McCaffrey

My RE 4.5 with new leafs and arms is almost done. I have good engine and hotrods skills but suspension n00b. I'd say about 12 man/hours with fender trimming/folding in the driveway. Mostly by myself but my buddy helped with the front links and springs. And of course my dad helped with the jack, grabbing tools, and most importantly giving me expert advice.

ORourkester

sounds like a plan to me haha I just got it in the mail today I want to start only to get it done sooner need the car for work tonight tho so im SOL as of right now

I Leak Oil

I know this is way late but it also helps with turning radius

DieselD

Even with that kind of bend? I've seem the WJ arms that bend like sideways, but those are an up and down bend. If that makes sense lol.

Tires won't be any bigger than 30x9.50s I don't think they'll rub the LCAs but they'll be on stock wheels more than likely so I don't know.

I Leak Oil

Are you talking about the iro long arms?

Edit; im sorry i didn't even look at the picture. Sorry i dont see how that type of bend would help with turning radius

McCaffrey

Those are lower arms. The won't clear the axle mount without either a bend or the weld offset. RE's are offset.

Look at me. I've done it once and now I think I'm an expert. hahaha

DieselD

Haha... no prob.

I'm just researching. I posted a few posts ago intentions and what's on the list. Seems that control arms might be useless with an OME kit IF I stay at 2.5" I wanted 3" but the more I look and read, 3" seems to be a gray area for control arms. Adjustable ones would give me the correct length, but from what I understand would do nothing for the angle, regardless of bend or no bend.

Does any company make control a drops for a 3" lift? Only ones I've heard of are RCs.

mgclark6

Thanks, yes Dirk returned my call, very knowledgable guy. That's the system I was looking at but probably the 3". What size tire does your buddy run? My plans are for 31s.

dukie564

The 16" version of 31s

Another Cherokee

Will need some forum help othis one, so bear with me..
Went to get an alignment after 3" lift on my 96 XJ.

On the very back side of each of the lower "control arm" mount (rear frane end mount) there are two studs - facing front to back. When I just got my alignment done after the lift, two of those stud bolts snapped - one on each side.

Parts guy at the shop calls around, says he can't find them anywhere to buy them to replace. But the alignment guy is crawling all over that LCA bushing (where you adjust caster) and concludes they aren't needed, and ok to run with just one on each side, but if I can find them, he will happily reinstall them.

So.....what are these for, and why would he conclude they aren't needed? Jeep put them there for some reason I guess! Lastly, where the heck do I buy these?
HELP, thanks!

dukie564

aftermarket LCAs or stock? Those bolts adjust the caster for the front axle using shims between the mount and a clevis bracket. If they are new adjustable LCAs don't worry about it, but if they are stock LCAs that's the only way to adjust the caster and they need to be replaced.

Part # 52000532

Another Cherokee

Thanks for the quick reply, Dukie.
These ARE stock LCAs, I should have noted that. Alignment guy just cranked the bushing bolt, and said these have no purpose. Apparently not! He was able to get a bit over 7 degrees caster, but if I follow you comment right, it will fall back if not shimmed out.
Also where is this part # found? What reference or company? Thanks

McCaffrey

If the bolts are tight I doubt it would move. Although I'm kind of OCD so I wouldn't run without them. They broke 'em so insist they replace. Otherwise get them at the junkyard.

bhennessee1

Chrysler

Another Cherokee

Yeah, should have edited that post portion. I found the part shortly after I posted, but WHAT THE F???!!!! The studs are mounted to a small brace, called an alignment Clevis, and it's around $60.00
At that price, I might as well spend that toward adjustable LCAs if I don't find them in a junkyard!!! Holy smokes, batman!
I can't really blame the shop. They were pretty seized up and rusty. They had seen a good life, and he mentioned that turning them would likely snap them, yet I said go and try. At that moment, I thought they were just normal bolts!
Does anyone ever just replace them with small carriage bolts or something?