Suspension travel questions.

OK, so I just replaced ALL my bushings. I did all the spring eye and shackle bushings with the "prothane" set. It was much overdue.

I am wondering how much travel should I be expecting to get out of the front and rear. At my best guess I would say I only see about 4-6 inches from fully compressed to when a wheel lifts. I have the stock shackles still. Is this about right? There is a tuff country 2.5 lift springs on it too.

Kent

 

Just replaced my original really really worn out bushings on the 75 with some urathane from energy a couple of weeks ago. My springs are worn out, I might get 16'' of flex if lucky. Bushings won't do much for flex, as far as I have seen, may even reduce it, sense I followed instructions and tightened to 50 ft/lbs. The irritant still rides like a buckboard, just got off the trail today. Where it did make a huge difference is in control. Off road, goes right where I point it, on road, really reduced body roll. All in all well worth the effort (and it was a serious effort, in my case) until I can afford new springs. I've read that non boxed frame jeeps are designed to flex as much in the frame as in the suspension...doesen't make for the nicest ride, but the old beast went everywhere I asked it to today. I'm a beat up, tired, dust covered, happy camper.

 

Same here. Anything more than snug locks up the suspension. I don't think my stock springs move more than 4" or so at the axle, and the shocks limit droop terribly. Can't wait to get my YJ suspension on

 

Well, after yesterdays trail beating, I think I'm gonna loosen 'em up and double nut. A skateboard would have had a better ride.

 

With the silent block bushings (rubber with two steel shells) I thought that the movement was actually between the rubber and the shells, not the shell twisting on the bolt. In that case, you'd want to torque down the bolt to lock the inner shell to the shackle. I haven't used the poly bushings, but shouldn't that be the case with them too? Otherwise you may as well have the greasable bronze style.

 

As for the torque on the bolts, I snuged them down till the metal sleeve in the bushing contacted the shackles. But how about the travel? I saw no change in the travel, and I did not expect to see any. I am only asking if 4-6 inches of travel is normal or not.

Kent

 

That is about all I could get out of mine, although it wasn't stock. The PO installed about 2.5" lift springs and extended shackles. It was very stiff. Either front wheel was constantly in the air.

 

Got it. Thanks for the help. I have read a whole lot and really like Tim's info about frame flex adding to the suspension travel.

Kent

 

First step is to disconnect the shocks and see it it travels any farther. Narrow track 5's have the short front upper shock mount and that could be limiting the travel. I know that the shocks are limiting my travel, but I think having the front tire 42" off of the ground is enough.