Hi, new to the forum and looking for some advice. I recently bought my first XJ (2001 4L Auto) and absolutely love it! I've had several japanese 4x4's in the past, but none with such character!

I have just installed a 3" BDS lift kit but the driver side still sags (was already sagging before the lift). Looking closer the front right wheel is slightly splayed out. The suspension shop that fitted the lift for me said the axle was bent and that they could straighten and brace it. Is this something that is common practice?

They also said that the LCA and track bar bushings were shot and needed replacing. I am looking at an IRO upgrade for the arms, track bar and maybe the HD over the knuckle steering setup if the bucks allow. Would this maybe sort out the splayed wheel and sag?

Any suggestions welcome

welcome to the forum!

just curious, is there any indication that the vehicle was in an accident or hit on that side? reason i ask is because axles dont just sag out of nowhere, and bending one is not the easiest thing to do.

jack up the front end and check for play in the wheels, excessive slop in the wheel bearing could cause the wheel to angle like that.

if it turns out that the axle is bent; if you're willing to do the work yourself i would pull another dana 30 axle from the junkyard just because you'll spend the same or less (~150) than by having a shop straighten and brace an already damaged axle housing

Replace your balljoints and use a 2 degree adjustable uppers on both sides.

Rotate the uppers to obtain the correct camber then ack weld the joints to the inner C.

I would need more proof that the axle was indeed bent. Maybe they meant the part inside the axle- the half shaft? But if either the axle, or the half shaft was bent, I'm pretty sure things would either vibrate BAD, or it would just snap the shaft.. Dunno from experience, though.. :/ either way, it looks like there may be a few parts worn out. The u joint is likely. Any clunking/popping when turning? I would def recommend getting a second opinion on your situation! Get an alignment done, by make sure they check over the front end in general. Here is a pic of things to check yourself. Pretty much everything highlighted will have an impact on steering and suspension characteristics..

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who has the BDS 3 inch
I've got a few thousand miles on my setup and it's been great. I hope you enjoy.

as for the axle being bent, as the other guys mentioned doubtful it's bent but if it is replace it- don't bother fixing.

A bent front axle shaft will not affect the camber of the tire.

Thanks all for the responses.

As far as I know the vehicle has never been in an accident. There is no shake or vibrations even at 120km/h and no clunking when turning. The handling is a little vague, could that be due to worn arm/bar bushings alone?

I will definitely investigate further including the u joint / balljoint and bearing.

In the meantime I need to order new arms, bar & rod. In South Africa we are limited to OEM or BDS as far as I know. The BDS parts from the local dealer are pretty expensive and I can get cheaper from the US including shipping. Could you guys recommend IRO components? They seem to have a good following.

Will update this post when I find out.

Click on my sig and check out the Rubicon Express kits. Let me know which you're interested in and I'll get a freight quote for you. You'll need to provide a ship to address, just send it to me via a PM.

Right on.. I think I was trying to figure out what the shop had said was bent..

Good luck!

Thanks VT, very useful diagram.

I agree on the adjustable ball joints.

OK, I jacked up the wheel and jerked it side to side and up & down and no play on the joint whatsoever.

I have noticed a high pitch whirring sound from the diff when turning with the steering wheel turned at maximum (low speed maneuvers, u-turns etc).

Any ideas?

Power steering pump is getting old...the whirring sound.

Have you actually checked your camber?

check power steering pump fluid level. if it's low it'll do that. or it can be old.