I scored some newer leaf springs for my 88 off of a 97 I believe it was, guy said it wasn't sagging on his. He took his off to do a lift. I made him an offer and he took it... 60$ for the two.

Hours later I am done with the replacement (PITFA) but it still actually sags pretty bad. I mean, not to say that the guy couldn't have been a real liar... But I'd love to assume it could be something else.

I did notice, upon taking off the shock absorbers, they were pretty loose, I could flex them in and out easily with my hands.

Any ideas? SHock absorbers don't really give lift do they?

Side note, I am hearing a noise when taking hard left turns from the rear passenger side. Hoping nothing major... maybe forgot to tighten the sway bar all the way....

 

If they were OEM '97 leaf springs..... I'd bet they were sagging. It would be unusual if they did not.
Not that '97 is different than any other year, rather the XJ leaf springs just sag over time. My '96 nearly has a reverse curve, lol despite no trailer towing, no weight in the back...just age.

 

Haha. Should have thought about the fact that they are still 16 years old... It just sounded so new since mine were 25!

Next time I mess with it, it will be much easier. I doubt I will do anything with it until I decide to lift a bit. Thankfully my jeep has not been visited by the rust monster.

Anyone ideas on that noise, like a clunking, upon turning left?

 

Yeah, I am lucky that my 98 springs don't sag. As far as turning left, is it only left? Also, front or rear? Happened only when you r&r the sprigs?

 

Back passenger makes the noises, and it only happens when I go left. Only started after the replacement. I'm not even sure what the possibilities are, probably something a little loose my guess?

My sisters honda made a similar noise when she got the thing. Then somebody looked at it and found the sway bar loose and it was fixed... I guess it's a place to start.

 

Of course checking over what you have touched is a great place to start, also you don't know what the bushing on the leaf springs were like so they could have been junk and going left causes the spring to hit the mount and cause your clunk.

 

Tell her to be quiet.