oberazxj

I purchased and installed a Rough Country 3" lift kit. Got springs and shocks on the front. Had to remove bolt on control arm to get axle to drop enough to get new spring in. Now I can't get the hole to line up enough to get bolt back in. Axle on right side seems to have moved about an inch backward. Anyone else ever have similar problem? How did you move the axle forward?

lifted1994xj

Put a bottle jack between the control arm mount and the axle.

oberazxj

Thanks, I'll try it..

ITSAJEEPXJTHING

you can also use coil spring compressors to shorten it up a bit, that usually will get you the needed room.

as for lining up holes, if you can get it remotely close a round puch works nicely to get it where you need it, a philips head screwdriver works in a pinch.

danimal

My 15 yr old stepson and I are doing his this weekend. Same kit RC 3". Just curious, did you use a coil spring compressor? If not, do you think it would've helped? Wondering if you would've had to let loose the control arm if you had the compressor. Some seem to say it helps, some say no.

I know it would've been nice to have when I did my wife's 08 Rubicon last year. Just needed that extra little bit to fit. Managed to get it without, but it was a pain and defiinitely banged up some knuckles.

Thanks for bringing up the control arm thing. I'm sure I'll run into it also.

Anything else you might think of to add............I'd be much obliged.

mobilecherokee4

PB blast all the bolts and stuff so they will be easier to get out

danimal

Thanks. Yeah I picked up on that. Fortunately I'm in Arizona. There's barely any rust on the bottom. It's amazing how well it's held up after 16 years.

I'm from Michigan originally. I remember going down to the local dealership when the brand new cars arrived from Detroit. Some of them had rust on em just from making the 640 mile trip on a car carrier/semi-truck. I sure don't miss that.

Are you missing a bump stop? Reason I ask is one of the kid's (stepson's) is missing completely and one is in really bad shape. Since we're doing the lift this weekend, I'm doing the mad scramble to find replacements while we have it all apart.

XJ?2010

I lined mine up with one guy pushing the axle forward and two pushing it sideways. man when I got that bolt on the whole body amost fell off the jack stands with me under it....scary

4.3L XJ

Ratchets straps work very well for this, as well as alignment punches.

thehuff

i was able to get my springs in just by disconnecting the sway bar and the track bar and by jacking up the opposite side of the axle

89whiteXJ

I was gonna say a come a long. That is what we use to line things up. I had mine on a Lift so we were under it and was easier plus it was a 6.5 lift.

danimal

Got it. So work one side at a time then? That's the way I ended up doing the wife's Rubi last year. Still wasn't easy, but it worked.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up doing with the track bar? Relocate, switch to adjustable, or put it back where it was?

How about bump stops. This seems like another area where people have differing opinions. Some say stock, some say longer.

Guess it's difficult to tell until you get it together, put the rims and tires on that you intend to use and flex it out to see where everything lands.

4.3L XJ

With a 3" lift, you shouldn't need to do anything with the track bar. If you have taken it loose, the ratchet strap or come along will pul the Jeep into place on the axle.

oberazxj

Thanks for all the replies.. I will get a bottle jack today. That's what I thought of first but I didn't bring them with my move to AZ. Yes I did used spring compressors and I needed them. I couldn't get the wheel to drop enough to get the new (longer) spring in place. Also don't forget to have longer brakes lines. A long, dirty job by yourself.

danimal

Yeah suspension work is never a picnic. Further compounded/complicated by vehicles that have been on the road for 20 years or so.

First I'd heard about the brake lines. On the Rubi you just had some extended deals to drop the mounting points down 3". I was just going to make some of those up again.

Not gonna work then and need longer ones?