What do I need when replacing coils and leaf springs?
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 27
From: North North California
Year: 1992 with 260k miles
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Im going to replace the coil and leaf springs on my 92 cherokee. Is there anything that I need to replace like bushings or bolts? I life in an area with little rust, so I dont expect anything to break. Also would a macphearson strut compressor like this work for the coil springs?
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,495
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From: Glen Burnie, MD
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
stock for stock? New leafs should come with bushings. Might replace the coil spring isolators but you won't really know till you've got it apart.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 27
From: North North California
Year: 1992 with 260k miles
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Im getting the
and
. I think it matches upcountry suspension with a 1-2 inch lift. Im not sure if my jeep has upcountry. It has skidplates, but nothing else that is listed for upcountrys.
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,461
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From: Connecticut
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Also would a macphearson strut compressor like this work for the coil springs?
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,461
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From: Connecticut
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Since you'll be changing geometry (at least a little) you should be carefully checking all front end components for wear to make sure you don't end up with some death wobble. Especially ball joints.
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,461
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From: Connecticut
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
You're probably going to need to shim the rear axle a bit to adjust the pinion angle, but it's really not as complicated as some people would lead you to believe.
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Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Hangover, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
You will need
new U-bolts for the rear leaf springs
Possibly new shackles if the bushings are bad
and expect to replace anything else you have to remove
I had no use for a spring compressor when i did the same job.
new U-bolts for the rear leaf springs
Possibly new shackles if the bushings are bad
and expect to replace anything else you have to remove
I had no use for a spring compressor when i did the same job.
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Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,478
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From: Southern Texas (former AZ & Aus)
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: I6 4.0L
chiming in for brand if the OP cares.... I replaced my original rear with heavy duty Crown leaves from Quadratec about 5 years ago and they are still holding up great and were decent price too.
not sure if it's b/c I got the heavy duty version... but it does give a decent lift... fortunately I already had longer brake lines. So was no big deal.
not sure if it's b/c I got the heavy duty version... but it does give a decent lift... fortunately I already had longer brake lines. So was no big deal.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 934
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From: PA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If the leaf springs have never not been removed before, or maybe even if they have, you absolutely MUST heat the bolts hot enough to break down the permaent "loc-tite" holding the bolts in place, otherwise you WILL break loose the nut spot-welded to the mounts on the frame. There is no way around this... If the bolts don't come loose somewhat easily, you need more heat... DO NOT under any circumstances try to force these bolts; you WILL be sorry...
Edit: I'll add that this is seperate from when they get stuck in the sleeves in the bushings. You'll know the difference...
Edit: I'll add that this is seperate from when they get stuck in the sleeves in the bushings. You'll know the difference...
Last edited by Jim Malcolm; Aug 29, 2023 at 02:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 27
From: North North California
Year: 1992 with 260k miles
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
What do I use to heat up the bolts? How do I keep the gas tank that is next to it from exploding?
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,461
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From: Connecticut
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
OK so let's start at the beginning.
What kind of tools do you have? If you're trying to do this with a Crescent wrench and a 3/8 socket set from HFT then don't even start.
You need brand name tools, at least 1/2 drive and 6 pt sockets. A BF breaker bar or air hammer. You might not even need heat, but soak the nuts in PB Blaster or awg's Magic Elixir for a few days. If they're as clean as you suggest in first post if you're that uncomfortable with fame back there don't use it cause that's how accidents happen.
For the front spring bolts cut windows in bulge, image to follow. You can then add PB, heat if you think it's safer and/or put a wrench on the nut if the welds break from the frame, it's NBD.
What kind of tools do you have? If you're trying to do this with a Crescent wrench and a 3/8 socket set from HFT then don't even start.
You need brand name tools, at least 1/2 drive and 6 pt sockets. A BF breaker bar or air hammer. You might not even need heat, but soak the nuts in PB Blaster or awg's Magic Elixir for a few days. If they're as clean as you suggest in first post if you're that uncomfortable with fame back there don't use it cause that's how accidents happen.
For the front spring bolts cut windows in bulge, image to follow. You can then add PB, heat if you think it's safer and/or put a wrench on the nut if the welds break from the frame, it's NBD.


