some OEM ones.

That's what I was supposed to have. I bought them from a reputable online place and they sucked. I don't know if I got the wrong parts or what.

Kittrell · May 11, 2009

Markos said:
That's what I was supposed to have. I bought them from a reputable online place and they sucked. I don't know if I got the wrong parts or what.

Get them from the dealer.

http://www.chryslerpartsdirect.com/

Collision Catalog>2001/Jeep/Cherokee>rear suspension>suspension components>spring>bushing>5/6

builder · May 11, 2009

Eatonspring carries the oem style bushings, same as dealer made in mexico.cheaper than dealer.

Blaine B. · May 11, 2009

Maybe they meant they were an OEM size bushing. RE Bushings are like $70 for a set of 4. Dealership was $50 each when I called them. RE seems pretty good, never heard anybody complain about their bushing quality.

Gojeep · May 12, 2009

Bushes from the dealer is best as mentioned.

OME Leaf Sagging

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Member

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Member

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Forum User

Similar threads