evil_goat

I recently replaced my shocks which made larger bumps and potholes less harsh. However when driving on dirt roads with lots of smallish rocks on them, It is really rattling, bumpy, and noisy. If I get new leaf and coil springs, will it be better? The leaf springs are not falling apart, but they are completely flat. Is that normal? Is the ratteling and noise just normal for older cars?

Roler

Well goat, that depends on what's rattling hahaAnd we can't diagnose from a distance.

Look, Jeeps aren't silent cars. And cars this old have seen a few seasons.

Have a look underneath and get your hands on things and see if there is anything loose. Take some time to investigate.

Before you fork out any new parts ; simple things like exhaust hangers, cath converters etc cause more rattling sounds than faulty suspension parts.

evil_goat

Its not really a specific thing rattling, it's more like the whole car, and the ride being bumpy and noisy when driving on rocky roads. That's why I thought it was something going on with the suspension. But then again, that might just be normal for old jeeps. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Would old/worn leaf springs and coils not be able to absorb the bumps from the rocks? Or does that only happen when they are broken?

evil_goat

Does the coil and leaf spring look ok? I inspected them and couldn't find any breaks, or cracks

agreen

No your leaf springs have sagged to the point that they have a negative arch. If you just put on new leaf springs it'll have a forward rake. I put some dorman leaves on mine and it looked like I did a backwards squat.

What brand shocks did you use?

evil_goat

I used Monroe OE Spectrum shocks. Would new leaf springs make the ride not bumpy when driving on dirt/rock roads? Is it worth it to replace the leaf springs?

agreen

Oh man. So I wrote this whole thing about Monroe shocks but somehow it didn't post. Long story short, I regret to inform you that you made a bad decision with that brand. I even used to have to talk my customers out of Monroe shocks because I knew I'd be changing them again in another month (if that).

Years later I thought "You know what, there's no way they're still as bad as they used to be". So I put a set on my XJ and immediately regretted it. I then bought a 3" Rough Country lift with shocks and haven't looked back.

Now that you're faced with changing springs, you're at the point where many people decide whether they want to buy stock springs and shocks or spend the same amount for a small lift. It's absolutely worth it to change the springs. But not just the rear leaf springs, but also the front coils too. Unfortunately, putting new springs in won't change how bad the Monroe shocks are.

evil_goat

For me, the Monroe shocks seem way better than the old ones. The old ones still seemed like they were working ok when I pressed down on them after I took them off. If I get new springs and coils, how will the ride change? It will be less bumpy right?

Roler

Just wondering: did you prime the shocks before installing?

Roler

Roler

Can you take a picture of that, agreen? I have a hard time visualising this 🤣

evil_goat

Yes, I did

superj

its not your hatch rattling? my wife's rattles like crazy on bumpy roads and its the dang hatch. i have tried everything to stop it but its just held on with two hinges on top and a latch bottom center so theres not much you can do

evil_goat

The hatch is definetly ratteling, but it also seems like the whole car is also ratteling on bumpy roads.

jpz

Parlez-vous fancais?